‘Laser targeted’ Tua Tagovailoa impresses HC Mike McDaniel

MIAMI — Regardless of not enjoying soccer for practically two weeks, Tua Tagovailoa impressed Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel together with his focus when he returned to the observe discipline final week.

Tagovailoa suffered a concussion on Sept. 29 towards the Cincinnati Bengals and missed the Dolphins’ subsequent two video games. McDaniel stated the star quarterback is making ready this week because the starter for Miami’s recreation towards the Pittsburgh Steelers, including that Tagovailoa is raring to return.

“He is laser targeted. He is in his regular temper, however he would not lose consideration span on the job at hand,” McDaniel stated. “And that is what I’ve grown to like concerning the man. That is why he is been capable of have some success in a very new language and system.”

Tagovailoa cleared concussion protocol this previous weekend however returned to the observe discipline for the primary time on Oct. 12. He was inactive for final Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings however was on the sideline and had been current on the Dolphins workforce facility since his concussion.

McDaniel stated Tagovailoa “absolutely embraced” his function as a pacesetter over the previous two weeks and efficiently allowed that function to supersede his want to play.

“He is aware of that he must be within the second for the gamers which might be enjoying and contribute the best way he can,” McDaniel stated. “And so he has been very optimistic, however I may also inform that like he thirsts for the brotherhood, for the camaraderie, for the competitors.

“It was simply blatantly apparent to everybody round him that he was lacking out on one thing that he actually loves. And it is a cool factor to search out out in an hostile state of affairs a few participant that you just coach.”

McDaniel famous that in Tagovailoa’s three practices final week, he took on a supportive function as Skylar Thompson ready because the starter and Teddy Bridgewater as the first backup.

McDaniel significantly was impressed with the best way Tagovailoa stored focus regardless of the change in his regular routine.

“What you noticed was each single play of observe saying the play,” McDaniel stated. “After I say it, like he is saying it within the huddle, then watching the timing of the idea, watching the footwork of Skylar, getting excited when excellent approach is executed — as a result of he is aware of precisely what it seems to be like. And then you definately undergo a complete observe, you are used to being the beginning quarterback, which within the NFL season means you take each snap when the offense is up. So that you get in a routine the place it form of goes by quick as a result of you have got all these items occurring.

“Effectively, to see that focus final for all the observe additionally speaks to the purpose that it is not nearly him, his selflessness, which is why he has a singular aura of management that individuals gravitate to as a result of it is real, genuine, and actual.”

The Dolphins, mired in a three-game dropping streak after beginning the season with three straight wins, has seen a pointy offensive decline with out Tagovailoa on the sphere. By means of the primary three weeks of the season, the Dolphins ranked first and second within the league in factors per drive and offensive anticipated factors added, respectively. Within the time since, they’ve fallen to twenty eighth in offensive EPA and twenty ninth in factors per drive.

Each Bridgewater and Thompson began video games rather than Tagovailoa, however each had been compelled out of their lone begins resulting from concussion protocol and a thumb harm, respectively. Dolphins offensive lineman Robert Hunt stated after Sunday’s recreation that accidents are “a part of the enterprise” of the NFL, and added Monday that whereas getting Tagovailoa again can be galvanizing, they’ve a job to do irrespective of who’s at quarterback.

“Tua is Tua — Tua is our chief,” Hunt stated. “He is the man who has been working the present and we’ll be excited to get him again. However precisely what you stated — if not and it is someone else again there, we nonetheless acquired to do our job and attempt to play a recreation and win a recreation.”