Fins Up, Fins Down | Week One

Hello, Dolfans! Welcome to a new column on The Phinsider entitled Fins Up, Fins Down!

This column will be similar to your standard “stock up, stock down” report, but obviously, with a Miami twist. Each week I will highlight one member of the organization who is trending upwards, while also highlighting one member who is trending in the opposite direction. These designations don’t necessarily reflect who was the best or worst player in a given game, but rather, they indicate whose stock is rising or falling based on recent performance.

Sounds simple enough, right?

Our first ever Fins Up player was someone who, despite the team’s incompetence against the Indianapolis Colts, had a very impressive individual performance. That player was newly minted starting left tackle, Patrick Paul!

Paul — a second-year player out of Houston — took over the starting left tackle position this year from perennial stud, Terron Armstead. Many wondered how Paul, who had some growing to do during his rookie season, would handle starting duties when handed the role.

Well, the young man performed swimmingly (to continue the ocean theme)!

Paul was Pro Football Focus’ highest graded Miami Dolphins player in Week One — earning an impressive 84.9 grade for the game. In fact, Paul’s rating was the 4th best for any tackle in the entire National Football League last week.

The dubious distinction of becoming our first ever Fins Down player of the week was given to Miami’s starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa.

Tagovailoa had, arguably, his worst game as a professional football player last Sunday against the Colts. The 27-year-old finished with a paltry 144 yards passing on 14 completions. He had one touchdown pass to running back De’Von Achane — however, that pass was an ill-advised swing pass on 4th and goal from the 11-yard line that saw Achane power through multiple defenders for the score.

Tagovailoa was also responsible for three turnovers — two interceptions and a lost fumble on the day. What makes matters worse is the fact that Miami’s quarterback was not even under pressure for either of his two interceptions. The first pass was picked off after he sailed a ball intended for wide receiver Tyreek Hill over the middle, and the second was on a terrible throw where he looked down receiver Malik Washington through his entire route before throwing the ball directly into the defender’s chest.

If the Dolphins hope to turn things around this season, they’ll need Tagovailoa to end up on the Fins Up list as early as next week!