Tua Tagovailoa doesn’t possess the height of a prototypical NFL quarterback, but it still was surprising to hear him admit earlier this week that it affects him.
The Dolphins QB, who is listed at 6-foot-1, helped Miami to a 20-7 win over the Patriots in Week 1, throwing for 270 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. But Tagovailoa surprisingly said during his media availability on Thursday that he occasionally can’t see his receivers – and vice versa – due to his height.
“For me, for instance if we have a slant and we have an over-the-ball player, and another player in the alley and the flat, for me, I can’t see because I’m not the biggest guy out there,” Tagovailoa said. “So if I can’t see you, you can’t see me, I can’t get you the ball.
“[It’s about] spacing … with the guys. So if you can’t see me, get somewhere to where you can see me then I can see you, then I can hit you.”
The former Alabama star, who was drafted with the No. 5 overall pick in 2020, is taller than stars Kyler Murray (listed at 5-foot-10) and Russell Wilson (5-foot-11) among starting quarterbacks.
Tagovailoa has posted seven wins in his last eight games since last November, and he improved last week to 4-0 during his three-year career against Bill Belichick and the Patriots.
The Dolphins, who upgraded at wide receiver in the offseason with the addition of Tyreek Hill, visit Baltimore on Sunday.