STRONG TAKE
First Take star replacing Stephen A. Smith launches three-minute Tua defense and insists he’s ‘earned this contract’
One fan calls for the Dolphins to hire First Take host
STEPHEN A. Smith may be absent from ESPN's First Take, but his replacement Louis Riddick is making headlines of his own with his takes.
And Riddick has launched a strong-three minute defense of the new contract given to Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
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The Dolphins and Tagovailoa have agreed to terms on a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension.
There has been a lot of discussion over whether Tagovailoa is worth those levels of money.
However, former NFL safety Riddick left nobody in any doubt over how he feels on the matter.
“Tua has earned this contract,” Riddick said.
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“When they win, it’s Tyreek [Hill], when they lose, it’s Tua.
"They get bludgeoned for 150 yards on the ground, Tua should’ve been out there playing linebacker.
"They don’t run the football, why didn’t Tua run the football? It’s like it’s always his fault."
As you can imagine, fans were quick to have their say on X, the site formerly known as Twitter.
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"The dolphins need to hire you, Louis. I've been listening to you for years about the dolphins," one fan said.
"very true. when they win, it's tyreek. and when they lose, it's tua," another fan said.
I just signed a huge $85m extension with the Miami Dolphins - now I'm turning my attention towards being a team leader
"Did Tua win the division? How about a playoffs game? What did he really earn?" a third fan wrote.
"Tua eats against the bad teams and has shown no ability to win the big games it’s that simple. People always so quick to defend him based off stats," a fourth fan said.
Tagovailoa has been with the Dolphins since being selected fifth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.
He led the NFL in passing yards last season with a career-high 4,624.
The Dolphins finished the 2023 regular season with a record of 11-6.
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But their season ended in bitterly disappointing fashion in the playoffs.
The Kansas City Chiefs ran out comfortable winners against the Dolphins on Wild Card Weekend.
Miami fans will be desperate for their team to go even further in the 2024 season.
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The Dolphins start their campaign against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 8th.
Their first home game will be a Thursday Night clash a few days later against the Buffalo Bills.