Jimmy made a very good point about offensive line and how it can be dependent on the quarterback. It's the same point I've made all along in regards to the type of quarterback Miami needs to be prioritizing. They need a guy who is prepared to move and deal with pressure behind something less than a bomb shelter up front. Those guys are out there. Miami has never attempted to look in that direction at the QB position. If you don't have a quarterback that's prepared to deal with pressure, you're going to have the 9 sack games that Tannehill has. No quarterback should ever be taking 9 sack games in the NFL. I don't care if you're playing behind nothing but 5 Fathead decals.
However, I also agree that on it's face, it can seem a bit contrary to be skiddish on Kyler Murray's durability while at the same time mentioning Tua and not having the same concern. Durability isn't a size thing, it's a player thing. Derrick Henry is durable for his size. Bo Scarbrough was not. Many smaller backs like Warrick Dunn were more durable than many bigger backs. The same applies for quarterbacks and/or any other position.
Although I think if you're going to get into that discussion in regards to Murray and Tua in terms of durability, you have to get very detailed with it. There's a lot of details that apply and you can take it as deep as you want to. I don't think Jimmy was really trying to go that deep here. Murray never really got hit at Oklahoma. The quality, style, and talent of the defenses within the Big-12, along with the caliber of his offensive line benefited him in regards to not taking the type of hits from the caliber of defensive players week after week that Tua and other SEC West quarterbacks face on a regular basis. You just don't see him under that type of pressure.
Murray didn't really get hit in a game until he faced Alabama. His offensive lineman didn't know how to react to the QB being hit like that because they'd never dealt with it before. They were losing their composure early in the game because of it. By the way, this wasn't a typical Alabama defense. They were missing their best pass rusher (Terrell Lewis out all season) and their best CB (Trevon Diggs lost for the season after the Arkansas game). In Diggs case, replaced by the worst cornerback I've ever seen suit up for Alabama. This 2018 Bama defense was one of the worst in terms of points and yardage given up since Saban has been at Alabama. Only the 2014 defense that gave up nearly 250 rushing yards to Zeke Elliott in the playoffs is even comparable.
Mayfield never really got hit either at Oklahoma. He didn't face any pressure until the 2nd half of the playoff game vs. Georgia when Kirby and staff decided to make some changes and bring pressure. They had no choice. It wasn't a gamble at that point. They had to.
On the other hand, some of the hits Tua received were just awkward in terms of getting his lower legs and ankles twisted underneath himself and the weight of two or three tacklers. Injury was bound to happen to anybody sustaining those exact hits. Then getting it stepped on in the exact same spot by his offensive lineman was fairly unpredictable. But I will say that the biggest concern I have with Tua is he has to learn how to protect himself better. He has to learn it's ok to check it down or throw it in the stands instead of hanging in there too long waiting for the homerun every single play.
Lastly - and this is something myself and Awsi Dooger has pointed out many times - quarterbacks get hit a lot more often and a lot more severe in college, particularly the SEC, than they do in the NFL now. The rules to protect the quarterbacks like they do in the NFL aren't in place in college. Just in terms of taking hits and the type of hits, it bodes well for every single quarterback making the transition from college to the next level. Regardless of size.
If Murray doesn't find success at the next level, I can't see it being due to size. It'll be due to his commitment over the long haul when things get tough. Which applies to every other quarterback also.
