Dolphins name Tua Tagovailoa starting QB going forward

[clayboy54]

2 hours ago, BuffaloBills1998 said:

Fitz played like crap against the Jets. Couldn’t convert a third down until Tua stepped in. It’s obvious fitz is running off fumes, he’s at the end

The game was 24-0 on ice when Tua stepped in. What in God's name are you thinking?

[PetermansRedemption]

1 hour ago, bobobonators said:

This is a bit of a head scratcher. 

 

Devil’s advocate here. If youre the GM you likely went into this year fully expecting Tua to get a bunch of games under his belt. An added bonus of Tua getting games under his belt was that Fitz probably struggled and you won a handful of games so you were landing a top 10-15 pick for next season. No expectations to win this year. Life is good. Next year things really start progressing. 
 

But now the Dolphins are 3-3 and Fitz is playing out of his mind. If the Fins win a couple more games and are at .500 or above .500 halfway through the season when “in the hunt” for playoff graphics start popping up, can you really justify to a fanbase that youre gonna bench Fitz? Itll be that much harder to do that. So instead youre forced to play Fitz, Tua loses about half a year of progression, and youre likely not landing a top 10 pick next season. As GM your entire “plan” is pushed back a year. 
 

now, i admit this is highly skeptical of me, but something smells FISHY 😂🤣

However, they are lucky enough to own Houston’s first and second round picks. Which is surely going to be top 10 and likely top 5. 

[dave mcbride]

I know people hate PFF and especially Sam Monson, but he had an interesting twitter thread about how Fitz's quick release game is covering up some some very shaky offensive line play. He's one of the quickest-releasing qbs in the league this year, and Tua will not be that guy. I think there's something to that. 

[Buffalo716]

2 hours ago, Buffalo Bills Fan said:

Gotta feel for Fitz  . Having a solid year so far.

He has more ints than TDs

[YoloinOhio]

1 minute ago, dave mcbride said:

I know people hate PFF and especially Sam Monson, but he had an interesting twitter thread about how Fitz's quick release game is covering up some some very shaky offensive line play. He's one of the quickest-releasing qbs in the league this year, and Tua will not be that guy. I think there's something to that. 

Their OL is quite bad on paper. I could see that. 

[MJS]

8 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

He has more ints than TDs

Yeah, Fitz is a roller coaster. The Dolphins are fine to get their rookie some snaps. Although, I'm surprised they didn't let him sit and learn longer.

 

Unless they have been really impressed with Tua in practice and think he gives them a better shot.

[billsbackto81]

They're doing it with their eye on the future. They know they will not compete for the post season, don't let their recent minor success fool you. This way they improve their own draft position while getting two of Houston's picks as well. They could very well have 3 picks in the Top 10-15 range. Can you imagine what they can do with that capital along with a aggressive free agency? Woof!!! 

[thebandit27]

19 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

I know people hate PFF and especially Sam Monson, but he had an interesting twitter thread about how Fitz's quick release game is covering up some some very shaky offensive line play. He's one of the quickest-releasing qbs in the league this year, and Tua will not be that guy. I think there's something to that. 

Forget PFF, NextGen has the data:

https://nextgenstats.nfl.com/stats/passing#average-time-to-throw
 

Fitz is 3rd in the league in TTT...

[bobobonators]

20 minutes ago, PetermansRedemption said:

However, they are lucky enough to own Houston’s first and second round picks. Which is surely going to be top 10 and likely top 5. 

I forgot about that! 

[Shaw66]

Tua must be looking awfully good in practice. Really hard to imagine that he is ready, but the coaches see something. Gailey wont fo away from Fitz without good reason. 

 

This may be the end for Fitz.  I'd be pretty discouraged if I were he.  Maybe Gailey convinces him to come back next year to mentor Tua from the bench. 

 

Love it if he would replace Barkley. 

[Buffalo716]

8 minutes ago, MJS said:

Yeah, Fitz is a roller coaster. The Dolphins are fine to get their rookie some snaps. Although, I'm surprised they didn't let him sit and learn longer.

 

Unless they have been really impressed with Tua in practice and think he gives them a better shot.

I love fitz but he's just gonna keep you at 7-9

 

Let the rookie get some experience, it'll help in the long run because they aren't going anywhere

[dave mcbride]

3 minutes ago, thebandit27 said:

Forget PFF, NextGen has the data:

https://nextgenstats.nfl.com/stats/passing#average-time-to-throw
 

Fitz is 3rd in the league in TTT...

Here's what Monson wrote. He also has him at 3rd. 

 

[BigBuff423]

Honestly, I really don't understand this decision at all. I completely get the fact that Tua was going to start at some point, but Fitz has been dealing and the team is now winning, in part because the Offense and team rally around Fitz as a terrific leader on and off the field. Now, you're changing mid-stream without justification.

 

I think Flores has done a strong job thus far in turning that Titanic of a crap-show around in just a year's worth of time, but this to me - wreaks of horrific timing.

 

If the Dolphins were 0-6 like the Jets or if the Defense was spectacular and Fitzy was throwing 2-3 INTs a game and NOT putting up points, again I could see it....but Fitz has NOT been the issue in those losses for the most part and put an absolute pasting on the 49ers when virtually nobody gave them a chance. 

 

I just think this is a really bad decision and I honestly do feel for Fitzy. Great guy, great teammate, average QB skills but gamer and ballsy all day long, and good man from what can be seen from a fan's perspective....oh, and he had the mic drop line of the night when he ROASTED Doug Whaley. 

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

3 hours ago, thebandit27 said:

WTF are they doing?

 

Good question.    Aren't they ahead of the Pats*** ?

 

3 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

Completes a couple short passes against the Jests in garbage time and voila

 

3 hours ago, Buffalo Bills Fan said:

Gotta feel for Fitz  . Having a solid year so far.

 

I agree.  

[machine gun kelly]

I don’t know why they don’t wait til Fitz loses to put Tua in for the rest of the year.  Lose two and Tua’s you’re man.  Fitz keeps winning and just keep him in there.  I’m happy for Tua, but why go up on you’re first start to the Rams.  They are a legitimate playoff team, potentially a wildcard to Seattle’s division winner.

 

KC did Mahomes a favor by holding off until close to the end of the year.

[prissythecat]

1 hour ago, ProcessTruster said:

you will be eating crow.  Tua is the real deal.   They are setting up for next season.   Their team is pretty good and the kid won't get beat up bc you can't catch him.   His accuracy is unbelievable.  He will be better than Josh for sure, and I think Josh is really good.  

 

You know this because you heavily scouted Tua in college?   We havent exactly seen  a lot of Tua in the NFL.  He may look very different on the field .   Very bold to be saying he is the real deal at this point.  

[Rochesterfan]

4 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

 

 

Not really that surprised- I believe this was the plan and the reason Fitz’s family was in the box at the last game.

 

With no preseason - Tua was not ready at the start.  Give Fitz to the bye- so the team is up to speed and then give Tua the 2 weeks to get ready and move forward.

 

The Dolphins are not worried about this season - this is about getting the team ready for 2021 and beyond.

 

Good call by a staff that feels safe in their environment and can look ahead and prepare.

 

I think prior to COVID schedule changes - this move was slated for later in the season.  I think the change to their bye week and the fact that Tua and Fitz will run very different offenses meant they want the bye week to plan, set-up and teach the new plans.

Edited October 20, 2020 by Rochesterfan

[Rochesterfan]

2 hours ago, buffaloboyinATL said:

This is my guess as well. This was likely planned all along, otherwise the timing seems very odd.  I really hope Fitz knew ahead of time.  

I think he was aware - his family was given a box by the Dolphins.  I am pretty sure this was their plan and sticking to it takes guts. 
 

 

[QCity]

3 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

 

 

 

Odd fact: He's actually right-handed. 

 

QB life is nice in Alabama when you have 10 seconds to throw. Playing your first game against Aaron Donald won't be so nice.

[BillsVet]

Shades of RW telling Wade to play RJ at what became the MCM. 

 

Not a football decision and I suspect ordered from on-high by management.  With Florida permitting fan attendance, Fitz ain't moving the needle in fan excitement even though he's played fairly well. 

[Chandler#81]

4 hours ago, thebandit27 said:

WTF are they doing?

Gotta get him in there. They know they’re not ready to seriously compete right now. But if Tua is what they crack him up to be, this will be great experience starting next year and beyond. For as relieved as we are that NE* appears to have fallen finally back to the pack, it’s not a ‘gimme’ that the Division is ours for the foreseeable future. Their foreseeable future doesn’t include Fitz,

That’s what they’re doing.

