Dolphins: Year Tua

Should Miami Trade for Deshaun Watson

  • Yes. Deshaun is a star. Take the known entity.

    Votes: 68 70.8%
  • No. Build around Tua and forge a stronger overall team.

    Votes: 28 29.2%

  • Total voters
    96
  • Poll closed .

rymflaherty

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Hypothetically, if the internal decision is, we need to move on from Tua, I also don’t understand how the response to that isn’t firing Grier.
At that point he’d be the author of what has to be one of, if not the worst drafts ever (2020). It breaks my brain to think that you can be faced with that scenario and the solution would be to allow Grier to mortgage the future on a different QB.

I know this is all I’m response to speculation, but I already miss the year or two of Miami being perceived as a competent franchise, and not only being mentioned when they are a national embarrassment.
 

CSteinhardt

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Miami painted themselves into a Deshaun or Tua corner here as well. This upcoming draft class sucks for QBs. Last year’s was pretty loaded. If they were going to move on from Tua, it would have been last year or after next season.
I think at this point in the college season we usually think there aren't any QBs really worth high picks in the draft, but by draft time, a handful end up separating themselves. Won't be as deep as last year appeared to be, but I suspect there will be a couple of QBs who GMs talk themselves into with top five picks.
 

SMU_Sox

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I think at this point in the college season we usually think there aren't any QBs really worth high picks in the draft, but by draft time, a handful end up separating themselves. Won't be as deep as last year appeared to be, but I suspect there will be a couple of QBs who GMs talk themselves into with top five picks.
Usually? I don’t know about that. 2016 Goff had a lot of buzz. 2017 Watson was getting the hype. 2018 Mayfield and Josh Allen. 2019 - no one thought Kyler would come out and people were split on him because of his size. I think 2019 counts. 2020 Herbert and Tua (Love too). 2021 Lawrence, Lance, and Fields were all highly regarded going into the year. There are plenty examples of late risers: 2016 Wentz, 2017: Mahomes, Trubs, 2018: Darnold, Rosen, and Lamar, 2019: Daniel Jones, Haskins, 2020: Burrow, 2021: Wilson, Mac Jones. Some of these late risers had pre-season 1st round hype from people too: Rosen, Lamar, Daniel Jones - they just didn’t have universal accolades.

I think you’re right that in many years there are usually late risers. But on the other hand you should know by now if there is a true first round QB. I think there are 5-6 guys who are in contention for it but I haven’t looked at any in depth. This year Corral, Willis, Strong, Pickett, Howell, and Slovis are the names being discussed. There are a handful of others but so far I think that’s the top of the list. No consensus on any of these guys and they would not be considered in the same category as Lawrence, Fields, and Lance.
 

wilked

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I think the O/U on 1st rd QBs in next year's draft is 1.5 right now. I see Corral going late 1st rd for sure, but not sure we see anyone else... Then again, who knows, someone will come out of the combine with a ton of buzz
 

sodenj5

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I think the O/U on 1st rd QBs in next year's draft is 1.5 right now. I see Corral going late 1st rd for sure, but not sure we see anyone else... Then again, who knows, someone will come out of the combine with a ton of buzz
It’s possible someone like Malik Willis will get some combine helium because there’s so few clear cut QBs and he has a lot of good looking tools.

I would imagine someone will get taken in round 1, but we won’t see a run like we saw last year.

And are you taking a gamble on Malik Willis, who has looked very good but playing against weak competition, when we’ve seen guys like Lance and Wilson struggle against higher comp?

Like I said before, for every Herbert or Allen, there’s a dozen guys that don’t make that leap.

Miami should be sticking with Tua and reevaluating the landscape in the offseason, if necessary. Maybe they gain clarity on Watson. Maybe they gain clarity on Tua. Maybe Aaron Rodgers is available. To me, going all in on Watson this week seems like the least reasonable approach they could take.
 

SMU_Sox

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My favorite QB in this class is Ridder but he has day 2 buzz not day 1 FWIW.
 

SMU_Sox

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@sodenj5 Willis has a cannon but his decision making and processing is suspect. I’m not sure I’d want to take that kind of profile early… you?
 
