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Today seems to be the day everyone's penning their Miami quarterback situation columns.
I've been tweeting a lot about different aspects of Miami's QB/OC situation. So let's try and put it all together.
@3YardsPerCarry @5ReasonsSports
I've been tweeting a lot about different aspects of Miami's QB/OC situation. So let's try and put it all together.
@3YardsPerCarry @5ReasonsSports
Let's start with some facts.
When allowed to go Empty Backfield, about 90% of passes Tua throws hit an open receiver right on the hands. We're talking 34 of 42 complete with 3 drops, a little over 8 yards per completion. It comes out quickly, accurately, and SAFELY (no INTs).
When allowed to go Empty Backfield, about 90% of passes Tua throws hit an open receiver right on the hands. We're talking 34 of 42 complete with 3 drops, a little over 8 yards per completion. It comes out quickly, accurately, and SAFELY (no INTs).
He's got 5 sacks out of Empty. But that doesn't bother me. Look at the sacks. He makes guys miss, keeps his eyes up, gets back toward the line. Four of those sacks, total loss was -8 yards. One of them, Carl Nassib stunted inside and went untouched straight into Tua's face.
When allowed to go No Huddle (excluding the Empty plays already cited), 80% of Tua's attempts (20 of 25) are complete. We're talking around 11 yards per completion, with no big plays skewing the average. Just consistency. No INTs, of course.
On drives where Tua's allowed to go No Huddle or Empty at least once, about two-thirds end in success rather than punting. Unless someone fumbles the ball or something like that.
On drives where Tua never once goes No Huddle or Empty, about two-thirds end in punts. Pattern?
On drives where Tua never once goes No Huddle or Empty, about two-thirds end in punts. Pattern?
Miami is obviously struggling at the skill positions. Going 4-wide and 5-wide, allowing Tua to do what he does best, which is get thru his mental and physical process more quickly and safely than defenses can typically handle, can mitigate the deficiencies in the skill units.
If you've got Tua turning his back to the defense, faking a handoff, hoping they respect one of the worst ground attacks in the league so that a practice squad receiver with 4.6 speed can try and shake loose on a deep post, no amount of Tua's talent is going to make that work.
I respect the idea behind all the RPOs and play-fakes. But they're slowing Tua and the offense down, causing more defenders to converge on an OL that is still going thru growing pains. Spread it out, go empty, hurry it up, jump-start your drives, and then try some of that stuff.
In other words, call the games like you do when Fitzpatrick is in.
Yes, we saw that.
Go look at the Jets game. Fitzpatrick the starter due to Tua's injury. Miami came out as aggressive as you've ever seen, 33 of first 39 plays were passes. Tons of Empty. Bunch of No Huddle.
Yes, we saw that.
Go look at the Jets game. Fitzpatrick the starter due to Tua's injury. Miami came out as aggressive as you've ever seen, 33 of first 39 plays were passes. Tons of Empty. Bunch of No Huddle.
Honestly looked like what you do in preseason when you've got a player you want to show off for trade.
And for all that pass-aggressiveness, it's the 4th quarter and Miami still only has 13 points. Against the Jets. In other words, same situation Tua keeps getting benched for.
And for all that pass-aggressiveness, it's the 4th quarter and Miami still only has 13 points. Against the Jets. In other words, same situation Tua keeps getting benched for.
Does that mean Fitzpatrick shouldn't come onto the field? No. I don't mind the two-QB system Miami is running right now. It's working. They're 7-2 since the team effectively started this approach, and they were competitive to the end of both losses.
Flores deserves COTY credit. Miami's situation not like other rookie QB situations. Playoff caliber team, each game must-win. Sometimes the game prep is deficient, inexperienced rookie can't adjust, you're down 2 scores in the 4th, and you need Fitzpatrick's YOLO! passing style.
Fitzpatrick comes in knowing game already lost. No pressure. Tries to throw two game-ending picks in limited time vs. Denver, before finally throwing THE game-ending pick in the end zone. Said the defender made a nice play, that if he'd been inches slower it's a hero TD. (YOLO!)
Is that really what you want to build your game plan around?
Now you know why Flores keeps starting the guy he trusts not to be careless with the football.
Knowing that if game prep is bad, if things go sideways, he's got a good 'spark' guy that might just pull it off. (YOLO!)
Now you know why Flores keeps starting the guy he trusts not to be careless with the football.
Knowing that if game prep is bad, if things go sideways, he's got a good 'spark' guy that might just pull it off. (YOLO!)
Speaking of game prep, yes Chan Gailey admitted Broncos threw things at Tua they hadn't predicted or prepped him for, accepting blame. Yes he admitted he threw away all his notes, and has to rely on assistants who have coached against upcoming defensive coaches. He's very candid.
First sign of trouble Saturday was 2 hours before the game, NFL Network sideline reporter describes seeing Tua and offensive coaches last-minute cramming plays during warmups, trying to account for everything Rod Marinelli MIGHT do. Denver all over again.
People will take that as a critique of Miami's coaches. It's not. It happens all the time. Coaches make it their job to come up w/ stuff the other side couldn't plan for. But if your QB isn't experienced, it would make sense if it's a bit harder to fight your way out of check.
What are ya gonna do, tell Tua it's like what A&M did in 2018? Every rookie has stinkers. See Herbert vs. NE. Not every rookie is in must-win playoff mode.
Fitz has 16 years, six w/ Gailey. Unique for QB-OC pair. They have the same eyes, can adjust to the unplanned for. (YOLO!)
Fitz has 16 years, six w/ Gailey. Unique for QB-OC pair. They have the same eyes, can adjust to the unplanned for. (YOLO!)
Imagine the temerity of penning that Miami should start Fitz, or should never bench Tua.
While simultaneously lauding the coach (we apparently believe to be in the wrong) as a candidate for Coach of the Year.
Flores should continue calling his shots. Because he's good at this.
While simultaneously lauding the coach (we apparently believe to be in the wrong) as a candidate for Coach of the Year.
Flores should continue calling his shots. Because he's good at this.
This isn't a cheap grab at a "truth is in-between" retort, nor is it "coach is always right". I believe there are issues that may even result in offseason turnover. I do, humbly as a non-football guy, wonder if Tua should go more spread, empty, hurry-up, with fewer play-fakes.
But otherwise I do think we have to realize people have reasons they do what they do, and if they're professionals, those reasons are probably well grounded. So strap in for more of what we've seen already. And don't be surprised if it keeps winning games. @3YardsPerCarry