[CincyBillsFan]

If I was a Dolphins fan I would like this move.  If Tua hits the ground running like Burrow & Herbert have he has a chance to lead the fish to the playoffs in his rookie season.  If he struggles but gets better as the season plays out that's still good for Miami even if they miss the payoffs. 

 

As an aside if I'm a NE fan I'm getting nervous that my elite program is about to crash and burn for years.  My coach is real old and not getting any younger.  Newton is not the answer and I'm not getting a top 10 pick.  And if the Jets can close the deal and lock up the #1 pick the AFC East will have Allen, Tua & Lawrence.  Can yous say last place finishes for the foreseeable Patriot future.

 

 

[Rc2catch]

I don’t know if it’s smart to put him in yet. I’m not sure if many of us actually watch dolphin games outside vs us, but those players really really love Fitz. I can’t imagine it’s good for the locker room to make the move while Fitz is still playing decent. They just blew out the 49ers and Jets and played Seattle pretty tough. 
Kinda seems like a we’re giving up so let’s see what the kid has move as opposed to we have a better shot of winning with Tua. 
If Tua doesn’t play well they’ve set themselves up for disaster if they have to turn back. 

[mjd1001]

I don't get this move.  

 

Young QB's dont seem to get worse by sitting on the bench for a year.  More importantly, why would you do it NOW when your current QB is playing pretty good and you just came off some good games?  Now if he does poorly, he can take blame for 'ruining' a good season.  Not much of a reason to not wait a bit longer in my mind.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

'Tank for Tua' becomes 'Tank by Tua'? 🤔

[BullBuchanan]

3 hours ago, ProcessTruster said:

you will be eating crow.  Tua is the real deal.   They are setting up for next season.   Their team is pretty good and the kid won't get beat up bc you can't catch him.   His accuracy is unbelievable.  He will be better than Josh for sure, and I think Josh is really good.  

I think he's on a massive hype train. Seems like just another small Alabama system QB to me.

[Talley56]

Guess we'll have to start getting the name right:

 

[BuffaloBills1998]

2 hours ago, clayboy54 said:

The game was 24-0 on ice when Tua stepped in. What in God's name are you thinking?

They’re getting him some playing time experience. Most likely front office saw the way LA and Cinci were letting their rookies start and again the up and down play from Fitz had a big influence on Tua starting. Can’t lie though it brought a smile to my face when the camera panned on Fitz Cheering and rooting for Tua. Not a good QB but a great teammate

[benderbender]

What are the Dolphins thinking? I have a guess. And the Fitz fan section might want to take a seat for this, but for all of his beard hair, he’s got 0 playoff games under his belt. Perhaps the 15th time is the charm. There’s hope. I predict another Fitz thread with a variation of that title. 

 

But it appears Miami’s analytics department have done the math and feel that the value of developmental reps outweighs the ups and downs of a flighty vet who will leave town to either another payday, or a well deserved retirement. 

 

p.s. he wears his wedding ring

p.p.s. he’s got a beard

Edited October 20, 2020 by benderbender

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

5 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

I think they must have been getting a lot of pressure to do this with Herbert and Burrow out there playing so well. 

Maybe they always planned to make the change at the bye week?

 

Wow, am shocked, but guessing that was the paln all along, they just never expected to be 3-3 and one game off the lead.

 

Does seem like a huge risk of losing the team if this blows up which a good chance it will just because rookies typically struggle.

 

Does make me wonder if this came down from above.

[Doc Brown]

The first team to successfully pull him out before the "bad Fitz" stretch starts.  Well played Miami.

[Mango]

17 minutes ago, Doc Brown said:

The first team to successfully pull him out before the "bad Fitz" stretch starts.  Well played Miami.

Or you just enter the Fitz cycle and Tua is now destined to be pulled or injured. The cycle must complete itself, Tua is toast, another victim waiting in the wings. 

[Punching Bag]

6 hours ago, aristocrat said:

fitz has 4 tds and 5 picks on the season.  i'm assuming they want to score some more passing tds and perhaps tua gives them that.  now they have two weeks to get ready and flores is a damn good coach it seems.  fitz did the team right getting them where they are and even could be in a better spot had they beaten us.  if tua comes out and plays like herbert has then the phins will be flirting with double digit wins. 