This upcoming draft class sucks for QBs. Last year’s was pretty loaded. If they were going to move on from Tua, it would have been last year or after next season.
Correction: last year's QB class *seemed* pretty loaded. Thus far, the jury is very much still out on whether any of the five guys drafted in April will prove to be franchise QBs...and arguably, the last one picked of the five looks to be the best of them so far. Which is to say, who knows? The draft was, is and always will be a crapshoot in which you know the odds of rolling 7s is higher than rolling 2s or 12s, but you won't know what numbers come up until the dice are actually rolled.
 

SMU_Sox

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Correction: last year's QB class *seemed* pretty loaded. Thus far, the jury is very much still out on whether any of the five guys drafted in April will prove to be franchise QBs...and arguably, the last one picked of the five looks to be the best of them so far. Which is to say, who knows? The draft was, is and always will be a crapshoot in which you know the odds of rolling 7s is higher than rolling 2s or 12s, but you won't know what numbers come up until the dice are actually rolled.
It is and it isn't a crapshoot. You never know who is going to work out and who isn't but at the same time you are much more likely to get a hit if a guy is taken in the first round as well as if that QB is rated highly on Arif Hasan's CBB (more on that later). Last year had 4 QBs almost universally acclaimed to be top 10 kind of picks and one who many thought was a mid-first kind of talent. 1 landed in Jacksonville with Urban Meyer. Not good, Bob. 1 landed in Chicago with Matt Nagy and an wretched OL. Again, not good, Bob. 1 landed on the Jets who historically have struggled to put into place a functioning front office and coaching staff. I am willing to give this regime a chance though - I think they made some good hires. The NFL is actually pretty good at identifying QB talent as well as edge talent in the first round. Some of that is desperation but some of that is they legitimately know what they are doing. Arif Hasan's composite/combined big board, CBB, is almost as accurate if not more accurate some years than the NFL draft at predicting NFL success and all 5 guys were top 25. That's a good indicator that independent evaluators and NFL evaluators were on the same page with the QBs and this was a talented crop. Fields and Wilson were guys I knew would struggle if they started year 1 because their flaws were things that would take a lot of acclimation to fix. The risk/reward made them attractive. I was more bullish that Lance could start sometime year 1 for the 49ers because he did a ton of boot-action, set his protection, and played in a system that made him go through his progressions vs say a UNC where it's mostly just designed looks or 1-2 reads. To me this class was loaded even if 3/5 don't work out because you have to go by the process and not the results. I know that is a strange thing to argue but the draft is about calculated risks. You hunt for consensus top QBs. There were 5 of them. It isn't halfway through year 1. Lawrence and Mac look like they will stick around. Wilson doesn't. Fields, sadly, doesn't. Lance? who knows - hasn't played enough. That can change though. If you get 2/3 QBs who are hits in a class that's a good class for QB.

Quick edit: I was wrong on Lance's readiness in SF.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

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I don’t really think Tua and Mac are that dissimilar where you’re gaining anything by swapping one for the other. I’m a jaded homer, but I’ll take Tua’s pocket mobility and ability to make some plays with his legs over whatever Mac has. Maybe more size and durability and less head-scratching turnovers.

But you’re largely right. Aside from Lawrence, who Miami didn’t have a shot at, and obviously Herbert, who Miami did have a shot at, most of these guys are treading the same water. Fields, Lance, Wilson. They’re all probably physically more talented than Tua and maybe you’re willing to take that long term gamble, but I don’t think you’re generating a net gain significantly larger than what Miami already has.

Tua is also not getting a lot of benefit of the doubt right now because Miami is losing. Almost the opposite of last year where he looked shaky and Miami was winning, he’s thrown for 600+ yards and 6 TDs the last two weeks, given Miami a late 4th quarter lead in both games, and has taken 2 L’s.
From my perspective, Tua and Mac definitely have similar physical dkill
@sodenj5 Willis has a cannon but his decision making and processing is suspect. I’m not sure I’d want to take that kind of profile early… you?
Worked out for Josh Allen.

Not so well for just about everyone else with the same profile.
 

sodenj5

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@sodenj5 Willis has a cannon but his decision making and processing is suspect. I’m not sure I’d want to take that kind of profile early… you?
Not particularly. Just making the point that 2022 is largely considered a down year, especially at QB. Like KFP said, it’s awesome that Josh Allen improved significantly at the NFL level, but there are a lot of similar players that didn’t pan out.

