Report: Brian Flores 'Not Shy' About Telling Tua Tagovailoa He Preferred Mac Jones
Jan 13, 2022
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - AUGUST 4: Head coach Brian Flores watches as Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins throws the ball during the training camp at the Baptist Health Training Complex on August 4, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores reportedly ripped Tua Tagovailoa to his face, noting he preferred fellow Alabama quarterback Mac Jones instead.
"I don't think [Brian] Flores was shy about telling [Tagovailoa], 'Hey, I should have picked Mac Jones.' I don't think he was shy about telling him that. In fact, I know that he wasn't," Michael Lombardi said on The GM Shuffle podcast (h/t Zack Cox of NESN).
Lombardi—a former NFL executive with several teams, including the New England Patriots—said Flores directly criticized Tagovailoa in a conversation during the regular season.
"If I'd have knew you were going to be this bad, I would have picked Mac Jones," Flores told the quarterback, according to Lombardi.
Flores was fired Monday despite a 9-8 record this season and 19 wins over the last two years in Miami.
Tagovailoa was selected No. 5 overall in the 2020 draft and has been up-and-down ever since, totaling 27 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 23 games.
Miami ended the season with a dramatic turnaround that featured eight wins in the final nine games, but Tagovailoa still only had nine passing touchdowns in eight games during that span.
The 23-year-old sat behind Ryan Fitzpatrick for part of his rookie season and was benched again after he took over the starting job.
Miami could have upgraded at quarterback in the offseason with the No. 3 overall pick, but the team instead traded back and selected receiver Jaylen Waddle with the sixth pick.
Justin Fields (No. 11) and Mac Jones (No. 15) were taken after the Dolphins made their pick.
Jones has especially impressed with the Patriots, where Flores spent 15 seasons before landing Miami's head coaching job. The rookie quarterback finished the year with 3,801 passing yards and 22 touchdowns in 17 starts, helping New England to a 10-7 record and a playoff berth.
It's hard to tell if the Dolphins would have been better off with Jones under center, but Flores' blunt nature in dealing with Tagovailoa might have damaged his reputation within the locker room and front office.
While the highest seeds in the NFL playoffs are granted the easiest paths to the Super Bowl, that guarantees nothing...
NFL OROY 2022 Odds: Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase Jumps Mac Jones After 3 TD-Game vs. Chiefs
Jan 3, 2022
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase did more than help the Cincinnati Bengals clinch the AFC North title with Sunday's 34-31 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
He also became the favorite to take home the Offensive Rookie of the Year.
DraftKings Sportsbook provided updated odds Monday, and Chase is listed at -225 (bet $100 to win $44.44). New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones is now listed at +175 (bet $100 to win $175).
Quarterbacks often take home individual awards, but the two players and teams have trended in opposite directions of late.
Cincinnati has won three straight and will host at least one playoff game after clinching the division. New England has lost two of three and is in wild-card position after falling behind the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East.
Chase, who has 79 catches for 1,429 yards and 13 touchdowns on the campaign, was unstoppable against the Chiefs with 11 catches for 266 yards and three touchdowns. Kansas City often left him in single coverage, and Joe Burrow didn't hesitate to unleash throws downfield and let the receiver make plays.
The performance moved Chase into the record books:
As for Jones, he stands out compared to his fellow rookie signal-callers and has completed 67.6 percent of his passes for 3,540 yards, 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
While there is no doubt his situation with the Patriots was better suited for immediate success than that of Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars), Zach Wilson (New York Jets) and Justin Fields (Chicago Bears), he has taken full advantage of it and played New England into the postseason picture.
Still, he had four interceptions during a two-game losing streak prior to helping his team defeat the lowly Jaguars on Sunday. He also attempted a mere three passes during a win against the Bills right before the two-game losing streak that dropped the Patriots out of first place in the AFC East.
The Offensive Rookie of the Year now seems to be Chase's to lose, and another dominant performance in the Week 18 matchup with the Cleveland Browns would clinch it.
It is Week 17 in the NFL , and while top teams are jockeying for playoff positioning, you are likely competing for your fantasy football league championship...
Forget Mac Jones and Ja'Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle Is the NFL Rookie of the Year
Dec 28, 2021
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) drops the ball in front of New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) after making a catch during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle hasn't received the same fanfare as the Cincinnati Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase or New England Patriots' Mac Jones, but he's been every bit as good, if not better, than both during their rookie campaigns.
So much so, his Monday Night Football performance highlighted the fact this year's sixth overall pick should now be considered the frontrunner for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Waddle is on a record-setting pace despite playing in a deficient offense, and his 10-catch, 92-yard performance in a 20-3 road victory over the New Orleans Saints shows how he's become an elite performer despite limitations found with the Dolphins' scheme and his draft status being held against him throughout this process.
