Tua Tagovailoa Under Fire After Disastrous Performance

Former Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Richie Incognito didn’t mince words when discussing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa following a humiliating 33-8 defeat against the Colts in Week 1. Incognito, who spent four seasons in Miami during his 13-year NFL career, pulled no punches in his criticism.

A Lackluster Start for the Dolphins

Tagovailoa, 27, struggled mightily, completing just 14 of 23 passes for a mere 114 yards, throwing one touchdown while being intercepted twice, and getting sacked three times. The Dolphins offense utterly faltered, failing to score until the final quarter as the Colts and Daniel Jones ran up the score.

Incognito's Scathing Review

"Tua is ass," Incognito bluntly stated during an appearance on 'The Arena Show.' His frustration was palpable as he outlined the disarray within the Dolphins' offense. He criticized Tagovailoa for lacking timing and not delivering deep throws to star receiver Tyreek Hill, who finished with just four catches for 48 yards. Jaylen Waddle was equally underutilized, managing only four catches for 30 yards.

High Expectations, Low Performance

Incognito lamented that fans know Tagovailoa possesses the potential to excel in head coach Mike McDaniel's system, pointing to last season when he led the Dolphins to an 11-6 record and a Pro Bowl nomination. Tagovailoa threw for a career-high 4,624 yards and 29 touchdowns only last year. Incognito emphasized that failing to perform now, especially under a familiar offensive scheme, is unacceptable.

Concussions and Locker Room Woes

While Incognito acknowledged Tagovailoa’s battle with multiple concussions and internal issues within the Dolphins’ locker room, he couldn’t ignore the regression in Tagovailoa's play last season, where he ended with a 6-5 record. His Week 1 performance was far from what the franchise desperately needs.

The Coaches Weigh In

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel mirrored Incognito’s sentiments, admitting that Tagovailoa’s play was below expectations. Despite understanding that it was his first time back on the field collectively with the team for months, he pointed out that as the leader of the team, Tua needs to elevate his game.

Defensive Strategy: Stressing Tagovailoa

Former Dolphin and current Colts cornerback Xavien Howard noted a strategic approach to nullify Tagovailoa by taking away his initial reads, saying, "Once we take away his first read, I feel like it’s panic mode after that." This insight highlighted the challenges Tagovailoa faced under pressure.

The Future of Tua and the Dolphins

With high stakes on the line, Tagovailoa needs to find a way to bounce back and prove he can lead the Dolphins to victory. If not, the calls for a change in leadership may grow louder as the season progresses.