Tua talk again heats up again on how good is he… really
It’s that time of the year again for Miami Dolphins fans when the articles and videos flow like a river about ‘Is Tua good enough’ and ‘How good is he really’? I’ve read a few so far and I get it. Tua plays quarterback and makes millions and every QB in the NFL is under the microscope… although some more than others. But, even though the perception is quarterbacks win games and championships, we Dolphins fans who watched Dan Marino know there is quite a lot of context to that type of evaluation.
But ranking Tua, qualifying, or defending him isn’t what I want to say here:
Leadership starts at the top of football operations
Tua IS a key piece to the success of the 2023 Season, no doubt! Tua is clearly at a crossroads in his career as to his long-term viability as the Dolphins starting signal caller. But, whatever ultimate success or failure this Dolphins team achieves, Tua shouldn’t be THE guy front and center taking a bow or falling on his sword.
Yes, Tua is near the very front… but he isn’t numero uno! Neither is Mike McDaniel or Vic Fangio… although I have them 2nd and 3rd on the list, respectively. The very first person Dolphins fans should cheer or jeer by season’s end is Chris Grier… and we fans MUST remember that if we want to accurately celebrate or denounce the Dolphins 2023 Season and their future!
I don’t know how well this team will perform. I have high expectations and I’m hoping to the football gods like nobody’s biz for this to finally and TRULY be the season where we return to respectability. But, while I don’t know how this season will turn out, what I do know is that teams win in the NFL and the Dolphins team builder has been hyperactive in putting his hand into this team design.
Grier is the architect of the Miami Dolphins
Grier has taken the road less traveled to get where the Phins are this season, 1000%. It’s been a wild ride since 2016.
Will this odd road make all the difference in victory or failure though? That’s the 1 million dollar question that will be answered by how this team performs over the course of a full season and what heights are achieved. For me, the bar is set on getting to the Divisional Round or winning the Divisional Round. I think context will raise or lower that bar. I do think given what we’ve invested a Conference Game appearance is the best bar, but I’d rather err on the moderation at this stage. them zebras can sure add a load of context from time to time, as an example.
Clearly, though it doesn’t take the best football software to see a single playoff win as the absolute bare minimum! Nothing short of that is acceptable.
Yes, last year we squeaked into the postseason and had a very manageable schedule. But, we were inches from beating the Bills with 3rd string Skylar Thompson last year with a rookie HC and gutted defense. Unfortunately, lack of discipline ruined an unbelievable upset.
This year while the schedule and division are tougher, we’ve added Vic Fangio, a ton of talent, brought back a ton of talent, and Mike McDaniel is now a year wiser. So, this team is at peak potential and exactly how Grier wanted it designed. Anyone who you might want to put first was handpicked by Grier to be where they are, so all roads, both good and ill, lead back to him.
Let’s see how the Miami Dolphins 2023 story unfolds! When it’s all over we should evaluate everything and react accordingly, but the evaluation process MUST first start with Chris Grier! I sure hope we can all laugh and talk about all his brilliance by the season’s end. Go Phins!!!