Brian Flores tells Dolphins players Tua Tagovailoa is 'our quarterback'?

Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores can't do anything about reports and rumors linking his team with disgruntled Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson or claiming that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross "really wants" the 25-year-old star signal-caller. 

When Flores can do, however, is rally the troops around his current QB1. 

According to Jeff Darlington of ESPN, Flores told his players during "a brief but poignant message" that second-year pro Tua Tagovailoa is "our quarterback" heading into the regular-season opener at the New England Patriots on Sept. 12. 

Darlington added that "Ross has not shown any interest in trading for Watson" and that the owner will allow Flores and general manager Chris Grier to choose their starting quarterback. 

Watson is still facing 22 lawsuits alleging acts of sexual assault and misconduct and 10 criminal complaints, and Flores seemed to close the door on welcoming him to Miami while speaking about the types of players he'd want the franchise to acquire on Monday.

"We have a high standard for the people we have in the organization," Flores explained. "We want people with high character throughout the building." 

Houston reportedly wants three first-round draft picks and a pair of second-round selections in a trade for Watson. This latest update suggests the Dolphins aren't close to matching such an asking price as September approaches.