With Tua Tagovailoa back in the Miami Dolphins’ lineup, McDaniel’s playbook might just get a bold makeover. Let’s break down what exactly this means for Miami and why fans should be eager to see Tua back under center.
First off, expect a surge in the Dolphins’ offensive efficiency. Tua isn’t just any quarterback; his precision and quick decision-making have the potential to unlock facets of the Dolphins’ game that we haven’t seen since his last stint. Tagovailoa’s presence is a game-changer and it could very well resurrect the aggressive playcalling style of head coach Mike McDaniel.
Why does that matter? Well, we could see this aggression translated into more gutsy fourth down calls and an increased willingness to pass in short-yardage situations.
When McDaniel had to juggle between Skylar Thompson, Tyler Huntley, and Tim Boyle in Tua’s absence, it’s no secret that his playcalling had to become more conservative. But with Tua back, who wouldn’t expect the Dolphins to go for it when facing a critical fourth down?
Let’s look at the game against the Colts as an example. With Tim Boyle stepping in, Miami’s approach in the fourth quarter included opting for a 54-yard field goal instead of pushing for a first down.
Sure, Jason Sanders had the leg for it, but the consequence of a miss, which happened, left the Dolphins scrambling for a comeback touchdown. With Tua in the mix, wouldn’t you expect McDaniel to take the gamble for that extra yard?
It’s not just about fourth downs, though. Let’s talk short-yardage situations.
Early in the season, the Dolphins converted four consecutive third-and-1 situations using the ground game, showing early success. However, they’ve struggled since, going just 3-for-7 on third-and-1s and striking out on two fourth-and-1s.
Here’s where McDaniel’s aggressive nature could shine. Last season, the Dolphins balanced between passing and running in these scenarios, and Tua’s return might coax McDaniel to mix things up again, keeping defenses on their toes.
The numbers don’t lie – last season, Miami was evenly split between calls for passes and runs on third-and-1 situations, and actually leaned towards passing more on fourth-and-1. Though the conversion rates were far from stellar, the strategy instilled a sense of unpredictability that could very well return with Tua’s influence.
What sets Tua apart is his ability to instill that fear of the pass even on short-yardage downs. Defenses have to play honestly when Tua is in the backfield, and that’s a lesson the Colts learned when Miami performed well in short-yardage scenarios when he was healthy earlier this year.
In essence, Tua’s return may not only refine the Dolphins’ offensive prowess through his skills alone but could also mean the return of a riskier, and potentially rewarding, approach from McDaniel. For Miami fans, this only bodes well for what’s ahead, as the Dolphins aim to bring back the kind of aggressive competitiveness that can turn tight games in their favor. Keep your eyes peeled, folks—Tagovailoa might just be the spark Miami needs to reignite a bolder Dolphins offense.