Miami should be drafting an offensive lineman with SF’s pick, and they’ll still have 2 1st rounders in 2023 if they want to make a move for a QB.
 

DanoooME

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Miami should be sticking with Tua and reevaluating the landscape in the offseason, if necessary. Maybe they gain clarity on Watson. Maybe they gain clarity on Tua. Maybe Aaron Rodgers is available. To me, going all in on Watson this week seems like the least reasonable approach they could take.
Miami tentatively plays at Green Bay next season. That fact alone could be appealing to Rodgers.
 

sodenj5

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Per Flo, Tua is the starter for the rest of 2021 barring injury.

Or trade ;)
I’m glad they started holding his feet to the fire today. “Tua is our QB” is a non-answer. It’s like saying the grass is green outside.

Cam Wolfe also rightly pointed out the difference between how Flores handled the Xavien Howard situation and how he’s handled Tua. Flores said “we aren’t trading Xavien Howard. Write that down.” They’re right to point out that he hasn’t given Tua that same level of support or come out and squashed any trade rumors.

If he came out two or three weeks ago and said, “we are not trading Tua, we are not trading for another QB, Tua is our QB for the year and the foreseeable future” then all of this goes away.

But he knows why he hasn’t done that. Because the facts are if Miami could get Deshaun at the discount rate that they want to pay, Tua would be on the next flight to Washington or New Orleans, or whoever wanted him. Deshaun Watson has hung over this team and this season like a black cloud since the offseason.
 

rymflaherty

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I know people will be keyed in to how Tua performs against a much better defense today, but I think I’m actually more interested in Flores and the Defense.

Can they make any sort of adjustment?

We know Buffalo roasts the Dolphins scheme and if this season has shown anything it’s that the Defense is not talented enough to make up for a schematic disadvantage.
It’s something I’ve been thinking of recently, as it seems like the Dolphins Defense can look amazing against young/poor QB’s, but get carved up when facing a Quarterback that’s not going to be phased by the blitz and know where the weak link is to attack.
Teams that have had success against the elite offenses appear to be doing so with the opposite strategy of Miami, playing more umbrella like looks.

Ive convinced myself that it’s Flores and the staff that doesn’t believe in Tua (not a Grier or Ross thing), so it would be nice to see Flo get his shit together considering the Defense is now equally as bad as the Offense. Having a Defensive head coach with a bottom ranked defense is not a good look.

Either way, not sure if it’s a good or bad thing that, due to the record and matchup, this is the first week this season where Miami sort of feels like an afterthought. Probably guarantees it winds up close, just to suck me in at some point.
 

sodenj5

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I know people will be keyed in to how Tua performs against a much better defense today, but I think I’m actually more interested in Flores and the Defense.

Can they make any sort of adjustment?

We know Buffalo roasts the Dolphins scheme and if this season has shown anything it’s that the Defense is not talented enough to make up for a schematic disadvantage.
It’s something I’ve been thinking of recently, as it seems like the Dolphins Defense can look amazing against young/poor QB’s, but get carved up when facing a Quarterback that’s not going to be phased by the blitz and know where the weak link is to attack.
Teams that have had success against the elite offenses appear to be doing so with the opposite strategy of Miami, playing more umbrella like looks.

Ive convinced myself that it’s Flores and the staff that doesn’t believe in Tua (not a Grier or Ross thing), so it would be nice to see Flo get his shit together considering the Defense is now equally as bad as the Offense. Having a Defensive head coach with a bottom ranked defense is not a good look.

Either way, not sure if it’s a good or bad thing that, due to the record and matchup, this is the first week this season where Miami sort of feels like an afterthought. Probably guarantees it winds up close, just to suck me in at some point.
IMO, the defense is a far greater disappointment than Tua or the offense. Miami has gotten some major turnover regression this year. They’ve gotten nearly no lucky breaks or bounces this year. The fact that they’ve fallen off a cliff without massive turnover is a very bad look for Flores and Boyer.

The two most expensive units on this team are the secondary and the wide receivers. Byron Jones and Xavien Howard have both been hurt and inconsistent this year. They’re 1 and 2 in salaries on the team. Numbers 3 and 4 are DeVante Parker and Will Fuller, respectively. The top 4 guys in terms of percentage of the cap have been largely flops, especially Parker and Fuller.

