Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores believes the ample preseason action sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has received this August should prove beneficial to his overall development.
And although preseason statistics and scores don't hold much weight during training camp, franchise legend and Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino can't argue with Flores' logic. He's seeing Tagovailoa make positive strides.
"Anytime a rookie goes into their second year and they're able to go through all the offseason stuff, they're going to be more improved," Marino told the Tiki and Tierney show on Monday. "I just think he has a better understanding of where he wants to go with the football. That's the important part. And then dealing with protections and all that stuff, he's done a really good job with that. It's still exhibition, but he's done pretty good this summer..."
Tagovailoa, who was selected fifth overall by the Dolphins in the 2020 draft, has shown noticeable growth through two preseason games. On Saturday against the Atlanta Falcons, he played the entire first half, completing 16 of 23 passes for 183 yards with one touchdown. During his first game on Aug. 14, he completed 8 of 11 passes for 99 yards with one interception.
2020 was a peculiar year for Tagovailoa, in relation to football. The Alabama product started his first game in November, won six of nine games in the role, and completed 186 of 290 passes for 1,814 yards, 11 scores, and five picks. Tagovailoa did experience some issues with the playbook, however, and his ineffective play prompted Flores to bench him twice for veteran journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Miami will open the 2021 regular season on the road against the New England Patriots on Sept. 12. According to the William Hill Sportsbook, the Dolphins currently have the second-best odds (+340) to win the AFC East, and the sixth-best odds (+1500) to win the conference.
The entire Dolphins conversation between Marino and Tiki and Tierney can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow the Tiki and Tierney Show on Twitter @TikiAndTierney and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram