Tua Tagovailoa feels good for Austin Jackson, who he indicates was once lambasted in team meetings

MIAMI GARDENS - Tua Tagovailoa was so excited to discuss Austin Jackson's three-year contract extension he called for a celebration.

"Oh, that was awesome," Tua said during his weekly press conference. "Can we all give him a round of applause please? Seriously, can we give him a round of applause?"

This is the tone around Dolphins camp these days, where the team is 9-3, first seed in the AFC Playoffs, and the vibes are all about positivity.

It hasn't always been that way, Tua reminds us.

Tua noted that the media, and yes, the previous coaching staff, was very harsh toward Austin (and Tua, too).

"I just smile because of where he’s come from early when we got here together," Tua said of Jackson. "There’s a lot of things that have been said about him in front of team meetings, in the media and things like that. So, I’m just happy. I don’t want to get choked up about it. What he’s done is tremendous. What he’s done is tremendous. I’m very proud of him. Very happy.”

Jackson was a first-round pick in 2020, the same year Tua was a first-round pick.

Both players were criticized by the coaching staff led by Brian Flores.

"Yeah, not this year," Tua said. "Past years. It’s awesome. Truly remarkable to sit in those meetings and have things told about you that you know aren’t true but get planted in your head. And you have the media on you as well. Then you have someone like Mike (McDaniel) and his coaching staff come in and basically just build you back up."

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Tua has performed so well he'll surely be deserving of a new contract, just like the one Jackson landed this week.

The Dolphins passed on Jackson's fifth-year option before this season.

But he has played so well at right tackle this season the club moved to secure what seems like a fair deal at this point. Why not wait for unrestricted free agency?

"I like this organization," Jackson said. "And I like where we're at right now. And I like where the focus is here, right now. I think it kind of aligns with, you know, what I want to be still as a football player in this league. And also, you know, further in life. I think everything just kind of lined up."

Jackson said he appreciates that McDaniel gave him a fair evaluation with fresh eyes.

"He definitely took the time to really see who I was," Jacksons said.

Jackson was drafted at only 20 years old. He's added strength and refined his technique and he's getting solid coaching and he's a great fit for Mike McDaniel's system.

What was it like to get beat up a bit, by both outsiders and insiders?

"I had high expectations every time I didn't perform, it was noted and highlighted," Jackson said. "And it was very much so highlighted to say the least. But that just made me a better football player at the end of the day. I'm very tough. I understand this is football and there's certain things that are done in football. Only thing you can do is is not take it too personal."

Like Tua, though, Jackson has clearly benefited from the positive vibes and emotional support that McDaniel and his staff believe in.

"I've matured a lot. I've been through a lot," Jackson said. "I think that I was already mature coming in, but there's a lot of stuff going on. And it's a very fast pace. Nobody's really stopping to catch you up with things you should kind of know already."

Dolphins reward right tackle Austin Jackson with contract extension

Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and Twitter @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Austin Jackson's contract thrills Tua Tagovailoa, with whom he has a kinship