The Miami Dolphins dropped a divisional road game to the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night, but the result wasn’t as bad as it seemed. Yes, they lost 31-21 after tying the game in the fourth quarter at 21. Yes, there was a costly roughing the punter penalty by Zach Sieler and there was also a back-breaking interception by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
But, there is good news and that is that the pick wasn’t really Tua’s fault. At least, that’s what he’d like you to believe.
“I thought I was in rhythm, in timing of the play, seen the flat defender go over the top of Jaylen, Jaylen’s turning around,” Tagovailoa said. “That was a really good play by the defender. I had some color in my face trying to maneuver the throw. But 10 out of 10 times, if we’re looking at that same thing, I think I’d still try to work that timing of hitting that spot. I think the linebacker made a great play on that.”
It was an awful interception, how’s that? He stared down his receiver and made a terrible throw at a terrible time. That’s the answer.
Has anyone else noticed a pattern with Tua lately? It’s not that he said, “not my fault,” but he didn’t exactly say “that was all on me” either. You’re the quarterback, Tua. Just say, “this game is all my fault” every single time you lose. It doesn’t even matter if it’s true or not; we all saw the game. Help me help you, Tua.
Tua Tagovailoa sounds optimistic for someone who should be taking blame
On Thursday night, Tua was 22-34 passing for a meager 146 yards, two touchdowns, one super costly interception and had a 63.9 QBR. Not the end of the world necessarily, but it could have been much better. Let’s not forget he airmailed at least three different passes to a wide open Tyreek Hill, who last I checked was more Spud Webb than Shawn Bradley.
But, Tua said that there are some good things to take away from the game, even if close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
“No moral victories, that’s for sure,” Tagovailoa said. “There’s definitely some things we can take away that’s good, that’s up to par, that’s our standard of how we operate in our offense.
“It’s a team sport. We win together, we lose together.”
Tua Tagovailoa seems to shirk responsibility
I’m not sure if I’m reading too much into Tua’s post-game comments this season or if he does have a genuine fear of being Edward Smith to the Dolphins‘ Titanic. It’s understandable perhaps, but at the end of the day you are the quarterback and the leader of this team. Players shouldn’t have to look to Tyreek for moments of clarity and optimism following losses like this.
Remember his comments following a Week 1 33-8 pasting to the Indianapolis Colts?
“I’m definitely curious to see, ‘I came in on Tuesday, I seen these guys on Tuesday last week. I want to see if the same guys are watching film on Tuesday’, I want to see how everyone goes about their process,” Tagovailoa said.
Improper use of the word “seen” aside, your team just got the brakes beaten off of them and you’re talking about wanting to see how the team reacts? Whether or not that’s true is irrelevant. Stand up and take responsibility regardless of who is at fault. It’s what leaders do, and it’s fair to start wondering whether Tua is the leader of the Dolphins moving forward.
I could be reading too much into it, but so far this season, Tua isn’t sounding like the standup guy he needs to be.
It Might be Time to Question Tua’s Leadership