Now, the rookie is the leading receiver on a team that has won seven straight games and currently sits in the AFC's seventh and final playoff slot.
Historically, Waddle's 10 receptions tied a Monday Night Football record by a rookie. Who's record did he match? Jerry Rice.
Anytime an all-time great is invoked, everyone should take notice. But it's more than just a one-game performance that places Waddle atop the current rookie of the year standings.
Waddle's biggest competition likely comes from Chase, whom the Bengals chose one pick ahead of the Alabama product in April's first round. The two heard their names called with the fifth and sixth selections, respectively.
The Dolphins received plenty of flak for their decision because they traded up to the sixth overall pick (after trading down to the 12th) and surrendered a 2022 first-round pick to complete the deal. In doing so, a sentiment percolated about Miami overspending to acquire Waddle. Why? He was never viewed as WR1 in the class or the best receiver on his collegiate team since DeVonta Smith, who claimed the 2020 Heisman Trophy, played opposite Waddle.
But general manager Chris Grier and head coach Brian Flores knew what he could bring to the offense.
"If you've got guys who can run on the perimeter, if you load the box, there's more opportunity for one-on-one matchups and opportunities downfield. Defenses have to make that decision when you have those types of players on the field," Flores explained after the Dolphins added Waddle and Will Fuller V this offseason. "If you don't load the box and you play for those big plays, then there's less people in the box and less people to block, and I think it really becomes kind of a numbers/math game."
"When you have guys on the perimeter and guys who demand some attention—that kind of attention— then there could be more space. ... It's a chess game and obviously the run game and how you attack the run game, that's part of it."
A tinge of irony exists within the answer because the Dolphins still aren't adept at driving the ball downfield, even with Waddle. His value to the offense increases as a result.
Right now, the Dolphins have arguably the worst offensive line in the league. In fact, they were ranked dead last in pass-block win rate coming into this weekend's action, per ESPN Analytics. The lack of time contributes to an inability to run longer developing routes. Furthermore, Tua Tagovailoa's inconsistencies as a deep passer only contribute to the inefficiency found within Miami's downfield passing attack.
Yet Waddle continues to produce with six or more receptions in nine of 14 games despite being hamstrung to a degree. For comparison, Chase has at least six catches in only five contests.
The biggest factor in Chase's favor to take home the hardware is his explosiveness, which is represented in his receiving yardage. The Bengals rookie ranks seventh overall with 1,163 yards. His average of 17.1 yards per catch ranks second among wide receivers with 35 or more receptions. No one can deny how spectacular Chase has been and how he's affected the Bengals' offense, though his contributions are far more scattershot.
This year's fifth overall draft pick already has four 100-yard efforts, including a 201-yard explosion in Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens. At the same time, Chase endured a seven-game stretch after that career performance where he managed 284 combined yards before torching the Ravens again this past Sunday.
While Chase gets the nod in yardage and explosive plays, Waddle has multiple advantages over his counterpart.
CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 26: Ja'Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts after running for a first down during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
First, Waddle's 10 receptions placed him second all-time with 96 receptions as a rookie. He's only six catches shy of breaking Anquan Boldin's all-time rookie record of 101. Waddle surpassing Boldin's mark seems like a formality with two games left to play.
Second, the Dolphins pass-catcher entered Monday's contest as the league's highest-graded rookie receiver, per Pro Football Focus.
Finally, as good as Chase has been, Waddle actually has more first-down receptions by any rookie receiver since 2014 through 15 weeks of play.
From a team standpoint, Waddle set a Dolphins' rookie franchise record with 941 receiving yards (and counting).
Yes, the Bengals currently sit atop the AFC North and Chase has been a big part of their success. However, they're only one game better than the Dolphins in the muddled AFC. It's not like one is clearly helping to create a bigger overall impact for his respective franchise. If anything, Chase has far more help with Cincinnati's outstanding wide receiver corps and the unflappable Joe Burrow behind center.
Quarterback play is always a major factor in these decisions, hence why the position won the award in each of the last two seasons despite standout performances by wide receivers A.J. Brown and Justin Jefferson in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
Jones looked like a shoo-in for the trophy, but the signal-caller's play slipped in recent weeks. Jones' three measly attempts in Week 13 shouldn't be held against the rookie since 40 MPH wind gusts dictated the Patriots' offensive attack. However, Jones threw four interceptions over the last two weeks with a completion percentage dipping under 52 during the Patriots' current two-game losing streak.
