McDaniel Confident in Tua’s Performance, Anticipates Fewer Interceptions
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel announced that Tua Tagovailoa will continue as the starting quarterback, despite recent performance struggles. After a significant defeat to the Cleveland Browns, Tagovailoa’s statistics reflected a troubling trend.
Recent Game Performance
In a game on Sunday against the Browns, Tagovailoa completed 12 of 23 passes for 100 yards. Unfortunately, he also threw three interceptions. This marked his second consecutive game with three interceptions, bringing his season total to 10, tying him for the NFL lead. His performance resulted in a passer rating of 24.1, the lowest of his career.
Coach’s Confidence in Tagovailoa
Despite these setbacks, McDaniel expressed confidence in Tagovailoa’s ability to improve. He stated, “He is going to take the snaps this week, and he is going to be a starter this week, and my expectation is that we don’t throw 10 picks.”
Film Review and Improvement
On Monday, McDaniel and Tagovailoa watched game film together, a practice they have maintained throughout the season. McDaniel emphasized the importance of their collaboration: “It’s a working relationship, and we both have to get better together.” The coach aims to adjust their communication style based on the specific coaching needs of their offense.
Quarterback Depth Chart Concerns
While Tagovailoa remains the starter, the backup situation is less certain. Rookie Quinn Ewers was elevated to the second-string position for the game against the Browns. In his debut, Ewers completed 5 of 8 passes for 53 yards. McDaniel noted that Ewers will compete with Zach Wilson for the backup role.
Injury Updates
- Darren Waller: Tight end Waller, who leads the team with four touchdown receptions, is likely to miss the upcoming game against the Atlanta Falcons due to a pectoral strain.
According to a source, this injury is not expected to require surgery and Waller will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis.
Looking Ahead
As the Dolphins prepare for their next matchup, McDaniel remains focused on fostering growth within his team. Both he and Tagovailoa aim to address recent performance issues and enhance their offensive execution.
