Adam Beasley moved over to PFN and he's just published a new piece:
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/...a-deshaun-watson-miami-dolphins-qb-situation/
"Justin Herbert’s topline stats were unquestionably better. He had the best statistical season by a rookie ever. But pocket passers typically take longer to adjust than mobile quarterbacks. Plus, the advanced stats tell a more complete story.
Tua actually was more aggressive than Herbert, throwing to the sticks more and completing longer passes through the air, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Plus, Tua had an inferior offensive line. He was given, on average, thirteen-hundredths of a second less time to throw than his Chargers counterpart in 2020."
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"And yet, there’s a chance none of this matters.
We’re told the Dolphins have enough lingering questions about Tua’s ability and future that they would still consider trading for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson if his legal situation is somehow resolved in time for the 2021 season."
"The Dolphins have never seen Tua play in the NFL totally healthy. They’ve never seen what he can do with weapons like Will Fuller and Jaylen Waddle, who were both added this offseason.
And they’ve never seen him play in a system specifically designed for him, with full mastery of the playbook."
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"It’s Year 3 of the Brian Flores era. For all the good work he’s done since taking over for Adam Gase, he hasn’t yet made the playoffs. This is the year the rebuild needs to come together.
But with the regular season just eight weeks away, there’s still a chance that rebuild veers in a direction never imagined with the Dolphins drafting Tua fifth overall just 15 months ago."
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I've been telling myself that I don't want a pervert like Watson at QB, but at the end of the day it's basically impossible to turn away a franchise, top-3 QB in his prime. I'm pretty sure I'd pout for a week, talk a little trash and then be thrilled with the addition. -
It'd be crazy to see Christian Wilkins and Deshaun Watson both end up playing for the Dolphins. I have a friend down the street who's another Clemson faithful. He's inevitably going to root for whatever team Deshaun Watson plays for (along with the Jags now that they've got Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne).
I'm definitely one of those who'd be willing to forget all about Tua in a heartbeat if Watson was actually someone the Dolphins could acquire for a reasonable price. At the end of the day, Waston's pervishness definitely isn't the worst kind of thing imaginable. It's more embarassing than anything, a la Rex Ryan's foot thing, haha.
Here I thought Deshaun Watson and Mia Khalifa were going to be an item, LOL. Wouldn't be the first time he disappointed me!KeyFin likes this. -
The Grier/Flo regime is the most impatient assemblage of personnel managers that I've seen in 50 years of being an NFL fan. I'm not saying that Tua will be a stud, but we move on from players based on first impressions faster than anybody that I've seen in sports. And I disagree with Beasley that this is the year where the rebuild has to take hold. It's been fast-tracked based on last season but I always believed that year four was the season when it had to present results. With that being said, I expect significant changes to be made if we take a step backward.
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This year has to show something positive.OwesOwn614 likes this. -
Only concerned with Tua staying healthy. Otherwise he has shown enough talent to have faith he will produce this year.
Dol-Fan Dupree likes this. -
Also, just how long is thirteen-hundredths of a second anyway? Must be a lot longer that I thought for the writer to make a point of including it in the article.resnor likes this. -
In terms of time to throw Herbert ranks 23rd (of 41) with 2.69 seconds, Tua ranks 35th (of 41) with 2.55 seconds.
Avg. completed air yards - Tua 5.3, Herbert 5.2
Avg. intended air yard - Tua 7.7, Herbert 7.5
Air yds. differential - Tua & Herbert - 2.3
Aggressiveness % - Tua 20.3, Herbert 18
Longest completed air distance - Herbert 63.2 (3rd), Tua 44.6 (4th to last)
Air yds. to the sticks - Tua -0.8, Herbert -1.3
Average Completed Air Yards (CAY) and Average Intended Air Yards (IAY)
Air Yards is the vertical yards on a pass attempt at the moment the ball is caught in relation to the line of scrimmage. CAY shows the average Air Yards a passer throws on completions, and IAY shows the average Air Yards a passer throws on all attempts. This metric shows how far the ball is being thrown ‘downfield’. Air Yards is recorded as a negative value when the pass is behind the Line of Scrimmage. Additionally Air Yards is calculated into the back of the end zone to better evaluate the true depth of the pass.
Average Air Yards Differential (AYD)
Air Yards Differential is calculated by subtracting the passer’s average Intended Air Yards from his average Completed Air Yards. This stat indicates if he is on average attempting deep passes than he on average completes.
Aggressiveness (AGG%)
Aggressiveness tracks the amount of passing attempts a quarterback makes that are into tight coverage, where there is a defender within 1 yard or less of the receiver at the time of completion or incompletion. AGG is shown as a % of attempts into tight windows over all passing attempts.
Longest Completed Air Distance (LCAD)
Air Distance is the amount of yards the ball has traveled on a pass, from the point of release to the point of reception (as the crow flies). Unlike Air Yards, Air Distance measures the actual distance the passer throws the ball.
Air Yards to the Sticks (AYTS)
Air Yards to the Sticks shows the amount of Air Yards ahead or behind the first down marker on all attempts for a passer. The metric indicates if the passer is attempting his passes past the 1st down marker, or if he is relying on his skill position players to make yards after catch.Dol-Fan Dupree likes this. -
No matter how much you believe in Tua any sane judgement is that Watson with his legal situation resolved is the better option. The only reason not to take Watson over Tua is if the cost [cap space/draft picks/ PR concerns for the team/risk of re-offending] is too high.
Again this is a almost unique situation in NFL history for a QB as good as Watson to be trying to force his way off his team at this stage of his career.Silverphin, Drizzy and OwesOwn614 like this. -
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Harvey Weinstein
Jeffrey Epstein
Bill Cosby
Bill Clinton
Deshaun Watson
I don’t care how great of an individual player you are, football is a team sport and a team doesn’t need the distraction that is Deshaun WatsonPhinFan1968, KeyFin, firedan and 1 other person like this. -
mlb1399 likes this.
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The_Dark_Knight likes this.
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Da 'Fins Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member
And though it’s out of 45, it’s still rather arbitrary.
And it doesn’t mean anything.
I don’t say that to be critical of Tua. I am a fan and want him to succeed. The piece also said Tua had doubters outside the organization but it seems to me the greatest doubters are inside. I think I have more patience and hold out more upside hope than Flores and Grier do!
I really don’t like the repeated reports that the Dolphins would still be interested in Watson if he goes on the trade block. In one sense, of course. Anyone would.
But I do wish they would just move on and at least act like they aren’t interested and be all in with Tua and developing him. If they get contacted or word gets out about Watson being exonerated and on the trade block, then inquire. Otherwise table that.Puka-head likes this. -
My eye test tells me that tua looked a bit small and apprehensive starting last year coming off a major injury going into the NFL during covid. Didn't help that he had 4 offensive line rookies and not a great surrounding collection of talent. Kid never really stood a chance and despite this put up okay and winning numbers. My eye test also told me that he really throws a beautiful ball.
We have seen Watson play at a top 3 level.
I am such a homer that I feel/hope tua will be the next drew breeze and this will be a footnote. Having said that I feel like he either shows major progression very early in the season because id imagine bye the start of the season there should be a better handle on Watsons legal issues and I would not be too suprised by a mid season tradePhinFan1968 likes this.