Making the offense more Tua-friendly

DAVIE — The hope is that there is instantaneous chemistry, a bond on offense that produces first downs, big plays and most importantly, points.

But that’s usually not what reality brings, especially for rookie starting quarterbacks.

The expectation is that the Miami Dolphins offense will change over time, evolving into one that caters to Tua Tagovailoa’s strengths — and masks his shortcomings and inexperience.

While the offense might feature more movement plays, spread concepts, and even some run-pass-option (RPO) plays, the reality is this is the beginning chapter of an offensive evolution.

Even though the Dolphins already had a package of plays for the fifth pick in April’s draft ready to go each week — just in case he needed to enter a game — the shift to a playbook that caters to Tagovailoa, who is making his first NFL start Sunday against a tough Los Angeles Rams defense, will take sometime.

Coach Brian Flores downplayed an immediate overhaul of Miami’s offense and poured cold water on the notion that the Dolphins would evolve into an RPO-based offense under Tagovailoa.

“We really haven’t done much of that this season, so I think it’s [been] a couple days of practice,” Flores said about the six practices and meeting days the Dolphins will have from last week’s bye to Sunday’s 1p.m. kickoff.

“It’s hard to put something in like that.”

Nevertheless, the team’s playmakers are eager for what will come during the Tua era.

“It’s exciting to be a part of that chapter, that next phase,” tight end Mike Gesicki said.

The main focus heading into Sunday’s game is to help Tagovailoa build chemistry with the offensive weapons with whom he hasn’t usually worked.

“I think he’s done a great job at observing the things that ‘Fitz’ does,” receiver Isaiah Ford said, referring to Ryan Fitzpatrick, the veteran quarter back Tag ovai lo a is replacing.

“Whether it’s things like taking command of the huddle, coming to us outside of the huddle when we’re on the side, talking through things of what we’re seeing and kind of getting on the same page.”

Tagovailoa had been sporadically getting first-team reps. The bulk of his reps with some of Miami’s starters came from working the scout team offense, preparing the starting defenders for each week’s opponent.

“He has every throwin the book. I think he’s got the intelligence to make all of the reads, and he’s got the legs to be able to escape pressure and make plays with his feet,” said Gesicki, who has consistently worked as the scout team tight end since the 2019 season, including the past sixweeks catching passes from Tagovailoa.

“I don’t really know if you’re going to take any plays out or if he’s going to do something that ‘Fitz’ wasn’t doing. I don’t think that’s what it comes downto. I think it just comes downto our coaching staff and what they’ve done this season to put guys in position to be successful.”

When breaking in young quarterbacks, most teams cut the field in half on passing plays, keeping the reads simple in the early stages, and then expand the scope of the quarterback’s reads. But that depends on the quarterback and how much he can handle.

It is also predicated on how defenses want to play them.

Will the Rams stack the box and force Tagovailoa to throw deep? Will they blitz and challenge him to throw quick? Will they try to disguise their coverages in an attempt to force him into making a mistake?

Or will they do a combination of all of the above?

At Alabama, Tagovailoa was praised for was his accuracy and his ability to throw with anticipation. That means the ball was often thrown before a receiver made his break or got open.

Those are two quarterback traits that typically excite skill players because they each can lead to big plays and run-after-catch opportunities.

“I’m ready to see what he’s going to do, just like everybody else,” said second-year receiver Preston