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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Eileen T. Meslar-USA TODAY Sports

NFL world reacts to Tua Tagovailoa's 2021 preseason debut

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Matt Fitzgerald | Last updated 8/14/21

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa played just over a quarter in Saturday’s preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, and the results were, well, mixed to mostly positive.

Coming off a rocky rookie campaign, the 2020 draft’s fifth overall pick was sharp in limited action, completing 8-of-12 passes for 99 yards and an interception.

The low point was a pick in the end zone, as Tagovailoa scanned the entire field and came back to tight end Adam Shaheen a fraction too late. Bears safety DeAndre Houston-Carson undercut the route and came down with the ball.

While the turnover certainly isn’t ideal, particularly in the scoring area, there were plenty of encouraging signs from Tagovailoa’s 2021 debut.

Tagovailoa looked healthy, poised in the pocket and showed off the accuracy that made him such a coveted prospect out of Alabama. Despite Chicago shutting down Miami’s rushing attack, Tagovailoa delivered multiple third-down conversions and displayed more confidence throwing the ball down field than he did last year.

The clear highlight was when Tagovailoa hit tight end Mike Gesicki on a deep completion to set up a field goal.

Tua Tagovailoa connected with Mike Gesicki for a 50-yard pass play on the Dolphins' second drive.

As a rookie, Tagovailoa's longest completion went for 35 yards. pic.twitter.com/IW4DS2IWyR
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 14, 2021

Coming off a serious hip injury and the gauntlet of the pre-draft process, Tagovailoa was behind the curve compared to some of his peers like Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert. This offseason, he’s had the chance to be the clear starter from the jump, and is much healthier.

With greater mobility and explosiveness to his throwing motion thanks to his improved health, it sure looks like Tagovailoa has the makings of living up to the hype in year two.

While it’s always wise not to get too excited about what happens in the preseason, it wouldn’t have been a good look if Tagovailoa came out completely flat. He showed a willingness to take risks that was previously absent and a firm grasp of the offense.

See where the Dolphins fall in our latest NFL power rankings

Social media largely applauds Tua Tagovailoa’s preseason performance vs. Bears

Tua with time=precision.
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) August 14, 2021

Ball placement =
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) August 14, 2021

Did you see the way Tua just avoided that pressure from the collapsing pocket?
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) August 14, 2021

Tua looks good today. Dolphins OL does not. Yikes.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) August 14, 2021

Tua looks sharp. He's completed 7 in a row.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) August 14, 2021

The pick wasn’t great obviously but other than that I feel like Tua was playing well. Looked comfortable out there until he wrote a check that his arm couldn’t cash.
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) August 14, 2021

Like JT mentioned on the broadcast, Tua made the right read but way too late. He was very decisive today but not on that play. You have to make that throw right away.
— Will Manso (@WillManso) August 14, 2021

Damn Tua was playing lights out. We’ll just use the Zach Wilson explanation and say Tua was trying to see what he can get away with.
— Big CROCKY⚡️ (@eric_crocker) August 14, 2021

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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