But somehow Tua is being made the fall guy here.
 

SMU_Sox

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Well to me Tua isn’t the fall guy. I had some questions about the run defense with the front 7 and the OL going into the season. All my questions broke for the worst for Miami. The good news is I think with the addition of a stud ILB and one more DL with the investment in edge Miami should have a top quality defense next year. I think they could be a decent offense too but they need to address OL. Austin Jackson needs to go away. He’s just not going to materialize as a starting caliber OT. If Miami addresses OL and front 7 I think they will be competitive again for the division and playoffs. I’m also assuming that with a decent OL Tua doesn’t struggle as much. That assumption might not work out. I haven’t deep dived on Tua though. Will do post season.
 

sodenj5

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Team is trash. They have several hilariously bad illegal shift penalties, including coming off a timeout at the end of the first half where they snap the ball straight into Gesicki and fumble it away.

Miami’s play has been abysmal in all three phases this year and they have shown many trademarks of flat out bad coaching.

The season and the foreseeable future now boils down to Tuesday. Have they seen enough of Tua?
 

sodenj5

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Today is the moment of truth. I’m mentally prepared for any outcome.

Edit: my gut tells me a deal gets done. Way too much smoke and near-completion rumors and the Texans are on the hook for 35 million next year for Watson to sit around and not play.

Houston Chronicle reported last night that Watson informed Houston that Miami is the only team he will accept a trade to.
 

rymflaherty

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I don’t expect them to trade for Watson.

I’ve suspected for a whole that they are actively attempting to acquire him, but I believe it’s been an attempt to acquire an asset at a depreciated value.

I haven’t seen any reason to believe Houston is going to give him away, so I think we’ll get a reprieve from Watson, at least for a few months.
 

mauf

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I'm in the "no deal" camp too. Ross won't take the PR hit without assurances that Watson has line-of-sight to resolving his legal woes. Nothing I've read makes me think that line of sight exists.
 

E5 Yaz

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Lol, I love that someone in the MIA front office said "remember to put that Tua has improved Adam" when sending him this to tweet, so it's just kinda awkwardly hanging on the end.
And to say that no deal was ever in place
 

Cellar-Door

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It does come off that way, yeah.
I think it’s a good move (not to trade for Watson).
I agree it's a good move not to trade for Watson given the wild uncertainty. I just think it's funny that after months of making it clear you want to move on from Tua, it's suddenly "oh Tua... totally improving... doing great... our QB of the future", if Watson GJ came back last week without an indictment, and it was just 22 civil lawsuits and no criminal charges he'd be the starter for MIA and Tua would be shipped out, and everyone knows it.
 

sodenj5

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My takeaway is they were 100% ready to move on from Tua but ultimately decided not to due to Watson’s considerable issues and pending legal troubles.

I agree that ultimately it was the right decision to not execute the trade now and give Tua the remainder of this year to showcase himself.

If he looks good, awesome. If he looks like he did versus Buffalo (ok, decent but not great) then it might be worth looking at Watson or other options at that point.
 

sodenj5

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Chris Grier spoke with the media today and confirmed that Miami was interested in pursuing a trade for Watson, a deal never got super close, and they had nothing to do with trying to force a settlement or NDAs on behalf of Watson as Buzbee was implying last night.

Also said they still believe in Tua (eye roll) and this was doing due diligence on a unique player in a unique situation.

So basically Tua has 9 more games to show them he’s the guy because they will 100% be revisiting this in the offseason, and especially so if Watson gains some clarity in his legal matters.

Grier, Flores, and Stephen Ross have put on a masterclass on how to ruin a promising young QB in under two seasons. Tua still has a chance, but they’ve privately and publicly essentially put him on notice that they’re willing to move on from him if someone else better becomes available.
 

sodenj5

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Why the fuck did they admit that publicly?
I think their hand was forced a bit after yesterday when it was reported Ross was granted permission to speak with Watson directly and then Buzbee implied that they were possibly working behind the scenes with Watson on the settlements and NDAs.

They had to say something at that point.
 

rymflaherty

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The way things have broke the is week, I’m not all that confident Miami wins this game. (Maybe for the best, as I came into the week thinking I’d probably use the Dolphins as my Survivor selection…saved me from myself)
That said, I do think this is the week we finally see Waddle take a slant or short pass and turn it into a big play.

