Entering his third year, eyes were going to be on Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa this season no matter what, as 2022 could very well decide if he’s the future at the position for this team.
However, with Connor Williams moving from left guard to center this offseason, there’s just as much attention on him, as he is the only player that touches the ball on every play. And, with Tagovailoa, hopefully, on the receiving end of nearly all of those snaps, their familiarity with each other is of the utmost importance.
Tagovailoa told the media on Wednesday that they’ve been spending time together and working on the things they need to work on.
“Yeah, it’s been really good,” he said. “Every time we see each other – I mean, I sit by him in our team meetings and we’re talking about getting the guys going for the day and then just snap locations on certain plays that will help us execute the play that much better. And then just our timing with everything. He’s taking care of the front, I’m taking care of the back end with things and just us being in sync will help this offense go.”
Snap locations have been a topic of discussion during the early parts of training camp, as Williams, and other centers on the team, have struggled to find consistency in that department. Williams has used that learning opportunity to speak to offensive coordinator Frank Smith, who was Ben Roethlisberger’s center in college, to get some advice.
“The biggest thing he’s said to me was like Avatar, like that connection to riding that horse,” Williams said. “That’s what me and Tua (Tagoavailoa) have to have. That’s what we’ve been forming and filling that. He’s a great coach, a great resource. You can go tell him whatever you need and he’s there for you.”
With all that time spent together, he believes their connection getting there.
“Tremendously,” he said about their growth. “Being able to know the guy you’re playing with, and definitely when you’re under center, you’ve got to have that connection so you know where to put the laces and everything. I think we’re getting that and growing that.”
Head coach Mike McDaniel said last week that he’s not concerned with the snapping issues, and he’s right to say that it’s early. However, that part of the game is so important that Williams and Tagovailoa have to keep working. Maybe they’ll put them into those pods and get them to Pandora.
