2 weeks Ago By Bernd Buchmasser
The Shanahan system of offense, which has taken the league by storm over the last few years, is notable for trying to make life easy on the quarterback. While they still need to operate and process at a high level, this has allowed players such as Brock Purdy, Jared Goff or Kirk Cousins — all of whom lacking elite athletic traits — to become productive QBs for their respective teams. Also among that group is the Miami Dolphins ’ Tua Tagovailoa, who the New England Patriots will go up against on Sunday.
Ever since joining forces with head coach Mike McDaniel in 2022, the former first-round draft pick has been among the most productive passers in the NFL. The oft-misused “system quarterback” label can therefore be applied to describe Tagovailoa, without the oftentimes derogatory meaning attached to the term. Fact is, after all, that is executing McDaniel’s Shanahan-style scheme at a high level; in his six starts this year, for example, he has completed 141 of 192 pass attempts (73.
4%) for 1,443 yards with 9 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. But while his ability to work within the offense’s structure and in unison with a talented receiving corps headlined by wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle stands out, Tagovailoa is more than a one-trick pony. As he had shown in the past, and especially this season, he also is quite capable of improvising when need be.
For the Patriots, this is a skill they cannot sleep on heading into Week 12. Never thought I'd say this, but keeping Tua in the pocket must be a top priority for the #Patriots on critical downs The QB has a perfect passer rating on scramble throws since Week 9, with most of those coming in critical situations like 3rd down and the RZ pic.twitter.
com/A5OhBsjVLr Even though Tagovailoa cannot be described as a dual-threat quarterback, he knows how to extend a play either to set up his receivers or advance the ball himself. So far this season, he has taken off on a scramble five times, gaining 45 yards — an average of 9.0 per attempt — and earning three new first downs along the way.
“He got a good presence in the pocket. Has a good feel. Feels the rush,” Patriots defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington said about the 26-year-old.
“Takes off when he needs to take off, but can stand back there in the pocket and deliver a throw. Gets the ball out of his hands pretty fast.” New England’s defense so far this season has been hit-or-miss when it comes to keeping quarterbacks in the pocket.
Soft contain has not just led to some sizable chunks of yardage on the ground — 105 yards on 18 scrambles for an average of 5.8 yards — but also put pressure on the secondary to uphold coverage on scramble drills. Against Tagovailoa, New England needs to find a way to remain disciplined in its pass rush.
Otherwise, he has shown that he can hurt defenses with his legs and even more so his arm even when on the move..
