Going into OTAs on Tuesday, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel praised quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s offseason work — which has included shedding some pounds and working with a new quarterbacks coach — and said he expects Tagovailoa to take another leap in Year 3 of this system.
“It’s been very exciting because at this point, we’re like, ‘Alright, let’s really push ourselves to challenge this guy,'” McDaniel said, “because all he ends up doing is rising to the challenge with what we’ve been asking him to do.”
Tagovailoa, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal, has participated in three OTA practices, while missing some of the team’s voluntary sessions earlier in the offseason.
McDaniel didn’t say last week whether some of Tagovailoa’s absences were contract-related, but the two sides are engaged in negotiations.
Tagovailoa was in attendance for Tuesday’s OTA practice and participated in 7-on-7 drills, finishing the session with a deep touchdown pass to rookie receiver Tahj Washington.
“He’s building up that confidence in himself and you can just tell,” running back Raheem Mostert said. “Even out here making these throws. He’s doing what he needs to do, and that’s what you want to see out of a guy like him.”
McDaniel said he has noticed more velocity on some of Tagovailoa’s throws, a product of the 26-year-old’s offseason work with quarterback coach John Beck, who was a quarterback for the Washington Commanders when McDaniel was with the team in 2011.
“Just that connectivity to your game and trying to unearth every single inch and iota of professional development,” McDaniel said, “That, in itself, you’re heading in the right direction.”
Tagovailoa led the NFL with 4,624 yards passing in 2023, while also setting career highs in completion rate (69%) and touchdown passes (29). He also played an entire season for the first time in his career as he bulked up his frame last offseason to better withstand the hits he takes on the field. He started 17 games after…
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Publish date : 2024-05-28 22:37:21
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