Ryan Fitzpatrick: Tua Tagovailoa outshines every other QB in a specific stat
First-year Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel decided once he took the job that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was a player worth investing in.
After upgrading his supporting cast and building up his confidence during the offseason, Tagovailoa has rewarded the Dolphins in spades. Former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has noticed a substantial jump in third-year QB’s development.
“Mike McDaniel has helped a lot, and I think a lot of that has just been confidence,” Fitzpatrick recently stated on the "AP Pro Football Podcast." “…In between the numbers, the line of scrimmage to 20 yards — those throws he’s so effective on because he can see it, he can anticipate it, and he’s extremely accurate in that box. That’s where he’s just been feasting this year. …The stuff over the middle of the field, there isn’t a better passer in the league right now than Tua and what he’s done.”
Fitzpatrick’s assessment is spot on.
On passing plays from 0-20 yards, Tagovailoa has completed 121 of 168 passes (72 completion percentage) for 1,874 yards, 13 touchdowns and one interception, per Pro Football Focus. On passing plays beyond 20 yards, his completion percentage is just 63.8, and he has six touchdowns and two interceptions along with 690 yards passing.
Tagovailoa leads the NFL in passer rating (115.7), and he ranks second in completion percentage (69.7), fourth in passing yards per game (284.9) and he’s tied for fifth in touchdown passes (19).
He’s already set a new career best in touchdowns, and he’s on pace to set new highs in completion percentage, passing yards and passer rating. Plus, the 80.7 percent of his throws that have been on target this season is the highest mark of his career.
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