The Miami Dolphins’ passing attack under Mike McDaniel has developed a reputation as a middle-of-the-field passing attack. Rightfully so. But before 2024, the team was considered an aggressive downfield offense passing the ball. That certainly changed this past season.
One constant between the two years amid a shifting passing focus? The Dolphins did not consistently attack defenses outside the numbers in the intermediate areas of the field. This was a growth opportunity for Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins offense this past offseason and we explored that very subject last spring:
“If you want to have the conversation about where Tagovailoa’s arm strength issues show up and where this offense needs to get better in the passing game, you need to be focused on 10-19 outside the numbers more than you need to be focused on go-balls and fades. The latter involves presnap recognition of man indicators and confirmation of safety rotation. If Tagovailoa correctly nails that, as he did on explosive touchdown shots to Waddle against the Jets and Hill against the Chargers and Patriots and Panthers and Eagles and Chiefs and — you get the point…he’s as good of a bucket throwing downfield as any in football. His rhythm drops with a hitch and release are picturesque because he can get the ball up and down to a landmark within 30 yards.
But intermediate throws outside the numbers? Both the tape and the data will illustrate Tagovailoa’s ability to drive throws into this area of the field is where Miami’s currently coming up short.”
In some ways, it showed signs of life. But after posting 14 completions on 40 attempts outside the numbers from 10-19 air yards downfield in 2023, Tua attempted several LESS throws with the same completion percentage (12/33 for 36% completion) in 2024.
The tape never lies. Why did Miami come up short here? How much of the blame assignment falls at the feet of the play design? The quarterback? The pass catchers? There’s plenty of blame to go around.
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