Richie Incognito Takes Aim At Tua Tagovailoa With Brutal Critique

Incognito’s Unfiltered Feedback

Tua Tagovailoa is under fire after a rocky Week 1 performance, courtesy of some blunt words from Richie Incognito, a former Dolphins lineman known for his outspoken nature. Incognito didn't hold back, declaring on The Arena Show that "Tua is a*s," as reported by Heavy. He added, “He looks bad. I mean, he is ass. He looks bad.”

“We know he has it in him, we know he can perform at an elite level in this offense but what we've seen in the last two years is a–.”

It seems the disappointment is spreading beyond just Incognito, with fans and pundits alike wondering if Tagovailoa can bounce back from this early stumble.

Miami's Rough Start

Opening the season with a crushing 33-8 loss to the Colts, Miami saw Tagovailoa struggle to find his rhythm. Completing only 14 of 23 passes for 114 yards, the quarterback managed a late-game touchdown but also threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. To add to the challenge, Tua was sacked three times, with Miami failing to score until the fourth quarter.

The Dolphins’ renowned receiving duo was notably quiet, with Tyreek Hill catching just four passes for 48 yards and Jaylen Waddle securing another four for 30 yards. Incognito questioned the effectiveness of Miami's offensive strategies, remarking on the wild plays that failed to deliver results.

The Shadow of Past Success

Criticism stings harder for fans, especially when memories of Tagovailoa's impressive 2023 season linger. That year, he was among the league's best, boasting a 70% completion rate, 4,624 passing yards, and 29 touchdowns. His stellar passer rating of 101.1 had fans believing their quarterback woes were over.

However, the last two years have been bumpy, with injuries and inconsistency leading to less stellar stats. Finishing last season with a 6-5 record as a starter, Tagovailoa threw 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions, leaving many to question if 2023 was a mere flash in the pan.

Incognito voiced the frustrations of many, lamenting how Tua’s past success seems distant now. "When Tua proves he can do it in 2023, with the same offensive coordinator, this genius McDaniel, and he doesn’t do it now, it stinks even more," he said.

Breaking Down the Defense

Even the opposition had insights into Tagovailoa's struggles. Xavien Howard, leading the Colts’ defense and a former Dolphin himself, detailed their defensive strategy. "Once we take away his first read, I feel like it’s panic mode after that," Howard explained, pointing out how this tactic paid off against Tua.

For Tagovailoa, Week 1 is a stark reminder of the NFL’s unforgiving nature. One season can see you soaring high, and the next, you might find yourself being criticized by your peers. All eyes are now on how Tua will respond to this challenge.