Joel Klatt Feels Pressure Of 'TuAnon,' Changes Course On Tua Tagovailoa In Final Mock Draft
DETROIT – FOX Sports college football and NFL Network draft analyst Joel Klatt isn't wearing any bruises or scratches this week, but he freely admits he's gotten a little beat up lately.
"The TuAnons are real, man," Klatt told OutKick. "They came out like killer bees."
TuAnon is the nickname for the group of mostly anonymous fans of Tua Tagovailoa that do not abide criticism of the Miami Dolphins quarterback.
And Klatt got the full TuAnon treatment on the internet recently when he suggested the Dolphins should upgrade at the quarterback position in Thursday's first round of the NFL draft by selecting Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the team's No. 21 overall selection.
"The way I view Tua and [coach] Mike McDaniel’s offense is that it’s not the right offense for him," Klatt said after releasing one of his mock drafts last month. "This is not an indictment on Tua in the NFL as much as it is the fit…"
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 07: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins scrambles out of the pocket during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
TuAnon Goes After Joel Klatt
This is called an opinion. It's allowed in America. Still.
But that opinion brought a storm of fire and brimstone down on Klatt's head via social media. Let's just say the social media reaction was visceral and TuAnon for days, maybe weeks, did not let it go.
I mean, the sheer audacity of saying the Dolphins could do better than Tua!
"I know," Klatt said Wednesday. "They're pissed at me."
But here's the news, TuAnon: Be angry and sin not because Klatt is backing down.
He changed course on his final mock draft. Tua is safe.
"I just wanted to see it," Klatt said of a scenario where the Dolphins draft Penix to replace Tagovailoa. "Tua was incredible last year. He really was. Tua is a fabulous player. I mean, he led the league in a lot of categories. Tua didn't have a contract and there wasn't definitive language of a pending contract for a long time.
"When I made my first two mock drafts, I looked at fit and just things I thought would be exciting. Every week when I would see Michael Penix play, I would think of Mike McDaniel. And I would be, like, man, I would like to see those two together.
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 28: Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Washington Huskies passes the ball during a game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)
Joel Klatt Retreat In Order
"We have not seen a quarterback with the ability to throw the ball downfield as well – and I shouldn't say throw, but pass the ball down the field. He passes with leverage. And so this was just, ‘Man, I would love to see that.’ I think a lot of fans think I don't like Tua, so on and so forth. It had nothing to do with it."
This is a good explanation, but it's only the start of a good explanation, if you ask TuAnon.
TuAnon wants a full-on genuflect from Klatt – or anyone not loving on Tua. So you're not done, Joe:
"It was a just a pick I thought would be interesting," he added. "And until there was definitive language of a pending contract, that's where I had him. I changed it, obviously, in my third mock.
"Listen, I still think [Penix] would throw the ball down the field better than Tua. Some disagree with that. Fine. That's totally fine.
"But Tua's quick release and hands are better in the intermediate RPO system that the Dolphins really utilize to be effective. There's no question about that. Tua's uniquely suited and built to succeed in that type of offense because of that. His hands are so quick. He's like a point guard. I don't know if Penix could do that."
Joel Klatt speaks on a Big Noon Kickoff pregame show before a NCAA football game between Iowa and Ohio State, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. 221022 Iowa Ohio St Fb 0119 Jpg
Klatt: Tua A Better Fit For Miami
That's good, but still not enough. There was a hint of defending the position that TuAnon will find distasteful. So TuAnon needs more Tua love suggesting he's forever secure in Miami's system.
Everyone must think this or suffer cyberspace consequences.
"I kept thinking to myself, ‘What would you want to see?’ " Klatt explained further. "I would want to see Michael Penix throw the ball to Tyreek Hill. And Jaylen Waddle. And with the creativity of those schematics.
"But as a better overall fit, probably not."
So there you have it. A well-reasoned retreat from the dastardly offense Klatt was guilty of previously. TuAnon can now move forward to seek another meaningful victory another day.
If only this worked on the Chiefs or the Bills.