Darren Waller Silences Detractors In Debut

Darren Waller Silences Detractors In Debut

The Miami Dolphins secured their first victory of the season on Monday night by dispatching their rivals, the New York Jets. While the mood was dampened by the seemingly serious injury to star wide receiver Tyreek Hill, there were enough bright spots to lift the spirits of the Miami faithful heading into week 5. Chief among them was the stellar debut for tight end Darren Waller. 

Waller had missed the first three games of the season after being coaxed out of retirement this summer. With the team dropping all three games they had played thus far, many fans and bloggers like myself were left frustrated by his absence. Waller managed to shut all of us naysayers up with an awesome first game for Miami. The 33-year-old looked like he turned back the clock to his 2020 form with three receptions for 27 yards and, most importantly, two touchdowns. 

The most impressive catch came with 9 minutes left in the first half, on fourth and goal with the Dolphins leading 3-0, Waller hauled in a high pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. He managed to secure the ball and get both feet in bounds at the back of the end zone in an athletic display that makes it difficult to believe he’s been out of football for over a year. 

Later, with Miami leading 10-3 in the early third quarter, Waller caught another pass after Tua rolled to his right. Waller somehow managed to find himself wide open in the end zone for the much easier of his two scores. In a game that finished with a final score of 27-21, Waller proved to be the biggest difference maker for the Dolphins’ offense. He added an element not seen since Jonnu Smith‘s last season, a true pass-catching threat that can work the middle of the field.