It doesn’t take much to notice the difference.
The Miami Dolphins offense appears to run more smoothly with veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick running the show compared to rookie Tua Tagovailoa.
The football moves more efficiently. Receivers catch longer completions. The Dolphins have scored more points.
And Dolphins offensive coordinator Chan Gailey – the longtime coach tasked with developing Tagovailoa this season with five previous seasons of experience coaching Fitzpatrick – has the perfect explanation why.
“I think there are a couple things involved there: Fitz had last year with all these receivers. So, he knows what to expect, how to read them and how to read body language, and knows break points and things like that. Tua has had what? Four games with these guys?” Gailey said as a Dolphins’ voice of reason on Tuesday.
“I think there’s a learning process that goes on there that you have to get a feel for. You have to understand that. Is Tua at that point yet? No. But I think we will get there at some point in time. I’m hoping it’s sooner than later.”
Tagovailoa is expected to return to the Dolphins lineup for Sunday’s home game against the Cincinnati Bengals, a source told the Sun Sentinel.
Tagovailoa’s left thumb, which was injured last Wednesday and caused him to miss the Jets game, is progressing. The Dolphins will evaluate Tagovailoa’s thumb further when he returns to practice on Wednesday before making a final decision.
Dolphins coach Brian Flores reiterated Tagovailoa, the team’s No. 5 pick in the 2020 NFL draft, will be “the guy” starting at quarterback when back at full strength.
“I don’t know till we get back in the office Wednesday exactly what the status is, but he’s working hard to get ready,” Gailey said of Tagovailoa and his thumb injury. “He’s a tough guy.”
When Tagovailoa returns, the Dolphins hope he can continue to make on-field progress with his comfort level, natural ability as a passer, and a greater mastery of the offense in the final five games of this season.
Still, Tagovailoa’s performance against the Broncos two games ago, and Fitzpatrick’s play against the Jets last Sunday show a distinction in the Dolphins’ offensive makeup.
Fitzpatrick’s experience with receiver DeVante Parker and tight end Mike Gesicki from last season, the propensity to call audibles at the line of scrimmage or his own plays in the huddle, and a comfort level running Gailey’s offense for the sixth season of his career all play roles in the difference.
Fitzpatrick gains more yards on average (5.63 to 4.1) with more yards per attempt (7.5 to 6.2), and scores more points per possession (2.3 to 1.9) than Tagovailoa, who again has started in just four games in his NFL career.
Tagovailoa’s mastery of the offense is obviously “not to the level of Fitz,” Gailey said when asked specifically about Fitzpatrick’s ability to alter plays during a game.
“Very few people have that ability. He’s an amazingly smart guy. And Tua hasn’t been in the offense six games yet. It’s like comparing apples and oranges,” Gailey said. “Is he where Fitz is? No, he’s not. But has he come a long way and is he making progress? Yes, very definitely.”
The Dolphins also have a slew of other offensive issues they need to address – that could also help Tagovailoa’s progression – for their final run to a playoff spot in the final five games.
The offensive line has become porous, allowing 10 sacks and 17 hits on Tagovailoa and Fitzpatrick, in the last two games.
The Dolphins’ receiver depth behind Parker is gaining experience on the fly with rookies Malcolm Perry and Lynn Bowden Jr., and third-year newcomer Antonio Callaway still learning the offense.
To overcome the depth issues, Fitzpatrick depended on tight ends like Gesicki, who caught a touchdown against the Jets; Durham Smythe, who helped him get into rhythm with three catches in the first quarter; and Adam Shaheen, who sealed the Jets win with a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Tagovailoa must still find a way to grow more comfortable facing defensive pressure while relying on the receiving targets he has this season.
Despite missing the Jets game, Gailey believes Tagovailoa is making progress.
The Dolphins also need Tagovailoa’s teammates to do their parts.
“We have to be able to use everybody at our disposal here,” Gailey said. “I think as the rest of the season unfolds, we’re going to have to use these other guys in different in varied ways to move the football in the best way. We’ve got to use them all.”
Deen writes for the South Florida Sun Sentinel