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Tua Tagovailoa – August 21, 2021 (Postgame) Download PDF version

Saturday, August 21, 2021 (Postgame)

(On how he played tonight.) – “Kind of like last week, you really don’t look at the things you did well; you look at the things you didn’t do well. I think offensively we came out pretty strong. We wanted to start fast and obviously we wanted to sustain drives and be able to convert on third downs and get good drives going and put points on the board. That’s really what we tried to do well.”

(On if the defense played them differently after the first drive.) – “I don’t think the defense played us any different on first and second down. Third down, you know you’re seeing some changes within the structure and that was throughout the whole game. But you know, we took what they gave us. If it was a run, we handed the ball off and if they gave us a throw and they were trying to get guys in the box for the run fit, our rule as quarterbacks is to throw the ball, so that’s what we did.”

(WR Jaylen Waddle got more involved early. What did he show you and the team tonight?) – “Well, I guess he showed everyone kind of who he is as a player, kind of the things that he’s done at Alabama. You just give him the ball in space and you let him work and I think that’s for all our guys. You give them the ball in space and you let the playmakers make plays for you.”

(What were you thinking when you saw WR Jaylen Waddle go down?) – “I was wondering what happened. I was wondering what happened. I wasn’t too sure. And then when he came out the next drive, I was surprised. I was like, what happened? And we had a conversation there.”

(I know when RB Myles Gaskin scored that first touchdown on short yardage, no one was more excited for him than you. Were you excited about finishing a long drive and putting it all together?) – “Yeah, I think when you look at all the practices that we’ve had, you accumulate the team run periods that we’ve had. We’ve had a lot of success I think within the run game. And I think our O-line does a great job opening the holes for Myles; but he’s a team player and when you look at the film, when we’re throwing to other guys and they’re scoring in practice, he’s pretty much the first one to either throw up a touchdown sign or run down and congratulate that guy. He’s first class, and when he scored, that’s kind of the reason as to why I was so excited.”

(Tonight was another game where you didn’t get those reps with a lot of your top receivers. How important is it to get that rapport before the regular season begins?) – “Yeah, I think it’s important at all times to be able to get reps with the guys that you’re going to be going out there with. I think at the same time, you don’t want to speed up their process and try to force them into things they’re not ready for. I think that’s just a decision that ‘Flo’ (Brian Flores) has to make with the medical staff and yeah.”

(How would you describe the impact that tonight’s game had on your overall confidence?) – “You know, I don’t think it has anything to do with confidence. But it’s just getting everyone that’s out there on the field on the same page. I think our operation was really good out there offensively. The line got to the line of scrimmage, made their points, and we went out there and we ran the play, whether it was a run, a play fake. I think that’s what kind of set up a lot of the plays that we’ve had today. I think the slower the operation, it gives the guys on the other side time to see what we’re doing and how we’re aligned and they can make those adjustments there.”

(What was it like to feel the energy of this type of crowd for the first time? Last year they were loud, but this is a different experience altogether I’m sure for you, right?) – “Yeah, it’s cool. I didn’t realize how close the people were to our sideline, so you can hear every little thing. (laughter) I got to say hi to a couple of kids on the side, so that was cool.”

(With the offensive line, obviously they’ve had an up and down, inconsistent training camp period. What’s it like to see them sort of put it together?) – “Yeah, I think it’s — not just with the O-line but just for all of us, just speaking offensively, it’s a continued work in progress for us. We’re still trying to fine-tune things with our routes, with getting on the same connection as some guys within the receiver corps, and then it’s just communication up front. That’s really all it is. And the faster we can get to the line, the faster those guys are getting set on the D-line on the opposing side, and the easier it is for us to make a Mike point or adjust whatever we need to adjust.”

-DOLPHINS-

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