The Phins showed a ton in the 2020 Season, but it ended so UGLY
The Miami Dolphins had its biggest Regular Season game in 20 years… and they didn’t rise to the occasion. It was clear after the early interception by Byron Jones that things weren’t firing on all cylinders. Then the wheels came off on the Phins and the game became a total wreck. After another big let down by this franchise in a big moment, what’s a fan to think? I had to sit for a few days to absorb it all without emotion and watch the All-22 film, again and again, to process this final game… and where the Phins are.
It was plain to see that the Phins lost as a team and the Bills were the better team. The beat down by the Bills and missing out on the playoffs again hurt…
…. But, we overachieved the expectations of even the best pay per head sites. Going 10-6 is far from the end of the world Phindom. Still, Miami better be careful that they don’t swap the Pats with the Bills as division the powerhouse. Buffalo has a freak at quarterback, a good coach, a talented roster, and a ferocious home-field advantage late in the season. The 2021 Season is a critical crossroads for this regime or they fall down the rung of the AFCE. The Phins must have a brilliant offseason and continue to develop because the Jets and Patriots have a ton of picks to reload as well.
The talk is now is all about who’s to blame:
Some lay this loss at the feet of Tua.
Others are blaming everyone but Tua.
Chan Gaily is getting plenty of call-outs to be fired.
The high-priced secondary is drawing ire, despite two interceptions.
The Phins receivers are said to stink.
Despite spending 3 picks on O-linemen, the blocking is getting called out.
Can we determine if Tua is a bust by what we’ve seen? No. the problem is that we can’t determine if he is a star either. But, there is plenty of film on Tun in the NFL, so we CAN create a profile of what he is now and where he needs to go to be a success.
Here are some of the takes from the media covering the full spectrum of ‘Tua takes”:
That basically covers everything from bust to victim.
Did Chan Gailey’s play calls cripple Tua?
Was Tua strapped with poor talent?
Did Tua just play poorly?
Some obvious facts:
Tua is a rookie coming off a brutal injury, with little preseason under his belt, and playing with decent surrounding talent. This has to always be the context of the evaluation.
Not decent O-talent, you say? Fitzpatrick made it hum pretty good with the 8th longest YPC average. No, it wasn’t about Fitz’s talent advantage over Tua. It was about his leadership, aggressiveness, experience, smarts, and moxy.
Miami MUST add pieces to the offense. Tua and Fitzpatrick both suffered from less than optimal conditions.
Gailey had some amazing games and play calls with Tua and Fitzpatrick. The heavy RPO for Tua wasn’t a winner though because he doesn’t threaten a defense with his running. Unfortunately, this is a scheme where he thrived in college and creates easier reads. You can’t believe Gailey tried to sabotage Tua with a ‘lesser’ playbook? Wouldn’t Flores notice? Would Gailey sabatouge his last stop? The more likely case Tua was given what he can handle.
Tua could have done more with the talent, but didn’t. He looks slower than in college and has less drive on the ball. We could see a big improvement in these areas in Year 2… if his hip heals. As it is now, he has average foot speed, and the average velocity on the ball limited his tight-window throws. Many times recievers were waiting on the ball to arrive. This is a huge deal that could make a huge leap if he hasn’t fully healed and can improve these areas in the offseason. This is an unkown though.
The much spoke topic of protecting the football v.s. being aggressive will be replayed in 2021. The reality is there were many balls that could have been picked and weren’t. But, Tua was very aggressive at times, although he cooled off as the season wore on. Who is the real Tua? It will take Year 2 to find out.
Ryan Fitzpatrick will likely move on to get a starting spot somewhere else. That means, barring the signing of a veteran, Tua is all there is at QB in 2021. Is it enough to bank the whole regime on?