"I think it just goes back to execution, throwing it to the right guy, regardless of the weather," Jones told reporters. "I'm still learning, obviously. The accuracy needs to improve."
While the quarterback slips as the weather worsens, everyone else has gained ground or even surpassed him.
Offensive linemen never receive serious consideration for this award, of course, which is a shame because Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey definitely deserves the recognition. The Los Angeles Rams' Rashawn Slater and Detroit Lions' Penei Sewell would be in the conversation as well.
A historic season doesn't guarantee recognition as the game's top rookie, either. Jefferson can attest to this after last season's record-breaking performance, though the Los Angeles Chargers' Justin Herbert broke the rookie record for touchdown passes. The thought of Waddle not winning the award while surpassing 101 receptions—which should occur in 16 games—and clearly being on the same level as others in his class would be a travesty.
Waddle has lived up to his namesake as the slow and steady participant who should clearly be named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after others started much faster.
Brent Sobleski covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, @brentsobleski.
Josh Allen, Bills Beat Mac Jones, Patriots to Control Destiny in AFC East
Dec 26, 2021
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 26: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills looks to throw the ball as Christian Barmore #90 of the New England Patriots applies pressure during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
The Buffalo Bills control their own destiny in the AFC East.
Josh Allen and the Bills picked up an enormous win in Foxborough on Sunday, beating the New England Patriots 33-21 behind three touchdown passes and 64 rushing yards from the star quarterback.
While both teams now sit at 9-6 and split their head-to-head matchups this season, the Bills have a better record in the division (4-1) than the Pats (3-2) with two games remaining.
So if the Bills win out against the Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets, two games in which they'll be the prohibitive favorites, the divisional title will be theirs for the second straight season.
The Patriots, meanwhile, have now lost two straight games and gone from fighting for the top seed in the AFC to battling with a slew of teams for a wild-card berth.
Key Stats
Josh Allen, BUF: 30-of-47 for 314 yards and three touchdowns; 64 rushing yards
Stefon Diggs, BUF: Seven catches for 85 yards and a touchdown
Isaiah McKenzie, BUF: 11 catches for 125 yards and a touchdown
Mac Jones, NE: 14-of-32 for 145 yards, two interceptions and a sack
Damien Harris, NE: 18 carries for 103 yards and three touchdowns
Jakobi Meyers, NE: Six catches for 59 yards
Isaiah McKenzie, Unexpected Hero
Coming into Sunday, Isaiah McKenzie had rushed six times for 35 yards and caught seven passes for 38 yards this season. He was pretty far down the pecking order when it came to distribution of touches in Buffalo. So you'll be excused if you never saw his massive performance coming.
Isaiah McKenzie joins Cole Beasley (two times) as the only Bills to surpass 10+ catches in a game this season.
McKenzie led the Bills in receptions and receiving yards against the Patriots. He was one of four Bills to find the end zone. With Cole Beasley on the reserve/COVID-19 list and unavailable to play, it was McKenzie who served as Allen's preferred target on underneath routes.
And boy did he step up.
i’ll tell you what, it’ll be difficult to relegate Isaiah McKenzie back to his old role after this game. Stepping up on his number is called
Talk about a crucial moment to have a career game.
Mac Jones Had a Performance to Forget
For much of the 2021 season, the Patriots haven't needed Mac Jones to do much more than manage the game, allowing a solid run game and stout defense to lead the way.
But on Sunday, the Pats needed Jones to come up big. The rookie couldn't deliver.
Mac Jones was ragged today, put 🏈 in a lotta bad spots, missed a lot of open guys, too many misses & regrettable decisions. Just wasnt as sharp as we’ve seen, as ya need to be in a game like this. Future for him is bright & he did make some nice plays. Two different things, obvi
To Jones' credit, he played better in the second half after a brutal start, guiding the Pats to two touchdown drives in the final 30 minutes. But his rough start left the Pats in a hole, and with the defense struggling to slow down Allen and the dangerous Bills offense, it was a hole that proved insurmountable.
What's Next?
The Bills host the Falcons on Jan. 2 at 1 p.m. ET on Fox, while the Pats host the Jacksonville Jaguars that same date and time on CBS.
NFL Rumors: Patriots' Josh McDaniels Eyed for HC Role by Owners for Mac Jones' Season
Dec 26, 2021
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 06: Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach Josh McDaniels of the New England Patriots walks to the field prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on December 06, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is reportedly "garnering head coaching consideration once again," according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.
His work with rookie quarterback Mac Jones this season has been "getting attention among owners mulling a potential coaching search."
