Let's set the record straight on Tua

I've seen entirely too many posts suggesting that he is only good because his receivers are wide open against trash secondaries. It's true he hasn't played a great defense yet this year, but let's take the P&G glasses off for a minute and just objectively look at some of his throws.

Tua Highlights 2018
Here are some of his highlights. It's full of some bs at the beginning, but I'll filter through it and point out a few so you can go directly to them.

Start at 2:00. Has plenty of time, pumps left, comes back over the middle and throws a dime in stride to a receiver with about 5 yards of separation. This pass is probably completed even if it isn't a perfect throw, but it wouldn't be a touchdown if it isn't in stride.

2:21. Under pressure, throws a jump ball to a defender with his back towards the play. Defender gets lost, touchdown. Sure, this could be a bad decision, but we've seen our own cornerbacks get lost with their back to the ball several times this year.

2:42. Corner route to the tight end. DB in great position. Perfect throw.

2:55. Double move vs. aTm. Safety gets turned around, we've seen almost this exact situation unfold vs. Battle, the safety makes a decent recovery but a great throw beats him.

3:38. Pretty good coverage. Absolute dime.

4:50. Running to his left, man in his face, decent coverage.

5:45. RPO slant pass with a defender in his face. Corner is in decent coverage, pass right in stride and the safety takes a bad angle.

6:09. LB has great coverage on tight end on the wheel. Perfect throw.

7:08. Good coverage on slot receiver on 3rd and 8. Bullet beats the CB for a first down on an out route.

8:04. 3rd and 10. Perfect throw on the corner route to get the 1st down.

This doesn't even include play designs that had the defense fooled or busted coverages. I don't think I included any vs. Ark St or ULL. These are just a few plays from one highlight tape that I could see him making against our D.

This isn't to say he's unstoppable. We will definitely be his toughest test yet. I've simply made this post to enlighten some people who think he only throws to wide open receivers. Tua will make some plays against our defense. We will have to live with that. The best defense against quarterbacks like this is a good offense. He can't make those plays from the bench. I think that's the key to this one.