How well will third-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa mesh with receiver Tyreek Hill? It’s a question that will linger throughout the 2022 season and the answer will go a long way in determining what kind of season the Miami Dolphins will have. The first play of Saturday’s preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles will give the Dolphins and their fans reason to be optimistic.
Miami ran a play-action pass and after faking the handoff, Tua went deep for Hill. Philadelphia’s coverage on Hill was not bad. But the speedy receiver still managed to get behind the defenders. He chased the ball down and brought it in for a 51-yard reception.
Tua to Tyreek to open the game ‼️@tua | @cheetah
📱: Stream #PHIvsMIA on NFL+ https://t.co/6NpGYjnh74 pic.twitter.com/UPBQ8lzHTy
— NFL (@NFL) August 27, 2022
This connection got people in the NFL excited about what might lie ahead during the season.
You just love to see it, Miami.
You really do. pic.twitter.com/7rdZZ9M7JJ
— Safid Deen 💯💯💯💯 (@Safid_Deen) August 27, 2022
Watching Tua ball and shut up all the haters is what I want to see most this year. #FinsUp
*Preferably not against my eagles* pic.twitter.com/h6yczAZfZD
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) August 27, 2022
One of my favorite breakout picks this season.
Tua with a BOMB to Tyreek Hill 👀
Get used to this #FinsUp
pic.twitter.com/0SNhlr93Qy— Luke Sawhook 🪚🪝 (@lukesawhook) August 27, 2022
But it’s only in a practice…
But it’s only in a preseason game…
But it’s only against the Patriots D…
But it’s only the game winning play in the Super Bowl 🙃 https://t.co/1m4yYO0gXa— Joe Osborne (@JTFOz) August 27, 2022
Tua and Tyreek give Dolphins fans a glimpse of things to come. 👀 https://t.co/rhziIQNKVV
— theScore Bet (@theScoreBet) August 27, 2022
Man … I grew up a dolphins fan and it still hangs around me like a phantom limb, but’s it’s weird to see a player like Tyreek Hill on their roster. Can argue he’s the best offensive player on their roster maybe since prime Marino. https://t.co/2hYcFywaqj
— Chris Towers Is In Training Camp (@CTowersCBS) August 27, 2022
As good as this play was, what should really give the Dolphins optimism is that it could have and should have been better. The ball was underthrown. If it was thrown a few yards longer, it likely would have resulted in a touchdown.
That said, the underthrow didn’t cost Miami a touchdown on the drive. Tagovailoa and Hill connected for 11 yards on the next play. Then, after a three-yard run from Raheem Mostert, Tua found River Cracraft for an eight-yard touchdown pass.
Of course, one great play doesn’t mean that the connection will be a long-term success any more than one bad play would make it a long-term failure. But if you’re a Dolphins fan, someone who has one or both of these players in fantasy or just someone who likes seeing big plays on the field, this is a positive sign.
[NFL on Twitter]