Tua needs to improve and take the job in 2021
We all wanted Tua to have played elite as Burrow and Herbert did, but he didn’t. This doesn’t mean he won’t get there next year… and it doesn’t mean he will. There were certainly points where he flashed. The problem is that the situation isn’t clear. This loss wasn’t all about Tua, but next season the team will sink or swim on his play. If he is the answer then all will be beautiful. If not and they don’t find a plan B this offseason, then Miami will have to go fish in 2022 and groom a QB to be ready in 2023. That’s a long time away.
The Phins won’t bank it all on Tua. It would be foolish if they did. I don’t know exactly what the backup plan will be. I’d expect them to draft a quarterback in next year’s draft… at some point. This wouldn’t be an indictment on Tua if they did. Remember Drew Brees and Phillip Rivers on the Chargers or Joe Montana and Steve Young on the 49ers? That worked out just fine. But, if this regime goes into 2021 all in on Tua and he doesn’t rise to the occasion, it will be an indictment on Chris Grier… and could cripple this regime.
Remember this sage advice: Having too many good quarterbacks never hurts a team… but, having too few will kill a regime. The Phins will be fine if they are wise. Go Phins!!!
As for myself Dolphins Brian Flores has restored the Fins back to a competitive team again.. He’s been given very little to work with but has achieved greatness. Tua needs weapons (wide receiver Bama Devata Smith kick returner, breaking records since freshman, Heisman winner etc. makes him the 1 to 6 players this draft) who can get down field within a few second A tight end does not have the speed for that task. Offensive linemen will buy some time, we are only talking 2.5 second for Tua to released.
There are 3 running backs from round 1 to round 4. Right now its a win win for the fins thanks to Grier. If we go free agency this means play makers ready to play DE, Line Backer, Linemen. Dolphins also can trade back win win across the board. Fins really need to who is who. The entire last season I rallied for QB Herbert and RB Johnathan Taylor who last game rush for 153 yards. I had watch both players for ( Herbert 4 years in college). But he have Tua Get him the weapon and quick complaining.
Hey, STEVE! Good to hear from you… hope all is well.
I was worried about Herbert’s consistency but moreso about Tua’s health. You did like Herbert… I was wrong on both accounts. Tua didn’t look good this year… Herbert’s talent is something else. I was intrigued by the talent… Miami at this point lost this move. Tua could improve a lot though if his hip still isn’t done healing. His speed and velocity on the ball looked a lot less than when he was in college. Hope for the kid’s sake and ours that he does heal up some more. He won’t make elite level if not. More weapons will help, but from what I saw this season it goes beyond that. How much growth can Tua get as well on the mental side? Herbert gets away with more because he has a cannon. When Tua is late, even a little, the lack of arm strength makes it ugly. I just don’t know about his future. There are glimpses of special… but, it will take growth both physically and mentally and a bunch of it to make the needed strides. I think he can, but I just don’t know if he will. I think Phins will ride and die with Tua. We’ll see…
Tua is still learning. He came in after the bye week, so unlike the other young QB’s he missed 6 or 7 games to learn and progress. The others have stated what I feel the issues are:
1. Tua is not the problem, he is coming off a killer injury and is feeling his way at the NFL level. 2. Team need more explosive weapons on offense. We need that “bell-cow” running back that is fast, powerful, can run inside or out, plus catch the ball. 230+ lbs. to pound the ball and wear out defenses. Team needs (2) stud fast WR’s who can stretch the field and strike fear into defenses. Parker & Williams when healthy were a very formidable tandem, but both have been prone to injuries and can’t be trusted to consistently play! 3. Team needs to continue to develop and invest in the OL. Need a real quality RT. Jesse Davis and Hunt are better suited at the guard position. I think with our first (4) picks, we need to draft a quality true RT. The other (3) can be offensive weapons for Tua. The RT will help the run game, as well as, protect Tua’s blind side. Team needs to pick-up a pro-bowl caliber RG in FA. Need an upgrade at this position over Davis and Hunt. Team also needs to evaluate how Flowers did at LG and possibly bring in tough competition there. Either way, the OL needs to continue to improve if this team wants to make the playoffs in 2021. 4. Team needs another dominant DL that can stuff the run and bottle up the middle! With Elandon Roberts suffering a significant knee injury that is going to require months of rehab, team needs to draft a quality MLB maybe by the 3rd round, or look to FA. Next year Biegel comes back who could be a solution. 5. Bottom line, Tua is young, inexperienced, and lacks stable offensive weapons and OL. The team needs and I feel will invest in these areas around him.
