Call it 'Big Uce mode': Tua Tagovailoa is having fun again in Dolphins' red-hot start

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Tua Tagovailoa was helpless, sitting at home as he watched his Miami Dolphins fall in just their third playoff game in 21 years on the road against the Buffalo Bills in January. 

But his path to becoming an NFL MVP favorite during Miami’s torrid start this season was already underway. 

When Tagovailoa and the Dolphins visit the Bills again Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, Tagovailoa’s offseason routine that has brought early success as the AFC’s Player of the Month will be put to the test. 

More important, it’ll be the Dolphins’ chance to send a message to the Bills, who have owned the division for the last three seasons.

“Oh, we got to beat these guys. That’s how I see it. I don’t think there’s any other way to look at it. We got to beat these guys,” Tagovailoa said this week. 

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“We’re not worried about anyone else right now this week, except for the Bills.”

'Big Uce mode'

Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle calls it “Big Uce mode,” to encompass his joyful spirit. Slang for Uso, the Samoan word for brother. Tagovailoa has called his teammates Uce so much, they’ve picked up on the slang, too. 

Their togetherness has led to poetry in motion for the Dolphins offense, orchestrated by second-year coach Mike McDaniel, fresh off a 70-point game last week against the Broncos. One of the 10 touchdowns was celebrated by a conga line dance in the end zone with Tagovailoa as the leader. 

Tagovailoa says he’s having fun again as he did in college, when he became an overnight sensation at Alabama after his game-winning touchdown pass in the 2018 national title game.

And it speaks to how far he has come since his NFL career started.

“It’s been a lot of fun, that’s for sure – this year,” Tagovailoa said.

Added McDaniel: “The results are really cool for him. I know he’s happy with that, but I think he’s more happy with who he is as a man, as a father, and as a husband and a professional athlete.”

Tagovailoa thriving on the field

Through three games, Tagovailoa has the NFL’s best quarterback rating, while the Dolphins have the most prolific offense, averaging 43.3 points and 550.3 yards per game.

Only Kirk Cousins has more yards (1,075) and one more touchdown, playing from behind, than Tagovailoa’s 1,024 yards and eight touchdowns this season.

“He’s thriving, and that's what you want to see from your leader, your QB,” right guard Robert Hunt said. “And it's contagious.”

Tagovailoa’s mindset has matured since he got married and had his first child last year, getting away from the outside noise and media chatter that might have consumed him at times earlier in his NFL career. 

While he may have given early retirement a thought after two concussions and three hits to the head last season, he has instead focused on honing his craft by being the best leader he can be, and learning to live with the results. 

Tagovailoa has been fully invested in himself and his daily process, which included jiu-jitsu and strength training this offseason to keep him healthy. It has sparked synergy and residual effects on his teammates, leading the togetherness they thrive from. 

“He’s confident. He’s a great player. But he’s having fun with his game, and that’s the beauty in it,” Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead said of Tagovailoa. 

Focus on the details

Linebacker Duke Riley says his close friend Tagovailoa has a habit of saying focus on the details. 

Tagovailoa needs to while orchestrating McDaniel’s offense, which sometimes calls on star receiver Tyreek Hill (league-leading four touchdown receptions) to block edge rushers while linemen like Armstead and Hunt are reaching the second level on run plays. When Tagovailoa throws the ball, he relies on the Dolphins’ steady diet of pre-snap motions to find open targets and yards after the catch. 

The preparation has led to success. And the success has led to confidence for Tagovailoa and the Dolphins ahead of their big matchup against the Bills. 

“He's always been a good guy. He's been a leader. He's always focused on getting better. He's always as humble like probably the most humblest person I've ever met in my life. He's always positive. So I don't think anything really has changed in that aspect,” Riley said.

“I just think everything that he's been working on is finally coming together and people are starting to see it. But it's always been like that.”