 

6 hours ago, BuffaloHokie13 said:

He has 12 TDs (2 were rushing) and 7 turnovers in 6 games. Very middle of the road this year.

 

Facts do not stop irrational ranting. @aristocrat has proved it for several years now.

 

						Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass	Rush	Rush	Rush	Rush	Rece	Rece	Rece	Rece	Rece	Scor	Scor	Fumb	Fumb	Off.	Off.
Date	Week	Tm		Opp	Result	Cmp	Att	Cmp%	Yds	TD	Int	Rate	Sk	Yds	Y/A	AY/A	Rush	Yds	Y/A	TD	Tgt	Rec	TD	Ctch%	Y/Tgt	2PM	TD	Fmb	FR	Num	Pct
2020-09-13	1	MIA	@	NWE	L 11-21	20	30	66.67	191	0	3	44.6	1	9	6.37	1.87	5	18	3.60	0	0	0	0	0.0%		1	0	1	1	62	100%
2020-09-20	2	MIA		BUF	L 28-31	31	47	65.96	328	2	0	100.3	3	17	6.98	7.83	3	12	4.00	0	0	0	0	0.0%			0	0	0	75	100%
2020-09-24	3	MIA	@	JAX	W 31-13	18	20	90.00	160	2	0	133.3	1	4	8.00	10.00	7	38	5.43	1	1	1	0	100.0%	0.00		1	0	0	61	100%
2020-10-04	4	MIA		SEA	L 23-31	29	45	64.44	315	0	2	66.4	1	3	7.00	5.00	6	47	7.83	1	0	0	0	0.0%			1	0	0	71	100%
2020-10-11	5	MIA	@	SFO	W 43-17	22	28	78.57	350	3	0	154.5	2	8	12.50	14.64	3	16	5.33	0	0	0	0	0.0%			0	0	0	67	100%
2020-10-18	6	MIA		NYJ	W 24-0	18	27	66.67	191	3	2	93.3	2	8	7.07	5.96	1	4	4.00	0	0	0	0	0.0%			0	0	0	51	91%

6 minutes ago, Mango said:

Or you just enter the Fitz cycle and Tua is now destined to be pulled or injured. The cycle must complete itself, Tua is toast, another victim waiting in the wings. 

 

The difference in cycle Tua came pre-injured.

[Mr. WEO]

Crazy

 

[ColoradoBills]

1 hour ago, BuffaloBills1998 said:

They’re getting him some playing time experience. Most likely front office saw the way LA and Cinci were letting their rookies start and again the up and down play from Fitz had a big influence on Tua starting. Can’t lie though it brought a smile to my face when the camera panned on Fitz Cheering and rooting for Tua. Not a good QB but a great teammate

 

So did I.  Fitz will continue to help Tua from the sidelines and when the D is on the field.  He will be a good tutor and teammate like he

always has been.  He couldn't do that if he was still playing.  Might as well use it before he leaves next year.

[97bills]

6 hours ago, clayboy54 said:

Wow! That is really a surprise to me.

 

Fitzy was having a really good season. Why not let the kid learn while you can and put him in when Fitz inevitably cools off? This could be a real mistake if Tua has some rookie struggles.

He will have some rookie struggles only thing I can think of they don’t want to mess up that hi draft pick and at same time let him get his feet wet. Because really how good the fish are playing they could fight for that last wild card. I mean let’s be honest They can beat the bills right now. 

[JohnNord]

People are sleeping on Fitz.  He has played very well all year and was a big reason why they have been winning.  The Miami OL is actually not that good but Fitz has been getting the ball out on average of like 2.75 seconds with good accuracy.  
 

If the idea is to sacrifice a potential Wild Card spot for the future, it makes sense.  But I definitely don’t think this move will help this season during a time when things were rolling

[TroutDog]

I haven’t read all nine pages of the thread (only the first) but I think it’s important to remember that we are not seeing how Tua has practiced. If he’s the best option, why not?

 

He was an amazing QB at the apex of the SEC. 

 

I have a soft spot for Fitz, too, but he’ll go on to team nine or ten, the beard will grow and all will be well in his world. 

Edited October 20, 2020 by TroutDog

[Sharky7337]

Or it could be that after seeing the bills and the patriots last two games he feels tua will be enough to take the division. 

[Artem Lipatov]

maybe they see Tua in practice and he is better than Fitz. It's odd move to give up chances to make playoffs