Darren Waller became Tua Tagovailoa's teammate with the Miami Dolphins this season for the first time.
And when the veteran tight end practiced with Tagovailoa, he was amazed by the QB's talent.
It didn't show up the same way in games, and Waller believes he knows why.
Waller attributes Tagovailoa's past head injuries for holding him back once he's back on the field against an on-rushing opponent.
“I’m watching this man throw darts every practice," Waller said on Johnny Manziel's podcast. "It was just like, ‘What the f— am I watching?’ I had never seen the anticipation and the accuracy out there.
"From my standpoint, the skill set for him is still there. What I think some of the disconnect comes from, seeing it translate, I think there could be some trauma still stored in his body from what he’s gone through with the head injuries.”
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Tagovailoa's future with the Dolphins has been put in doubt due to his shaky play the past two seasons. His underperformance was also a part of the reason head coach Mike McDaniel was let go.
Waller doesn't believe it's entirely Tua's fault, though.
“I can notice him trying to make things happen in the game, he’s trying to pull the trigger, but it’s like his body, his system, won’t let him do it,” Waller told Manziel. “I think if there’s a way for him to find some healing in that regard, I think the skill set is still there.”
That might be the key to whoever Miami hires as its next head coach.
Tagovailoa is still owed a lot of money, so if he's still around, the Dolphins' best chance of competing is getting him to play more like his past self. Easier said than done, but maybe Waller's insights will help the picture become clearer.
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