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Marcel Louis-JacquesESPN
MIAMI — Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa stepped to the podium on Nov. 17, a few days after the Miami Dolphins’ win against the Baltimore Ravens — his first time leading them to victory since the season opener.
It was about two weeks after the Nov. 2 trade deadline; gone were the questions about the Dolphins’ faith in Tagovailoa and what he needed to prove. In their place came questions about the dance he showed off after rushing for the game-sealing touchdown.
He smiled at the questions, his typically clipped responses replaced by a demonstration of the “Smeeze” dance he said he learned from former Alabama teammate Najee Harris. At times this season, if Tagovailoa had gripped the lectern any tighter he would’ve left an imprint, but now he seemed more relaxed than he had been all year.
After the Ravens’ win, Miami fans were chanting Tagovailoa’s name.
“I hear it,” he said. “It makes me feel good but the fans can’t go in there and play for me. I’ve got to go out there and I’ve got to execute.”
He has continued to show progress and the Dolphins (7-7) are rolling, winners of six straight entering Monday’s matchup (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN) against the New Orleans Saints. Despite the surge, Miami likely must win out at the Saints (7-7), at the Tennessee Titans (10-5) and vs. the New England Patriots (9-6) to have a shot at its first playoff bid since 2016.
this is my favorite Tua moment of all time pic.twitter.com/xTzUxXktfT
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) November 17, 2021
Even with the question of their postseason fate back in play, there’s a bigger one looming this offseason — the same one Tagovailoa been hearing since his arrival in Miami: is he the guy?
Tagovailoa has 14 TD passes and eight interceptions this season and has missed four games and parts of two others because of rib and finger injuries. However, his efficient play has helped fuel Miami’s winning streak.
“He is a highly instinctive individual that is a very talented natural…
Source : espn
