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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., Aug. 1 (UPI) — Tua Tagovailoa, after experiencing head injuries and visits to the concussion protocol last season, has focused on staying on the field throughout his preparation for the 2023 season.
“I structured my entire off-season to ensure I could play for the entire season,” Tagovailoa said at Miami Dolphins training camp in Miami Gardens, Fla. “We understand that unexpected things can happen. Football is a physical sport.”
Tagovailoa, who missed four games last season, entered the Dolphins off-season program with increased muscle mass, reflecting his physical transformation.
Mentally, he has received praise for his improved vocal leadership skills, his ability to recall coach Mike McDaniel’s playbook, and his implementation of new tactics to maintain his health, including learning how to fall like a jiu-jitsu fighter.
“Not everything you prepare for is what you’ll encounter,” Tagovailoa explained. “So, I did my best to prepare myself for this season, specifically regarding injuries.”
McDaniel mentioned that strength and conditioning coach Dave Puloka and head athletic trainer Kyle Johnston assisted in identifying the appropriate place for Tagovailoa to participate in jiu-jitsu training and addressed other health-related concerns in his past, formulating an off-season plan.
“They did their homework, meticulously documenting every health-related issue he’s had, and tackled the problem head-on,” McDaniel stated. “From an organizational and individual standpoint, I’m very pleased with the results.”
During organized team activities, Tagovailoa showcased some of the results by reacting unconventionally when met with contact, rather than going down awkwardly.
“I believe he got stepped on and fell backward, completing a backwards somersault,” McDaniel said. “It was pretty impressive.”
The Dolphins also incorporated jiu-jitsu-style drills for the other quarterbacks on the roster to practice their falls, which could prove invaluable in maintaining durability throughout the 17-game regular season.
Tagovailoa mentioned that he is still working on making the new falling technique second nature, which may require some time. He also plans to wear a new quarterback-specific helmet at the start of the season for additional safety measures. The VICIS Zero2 Matrix QB helmet is designed specifically to lessen impact during helmet-to-ground contact.
“It’s not yet muscle memory for me,” Tagovailoa admitted. “I don’t think it will become muscle memory unless I practice it for a year or two.”
“I think that’s the case for anything. You’re always aware of it. It’s in the back of your mind when you actually do it. But it’s not like, ‘Oh, if I’m falling this way, I know exactly how to fall.’ Unless I’m intentionally thinking about it. So, I have to continue working on it and practicing.”
Throughout the off-season, Tagovailoa has showcased solid, albeit uneventful, performances. His ability to maintain accuracy and avoid turnovers under pressure indicates that he is ready to build upon the positive progress he made last season.
The Dolphins will have joint practices with the Atlanta Falcons next week in Miami Gardens, followed by their first pre-season game against the Falcons on August 11 at Hard Rock Stadium.
Tagovailoa stated that he is uncertain if he will play during the pre-season, but the team has already noticed his development and improved leadership.
“In his second year with the system, you can see that he’s more comfortable,” said Dolphins backup quarterback Skylar Thompson. “It’s not all new information. It’s easier to express your leadership style and assert yourself when you have a grasp of the system. … Tua has done a great job for our entire team this off-season.”
