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Opinions on Starting Tua

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by Galant, Sep 9, 2020.

  1. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story...warner-foresees-tua-starting-year/5764240002/

    Steve Mariucci, Kurt Warner and Michael Irvin share their opinions on whether, or when, to start Tua.

    Full quotes in the article but here are some snippets:

    Mariucci:
    "...So that all adds up to hey, let’s just relax here. Take a chill pill and let Ryan Fitzpatrick do his thing. He brought in Chan Gailey, who coached Ryan, and so that’s a good marriage right there. And at some point, Ryan will turn over the keys to the car to Tua, but I don’t think he’s ready to play quite yet. He’s got to watch a little bit more. He’s not even seen an NFL game live from the sidelines, let alone play in one. So he’s just go to watch and sit and learn a little bit more. He is the long-term answer over there, so why rush it?..."

    Warner:
    "...I believe that Tua will start at some point this year and they will move towards the future with Tua. How many games in, I don’t know.
    As Mooch was alluding to, it’s so different. He hasn’t taken a snap, so how long does that process take, having no preseason, not being able to work in the offense and work at the speed? I don’t know. And coming off the injury, so there’s been a period of time that he hasn’t played. But I do believe that’s a statement that says Tua will play some football this year for the Miami Dolphins. It’s just a matter of when they feel comfortable with putting him in there."

    Irvin:
    "...I would take those first four games and say … 'We’re going to run Ryan, but I want Tua looking at everything, because I’m trying to get him in there as soon as I think he’s mentally ready and he’s seen some football at this level.' He’s a tough kid. You know he got coached tough at Alabama. He played against some of the top talent in college football. He practiced against them every day. So thinking he can’t handle it? I believe he can handle it..."
     
    greyeagl53, Tin Indian and resnor like this.
  2. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/new...ovailoa-becomes-dolphins-starting-quarterback

    Alain Poupart:

    "...When Marino replaced Super Bowl starter David Woodley during the third and fifth games of the 1983 season, started the sixth game against Buffalo, was brilliant and the rest is Dolphins and NFL history. Under the ideal scenario, the same thing will happen with Tua...

    Having said all that, if Tagovailoa blows everybody away with his on-field and off-field work, the Dolphins aren't going to keep him out of the lineup for the sake of keeping him out of the lineup. The idea is to maximize his prep time so that, again, once he's in, he's in for good...

    One could say a best-case scenario is that Fitzpatrick is even better than last year, the Dolphins make a run at the playoffs, and Tua just spends 2020 as a redshirt year."
     
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  3. tirty8

    tirty8 Well-Known Member

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    Gonna go out on a limb and say that Fitzmagic will be the starter until the offensive line settles in.
     
  4. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    mariucci has it about right, and would add one more thing, Fitz is the starter until the team falls out of contention, not when Tua is ready.
     
    resnor likes this.
  5. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    I have a gut feeling Tua won't start this season at all unless Fitzpatrick gets hurt or tests COVID positive. That's not to say he won't see some snaps here and there....I wouldn't be shocked to see him in a series or two this weekend vs New England. But I don't think they'll force it any sooner than they have to due to the rare chance he can re-injure the hip. If that happens in some type of freak accident, it almost signals the end for Grier since we'd quickly join in for the "Lose for Lawrence" sweepstakes.

    With that said though, what are the odds Fitzpatrick remains 100% healthy for 16 games behind three rookie linemen? I'm an avid fan of his and don't want to see him get hurt, but it feels almost inevitable that he'll go down with an ankle, a knee or something before December. So I think that's when Tua officially starts.
     
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  6. cbrad

    cbrad .

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    Or he plays real bad and they feel Tua is ready. Fitz is a bridge QB, and if they feel Tua is ready there's no reason not to start him. NFL experience is valuable, and there's no reason not to use this season to help Tua get some experience without the pressure to produce immediately. I think it's very likely Tua starts several games this season.
     
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  7. ExplosionsInDaSky

    ExplosionsInDaSky Well-Known Member

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    I don't think he should play this year...but...he's the number 2 QB right? Stranger things have happened, but let's create a bad scenario. Late third quarter of opening day in Foxborough. Fitz takes off to try and pick up a first down and takes a hard hit, breaking a bone in his throwing hand. NOW Tua has to play, now we have no choice and it's sink or swim right away for the rookie. Baptism by fire.
    Look, I always support this team, but cutting Rosen was a mistake if Tua simply isn't ready. We're taking the chance on not only Fitzpatrick staying healthy all season, but also playing well. What if Fitzs injury is only a few weeks out of football? Tua plays, he struggles and what? Go back to Fitz? I just hope we're thinking this through. On the other end of it, Tua was a top five pick and some would say that if you're drafted that early, then you should be ready right away. The hip is terrifying, the whole situation is risky business, but this is sports and there's no guarantees.
    So my opinion (that means nothing) on him starting is that I'd prefer to wait, but getting the first impression out of the way is going to grow as the season progresses.
     
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  8. Tin Indian

    Tin Indian Rockin' The Bottom End Club Member

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    The way I see it given what we had for an offensive line last year these guys are a quantum leap better. Even if they started 3 Rookie linemen but 'm pretty sure they will be starting just 2.

    I have said from Day 1 Tua should not start a game all year. While I believe that the line is going to be markedly improved from last year with the Covid shortened camp they just haven't had time to gel. I think Tua should be coming in at the end of games for mop up duty. Get him some playing and NFL game experience. We are in this for the long haul with him so it makes no sense to rush out our shiny new toy because we are impatient before he is really ready and the line has got some time together. Of course that all goes out the window if Fitz gets hurt or something prevents him from starting.
     
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  9. AGuyNamedAlex

    AGuyNamedAlex Well-Known Member

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    Putting aside the fact I dont like Tua as a prospect, I agree cutting Rosen was dumb. Unless they think Tua is ready to go out and lead the team week one if Fitz goes down it seems like a move with no upside other than keeping another bubble roster player who wont contribute in a meaningful way anyway.

    Even if Tua was Marino 2.0 I dont see how he can hope to lead the team with such a weird offseason.
     
  10. ExplosionsInDaSky

    ExplosionsInDaSky Well-Known Member

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    Before the hip injury, I thought Tua was a can't miss at the next level. I'm walking the middle of the road when it comes to him. Like..."yeah, it was a freak injury, he'll be fine" vrs "This guy is made of glass and is always going to be hurt." So with that said, a big part of me is just scared to see him play. We just invested a top five pick in him and he's clearly not ready to play. It's a risky move not having a third QB on the roster with how reckless Fitz is and how inexperienced Tua is. I don't like at all. You run the risk of Tua getting David Carr'd right out the gate and that would be terrible for this franchise. Then again, I say let the kid play, lets get it over with, he either has it or he doesn't and we'll know within a few weeks time.
    Hopefully Fitz just stays healthy and we can give Tua the time he needs.
     
  11. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    There is basically no track record of Fitz playing playoff caliber football across a whole season, so we will see Tua.
     

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