USA TODAY International Edition
Dolphins should not hesitate to call on Fitz
There is no quarterback controversy. That much was unanimous from the three parties involved once the game, and with it the Dolphins’ winning streak, was over.
Coach Brian Flores thought Ryan Fitzpatrick gave the Dolphins a better chance to rally Sunday than Tua Tagovailoa, so he called in a reliever, pure and simple.
Except nothing about quarterbacking in the NFL is that simple, so one of the first questions Flores faced postgame was whether he’s considering a quarterback change moving forward.
“No,” Flores said without missing a beat. “No changes.”
Fair enough. Flores was off the hook because Fitzpatrick came up a few whiskers shy of FitzMagic, throwing an end- zone interception in the closing seconds that clinched Denver’s 2013 victory.
So, yes, Tagovailoa is the Dolphins’ quarterback of the future.
But what about the present? What about the fact that instead of a first- place tie with Buffalo at 7- 3, the Dolphins are in a cluster of 6- 4 teams fighting for a playoff spot, with the margin for error shrinking by the day?
Speaking of errors, Tagovailoa made his share Sunday, no shock for a rookie making only his fourth start. He held the ball too long, enabling the Broncos to feast on six sacks. He overthrew receivers and failed to spark the offense nearly the entire game.
That – and not any injury concerns about his foot – is why he was pulled.
And that last problem – failure to get the offense in rhythm – is why Flores sticking with Tagovailoa is fine, but there can be no hesitation about making the same change from here on out. That’s the balance to be struck when you’re starting a rookie quarterback on a contending team.
No further proof is necessary beyond this from Sunday’s game:
Dolphins, with Fitzpatrick: Two possessions, 128 yards, three points.
Dolphins, with Tagovailoa: Eight possessions, 95 yards, 10 points.
For Tagovailoa, there would be no ninth try.
“We just felt it was the best move at that point in the game,” Flores said of the change. “We had to get in two- minute mode. We just felt he gave us the best chance to tie the game, which we had at the end.”
“There’s no controversy,” Fitzpatrick said. “This is his team. He’s going to continue to lead this team.”
That he will – until it’s time to call in a reliever again.