Tua Tagovailoa Report Card: Preseason Week 2 vs. Atlanta Falcons
By Jeremy Klump
Tua Tagovailoa Report Card: 2nd quarter vs. Atlanta Falcons
Pass 9: After a penalty to start the drive, Tua Tagovailoa finds receiver Mack Hollins on a slant for a nice gain of 14 yards. Hollins bobbled the catch, or he may have been able to pick up a few more yards.
Pass 10: Tagovailoa makes a great read and finds a wide-open Jaylen Waddle. However, the pass was bad, and Waddle had to dive for it. It picked up four yards, but Falcons head coach Arthur Smith is a confirmed Tua Hater and challenged the play and won. That was Tagovailoa’s first incompletion of the game and his worst throw.
Pass 11: On 3rd and 6, Tagovailoa finds his impressive tight end Mike Gesicki for a big gain on 3rd down. The play picked up 13 yards, and Tagovailoa did a great job seeing his matchups and knowing that Gesicki would likely be his guy on the play.
Pass 12: On 2nd and from the eight-yard line, Tagovailoa navigates the pocket and finds Myles Gaskin on an in cut for an eight-yard touchdown! This was an ELITE play by Tagovailoa.
Tagovailoa on Drive 2: 6/7 61 yards and 1 TD. 1 rush for 8 yards. (eight-yard passing TD)
(Through two drives:11/12 113 yards and 1 TD)
*Drive notes: Tagovailoa was amazing on this drive. I am glad he capped it off with a TD.
Drive 3:
Pass 13: With running back Salvon Ahmed lined up at the top of the field, Tagovailoa tries to target him on a deep shot, but it is incomplete. I loved the read and throw. I thought it was pass interference too, but oh well.
Pass 14: This was one of Tagovailoa’s worst plays of the game. He got happy feet in the pocket, and then his panicked throw got knocked down at the line for an incompletion.
Pass 15: On 3rd and 10, Tagovailoa finds Hollins on 3rd down for a gain of 13. This throw was a dart!
Pass 16: On the very next play, Tagovailoa keeps the aggressive play going, and he finds Gesicki for a huge play! It was a perfect throw and gained 30 yards.
Pass 17: Tagovailoa targets Hollins on a back-shoulder throw towards the end zone, and it fell incomplete. I like the decision, and that could possibly be a big play with Devante Parker or Will Fuller in there.
Pass 18: This was one tough without the All-22, but Tagovailoa threw a weird, incomplete pass. Luckily the pass wasn’t picked off.
Pass 19: On 3rd and 10, the Falcons played off, and Tagovailoa took what the defense gave him. It was a gain of seven to Hollins.
Pass 20: 4th and 3, pick play. Tagovailoa throws a dart to Malcolm Perry that was dropped. It was a tough catch, but it has to be made on 4th down.
Tagovailoa on Drive 3: 3/8 50 yards (Turnover on downs because of a drop).
(Through three drives:14/20 163 yards and 1 TD)
*Drive notes: Tagovailoa was hot and cold on this drive, but the drop really hurt.
Drive 4:
Pass 21: With 19 seconds left until halftime, Tagovailoa finds Hollins for 15 yards and to get Miami closer in field goal range.
Pass 22: SPIKE
Pass 23: Tagovailoa finds Gaskin for a five yards gain that gets them in field goal range. Jason Sanders misses the 58-yard field goal before the half.
Tagovailoa on Drive 4: 2/3 20 yards (Missed FG).
(Through four drives:16/23 183 yards and 1 TD)
*Drive notes: Tagovailoa did what he had to do. Make your kick Sanders!
*END OF 2ND*
Tagovailoa in the 2nd quarter: 8/15 105 yards 1 TD
2ND QUARTER GRADE: A+
2ND QUARTER GRADE EXPLANATION: Tagovailoa kept the impressive play going in the second quarter. Incompletions will happen, but I loved how he commanded the offense. The touchdown throw was impressive.