Tua Tagovailoa joins Miami Dolphins’ initial workout despite unresolved contract
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa set aside his contract concerns and joined the team for 7-on-7 drills on Wednesday as training camp began.
The fifth-year QB is looking for a new contract that reflects his value compared to other quarterbacks drafted with him in 2020. On Tuesday, Tagovailoa’s teammates expected him to be on the field with them.
Tagovailoa didn’t talk to reporters on Wednesday.
“If you let them, those things can distract you,” said Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel. “I talk openly with the team about this. We’re not robots. We have to consciously focus on the right things, and I believe our team is doing that. They’re eager to practice against each other.”
While Tagovailoa’s contract remains a topic, the Dolphins started their third year under McDaniel with hopes of ending a 24-year playoff win drought.
Miami was close to winning the AFC East title last season but lost three of their last five games, including a home game against Buffalo that gave the Bills the division title and pushed the Dolphins to a wild-card spot. Their season ended with a playoff loss to eventual Super Bowl champions Kansas City in cold weather.
Jordan Poyer, a former Bills safety who joined Miami in the offseason, said opponents believed the Dolphins would struggle if they fell behind against top teams.
Colts GM Chris Ballard on Jonathan Taylor: ‘He’ll have a big year’.
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor could have a monstrous 2024 season, reminiscent of his 2021 NFL All-Pro campaign.
According to general manager Chris Ballard, Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is poised to have a ‘big year’ entering 2024 fully healthy—and now paired with 2nd-year dual-threat quarterback Anthony Richardson for (hopefully) a full season:
While he was limited to 10 games (7 starts) last year after a prolonged recovery from past offseason ankle surgery, beginning 2023 on PUP—and later suffering a thumb injury that required minor in-season surgery, Taylor showed in the finale that he’s fully back.
Even without Richardson behind center, who was lost to a season-ending shoulder injury, Taylor showed flashes of his former 2021 NFL First-Team All-Pro form, in which he led the league in carries (332), rushing yards (1,811) and rushing touchdowns (18) as the league’s then ‘Triple Crown’ rushing king.
Specifically, in the finale, Taylor exploded for 188 total rushing yards on 30 carries (6.3 ypc. avg.) and a rushing touchdown—and almost carried the Colts offensively into the playoffs, who then would’ve ultimately become 2023 AFC South Champions. Alas, the Colts came up just short against their rival Houston Texans due to a failed 4th down pass attempt late.
That being said, we saw what Taylor could do with even a fairly mobile quarterback in 2021—when he was paired with former Colts starter Carson Wentz.
While they were limited to just two total snaps together last season because of their respective injuries, it’s easy to salivate about the RPO game featuring Richardson and Taylor this upcoming season—especially given how much more mobile, faster, and athletic Richardson is as a ball carrier compared to Wentz respectively:
When compared to departed Colts interim starter Gardner Minshew too, who filled in relief of Richardson last year, Indy’s newest franchise quarterback hopeful has a much stronger arm and should also keep opposing defenses much more honest in loading the box against Taylor and the running game because the 2nd-year quarterback can make them pay deep.
All things considered, Ballard appears correct that Taylor could have a monstrous rebound campaign—if both he and Richardson can stay fully healthy throughout the 2024 season.
