The Miami Dolphins are an interesting team to watch because anything can happen at any time. At points last year, it felt like a dumpster fire constantly blazing. The culture surrounding the Dolphins has been pretty toxic over the last couple of years.
“Except this isn't a one-year issue with Miami. Set aside the iffy football decisions, like Grier's inability to field a stable offensive line or properly manage high-profile salaries over the course of a nine-year tenure featuring exactly zero playoff victories. Just from a culture perspective, Miami has been the NFL equivalent of an accident — a controversy, a feud, a drama — waiting to happen,” CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin wrote.
Tua Tagovailoa is hoping for a healthy season after limited playing time last year. Tagovailoa’s former teammate Ryan Fitzpatrick believes he could have avoided the concussion he suffered last season.
“Two years ago he played all 17 games, he was healthy. He’s got to know there’s certain hits you can avoid, and the one last year (on TNF), he could’ve avoided it,” Fitzpatrick said. “And he understands that they’re not going to be a good football team if he’s not the one playing quarterback.”
On Sunday, Tagovailoa got his first taste of action in the preseason. He wasn’t expected to play, but it turns out he was in the ear of head coach Mike McDaniel, urging him to let him take the field.
“Chicago Bears TV broadcast reporting Tua implored McDaniel to allow him to play today. Dolphins TV broadcast said he will play one drive, which is proceeding swimmingly,” the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson wrote.
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This should be a good sign for the Miami faithful, as Tagovailoa showed he wants to be out there. He seems determined to carry a chip on his shoulder all season. His entire mindset is to prove he will do whatever it takes to shape the Dolphins’ season in the right way. Tagovailoa’s eagerness is a great sign for McDaniel.