


Somehow, Tua Tagovailoa is still answering questions about his throwing ability.
The Dolphins quarterback exploded for 466 yards and three touchdowns in Miami’s 36-34 Week 1 win over the Chargers, and he did not want to entertain the idea that anyone might be doubting him.
“You think anyone is still saying you can’t throw deep?” a reporter asked Tagovailoa after Dolphins practice on Wednesday, according to SI.
“I don’t care,” Tagovailoa said. “I mean, I don’t care. 466. That’s what 466 is if I can’t throw deep. Thanks.”
Among his 466 yards was a 47-yard pass to wide receiver Tyreek Hill and 35-yard passes to Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
The No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft outplayed Chargers signal-caller Justin Herbert (229 passing yards, one touchdown), who was selected just one pick after him and has been compared to him throughout his career.
Tagovailoa arrived as a star last season when he played in 13 games and threw 3,548 yards and 25 touchdowns, but his campaign was marred by multiple concussions that forced the NFL to change league policy about head injuries.
The 25-year-old southpaw, who suffered a concussion twice in one month last season, said he considered retirement before this season but ultimately committed to staying in the NFL with a new way to fall: learning jiu-jitsu.


“It’s actually a lot cooler than you think, learning how to fall,” he said. “You continue to train it, work at that it becomes second nature.
“You think it’s easy. Just don’t fall and hit your head. We use crash pads to land on first. We’re trying to fall with tucking your chin … it’s about the technique to disperse your energy when you fall.”

Tagovailoa has never played more than 13 games in a single season throughout his four-year NFL career but appears primed for a big season along with Hill and Waddle, should everyone stay healthy.
Tagovailoa has already emerged as a surprising MVP co-favorite with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the betting market.