Beyond The Press
Posts
🏀 New Beginnings

🏀 New Beginnings

December 27, 2022

Good morning BTP family! For those who celebrate, I hope you had an amazing Christmas filled with lots of gifts and sports! Speaking of sports we had a jam packed weekend of NFL and NBA action. The Chargers have officially clinched a playoff spot with their win last night over the Colts. We had a crazy finish to Christmas Day NBA action in a heated OT matchup between the Nuggets and Suns. Not to mention, Jokic putting up one of the most impressive performances ever on Christmas Day! Whatever it may be we have it all here on Beyond The Press!

In today's rendition of BTP we break down Tua Tagovailoa's recent collapse and where his future with the Dolphins stands, James Harden's potential reunion with the Houston Rockets, and the Broncos have fired head coach Nathanial Hackett after their horrid 4-11 start to the season.

Stay warm!

END OF THE ROAD?

Tua Tagovailoa's Tough Day Leave Dolphins Fans Asking One Question

Is Tua Tagovailoa the guy? Certainly it seemed like Tua was destined for success under the Dolphins system but the tides have quickly turned over a rough couple of weeks. After starting the season red hot at 8-3, the Dolphins have lost their last four games knocking them all the way down to the 7 seed with the Patriots, Jets, Titans, and Steelers hot on their tail.

Admittedly, not all of the blame can be put on Tua for this losing streak. The Dolphins have played four really solid teams during this stretch in the Chargers, 49ers, Bills, and the red hot Packers. However, during this stretch Tua has only put up 984 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions. Now five interceptions doesn’t seem like a lot, but Tua did not have a single interception before this stretch. Not to mention his QBR in these four respected games has been; 19.4, 24.5, 53.6, and 23.3. Not great…

Recently it had been announced that Tua suffered a concussion against the Packers and is now in concussion protocol. With his injury luck this season, ex-players are actually urging Tua’s season be shut down for his own safety. Although with the Dolphins playoff hopes on the line, there is no saying what the Dolphins will do.

Is it time to move on?

For now nobody really knows what to make of Tua Tagovailoa on the Miami Dolphins. Tua had one of the best starts for a QB in the NFL this season and has since fallen off quite a bit. Nearly the favorite to win MVP just a few weeks ago Tua has now fallen completely out of the picture. With just two games left on the regular schedule, these upcoming divisional matchups against the Patriots and Jets will determine who will take the final playoff spot in the AFC. Unfortunately for Tua, those two games could determine his future with the Miami Dolphins as well.

HOUSTON REUNION?

James Harden Eyeing Return to Houston

Has there ever been an NBA player with a more wandering eye than James Harden? After requesting two trades in the last two years, Woj revealed Harden could be on the move yet again, and this time, it would be a reunion with the Houston Rockets.

How did we get here?

After forcing his way to Philly at last year’s trade deadline, a rejuvenated Harden signed a team-friendly deal this past off-season to allow them to maximize the team around him and Joel Embiid. While this was surprising, people quickly deduced that his ol’ pal Daryl Morey would likely make it up to him with a max contract next off-season. Well, not so fast, because according to ESPN, Harden is seriously considering leaving Philly for Houston this summer for several non-basketball reasons. Sources say Harden is drawn to the community, lifestyle, and family in Houston and could prioritize comfort over an immediate championship chase.

Houston’s current core is showing some real potential between Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr., not to mention the bevy of draft picks they have from trading him to the Nets two years ago. But the oldest member of that group is Smith Jr. at 21 years old, and it’s hard to imagine adding a 34-year-old Harden into the mix and expecting them to contend.

Harden, who went on to drop 29 points and 13 assists in a 76ers win, was asked about this report before the game, and his answers sounded suspiciously like his sound bites from Brooklyn when he was rumored to be unhappy. He said things like "I'm here," What report?," and “I'm not answering. I didn't see nothing."

If you’re a 76ers fan, you have to be at least a little nervous hearing this news knowing what you gave up to acquire him and knowing he’s not afraid to pack up and leave town. The idea that Harden would leave a championship-caliber team for the worst team in the West is mind-boggling, but with Harden, it’s best to expect the unexpected.

NEW BEGINNINGS

Nathanial Hackett Becomes Fastest New Coach Fired

After coaching the Broncos to a 4-11 start, Nathaniel Hackett is officially out in Denver. Hackett’s 15 games represent the shortest tenure of any non-interim head coach in the post-AFL-NFL merger era, and yet, for the majority of Broncos fans and players, it was still way too long.

Hackett stumbled right out of the gate, losing a Week 1 matchup against the Seahawks, by inexplicably opting to attempt a 64-yard-field goal rather than let his $245M quarterback pick up five yards. Things got so bad from a game management standpoint that the front office brought in former Baltimore Ravens assistant coach Jerry Rosburg in September to help Hackett make better in-game management decisions. Anytime you need to hire a coach for your coach, you know your team is in trouble.

The Broncos’ woes aren’t on Hackett’s shoulders alone, as Russell Wilson’s play has somehow been more painful to watch than his Subway ads. As a reminder, Denver traded two first-rounders, two second-rounders, as well as three players for Russ and then paid him that massive five-year extension which includes $161M guaranteed.

As if all of that wasn’t bad enough, even if Hackett hadn’t flamed out, the Broncos' two other head coach finalists still would have made them look foolish. Kevin O’Connell has completely turned the 12-3 Vikings around, and Cowboys DC Dan Quinn has helped his team to an 11-4 record.

While this season was undoubtedly a setback, there are reasons for optimism if you’re a Broncos fan. The defense is still elite, and the ownership group is one of the wealthiest in the league; quality head coaches will want this job.