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How Dolphins' Tagovailoa Received Support from McDaniel after Criticism from Flores
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    How Dolphins’ Tagovailoa Received Support from McDaniel after Criticism from Flores

    MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Tua Tagovailoa left no doubt that he likes playing for Mike McDaniel a lot more than he did for Brian Flores.

    Fresh off signing a four-year contract extension last month, Tagovailoa said he appreciates McDaniel’s positive coaching style after dealing with Flores’ negativity during his first two seasons in the NFL.

    “To put it in simplest terms, if you woke up every morning and I told you you suck at what you did, that you don’t belong doing what you do, that you shouldn’t be here, that this guy should be here, that you haven’t earned this right. … And then you have somebody else come in and tell you, ‘Dude, you are the best fit for us, you are accurate, you are the best.’ How would it make you feel listening to one or the other?” Tagovailoa said in an interview that aired Monday on “The Dan LeBatard Show”.

    Tagovailoa said the criticism beat him down to the point that he began to believe it. He was the No. 5 overall draft pick in 2020 and won the starting job, but he was pulled twice in the fourth quarter of games for Ryan Fitzpatrick.

    The following season Tagovailoa’s future with the Dolphins was in doubt amid speculation they were seeking a trade for Deshaun Watson.

    “I don’t care who you are. You can be the President of the United States. You have a terrible person that’s telling you things that you don’t want to hear or that you probably shouldn’t ever hear, you’re going to start to believe that about yourself. And so that’s sort of like what ended up happening,” Tagovailoa said.

    The Dolphins fired Flores and replaced him with McDaniel for the 2022 season. Tagovailoa said it had taken two years to train the negative thoughts out of his head. With McDaniel devising schemes to suit Tagovailoa’s skills, the Dolphins averaged an NFL-leading 401 yards per game last season. Tagovailoa threw for 29 touchdowns and a league-best 4,624 yards.

    Asked about Tagovailoa’s comments Monday, McDaniel said, “I am not spending much time patting myself on the back for much. I think there’s a lot of players that have grown since I’ve been here. And that growth is all that I care about.”

    Flores, now the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive coordinator, is scheduled to meet with reporters Tuesday.

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    Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been under the spotlight recently after facing criticism from head coach Brian Flores. However, offensive coordinator George Godsey has come to Tagovailoa’s defense, showing support for the young quarterback.

    Flores made headlines when he publicly criticized Tagovailoa for his performance in a recent game, stating that the quarterback needed to improve his decision-making and execution on the field. This criticism sparked concern among fans and analysts, who questioned whether Tagovailoa was the right fit for the Dolphins.

    Despite the criticism, Tagovailoa received a much-needed vote of confidence from offensive coordinator George Godsey. Godsey praised Tagovailoa’s work ethic and dedication to improving his game, highlighting his leadership qualities and positive attitude.

    In addition to Godsey’s support, wide receivers coach Josh Grizzard also expressed his confidence in Tagovailoa, stating that the young quarterback has what it takes to succeed in the NFL. Grizzard emphasized Tagovailoa’s talent and potential, urging fans to be patient and give him time to develop as a player.

    The Dolphins’ coaching staff is working closely with Tagovailoa to help him reach his full potential and overcome any challenges he may face. With the support of coaches like Godsey and Grizzard, Tagovailoa is determined to prove his critics wrong and lead the Dolphins to success on the field.

    In conclusion, while criticism from head coach Brian Flores may have put pressure on Tua Tagovailoa, the young quarterback has received unwavering support from offensive coordinator George Godsey and wide receivers coach Josh Grizzard. With their guidance and encouragement, Tagovailoa is poised to bounce back and show the world what he is truly capable of.