Dan Marino might be the most important star in Miami Dolphins historical past. He reached rock-star degree within the Nineteen Eighties and Nineteen Nineties as quarterback for Miami regardless of by no means successful the massive one. So, when Marino talks, followers normally pay attention, particularly these situated close to South Seaside. Marino joined Adam Schein on Sirius XM’s Mad Canine Radio Wednesday and sounded assured that Tua Tagovailoa could lead on Miami to a Tremendous Bowl. Pretty much as good as that most likely sounds to the fan base, the entrance workplace should still have their worries.
“He just needs to continue to grow and I think he has done that.” -Dan Marino
Anytime a previous legend speaks positively of a staff’s present key piece, particularly the QB place, it’s a time to rejoice. Based mostly on his feedback it appears like if Marino was in cost, Tagovailoa would have already got a long-term extension in place. As joyful as Miami would possibly declare to be with Tua, exhibiting him the cash with an extension is proof. That doesn’t imply they shouldn’t be cautious, it simply means they need to spare us all of the nonsense.
“I believe that will happen,” Tagovailoa said whereas attending the Professional Bowl video games in Orlando.
The previous two years have been the very best statistically in most classes for Tagovailoa. That alone would warrant an extension, however as of now, the first-time Professional Bowl choice is scheduled to play the ultimate yr of his rookie deal with out an extension in sight. That doesn’t imply it received’t occur, because the NFL offseason hasn’t formally begun.
It seems like Dolphins administration is ready to see extra. As if profession highs in landing passes, yards, and completion proportion aren’t adequate. Possibly it isn’t for them. One professional query getting into the 2023 marketing campaign was damage considerations. The primary one, in fact, is concussions. After having his 2022 season shortened as a consequence of a number of concussions, everybody wished to see Tua keep wholesome this yr.
Tua didn’t solely keep on the sector, he began all 17 video games, handed for 4,624 yards (league chief) and 29 TDs. Some would argue that with out Tyreek Hill none of this might be potential, and which may be true to some extent. However the truth stays, Tagovailoa accomplished this and to risk him going into free company after Yr 5 could be loopy.
Probably dropping Tagovailoa (for nothing in return) and never having a backup plan could be an enormous mistake. Typically we see a generational expertise like Hill and assume a staff can throw anyone on the market at QB. Till that occurs. Miami is a playoff staff already (even with falling off a bit at the end of the season) with Tagovailoa and a high-powered offense that matches up with among the greatest we’ve seen. If the Dolphins get extra consistency from the protection, we might be seeing some lengthy playoff runs out of them quickly.
Airing it out
Marino additionally made one other look that caught people’ consideration Wednesday, and that was when he joined The Pat McAfee present for all of the Tremendous Bowl week festivities. When requested about how he’d fare in at the moment’s sport, the Corridor of Famer mentioned he’d throw for six,000 yards. It sounded a bit tongue in cheek, however there’s little doubt Marino believes it. Dazzling Dan was the primary QB in NFL historical past to go for five,000 yards again in ’84. That’s when it was a run-first league and defenses have been nonetheless allowed to annihilate the man underneath middle.
Put Marino from ’84 on this yr’s Dolphins and he most likely comes near 7,000 yards. That’s how deadly he was in an period the place most QBs barely sniffed 4,000 yards. Ten gamers handed for greater than 4,000 yards this yr and two extra have been inside a couple of extra completions of it. The yr Marino went over 5,000, only two other players eclipsed 4,000.
That reveals simply how a lot the sport has opened up through the years and the way the NFL has modified the foundations to the place offense is the precedence. The NFL (and most followers) need high-scoring fairly than defensive-controlled contests. Issues like fantasy soccer and legalized playing have solely added to this.
In his day, Marino was a beast, which is why his endorsement of Tua means one thing in South Florida. If Tagovailoa continues bettering and may produce even half of what Marino did in his profession, then he’ll seemingly be a Dolphins lifer, too. Get this contract scenario dealt with and everybody will sleep rather a lot simpler in Miami.
