Well not the finish we all hoped for but damn it was actually fun being a Dolphins fan again and had you told me 10-6, in the playoffs going into the last weekend and Tua got a serious run at QB before the season started I would have been thrilled.
A few stats we need to keep in mind: 12 games, 52.8 completion percentage, 18 TD's (10 pass, 8 rush), 12 Interceptions, 67.9 QB rating. Those are the rookie stats of Josh Allen in 2018 who torched us yesterday and has been probably the number 3 QB all season behind Mahomes and Rodgers. 34 TD, 9 Ints and a 106.4 rating this year. Tua did some things well and others not as much but he was a rookie QB who had no training camp and was coming off a major injury. Yet in 10 games, 64.1 completion percentage, 14 TD's (11 pass, 3 rush), 5 Interceptions, 87.1 QB rating. I would say our weapons given injuries were in the same league as what the Bills had in 2018.
We need more weapons on offense and we have the draft picks to do that while still being able to keep the defense fresh. Oh and we have $32 million in projected cap space available next year. If I have one worry it is Chan Gailey, I felt he was too conservative with Tua at times not giving him a chance to spread his wings and learn by going down field. Maybe that was because they were in a playoff race or was it because he didn't trust Tua? I didn't really care for him his first go round in Miami and I've seen nothing this year that shows me he is up to the level of our head coach. Not saying I would 100% make a change but I might be kicking the tires to see who was available.
Great post.
I was piled on about wanting Justin Herbert. I loved him as a QB prospect and he exceeded my expectations as a rookie.
However.....we can't change what has been done. And Tua is a viable NFL starter IMO. He does a lot of great things.
1. Accurate passer
2. Great pocket precence
3. High IQ
4. Natural leader
He lost 12 months to a fractured hip, the injury, the rehab, no playing time, no mini camp, no QB camp, no pre-season. Come on people.
And Josh Allen looked like a bust for 2 seasons (and I was a big fan of his as well). Year three he get's
2 sound RB's
1 elite WR in DIggs
1 Speedster in Brown
1 slot expert in Beasley
A stout OL.
And this is the result.
We are on the right path. I love where the team is heading. Flores is Coach of the Year. He won 10 games. 10!!!! With an offense void of real big time weapons.
I say this:
Gesicki is on the verge of elite pass catching TE. He is more of a big WR than a TE.
Devante.....most know my feelings on him. He simply can't stay healthy. He is an 8MM cap casualty if we want to cut him. I say give him one more year in 2021.
Preston Williams has a lot to prove in 2021. He get’s one more season.
Draft a stud WR. If Sewal is there at 3 you can’t pass on a generational tackle like that. We need a big time RT to protect Tua’s blind side and carve out running lanes for the future stud back we draft this year.
Draft priorities:
WR
RB
Tackle
Free agency priorities:
Elite pass rushing LB or End
WR
We are getting very close. And I think this coaching staff is fully behind Tua and hanging their careers on him. I think Tua makes a big jump in 2021 with a full NFL off-season and getting real weapons around him.
Do I think he is an elite type of QB? No. But he can be very good. And if you have very good with a top defense and running game you can win titles.