That’s my lone prediction for Sunday.
Well that, and everything Tua does, good or bad, will cause extreme hyperbolic reactions.
 

sodenj5

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Tua not playing today. Jacoby Brissett is the starter.
 

mauf

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Tua not playing today. Jacoby Brissett is the starter.
If I’m not mistaken, the line moved a point or two towards Miami on the news. Brissett obviously isn’t the future, but gamblers apparently think he gives Miami a better chance to win now.

Edit: I’m confused. It broke a bit the Texans’ way.
 
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rymflaherty

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If I’m not mistaken, the line moved a point or two towards Miami on the news. Brissett obviously isn’t the future, but gamblers apparently think he gives Miami a better chance to win now.
The line started Miami -7 and closed at -4

it came down to -5.5 midweek when it was expected Tyrod was starting.
Dropped to 4 with Tua out.
 

nattysez

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Miami is now 3-7 and has Jets, Carolina, Giants, Jets as their next 4 games. It will really be something if Flores can get this team to 7-7.
 

Justthetippett

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Miami is now 3-7 and has Jets, Carolina, Giants, Jets as their next 4 games. It will really be something if Flores can get this team to 7-7.
That would be something but they need to figure out their offense. Aside from a few well designed scheme plays, they look really limited.
 

radsoxfan

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I will never understand an injured QB being OK to be the backup but not OK to start.

Do they think a healthy Brissett is better than Tua? if Tua can play, why isn't he starting?
 

sodenj5

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I don’t know what football is anymore.

Defense went back to doing what they did last year and just Cover 0 blitzing the shit out of everyone. I am starting to develop a deep love for Jevon Holland. He was everywhere tonight and looks like he’s going to be a star. Howard made the play of the night with the strip, recover, and run for the TD.

Offense continues to dead, but Tua hit one legit downfield shot to Waddle and hit Wilson on the busted coverage for the long gain.

The handling of Tua continues to be befuddling. His finger is fractured, but he looked capable of throwing the ball to me. Even took a shot to his hand early when he came in and kept playing through.

Miami has 10 days and they get the Jets and a bunch of games at home. The line still needs massive improvement as they literally got another QB knocked from the game. I’ll take a win, even if it’s an ugly one.
 

pdaj

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The handling of Tua continues to be befuddling. His finger is fractured, but he looked capable of throwing the ball to me. Even took a shot to his hand early when he came in and kept playing through.
QB development is its own coaching skillset, and Flores doesn't have it (yet). You can't treat the QB position as though it's like any other on the roster. The vast majority of coaches who do that fail. Similar to last year, I think Flores has used Tua's manageable injuries as excuses to bench him. Brissett started on Thursday night because he considered him the better option. When it was apparent that he wasn't, Flores went back to the kid.

Tua does so much more for the offense, without even throwing the ball. He helps improve a lackluster running game due to his proficiency with the RPO offense, while also helping a similarly average WR group get open with his feet, pocket movement, and shoulder fakes.

In the offseason, the goals were clear:

1) Improve the OL.
2) Improve the offensive weaponry.

On the cusp of the season, we knew #1 was a failure. However, #2 looked promising. Since then, we've seen Fuller start 2 games, both of which he was subpar, to put it kindly. Meanwhile, Parker's played only 5 games. So ... Waddle, Gesicki, and …? Combined with the epitome of average RB play, it's incredible how little the Dolphins FO and Flores have accomplished to provide an environment conducive to success for a young QB.

The good news? I expect Flores to let Tua just fucking play for the remainder of the year.
 

sodenj5

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QB development is its own coaching skillset, and Flores doesn't have it (yet). You can't treat the QB position as though it's like any other on the roster. The vast majority of coaches who do that fail. Similar to last year, I think Flores has used Tua's manageable injuries as excuses to bench him. Brissett started on Thursday night because he considered him the better option. When it was apparent that he wasn't, Flores went back to the kid.

Tua does so much more for the offense, without even throwing the ball. He helps improve a lackluster running game due to his proficiency with the RPO offense, while also helping a similarly average WR group get open with his feet, pocket movement, and shoulder fakes.

