The Facts: Ryan Fitzpatrick has moved on to his ninth NFL team but continues to stump for Tagovailoa in Miami. "It's amazing how much criticism and different things have been thrown his way," Fitzpatrick said of Tua. "It's very difficult to play quarterback in the NFL. I think we keep forgetting that fact. The guy was a rookie last year and came in and went 6-3. We have to have a little bit of patience. I think he's going to do great things."

Diehards Line:Fitzpatrick noted the two traits of Tagovailoa's game that give him faith the young quarterback can be the Dolphins' long-term answer are his "elite" accuracy and anticipation throws. "He's going to learn from last year," Fitzpatrick said. "He's going to learn through this offseason. He's got some continuity with George Godsey and Eric Studesville as [co-offensive] coordinators now. He's going to learn where to go with the ball, how to eliminate things pre-snap to really unleash that elite accuracy. And he throws with anticipation, and that is something you don't see a lot with quarterbacks coming from college to the NFL. ..." Tua impressed early once he took over for Fitzpatrick a third of the way through the season. His best game came in his second start when he led the Dolphins to a dramatic late win against Arizona. That game showed the traits Fitzpatrick boasted about, including a gorgeous anticipatory TD toss. Unfortunately, Tagovailoa didn't replicate that performance consistently down the stretch and it's led to questions about his long-term prospects in Miami -- questions his former teammate thinks will be answered over time.