Tua Tagovailoa's Disaster Day at Dolphins Camp Emphasizes Microscope He's Under
Tua Tagovailoa is really struggling at the first day of mini-camp today and the news is making the rounds on Twitter. The Miami Dolphins quarterback has thrown five interceptions this afternoon and his performance is getting raked over the coals. This is the latest example of just how scrutinized the second-year quarterback will be this year.
ESPN reporter Cameron Wolfe was in attendance and gave a timeline of Tagovailoa's woes:
It’s pouring down heavy rain here on Day 1 on Dolphins minicamp and Tua Tagovailoa is having a rough practice.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) June 15, 2021
Tua has thrown 3 INTs today to Trill Williams, Jamal Perry and Nik Needham. The Needham pick was during 11-on-11, others in 7-on-7.
A 5th INT just thrown by Tua Tagovailoa but this one bounced right off Mike Gesicki’s hands. He should have caught it.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) June 15, 2021
Joe Schad confirmed it:
Tua Tagovailoa has thrown five interceptions on the first day of Dolphins Minicamp
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) June 15, 2021
Sun-Sentinel columnist Omar Kelly piled on:
There is absolutely no excuse for a 5 interception day. I don’t care if it’s a Hurricane. Your starting QB can’t turn the ball over 5 times. And these aren’t aggressive throws either.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) June 15, 2021
Now look, the practice is happening in the middle of what many are describing as monsoon-like conditions and it's the first day of minicamp. Those are tough conditions for anyone, especially a second-year quarterback.
Every move Tagovailoa makes this season will be heavily discussed, debated and picked apart. He's entering the year facing a lot of questions after struggling in 10 games as a rookie. In 2020, he completed 64.1 percent of his passes for 1,814 yards, with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions while averaging 6.3 yards per attempt. He was not the guy many expected when the Dolphins selected him with the fifth pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
We'll see what becomes of Tua in his second season. He has a long way to go and will face heavy scrutiny every time he takes a snap.