In the offseason, the goals were clear:

1) Improve the OL.
2) Improve the offensive weaponry.

On the cusp of the season, we knew #1 was a failure. However, #2 looked promising. Since then, we've seen Fuller start 2 games, both of which he was subpar, to put it kindly. Meanwhile, Parker's played only 5 games. So ... Waddle, Gesicki, and …? Combined with the epitome of average RB play, it's incredible how little the Dolphins FO and Flores have accomplished to provide an environment conducive to success for a young QB.

The good news? I expect Flores to let Tua just fucking play for the remainder of the year.
Short of another week jury, I don’t think he has much of a choice.

Sad to see what was a promising skill group in the WRs go complete Murphy’s Law and nearly every possible negative outcome has come to fruition. I’m not mad at taking a one year flier on Fuller, but they lit 10 million of Steve Ross’s dollars on fire.

Looking at the offense from a talent perspective…yikes. Waddle is a keeper, but I get the feeling they’re intent on letting Gesicki walk, which will be a pretty big mistake. So you’re left with one of the worst lines in franchise history, no running backs worth committing to, Waddle and maybe Tua.
 

pdaj

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In less-than-ideal circumstances for a young QB, including:

  • Rehab for devastating injury prior to/during first season.
  • No preseason, COVID-19 interference in '20-'21.
  • Benched mid-game on several occasions.
  • Ongoing rumors involving Watson.
  • Other nagging injuries (ribs/finger).
  • Subpar OL/RB/WR.
Tua has the following stats after 17 games played:

65.7 CMP%, 3,285 YDS, 20 TD, 11 INT

That's a strong start for any young QB; and while I think Justin Herbert's success helped set unrealistic standards, the first seasons for Lawrence and Fields may re-establish more realistic expectations for future newcomers at the position.

Next year, Miami needs to completely re-tool their offense. I'd love to see them:
  • Re-sign or Tag Gesicki
  • Trade Parker for a 5th/6th/whatever pick
  • Goodbye to Preston, Wilson, Ford. Let Bowden be the 5th/flyer WR option.
  • Let Fuller re-unite with Watson outside Florida.
  • Add WRs via FA/draft capable of achieving separation/history of durability.
  • Add PLAYMAKING RB!
  • Bring in top-notch OT.
This can all be done, due in thanks to having a very cheap QB for 3 more seasons.

Let Tua develop. Every game, he's improving. Shocking, right?

Thus far this season, Tua's completion rate, TD rate, average yards per attempt per contest, passer rating, and sack rate are all improved from his rookie season. Flores' handling of the team's QB situation has been, IMO, the biggest knock on him during his HC tenure in Miami. He comes across as a stubborn guy, but I'm still hopeful that he learns from this ordeal. I expect Tua to finish the season strongly.

Edit/Add: Ironic how Tua playing well, leading to MIA victories, may be the very thing that saves Flores' job.
 
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rymflaherty

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I’d wager the Gesicki talks could be, and remain, at an impasse due to the fact that he’s really not a tight end. He’s lined up wide, or in the slot around 90% of the time.
If his agent is smart, he’s trying to get him paid as a receiver, and if the team is smart, they know they can tag him as a tight end and have a bargain.
If there unsure of giving him a long term deal, for whatever reason, I certainly hope they do bring him back under the tag.

In regards to Tua, it’s also great to see that he’s moved up to the #13 range in most advanced metrics. Stats such as all the epa numbers. The type of numbers that have been thrown around in the Mac thread as the best predictive indicators for future success.

This season really has become a roller coaster of emotions. I’m hoping Sunday isn’t another drop, because if they can somehow pull that one out, the end of this season certainly has the chance to be interesting.
 

sodenj5

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In less-than-ideal circumstances for a young QB, including:

  • Rehab for devastating injury prior to/during first season.
  • No preseason, COVID-19 interference in '20-'21.
  • Benched mid-game on several occasions.
  • Ongoing rumors involving Watson.
  • Other nagging injuries (ribs/finger).
  • Subpar OL/RB/WR.
Tua has the following stats after 17 games played:

65.7 CMP%, 3,285 YDS, 20 TD, 11 INT

That's a strong start for any young QB; and while I think Justin Herbert's success helped set unrealistic standards, the first seasons for Lawrence and Fields may re-establish more realistic expectations for future newcomers at the position.

