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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa blamed his height for not being able to connect with wide receiver Jaylen Waddle during Sunday's (October 19) blowout loss to the Cleveland Browns.
“I think with that, some of it has to do with being able to see guys, with their guys also up front and our guys,” Tagovailoa said. “I’m not the tallest guy in the back there either. So being able to see and then sometimes when that happens, you don’t want to just throw it blindly, and you gotta progress. So I think that has some merit to reasons as to why that happened for Waddle.”
Tagovailoa, who is listed as 6-foot-1, finished Sunday's game with 100 yards and three interceptions on 12 of 23 passing and is tied with Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith for an NFL-worst 10 interceptions through seven games. Waddle, a former first-round pick who was expected to have an expanded role following Tyreek Hill's season-ending injury, was limited to just one reception for 15 yards in Week 7.
Tagovailoa was pulled for rookie Quinn Ewers after Sunday's game was out of reach, though head coach Mike McDaniel said there was "zero uncertainty" in his belief in the former first-round pick.
“As Tua and I have always operated, I think there’s zero uncertainty with Tua on my conviction in him and my belief in him,” McDaniel said via Pro Football Talk. “I think we’re both very, very eager to do better at our jobs and we’re both very committed and trusting in each other to respond to what is necessary for the team to do better.”
The Dolphins are currently 1-6 entering Sunday's (October 26) game road against the Atlanta Falcons.