Miami Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa awarded for taking top ‘ownership' of team
What could bring Tagovailoa to another level is holding teammates accountable like never before.
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Tagovailoa, 27, is about to begin his sixth NFL season. He is a husband and father of two.
And Tagovailoa is in the same offense, under the same head coach for a fourth consecutive season.
There are no excuses. And it appears Tua is embracing the challenge to take complete command.
MORE STEPPING UP: Dolphins' Austin Jackson sheds 'bust' label, assumes role of offensive line leader
In the second week of organized team activities, coach Mike McDaniel awarded Tua an orange practice jersey for his recent performance.
'(Tua) had the most ownership of all the players on each and every down,' McDaniel said.
Tua Tagovailoa takes ownership of Miami Dolphins
McDaniel explained that Tua had responded well when teammates were not aligned properly.
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'He really had command and resolve,' McDaniel said.
Tua cannot defer to anyone in 2025. Not Tyreek Hill or Jonnu Smith or Aaron Brewer or Austin Jackson.
Terron Armstead has retired. Raheem Mostert is in Las Vegas.
It must be the quarterback setting a tone and calling out those who are not on board with the plan.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 21: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins addresses the media at Baptist Health Training Complex on October 21, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by)
Tua Tagovailoa more decisive than ever in Year 6 with Dolphins
Quarterbacks growing into a leadership role is a storyline for every quarterback, every season.
But it is certainly relevant for Tua, who came into the league with a propensity to defer to older players.
'Tua in Year 6, he's definitely a lot more confident and decisive on and off the field,' tackle Austin Jackson said. 'He knows what people are supposed to be doing in terms of training. He knows what we're doing on the field. He knows how to take care of his body.
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'He knows how to unite guys, bring us together for team camaraderie and stuff, just to get together. He's a full-blown leader, and I think he's showing that he wants to take control of this team and he is.'
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Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins Tua Tagovailoa now in complete 'command' as a leader
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