Only ranking that matters for Tua, Dolphins in 2023 is QB starts | Schad
Tua Tagovailoa wasn't ranked among the top 5 quarterbacks in the AFC by former teammate Jason McCourty and all of his "Good Morning Football" teammates, including Kyle Brandt, Sara Walsh and James Palmer.
So what.
All four chose Patrick Mahomes as best, with Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Aaron Rodgers and Trevor Lawrence all nominated as well.
It irked some Dolphins fans that Rodgers was included when he's not even in the AFC yet.
But the oddsmakers agree, with the Jets a much bigger Super Bowl favorite than Miami.
Tagovailoa led the NFL in passer rating and yards per pass but nobody seems to want to credit him for that.
Most of the credit goes to Mike McDaniel and Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and, for sure, some of the credit, but not all, should go to them for Tua's success.
There are two things to think about here in March.
The Dolphins don't need Tua to be a top 5 AFC quarterback to win the AFC.
The only Tua statistic that matters for Miami in 2023 is games started.
Mahomes, Allen, Herbert, Rodgers and Burrow have averaged 16 starts over the past three seasons.
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Would Miami sign up for 16 Tua starts in 2023?
You betcha.
Jackson has averaged only 13 starts over the past three seasons.
Would Miami sign up for 13 Tua starts in 2023?
Eh, probably not.
But that it's even a consideration tells you the extent of fragility concern.
Tua must be available for at least 14 or 15 games to be considered durable in 2023.
In the past two seasons, Tua averaged 12.5 starts, and, as we know, missed a playoff game last season.
Every person with access to a microphone or TikTok has expressed the quite obvious since Miami has landed superstar cornerback Jalen Ramsey and other quality talents.
The entire Dolphins' plan hinges on Tua's health.
"I get enamored with how much people think Tua stinks," said Dan Orlovsky of ESPN, a pledged Tuanon member. "What Tua did last year was really high-level. I’m banking on Tua staying healthy. At some point, you catch a health break and every fall doesn’t result in concussion."
Stephen A. Smith, not a Tuanon member, said that “Tua Tagovailoa’s career is in jeopardy” due to concussions and thus he ranks Tua as the AFC QB with “most at stake in 2023.”
“I’m just praying he stays healthy,” SAS said. “With Tua, his career is on the line.”
Well, yes, everyone is hoping for the best but fears for the worst.
Miami does not believe that Tua is any more susceptible to concussions than the average Joe. But they'll of course have to handle any 2023 concussion with extensive caution.
Holding breath for Tua Tagovailoa
Everyone says they're "holding their breath" for Tua.
And that is a tough way to live.
For Tua, it's not just the concussions. Even though that is the most concerning injury.
Tua has been training in jiujitsu in the hope of avoiding future injuries to his hips, ankles, fingers, knees, ribs and back. Every NFL player deals with injuries.
But Miami simply cannot afford to have Tua miss extensive time next season.
As it relates to where Tua compares to the aforementioned AFC competition, it's really not that important.
Miami Dolphins have Jalen Ramsey, superstars
The Dolphins have players who eclipse Tua in talent and/or stardom, such as Tyreek Hill, Jalen Ramsey, Jaylen Waddle and Xavien Howard and, it could be argued, Jevon Holland, Christian Wilkins, Jaelan Phillips, Terron Armstead, Emmanuel Ogbah and Bradley Chubb.
Tua just has to be one of the guys. He's surrounded by stars.
This is not to say he can be Trent Dilfer. He's better than Dilfer ever was.
But there is a certain don't-mess-it-up reality to this situation.
Miami's offense and defense are both capable of finishing in the NFL's top 10.
Tua doesn't need to put his head down (in the film room, yes, but not on the field).
Tua can be a distributor. Tua can do that Tom Brady-Jay Cutler deal where he throws it at the feet of a running back when under intense pressure. (Or he can try a jiujitsu move, which would be cool.)
Tua Tagovailoa leads NFL in polarizing
It's hilarious to me that Tua is both overrated and underrated.
It's hilarious to me that Tua is both beloved and belittled.
The truth always lies somewhere in the middle, of course.
Tua seems unlikely to be a future NFL Hall of Famer.
He will also never, ever be described as a bust.
Top 3 or 5 or 7 or 9, it doesn't matter.
If healthy, Tua is good enough to quarterback Miami to Super Bowl as early as next season.
If healthy. There will be that caveat, unless and until he overcomes it.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and Twitter @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Tua Tagovailoa led the NFL in passer rating last season. But he's not a top 5 AFC quarterback?
