Dan Marino might be the largest star in Miami Dolphins historical past. He reached rock-star degree within the Nineteen Eighties and Nineteen Nineties as quarterback for Miami regardless of by no means successful the massive one. So, when Marino talks, followers normally pay attention, particularly these positioned close to South Seaside. Marino joined Adam Schein on Sirius XM’s Mad Canine Radio Wednesday and sounded assured that Tua Tagovailoa may lead Miami to a Tremendous Bowl. Nearly as good as that most likely sounds to the fan base, the entrance workplace should have their worries.
“He simply must proceed to develop and I feel he has executed that.” -Dan Marino
Anytime a previous legend speaks positively of a group’s present key piece, particularly the QB place, it’s a time to rejoice. Based mostly on his feedback it appears like if Marino was in cost, Tagovailoa would have already got a long-term extension in place. As glad as Miami would possibly 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 may occur,” Tagovailoa said whereas attending the Professional Bowl video games in Orlando.
The previous two years have been the most effective 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 yr of his rookie deal with out an extension in sight. That doesn’t imply it gained’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 ok. Perhaps it isn’t for them. One professional query coming into the 2023 marketing campaign was harm considerations. The primary one, in fact, is concussions. After having his 2022 season shortened as a result of a number of concussions, everybody needed to see Tua keep wholesome this yr.
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 is able to be attainable, and which may be true to some extent. However the reality stays, Tagovailoa accomplished this and to risk him going into free company after Yr 5 can be loopy.
Probably dropping Tagovailoa (for nothing in return) and never having a backup plan can be an enormous mistake. Typically we see a generational expertise like Hill and suppose a group can throw anyone on the market at QB. Till that occurs. Miami is a playoff group already (even with falling off a bit at the end 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 may very well 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 in the present day’s recreation, the Corridor of Famer mentioned he’d throw for six,000 yards. It sounded a bit tongue in cheek, however there’s little question Marino believes it. Dazzling Dan was the primary QB in NFL historical past to cross for five,000 yards again in ’84. That’s when it was a run-first league and defenses have been nonetheless allowed to annihilate the man below middle.
Put Marino from ’84 on this yr’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 yr and two extra have been inside a number of extra completions of it. The yr Marino went over 5,000, only two other players eclipsed 4,000.
That exhibits simply how a lot the sport has opened up through the years and the way the NFL has modified the principles to the place offense is the precedence. The NFL (and most followers) need high-scoring quite 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 enhancing and might produce even half of what Marino did in his profession, then he’ll seemingly be a Dolphins lifer, too. Get this contract state of affairs dealt with and everybody will sleep quite a bit simpler in Miami.
