NFL legend Michael Vick has advice for Tua Tagovailoa as the Miami Dolphins quarterback attempts to get his career back on track.
Tua Tagovailoa has emerged as one of the most promising young arms in the NFL. A rare lefty QB, Tua slings some beautiful high-arcing bombs downfield and he's blessed with arguably the most dynamic receiving corps in the league — or at least, the fastest receiving corps.
While it's easy to get starry-eyed about Tua's future lobbing the ball up to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, there are rather pressing concerns about the durability of the Miami Dolphins' quarterback.
Tagovailoa appeared in 13 games last season. He sustained a concussion in September and then sustained a second concussion on Christmas Day. Not included in the concussion diagnoses is the now infamous moment on Sept. 25, when Tua hit his head on the field and stumbled on his walk over to the sideline. Less than a week later, he was carted off the field with his first concussion of the season.
The Dolphins have been borderline reckless with Tua's health and there are now some very serious concerns about his long-term outlook. Just on a human level, the hope is that Tua can regain full strength and avoid future maladies. He's a tremendous player who clearly loves being on the field.
QB legend Michael Vick, who spent 14 years in the NFL, offered some advice on that front.
Michael Vick offers up durability advice to Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa
In a recent appearance on the It Needed to Be Said Podcast with Tyreek Hill, Vick offered up a couple pointers for Tagavailoa.
"I just think he's got to bulk up a little bit. Get a little bit bigger. Get stronger. As you grow into your man body, that's what needs to happen. Ain't nothing wrong with picking up another 10 pounds, 15 pounds. . . . Don't get hit. Don't get knocked around." (h/t NBC Sports)
Vick is well versed in the trials and hardships of quarterbacking in the NFL. Vick took more risks running the ball in the open field than Tua, but the latter is plenty mobile and prone to risk-taking in his own way. Tua's tendency to let the pocket collapse and sacrifice big hits has been widely criticized.
More muscle never hurts, so long as it doesn't impact Tua's throwing mechanics or his fleetness of foot. Most young players enter the NFL in need of physical maturation and growth; at 25 years old, Tagovailoa still has plenty of time to fill out his impressive 6-foot-1, 216-pound frame.
Vick went on to praise Tua's game. He might not be the most accurate QB, according to Vick, but Tua "[throws] a real catchable ball." He harkened back to Tagovailoa's college days at Alabama. "Every ball was on the money. Soft, right where the receiver [was], in stride."
That's high praise from one of the best ever at his own position. Tua should feel honored — and he should absolutely take Vick's advice to heart. The Dolphins' strength and conditioning coaches probably have thoughts on how Tua should handle his frame, but it's hard to deny the expertise of Vick in this matter.