Opinion: Miami Dolphins double down on Tua Tagovailoa as 2021 starter. Now support him.

A few months before the 2018 NFL draft, the Arizona Cardinals tweeted about comments coach Kliff Kingsbury made about quarterback Josh Rosen.

"Y'all are having fun with speculation," the Cardinals tweeted, "but Josh is our GUY."

Of course, the Cardinals soon drafted Kyler Murray first overall and well, Josh wasn't.

On Tuesday, Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said Tua Tagovailoa is the team's starting quarterback.

And then later, he added for effect, "to be clear, Tua is our starter."

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I believe Grier because he shoots as straight as a Stephen Curry three-pointer.

If Grier says Tua is the starter, and the Dolphins believe in Tua, I believe Grier.

So, put it in the books. Tua will get a chance to run it back, and unless something changes, he'll get to do it again with veteran offensive coordinator Chan Gailey.

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Coach Brian Flores, while not yet ready to address if or how Miami's offensive scheme will be tweaked in 2021, said he does expect his entire coaching staff back.

"Hopefully you're not jinxing me," Flores said.

Flores also wasn't ready to say he'd like free-agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick back. That will take time and evaluation.

No factor will be as important, nor should it be, as weighing the benefit of having the talented and selfless Fitzpatrick back as opposed to any possible detriment to Tua.

After all, it's hard to perform when you know a fun-loving, free-wheeling, popular magician might be coming to the stage in your place at any minute.

The Dolphins feel Tua progressed. The Dolphins feel he will benefit from a real training camp and preseason to get stronger and sharper in reading defenses, too.

It's for that reason that it seems highly unlikely, now, that Miami is actually plotting to draft quarterback Justin Fields of Ohio State or Zach Wilson of BYU with the third overall pick.

It is true that Tagovailoa's performances were not as mind-blowing as Justin Herbert, the quarterback the Chargers took one spot behind him. But it should not be forgotten that Tua shined against Murray at Arizona and Herbert against the Chargers.

There are also plenty of redeeming Tua qualities, such as leadership, poise, accuracy (on short and intermediate passes) and limiting turnovers (sans the last game, of course) worth building on.

The Dolphins hold the third pick and the 18th pick and two picks in the second round, too. Grier didn't want to delve into draft strategy, but he'll have options.

"We're excited to have the picks we have," Grier said. "We're excited about the future."

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Grier can't say it but he knows he absolutely must land a dynamic, exciting, fast wide receiver, one who can both burn a defensive back and take a slant 75 yards for a score.

"Having playmakers on offense and defense is what the great teams have," Grier said.

It is entirely possible Miami selects a wide receiver like Ja'Marr Chase of LSU or DeVonta Smith or Jaylen Waddle of Alabama with the third pick, or a bit lower, after having traded down slightly for an additional asset or assets.

It is also possible Miami uses the third pick on Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell. If Miami cannot trade down and Sewell is clearly the best player on Grier's board, I have no doubt he would select that player and believe he's selected the pieces for a dominant offensive line puzzle.

Either way, Grier must add at least one exciting receiver and one above-average running back, with at least one truly special trait to rely on. 

Left unspoken Tuesday was the concern from some that Tua may not possess any one truly elite trait. But in reality, that should not be a concern that keeps Grier or Flores from sleeping at night.

What is Tua great at? Maybe he's great at being quite good at almost everything. What if all the strengths that made him the fifth pick in the last NFL Draft haven't suddenly disappeared, but only require a bit more time to congeal in the pros?

As one of Tua's mentors, Trent Dilfer, said this week, with more playmakers, a real training camp and a more versatile approach by Miami's offense, Tua will flourish. 

As noted ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper said earlier Tuesday: "Move forward with Tua. Help Tua. Get Tua some weapons."

And that is the first, second and third offseason priority for Grier and Flores.

Grier must add the shooting guard and the power forward that will complement Tua's point-guard skills. And Flores must huddle with Gailey to make sure Miami is operating the perfect offensive scheme (tempo? run-pass option? triangle?) for his strengths.

Perhaps the Dolphins will add a competent veteran to help push Tagovailoa. Among the free agents available will be former Dwyer standout Jacoby Brissett and Tyrod Taylor.

It would be smart to draft a quarterback at some point in April, whether that roll-of-the-dice is a third- or sixth-rounder. Developing another young quarterback is always wise.

But what Grier did on Tuesday should put Tagovailoa's mind at ease just a bit. Tagovailoa is not really the type of player or person who needs to be kept on edge in order to maximize his work ethic or performance.

There is every reason to believe Tagovailoa will be better in 2021. There is every reason to believe he will know how to read defenses better, how and when to move out of the pocket better, and how and when to drive the ball down the field more often.

His entire body should also be healthier and stronger.

Grier went into Tuesday's availability (his first since the last NFL Draft ended) with a clear messaging. Not once, but twice, he stressed that Tua is the starter and that Miami is "very happy with his development."

Miami believes Tagovailoa is talented enough to lead the franchise to the heights it envisioned when selecting him just eight months ago.

The Dolphins' task now is not to find his successor. No, the Dolphins' task is to do everything they can to help make sure he succeeds.

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