The problem, IMO, is too many people can't see any shades of grey. It's either 'RF is a BAD QB,' or "RF is a top 10.' Hard for people to understand RF is an average QB with the habit of being inconsistent.
I don't recall seeing anyone arguing that Fitz is a top 10 QB. I have seen a post or two stating he is in the top 10 at QBR which is accurate as he currently is residing at #7.
First, I am 100% behind Tua. I have been a fan since the first time I saw him play as a freshman at Bama. The most accurate QB I have seen at the collegiate level. His accuracy was on full display his two throws against the Jets. Tua possess all the other attributes to succeed at a high level, top 10 if you will. Actually, I will be disappointed if he isn't consistently one of the top 5 QBs if that is the classification system being used. He is the QB I was hoping Miami would draft all along. That is how high regard I have have for Tua. I am ecstatic he is a Dolphin and look forward to watching him lead this team for years to come. I am excited to see him play against the Rams. Anyone can look through my post history to see my stance on Tua. I have not wavered, not once.
Having said that, I am just not one of those fans that feels the need to bash Fitz because I like Tua so much. For me, the two can co-exist.
I was completely indifferent to the Dolphins signing Fitz. I read posts from those in the know that said Fitz, at best, can only play decent for a couple of games before the wheels fall off.
Then I watched Fitz win 5 of the last 9 games as the Dolphins developed and averaged 25.4 ppg during those games on a team that had been completely demolished heading into the season, including trading away Tunsil and Stills. It sure wasn't the OL, Ballage's 1.8 ypc or the WR group as a whole that carried the Dolphins to those victories. On full display was Fitz's leadership, how much fun he had playing the game, and how the Dolphins developed under his leadership. The guy led the team in rushing yards! And it wasn't just that he led the team, it was his intelligence in knowing when to rush to secure the first down or TD and toughness to fight for necessary yards in order to do so at 37 years of age.
Then after Fitz proved the detractors wrong that he could put together more than a couple of goods games, their narrative changed to Fitz can not play well two seasons in a row, as if it was a genetic trait.
This year there was major overall of the team again in the draft and signing of FA's. No OTA's or preseason games to build cohesion and learn from game-time mistakes. And I thought that showed the first couple of games. Four out of Five new starters on the OL including two rookies, the Dolphins feature back signed in the offseason is averaging .8 ypc, and the Dolphins best WR has been dealing with nagging injuries. Yet, in the past 4 games Miami has won 3 by 18, 26 and 24 points. The Dolphins are averaging 26.7 ppg for the season and scored 24 or more in 5 straight games.
Over the past 15 games the Dolphins are 8-7 with Fitz starting and the Dolphins are averaging 25.9 ppg. In the 54 year history of the Miami Dolphins these are the highest years of PPG:
1984 - 32.1
1972 - 27.5
1986 - 26.9
1985 - 26.8
2020 - 26.7
1975 - 25.5
1995 - 24.9
Given the context of a full rebuild, continual change of coaches and players, youth and inexperience, shuffling of OL, RBs, injury plagued WRs, Covid limitations of preparing for this year, has Fitz really been a BAD QB? Not in my opinion.
I for one am grateful for the role Fitz has played in the development of this team. Most of the posts I see are people taking shots at Fitz being BAD as you stated. I don't look at Fitz by judging whether he is a top 10 QB or where he ranks in comparison to other QBs on other teams. I just look at Fitz as having far exceeding my expectations for the role he was brought here for. He has been much better than most posters have made him out to be. Fitz has been an exceptional QB at fulfilling the role of leader, developer and mentor on the Dolphins which is exactly what this team needed at this time.
So I give props to Fitz at times when I see there is excessive bashing of him. There is no doubt in mind he has helped Tua immensely this year preparing him to take over this team. I am grateful he has been the Dolphins QB for the past year and enjoyed watching his leadership and enthusiasm. And I hope Fitz doesn't start another game for the Dolphins unless it is to rest Tua in week 17 to get ready for the playoffs.
I have watching the Dolphins play since 72 and seen about every game since Marino's first year. IMO, given the context, Fitz has played the position better than any QB since Marino which I believe will quickly change with Tua playing moving forward. So I give Fitz well deserved plugs. If other fans think he sucks or I suck for giving him props, that is okay with me. I used to worry about what people thought of me. I am too old for that now. Now I just think they have a right to their wrong opinion and if they don't like mine "F*** em"
and I mean that in the nicest way possible.