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has "told others around the league about his belief that McDaniels could be a very successful head coach in this league, sources said, and is strongly endorsing him."
Jones has had a solid rookie season, throwing for 3,168 yards, 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 69 percent of his passes. More importantly, the Patriots are 9-5 in his starts.
Jones' development, coupled with McDaniels' history working with NFL legend Tom Brady, is surely appealing to rebuilding teams with young quarterbacks or an eye on drafting a player at the position this offseason.
The 45-year-old McDaniels has spent the last 10 years as the Patriots offensive coordinator. In the previous nine seasons, the Pats have ranked top-10 in points scored eight times (and are on pace this season to make it nine) and top-10 in yards six times.
He also worked as the team's offensive coordinator between the 2006-08 seasons before taking the Denver Broncos' head coaching job.
That tenure last just two years, marked by the decision to draft Tim Tebow with a first-round pick. While the Broncos did reach the postseason in McDaniels' first season, going 8-8, they were just 3-9 in his second season before he was fired.
McDaniels then spent one year with the St. Louis Rams as an offensive coordinator before returning to New England in time for its run in the 2011 playoffs that ended with a Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants.
He also had the chance to return to head coaching in 2018, when he agreed to coach the Indianapolis Colts before reversing course and staying with New England. The Colts even announced him as the next head coach before he flip-flopped. Indy ultimately appointed Frank Reich to the position.
As for whether that situation might dissuade NFL owners from pursuing McDaniels, La Canfora reported that while the decision "turned off some owners," the longtime offensive coordinator has still "had opportunities to interview for other head coaching jobs in the interim."
Mac Jones Gives Bitcoin to Patriots Offensive Line as Christmas Present
Dec 25, 2021
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) warms up during an NFL football practice, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Mac Jones is choosing a very 2021 gift for his offensive linemen for Christmas.
"I've been studying Bitcoin for a while now," the New England Patriots quarterback said, per Alex McShane of Bitcoin Magazine. "This year I just knew I had to give some Bitcoin to my teammates. So I reached out to Bitcoin Magazine and asked for help on how to give Bitcoin as a gift."
McShane noted Jones reached out to David Bailey, who is the CEO of Bitcoin Magazine and a fellow Alabama alumni, to facilitate the gift-giving process. The Patriots offensive linemen are receiving passes to the Bitcoin 2022 conference and subscriptions to the magazine.
New England's offensive line has certainly earned its presents protecting Jones this year.
The Patriots are 9-5 on the season and in first place in the AFC East. Jones could be well on his way to the Offensive Rookie of the Year and has completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,168 yards, 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
He is also the one first-round rookie quarterback in line to lead his team to the playoffs, as Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson and Justin Fields are all on struggling teams and Trey Lance is sitting behind Jimmy Garoppolo.
The offensive line has been a big part of the team's success and has given Jones enough time to thrive. Now he is giving them something in return.
Mac Jones Voted NFL 2021 OROY over Ja'Marr Chase by Execs: 'Poised Beyond His Years'
Dec 23, 2021
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 18: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots looks on during the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 18, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones climbed to the head of the rookie class in the eyes of NFL executives.
A group of 23 team officials gave Jones 11 votes for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in a poll conducted by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was second with nine votes.
"He's poised beyond his years," an AFC executive of Jones. "He has less 'rookie moments' than the others but really processes quickly within their offense, moves the team. He plays in rhythm, doesn't turn over the ball too much. He just plays like a vet.
Jones is an outlier among his fellow first-round signal-callers so far.
Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson and Justin Fields have struggled in their starting roles, and the San Francisco 49ers are taking a gradual approach with Trey Lance. Other than Jones, there wasn't another QB who received a single vote for Offensive ROY in Pelissero's poll.
The lowest drafted among the five, Jones has thrown for 3,168 yards, 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 69.0 percent of his passes in 14 starts. While the 15th overall pick out of Alabama hasn't been a revelation, he has arguably exceeded expectations.
At the moment, Jones is the runaway betting favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year. He's -700 at DraftKings Sportsbook (bet $700 to win $100) with Chase (+400; bet $100 to win $400) second on the list. It's basically a two-horse race at this point considering Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is third at +6500.
Chase will have plenty of supporters arguing his case. The 21-year-old has hauled in 61 receptions for 1,038 yards and 10 touchdowns. He and Joe Burrow have picked up from where they left off at LSU in 2019.
But the NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and Jones will have a difficult resume to beat if the Patriots go on to remain in their current position to win the AFC East.
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The New England Patriots have the defense and coaching to be dangerous in the playoffs. After their 27-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts , it's fair to wonder if Mac Jones is ready for the spotlight...
