MIAMI GARDENS — I’m involved in regards to the Miami Dolphins’ Tua-to-Tyreek passing mixture, and, by affiliation, the Dolphins offense. Quickly, you’ll be involved, too, as you understand the Dolphins should spend the subsequent week forcing the Tua-to-Tyreek chemistry in preparation for the Sept. 7 season opener at Indianapolis. It is a perilous state of affairs for the offense.
The final time Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and broad receiver Tyreek Hill had been on the sector collectively towards an opponent was virtually 9 months in the past, the Dec. 22 recreation towards San Francisco, a 29-17 Dolphins win. Tyreek had three receptions for 29 yards, highlighted by a 24-yard reception. He was focused seven occasions. These aren’t the numbers of a pointy mixture.
Their earlier look collectively was the 20-12 loss at Houston, the sport wherein Tua threw three interceptions, together with two within the fourth quarter whereas concentrating on Tyreek. After the sport, Tyreek, who ended with two receptions for 36 yards after being focused seven occasions, complained that he didn’t have sufficient apply time with Tua. That state of affairs has solely gotten worse.
You’ll recall Tua, valued for his accuracy and anticipation, missed the ultimate two video games final season — Cleveland and the New York Jets — with a hip harm. And Tyreek, valued for his pace and the concern he imparts on defenses, missed most of organized group actions, minicamp, coaching camp, joint practices and preseason video games whereas recovering from proper wrist surgical procedure and an indirect harm.
On high of all that, in case you take heed to Tua, his relationship with Tyreek has been a bit strained since Tyreek’s notorious “I’m out” postgame rant after final season’s finale towards the Jets.
I’m having bother seeing how the Dolphins can depend on the Tua-to-Tyreek passing mixture to defeat the Colts. Opponents have more and more shutting them down. The Tua-to-Tyreek combo solely produced two 100-yard receiving video games final season — Sept. 8 towards Jacksonville and Dec. 8 towards the Jets — and so they had been towards groups that mixed for 9 wins.
You’ve seen this Dolphins offense with out Tyreek the previous few weeks in joint practices and preseason video games. It’s innocent.
It’s heavy on the Tua-to-wide receiver Jaylen Waddle mixture and light-weight on the concern issue.
Opponents don’t defend towards the specter of a landing on each play the best way they do when Tyreek is on the sector.
Coach Mike McDaniel has spun that realization into another reality.
“You all the time need a participant like that on the sector,” he stated of Tyreek, “however there may be an unintended consequence of having the ability to be extra versatile in your recreation and to focus deliberately on numerous issues that we in any other case wouldn’t.”
OK, let’s take a look at that offensive versatility, which I keep doesn’t exist at a game-winning degree.
The run recreation has been disjointed as a result of beginning working again De’Von Achane has been sidelined just lately with a calf harm and Alexander Mattison, who was set to be RB2, sustained a season-ending neck harm. That left rookie working again Ollie Gordon II, the sixth-round decide, on the quick observe to develop.
Dolphins Deep Dive: As a franchise participant does Tua Tagovailoa have to play elite? | VIDEO
Additional hurting the run recreation, proper deal with Austin Jackson hasn’t had contact by joint practices and preseason video games because of a decrease extremity harm.
Drilling down on the passing recreation, tight finish Darren Waller, who is meant to interchange Professional Bowl tight finish Jonnu Smith, hasn’t had contact since he retired in 2024. He hasn’t even participated in a full apply regardless of being acquired weeks earlier than coaching camp.
The Dolphins badly want the Tua-to-Tyreek combo to be explosive.
Tua makes this offense go, however Tyreek makes it particular.
Ask backup quarterback Zach Wilson what Tyreek does to a protection. He’ll let you know safeties usually play possibly 10 or 12 yards deep. However when Tyreek is on the sector they’re 16 or 18 yards deep.
Dolphins Deep Dive: Offense prepared for Indianapolis? | VIDEO
“Everyone begins to play somewhat bit softer,” Wilson stated. “Corners play off somewhat extra. Security performs somewhat bit deeper.”
Wilson will additional let you know when Tyreek is on the sector “it does open up everybody else” as a result of Tyreek requires consideration from a number of defenders.
Tyreek is exclusive. He makes the implausible develop into lifelike.
“In single excessive protection,” Wilson started, “you’re all the time usually taught by no means to throw deep third throughout the center as a result of there’s a security again there and his job is to play deep. Usually it’s quarters protection. However with Tyreek, I’ve observed he’s nonetheless working previous deep third gamers, which isn’t usually a factor.”
You realize the numbers for the Dolphins offense with Tyreek. Up to now two years the Dolphins are 11-0 when Tyreek has 100 or extra yards and 7-16 (.304) when he has 99 or fewer.
I’m pondering the Colts recreation will likely be a type of wherein Tyreek has 99 or fewer. Once more, Tyreek has had virtually no apply time with Tua within the final 9 months or so. And due to that, I’m involved in regards to the Dolphins offense towards Indianapolis.
Dolphins Deep Dive: Concern over new gamers in key roles? | VIDEO
Initially Revealed: