Dan Marino might be the most important star in Miami Dolphins historical past. He reached rock-star degree within the Nineteen Eighties and 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 simply must proceed to develop and I believe he has finished that.” -Dan Marino
Anytime a previous legend speaks positively of a workforce’s present key piece, particularly the QB place, it’s a time to rejoice. Based mostly on his feedback it feels like if Marino was in cost, Tagovailoa would have already got a long-term extension in place. As comfortable as Miami may 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 consider that can occur,” Tagovailoa stated whereas attending the Professional Bowl video games in Orlando.
The previous two years have been one of the 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 12 months 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 looks like Dolphins administration is ready to see extra. As if profession highs in landing passes, yards, and completion share aren’t adequate. Perhaps it isn’t for them. One official query coming into the 2023 marketing campaign was damage considerations. The primary one, in fact, is concussions. After having his 2022 season shortened resulting from a number of concussions, everybody needed to see Tua keep wholesome this 12 months.
Tua didn’t solely keep on the sphere, 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 may be doable, and which may be true to some extent. However the truth stays, Tagovailoa achieved this and to danger him going into free company after 12 months 5 could be loopy.
Probably shedding 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 suppose a workforce can throw anyone on the market at QB. Till that occurs. Miami is a playoff workforce already (even with falling off a bit on the finish 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 of us’ 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 right now’s recreation, the Corridor of Famer stated 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 move for five,000 yards again in ’84. That’s when it was a run-first league and defenses had been nonetheless allowed to annihilate the man beneath middle.
Put Marino from ’84 on this 12 months’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 12 months and two extra had been inside a number of extra completions of it. The 12 months Marino went over 5,000, solely two different gamers eclipsed 4,000.
That reveals simply how a lot the sport has opened up over time and the way the NFL has modified the foundations to the place offense is the precedence. The NFL (and most followers) need high-scoring relatively 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 doubtless be a Dolphins lifer, too. Get this contract state of affairs dealt with and everybody will sleep rather a lot simpler in Miami.
