Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa resists criticism of arm strength

Miami – Dolphin Quarterback Toa Tagoviloa Head coach Mike McDaniel is starting to let his guard down, he told reporters after the team’s second day of mandatory small camp on Thursday.

Tagovailoa completed a pair of deep passes to the wide receiver Trek Hill — for 45 and 55 yards — and explained how he felt about doubts about his perceived arm strength.

“Yes, if I saw the third-to-last play we had — I don’t know if I could throw the ball down, but by my reckoning, I think it might have been a relegation to Tyreek after practice,” he said after practice. for Tyreek. So you know, however you want to write any of that out on social media or whatever outlets you guys are on.”

One of the primary criticisms leveled against Tagoviloa since entering the league in 2020 is his perceived ability to push the ball down. Since his rookie season, he has ranked 30th among qualifying passers in average air yards per attempt at 7.13 yards.

However, Tagoviloa led the NFL in pass completion percentage at least 25 yards, and completed 50% of them—but he attempted only 18 passes, the second lowest in the league.

in Interview with Muscle & Fitness magazine This week, he claimed that his lack of passing on the field was more the result of playing calls than natural ability.

“I’ve seen some improvements in being able to get the ball down the court again,” he said. “I honestly think it’s just training. I wasn’t really able to push the ball down the field last year because we didn’t have play specifically to push the ball down the field. There were a lot of called plays last year for one person. Either that The person is open or the play may be dead.

“It’s a little different now. My second year was different from my junior year and this year it’s going to be different than last year in terms of how I do things. I definitely feel more confident in my ability to push the ball down the field. It’s going to be exciting.”

In that same interview, Tagoviloa said he spent the majority of his time developing his foundation and improving his arm strength and mobility.

The former No. 5 public pick said he’s aware of what people are saying about his arm strength, mostly because Dolphins’ communications department tells him to prepare him for what local media might ask him about.

In the past, he had refused to comment in depth on how he felt about those criticisms; This was not the case on Thursday.

“You know, to me, it’s just a remote area,” said Tagoviloa. “I mean, we’re out to practice. Everyone — Twitter warriors, you know, keyboard warriors, whatever you want to call them — they’re not here to practice with us, to work hard.

“I don’t know if you guys last signed up for Tyreek. I don’t know about you guys, but that sounded like money.”

Tagoviloa said this is the most open with the media since he arrived in Miami and his comfort level stems from McDaniel’s efforts over the past few months to get him to open up.

Whether it’s in the hallway, conference room, or weight room, Tagovailoa said McDaniel loves to come in for a chat, even if it’s a short one. He also said he’s “never been around a coach” like McDaniel who is “very positive”.

“I think his teammates really noticed a difference in him; he’s opening up,” McDaniel said. “He kind of came on his own in that regard. He was incredibly adaptable. He let his guard down. And we were able to keep his confidence high, which he definitely should be now, while correcting him and getting this game better, which is the ultimate goal. For everyone “.