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 large one. So, when Marino talks, followers often hear, particularly these situated close to South Beach. Marino joined Adam Schein on Sirius XM’s Mad Dog Radio Wednesday and sounded assured that Tua Tagovailoa could lead on Miami to a Super Bowl. As good as that in all probability sounds to the fan base, the entrance workplace should have their worries.
“He just needs to continue to grow and I think he has done that.” -Dan Marino
Anytime a previous legend speaks positively of a crew’s present key piece, particularly the QB place, it’s a time to rejoice. Based on his feedback it seems like if Marino was in cost, Tagovailoa would have already got a long-term extension in place. As completely happy 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 believe that will happen,” Tagovailoa stated whereas attending the Pro 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 Pro 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 seems like Dolphins administration is ready to see extra. As if profession highs in landing passes, yards, and completion proportion aren’t adequate. Maybe it isn’t for them. One respectable query getting into the 2023 marketing campaign was harm issues. The major one, in fact, is concussions. After having his 2022 season shortened resulting from a number of concussions, everybody wished 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 might be attainable, and which may be true to some extent. But the very fact stays, Tagovailoa achieved this and to danger him going into free company after Year 5 could be loopy.
Potentially dropping Tagovailoa (for nothing in return) and never having a backup plan could be an enormous mistake. Sometimes we see a generational expertise like Hill and suppose a crew can throw anyone on the market at QB. Until that occurs. Miami is a playoff crew 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 finest we’ve seen. If the Dolphins get extra consistency from the protection, we could possibly be seeing some lengthy playoff runs out of them quickly.
Airing it out
Marino additionally made one other look that caught people’ consideration Wednesday, and that was when he joined The Pat McAfee present for all of the Super Bowl week festivities. When requested about how he’d fare in immediately’s sport, the Hall of Famer stated 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 go 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 beneath heart.
Put Marino from ’84 on this yr’s Dolphins and he in all probability 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 couple of extra completions of it. The yr 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 principles to the place offense is the precedence. The NFL (and most followers) need high-scoring fairly than defensive-controlled contests. Things 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 probably be a Dolphins lifer, too. Get this contract scenario dealt with and everybody will sleep lots simpler in Miami.