Tua Tagovailoa Seeks Solutions After Another Dolphins Loss
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has pointed out the need to address “small details” within the team after a season start with a 1-5 record. Following the recent 29-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Tagovailoa emphasized the importance of improving internal aspects, including attendance at player-led meetings.
In a game where Tagovailoa threw a touchdown that put his team ahead, but also suffered three interceptions, the player highlighted possible changes in team meetings. “I think it starts with leadership, helping to articulate that to the guys and then what we expect from them,” Tagovailoa commented. “We expect this, are we getting it? Are we not getting it? We have guys showing up late to player-only meetings, guys not showing up to player-only meetings. There’s a lot that goes into that.”
The quarterback added the need to assess whether meetings should be mandatory and how to address internal issues. “We have to clean up a lot of things of that nature, and it starts with small things like that,” he explained.Tua Tagovailoa dice que algunos jugadores de los Dolphins están llegando tarde o no se presentan a las reuniones dirigidas por jugadores.The Dolphins, who had only a 7% chance of winning the game in the final quarter, managed to overcome a 10-point deficit and take the lead with a touchdown pass from Tagovailoa to Darren Waller. However, the Chargers responded quickly, securing the victory with a field goal in the final seconds.
Tagovailoa called the loss a “shock” and took responsibility for his three turnovers, focusing on the next game against the Cleveland Browns. “The only place we can go is next week,” he said. “We have to analyze the video again, we have to see where we can go. I contributed a lot to that with the three turnovers as well. You can’t do that and expect to win games.”
Coach Mike McDaniel, for his part, mentioned that the player-led meetings are “outside of what I demand” and that he has seen the players deliver within what he has asked of them. “Clearly, he’s sending a message, but from my point of view, everything I’ve asked the guys, they’ve fulfilled,” McDaniel commented.
The situation in the Dolphins is reminiscent of similar problems from last year, when McDaniel had to fine players for tardiness. Sources close to the team mentioned that Jalen Ramsey and Tyreek Hill were some of the players who incurred these infractions.
McDaniel acknowledged the difficulty of losing games in the final minutes, something that has happened to the Dolphins four times this season. He highlighted the perseverance of his players as a positive, but insisted that there are no moral victories at this level.
The coach also stated that both he and his staff will work to solve the Dolphins’ problems in the end of the games. “I try to find themes for the things that are happening. Each game is unique,” McDaniel said. “Fortunately, or unfortunately, I had to get that information in the third quarter, because that’s where the team gives up if the defeats have affected it too much. It wasn’t the case. You fought, and I’m proud of that, but it’s not what we’re looking for. There is no victory that is considered moral. However, I think it is reasonable to expect that we will have our best performance at the end of the games as we continue to work as a team. Otherwise, we will be forced to deal with the same result.”