“1. Tua is not the problem, he is coming off a killer injury and is feeling his way at the NFL level.” No… and yes. But, will his foot speed increase? If not RPO is a waste. Will he learn to read Ds and be more accurate with more healing? How perfectly does the situation need to be for him? I never had a concern except after this game… watched the game a bunch of times now and doing a very in-depth film study. There were some encouraging things but far more concerns. 30-70 or thereabouts. Really, he didn’t play any better than Rosen did and he had more to work with and less was asked of him. There is the injury… but, something feels very wrong.
I agree DT, WR, MLB, RB are critical. But, Tua will never have the talent level of Alabama in the NFL. If Miami goes all in ono Tua and he hits… things will go well… if he doesn’t this regime will crash and burn. Given his injury history and play this season, the odds are better it doesn’t work to the level they and the fans hope… I hope I’m wrong. I love the kid and want this monkey to finally be off our backs…
Let’s start off with under achievement. There is lots of this to go around over the last few games. Tua made some boner mistakes, the O-line appeared to be porous at times. The running backs rotated on and off the IR roster because they are smurfs. Parker is the only Bona fide threatening receiver. He was hurt, once again, at the end of the season. The defense made some stupid penalties and lost their push up front. The secondary set turnover records but were flagged at critical times, which means they were beat at critical times. Ryan Fitzpatrick was the only ray of sunshine during those last few games. The he goes and gets COVID-19 at the most critical time in the season.
So where do we go from here? The tree and out syndrome and the turnovers kept the defense on the field way too long. We have to let Fitzmagic play more until Tua figures the game out. It’s obvious his confidence level is low. We have to get these quarterbacks a big stud running back, more “hosses” in the O-lIne and a killer dominant wide receiver. The remainder of the draft can go to the defense as best available athlete.
It is too early to dump Tua and he needs his player coach Fitzpatrick. Pay Fitz and keep him.
All the good luck came together in hit of bad luck against the Bills. “It is too early to dump Tua and he needs his player coach Fitzpatrick. Pay Fitz and keep him.” He won’t be back. Gailey left and the team prefers him over Tua. They won’t want that. My concern is it feels like they are babying Tua. He’s a talented player with character… let him win it. Let him be held to the same standard. The media, fans, and it seems the team is giving Tua special treatment. Me, I’d draft a QB and demand Tua to step up. If this regime doesn’t bring in real competition… I don’t think things will go well. They will have broken their top commandment… Tua must overcome the adversity. He must rise up and not be helped up. I’m putting together a film study of the Bills game… it’s the first time I’ve felt unsure of Tua and his future. So much was wrong. But, this could have been a glorified Red shirt season… maybe he’ll come back next year with a hugely improved game… he’d better or 2021 will be a step back.
We need a better slot receiver We need a great running back But most of all at pick number 3 we need to take the best offensive lineman to come out in the last 10 years and he is there for us to take So first pick offensive line Second slot receiver Third running back Fourth receiver Fifth safety Sixth linebacker Seventh receiver or running back Forget qb this time around just resign fitz as backup Get rid of ford cannot catch Get rid of our expensive dlot receiver
“But most of all at pick number 3 we need to take the best offensive lineman to come out in the last 10 years and he is there for us to take” He’s very intriguing. We’ve spent a 1st, 2nd, and 4th already, though. But, he does seem to be a real gem. Fitz won’t come back though. He’s too much competition as far as charisma for Tua. The team won’t want that… that bothers me though. We need a 2nd option of some sort. I’m very big on an MLB early though. We don’t have a real 3 down MLB. If we build around Tua and he isn’t IT, then what? We won’t have a high pick again for a while. Normally I wouldn’t even consider a QB after the 5th pick was used on one, but look at Arizona? We spent a 2nd on Rosen and 5th overall on Tua… and there are still questions. Tua could very well be THE guy… I’m not saying he isn’t… BUT, very little he did this year said he is. I’d also be into trading back and using the extra pick on a plan B… But, as you said, Ralph, that Tackle is looking very tempting at #3.
