The Miami Dolphins spoke with their actions and their phrases in backing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa this offseason.
Coach Mike McDaniel and customary supervisor Chris Grier well-known a dedication to the No. 5 select inside the 2020 draft for a fourth NFL season since their 2022 season ended. After which they stood by it, passing on such obtainable quarterbacks as Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson and exercising the fifth-year risk on Tagovailoa’s rookie contract.
Tagovailoa made a big stride in Yr 3, displaying what he can flip into in McDaniel’s offense with an elite huge receiver tandem of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. He threw 25 touchdowns to easily eight interceptions whereas foremost the league in passer rating and yards per attempt.
Considerations keep, nonetheless, in Tagovailoa’s means to remain healthful and obtainable after two concussion protocol stints worth him 5 1/ video video games, along with the wild-card spherical playoff loss on the Buffalo Payments. Tagovailoa is engaged on that by doing jiu-jitsu workout routines this offseason to strengthen his neck and improve the muscle memory that permits him to protect himself from the arduous falls that put his head in peril.
That’s why it was necessary for the Dolphins to secure a backup quarterback in free firm that will compete with returning 2022 rookie Skylar Thompson for these No. 2 duties and was familiar with McDaniel’s offensive scheme.
As an alternative of spending giant money on a extraordinarily expert backup — like last offseason with Teddy Bridgewater, who didn’t make it by way of each of his two begins somewhat than Tagovailoa — the Dolphins went with one different native South Florida product in Mike White, who starred as a highschool quarterback for College Faculty in Davie on the an identical Nova Southeastern campus as a result of the Dolphins’ earlier facility.
With White secured and Thompson heading into Yr 2 under McDaniel, offensive coordinator Frank Smith and quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell, Miami has its three quarterbacks on the vigorous roster for the 2023 season.
It’s unlikely the workers will search one different with thought-about one in all its 4 alternate options inside the NFL draft, which runs from April 27-29 in Chicago. The Dolphins produce different desires they are going to fill with their second- and third-round picks. A sixth- or seventh-round various would principally accomplish the an identical as they already did with Thompson inside the 2022 draft. An undrafted quarterback or low price veteran signing as a fourth teaching camp arm and viable comply with squad risk might probably be further plausible.
White, 28, had a protracted journey to his first NFL regular-season snaps. They didn’t come to him until 2021 with the New York Jets. However he burst onto the scene then, foremost an upset of the Cincinnati Bengals in his first start. He completed 37-of-45 passes for 405 yards and three touchdowns. He confirmed his highs and lows, though, tossing 4 interceptions two weeks later in a loss to Buffalo.
In 2022, White as soon as extra had a standout effectivity in going 22 of 28 for 315 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in opposition to the Chicago Bears. Whereas he couldn’t replicate that kind of outing in his subsequent three begins last season, he was extensively revered for attempting to play by way of fractured ribs in a loss to the Payments. His closing look, though, eradicated New York from playoff competitors as he completed solely 50 p.c of passes with out a touchdown and tossing two interceptions in Seattle.
White comes from an an identical offensive system under former Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur that must make his transition into McDaniel’s offense seamless. Jets coach Robert Saleh and McDaniel have been moreover assistants collectively in San Francisco sooner than they acquired their head instructing gigs.
Thompson gained helpful experience as a rookie seventh-round choose of Kansas State. He managed an 11-6 victory over the Jets that clinched a playoff spot for the Dolphins amid a five-game dropping streak. He was then solely 18 of 45 with two interceptions and one touchdown inside the playoff loss at Buffalo, nevertheless there aren’t many late-round rookies exterior of the 49ers’ Brock Purdy seeing that sort of postseason setting this early in an knowledgeable career.
The Dolphins appear set for 2023 with Tagovailoa as a result of the starter, White and Thompson competing for backup duties and doubtless one different quarterback launched in for teaching camp and as a comply with squad participant.
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