Hope for 2022 is ALL about firing Chris Grier & how well Tua plays this season
The Miami Dolphins lost another winnable game by a last second field goal leaving them a highly disappointing 1-6 on the season. Any hope for the playoffs is long gone and many fans are wondering ‘why should I even watch at this point’?
Given Miami will lose their draft pick as compensation for this terrible season because of their trade up with the Eagles for Jaylen Waddle is an added thumb in the eye from GM Chris Grier. But, the half full view is if Grier is released this will be an extra reason to say, “Ding-dong, the witch is dead!”
We can only pray that Ross has sense enough to finally send Grier packing.
Tua is a key piece to any near-future hope for Miami
Still, from a standpoint of what will make games this year exciting, how well Tua will do over these next 10 games is a very good reason to still be excited about Dolphins football.
Any substantial growth from Tua will bring huge value to this franchise in 2022. Conversely, if his play flounders or he is injured again, a messy Phins future would be dropped into a blender on high.
A recent report from Sun Sentinel reporter Omar Kelly adds some complications:
Still, given the three OCs and a porous offensive line, this is par for the course.
The good news is: As crazy ole’ Nietzsche said, “That which does not kill you makes you stronger.” Tua can show a ton of mental fortitude if he can not get distracted and keep producing like he did last week against the Falcons with his PFF Grade of 80.9, which was second best on the team.
All Tua evaluation needs to have a healthy does of context
Some will focus on his two boneheaded interceptions, but these kind of things go hand-in-hand with young signal callers. While I’m not discounting their impact or his tendency to have these kind of things, long in the tooth vet Matt Ryan had two terrible boneheaded plays himself on Sunday. So, I’m more focused on his 9.0 per completed pass and 4 TDs in my long term evaluation of Tua.
Now, you can bet with the best pay per head Tua won’t get such comfy conditions like his did against the Falcons poor pass rush this week… or in many weeks to come. This will cast heavy fog of war on where Tua really is in most games because a healthy dose of context with this poor offensive staff and offensive line is needed in his evaluation–especially this week. But, if Tua can stay healthy, make the best of a bad situation and not be the reason for losing, and at times make plays, that will go a long way.
Also, fans must not focus on a zero-sum evaluation of bust or star. The reality is Tua will end up somewhere in between. Even if he can get into that 17th to 10th range this year or next, that’s still a big deal because this would bring big value in some way to a franchise desperate for any advantage it can get. Good news is Tua is currently the 15th ranked QB by PFF. They aren’t the end-all-be-all I know and there a long way to go in the season. Still, it does offer some hope, and really, that’s all we got right now Phins fans… hope! Go Phins!!!