Doug Gottlieb: “I thought Tua getting benched was a bigger deal. I understand you can do it while he’s a rookie, and I understand this is a great way to keep Ryan Fitzpatrick engaged and all the rest of the players engaged, but you’re playing with fire. First, how is Tua going to learn how to dig himself out of holes unless you let him dig himself out? Secondly, are you admitting, at least on any level, that you might not have drafted the best quarterback? I’ve often wondered why more coaches won’t do this – if the starter isn’t playing that great let’s take a look at the backup, we can always go back to the starter… But it does get to a point where you’re at least saying ‘yea, I don’t know if he’s the guy’… I think you at least have to open yourself up to the possibility that they didn’t get a ‘dude’ at that pick in the Draft. They got a guy who is ‘good’, who is a great guy. But telling me that Tua’s personality is great is a little bit like telling me you’re date’s ‘personality’ is great.” (Full Audio Above)
Listen to Doug Gottlieb explain why he thinks the Miami Dolphins may be already second-guessing their decision to draft Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick, as the 22-year-old has been benched twice in the last five games, which was then immediately followed up by miraculous comeback attempts led by backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Tagovailoa has thrown 10 touchdown passes in 8 starts, is tied for 23rd in the league in QBR, and has thrown for a long of only 35 yards in 232 pass attempts. His 10/2 touchdown-INT ratio is great but becomes underwhelming when compared to the lively arms of Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert that have seen much more success with the vertical passing game.
Check out the segment above as Gottileib details why Tua’s recent benching, although a bit innocent, could be representative of a larger belief that ultimately Tagovailoa isn’t the ‘dude’ Miami originally thought he was when they took him at no. 5 ahead of Herbert.
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