Hello Dolfans
As for myself Dolphins Brian Flores has restored the Fins back to a competitive team again.. He’s been given very little to work with but has achieved greatness. Tua needs weapons (wide receiver Bama Devata Smith kick returner, breaking records since freshman, Heisman winner etc. makes him the 1 to 6 players this draft) who can get down field within a few second A tight end does not have the speed for that task. Offensive linemen will buy some time, we are only talking 2.5 second for Tua to released.
There are 3 running backs from round 1 to round 4. Right now its a win win for the fins thanks to Grier. If we go free agency this means play makers ready to play DE, Line Backer, Linemen. Dolphins also can trade back win win across the board. Fins really need to who is who. The entire last season I rallied for QB Herbert and RB Johnathan Taylor who last game rush for 153 yards. I had watch both players for ( Herbert 4 years in college). But he have Tua Get him the weapon and quick complaining.
Hey, STEVE! Good to hear from you… hope all is well.
I was worried about Herbert’s consistency but moreso about Tua’s health. You did like Herbert… I was wrong on both accounts. Tua didn’t look good this year… Herbert’s talent is something else. I was intrigued by the talent… Miami at this point lost this move. Tua could improve a lot though if his hip still isn’t done healing. His speed and velocity on the ball looked a lot less than when he was in college. Hope for the kid’s sake and ours that he does heal up some more. He won’t make elite level if not. More weapons will help, but from what I saw this season it goes beyond that. How much growth can Tua get as well on the mental side? Herbert gets away with more because he has a cannon. When Tua is late, even a little, the lack of arm strength makes it ugly. I just don’t know about his future. There are glimpses of special… but, it will take growth both physically and mentally and a bunch of it to make the needed strides. I think he can, but I just don’t know if he will. I think Phins will ride and die with Tua. We’ll see…
Hope all is well take it slow.
MJ,
Tua is still learning. He came in after the bye week, so unlike the other young QB’s he missed 6 or 7 games to learn and progress. The others have stated what I feel the issues are:
1. Tua is not the problem, he is coming off a killer injury and is feeling his way at the NFL level.
2. Team need more explosive weapons on offense. We need that “bell-cow” running back that is fast, powerful, can run inside or out, plus catch the ball. 230+ lbs. to pound the ball and wear out defenses. Team needs (2) stud fast WR’s who can stretch the field and strike fear into defenses. Parker & Williams when healthy were a very formidable tandem, but both have been prone to injuries and can’t be trusted to consistently play!
3. Team needs to continue to develop and invest in the OL. Need a real quality RT. Jesse Davis and Hunt are better suited at the guard position. I think with our first (4) picks, we need to draft a quality true RT. The other (3) can be offensive weapons for Tua. The RT will help the run game, as well as, protect Tua’s blind side. Team needs to pick-up a pro-bowl caliber RG in FA. Need an upgrade at this position over Davis and Hunt. Team also needs to evaluate how Flowers did at LG and possibly bring in tough competition there. Either way, the OL needs to continue to improve if this team wants to make the playoffs in 2021.
4. Team needs another dominant DL that can stuff the run and bottle up the middle! With Elandon Roberts suffering a significant knee injury that is going to require months of rehab, team needs to draft a quality MLB maybe by the 3rd round, or look to FA. Next year Biegel comes back who could be a solution.
5. Bottom line, Tua is young, inexperienced, and lacks stable offensive weapons and OL. The team needs and I feel will invest in these areas around him.
“1. Tua is not the problem, he is coming off a killer injury and is feeling his way at the NFL level.”