Next year, Miami needs to completely re-tool their offense. I'd love to see them:
  • Re-sign or Tag Gesicki
  • Trade Parker for a 5th/6th/whatever pick
  • Goodbye to Preston, Wilson, Ford. Let Bowden be the 5th/flyer WR option.
  • Let Fuller re-unite with Watson outside Florida.
  • Add WRs via FA/draft capable of achieving separation/history of durability.
  • Add PLAYMAKING RB!
  • Bring in top-notch OT.
This can all be done, due in thanks to having a very cheap QB for 3 more seasons.

Let Tua develop. Every game, he's improving. Shocking, right?

Thus far this season, Tua's completion rate, TD rate, average yards per attempt per contest, passer rating, and sack rate are all improved from his rookie season. Flores' handling of the team's QB situation has been, IMO, the biggest knock on him during his HC tenure in Miami. He comes across as a stubborn guy, but I'm still hopeful that he learns from this ordeal. I expect Tua to finish the season strongly.

Edit/Add: Ironic how Tua playing well, leading to MIA victories, may be the very thing that saves Flores' job.
Pretty good summary of the Tua experience.

Also very valid point that the struggles of Lawrence and Fields and Wilson should recalibrate expectations.

In my opinion, Tua has shown enough to deserve further investment. The line is abysmal, his top receivers are again missing in action, and his running game is only as good as the offensive line, which is usually bad.

I still think there are some fundamental flaws in the coaching. Receivers are still constantly lining up in the wrong spot out of the huddle and the entire offensive line stinks out loud. The bomb Tua hit to Hollins was a 7 man protection vs a 5 man rush, and Tua had pressure in his face the second he hit his drop.

Flores also played oddly conservatively at the end of the first half when they got the ball with a short field and 3 timeouts and basically played for a FG from the jump.

If they do beat Carolina, I’ll have a tiny bit of faith they might be righting the ship. Carolina looks like a difficult matchup for them on paper.

I’m still of the opinion that the offense is deeply, deeply flawed and Miami has had a run of bad opponents and the defense carrying the majority of the freight. Baltimore was clearly an outlier there, but they had a game plan and Baltimore had no counter to it on a short week.
 

pdaj

Fantasy Maven
SoSH Member
Dec 15, 2002
3,385
From Springfield to Providence
Happy Thanksgiving, all!

This team could very well be 7-7 in 3 weeks.

Strap in.
This season really has become a roller coaster of emotions. I’m hoping Sunday isn’t another drop, because if they can somehow pull that one out, the end of this season certainly has the chance to be interesting.
Miami at 7-7, headed into MNF vs. NO, would be a lot of fun. This week seems to be the biggest obstacle to such a scenario.

Flores also played oddly conservatively at the end of the first half when they got the ball with a short field and 3 timeouts and basically played for a FG from the jump.

If they do beat Carolina, I’ll have a tiny bit of faith they might be righting the ship. Carolina looks like a difficult matchup for them on paper.

I’m still of the opinion that the offense is deeply, deeply flawed and Miami has had a run of bad opponents and the defense carrying the majority of the freight. Baltimore was clearly an outlier there, but they had a game plan and Baltimore had no counter to it on a short week.
I also hated the Wildcat crap near the goal line. With Tua behind center, the offense presents the most challenges to the defense while in the red zone.

The 2nd knock against Flores is ... why can't be build/maintain a quality coaching staff?
 

Cotillion

New Member
Jun 11, 2019
4,926
Happy Thanksgiving, all!





Miami at 7-7, headed into MNF vs. NO, would be a lot of fun. This week seems to be the biggest obstacle to such a scenario.



I also hated the Wildcat crap near the goal line. With Tua behind center, the offense presents the most challenges to the defense while in the red zone.

The 2nd knock against Flores is ... why can't be build/maintain a quality coaching staff?
I forget what show it was on the NFL Sirius/XM channel I was listening to.... maybe Rich Gannon's... but they had a long talk this week (I think with Bill Cowher or talking about a past interview with Cowher) about one of the hardest, most important, and overlooked aspect of being Head Coach is the work selecting, building, coaching, and advancing the coaching staff under you. It's a thing a lot of "rookie" (first couple of years coaching) head coaches tend to fail at or overlook.