No… and yes. But, will his foot speed increase? If not RPO is a waste. Will he learn to read Ds and be more accurate with more healing? How perfectly does the situation need to be for him? I never had a concern except after this game… watched the game a bunch of times now and doing a very in-depth film study. There were some encouraging things but far more concerns. 30-70 or thereabouts. Really, he didn’t play any better than Rosen did and he had more to work with and less was asked of him. There is the injury… but, something feels very wrong.
I agree DT, WR, MLB, RB are critical. But, Tua will never have the talent level of Alabama in the NFL. If Miami goes all in ono Tua and he hits… things will go well… if he doesn’t this regime will crash and burn. Given his injury history and play this season, the odds are better it doesn’t work to the level they and the fans hope… I hope I’m wrong. I love the kid and want this monkey to finally be off our backs…
Let’s start off with under achievement. There is lots of this to go around over the last few games. Tua made some boner mistakes, the O-line appeared to be porous at times. The running backs rotated on and off the IR roster because they are smurfs. Parker is the only Bona fide threatening receiver. He was hurt, once again, at the end of the season. The defense made some stupid penalties and lost their push up front. The secondary set turnover records but were flagged at critical times, which means they were beat at critical times. Ryan Fitzpatrick was the only ray of sunshine during those last few games. The he goes and gets COVID-19 at the most critical time in the season.
So where do we go from here? The tree and out syndrome and the turnovers kept the defense on the field way too long. We have to let Fitzmagic play more until Tua figures the game out. It’s obvious his confidence level is low. We have to get these quarterbacks a big stud running back, more “hosses” in the O-lIne and a killer dominant wide receiver. The remainder of the draft can go to the defense as best available athlete.
It is too early to dump Tua and he needs his player coach Fitzpatrick. Pay Fitz and keep him.
All the good luck came together in hit of bad luck against the Bills.
“It is too early to dump Tua and he needs his player coach Fitzpatrick. Pay Fitz and keep him.”
He won’t be back. Gailey left and the team prefers him over Tua. They won’t want that. My concern is it feels like they are babying Tua. He’s a talented player with character… let him win it. Let him be held to the same standard. The media, fans, and it seems the team is giving Tua special treatment. Me, I’d draft a QB and demand Tua to step up. If this regime doesn’t bring in real competition… I don’t think things will go well. They will have broken their top commandment… Tua must overcome the adversity. He must rise up and not be helped up. I’m putting together a film study of the Bills game… it’s the first time I’ve felt unsure of Tua and his future. So much was wrong. But, this could have been a glorified Red shirt season… maybe he’ll come back next year with a hugely improved game… he’d better or 2021 will be a step back.
We need a better slot receiver
We need a great running back
But most of all at pick number 3 we need to take the best offensive lineman to come out in the last 10 years and he is there for us to take
So first pick offensive line
Second slot receiver
Third running back
Fourth receiver
Fifth safety
Sixth linebacker
Seventh receiver or running back
Forget qb this time around just resign fitz as backup
Get rid of ford cannot catch
Get rid of our expensive dlot receiver
“But most of all at pick number 3 we need to take the best offensive lineman to come out in the last 10 years and he is there for us to take” He’s very intriguing. We’ve spent a 1st, 2nd, and 4th already, though. But, he does seem to be a real gem. Fitz won’t come back though. He’s too much competition as far as charisma for Tua. The team won’t want that… that bothers me though. We need a 2nd option of some sort. I’m very big on an MLB early though. We don’t have a real 3 down MLB. If we build around Tua and he isn’t IT, then what? We won’t have a high pick again for a while. Normally I wouldn’t even consider a QB after the 5th pick was used on one, but look at Arizona? We spent a 2nd on Rosen and 5th overall on Tua… and there are still questions. Tua could very well be THE guy… I’m not saying he isn’t… BUT, very little he did this year said he is. I’d also be into trading back and using the extra pick on a plan B… But, as you said, Ralph, that Tackle is looking very tempting at #3.