This isn't about John Jerry, Dion Jordan, etc. That is entirely off-topic. And by no means am I reaching "for the stars" ragarding Davis. He shows up overweight. He had alcohol-related incidents (plural) to the point that even Brandon Marshall got in his face for his idiocy. This is not the way to get on the good side of a new coach, supervisor, person in a position of authority. Great for Vontae that he has become a better player. And I sure as hell hope it woke him up a bit. It could've been a helluva lot worse for Vontae, like DUI manslaughter? It has happened in the NFL. I am glad Miami got good compensation for him. Kudos. And I LOVED Vontae's game! But regardless of this regime's supposed inadequacies, this is Vontae Davis' fault, first and foremost.
That's... yuck. Was there context for that at least? Because it sounds like a guy who wants to be able to hide from his own deficiencies by surrounding himself with people who don't bring up the things he can't do well. Like handle direct, challenging communications and, I'll bet, emotionally uncomfortable (for him) conversations.
In retrospect, I wonder if Philbin ran from the issues instead of confronting them first and trying to rectify them before running up the white flag.
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/20..._1_coach-joe-philbin-philbin-claims-jake-long Didn't one of the players go up to Philbin to see if he would make eye contact and he didn't? I remember that for some reason but can't confirm.
That quote, though, doesn't do anymore to explain what Philbin was saying. Maybe he was talking about the kid on the field, not getting into pissing matches with opponents. There's nothing in the quote itself that says that Philbin is talking about player's keeping their mouths shut in regards to coaches. It just happens that the entire article by Omar is one where he's painting Philbin as someone cleaning out a team of "personalities." Take it with a grain of salt, don't make it into a mountain.
just trying to imagine those two corners with wake and Suh......................nah its gonna make me cry
And pop-psychology makes it's first entrance into this three-ring circus...brilliant. So the arguments against are (1) a reality show, (2) statements purposefully taken out-of-context and (3) some good 'ol backwoods brain-talk. Yeah...no face-palm memes needed here...no...
This surely might be the case. But it might not. We really do not know what guys do behind closed doors. Philbin had no ties to Vontae, so there is no emotional context to this, which makes it easier for Philbin to just get rid of him. If Sporano had been there, for example, maybe Vontae stays? But in either case, Vontae did not help himself. He wasn't a pro's pro. And regardless, Philbin and/or Ireland had EVERY right to get rid of Vontae, regardless of potential. My father always told me: "If you act childish, I'll treat you like a kid. If you handle yourself with maturity, I will treat you like an adult". Vontae was not mature. Therefore, he gets no leeway. We are talking about multiple incidents, so who is to really say he wasn't given ample chances anyway? I think he was given chances, albeit on a short leash. I don't care for people who piss away chances given to them when they are down. It is disrespectful and immature. This is all on Vonate. *And FWIW, I am glad Miami did not re-sign Sean Smith. Vontae Davis is so much better on so many levels. Yes, I did not want Davis gone either, but I can accept the fact that he did it to himself. Smith has no make up speed. He is no where near as physical. Vontae is a thumper. Can help along the LOS. And is quick. Smith is just long. Never really liked him to begin with. Always tried to arm tackle. Change of direction sub-par. Glad his payday was not with us.
Brandon Marshall traded what, days into his tenure. Leadership council all gone after just one year, I'm sure all coincidence. Two went on to good or great years after. Completely irritated by Chad Johnson before the arrest. Cuts him to sign Eric Steinbach, who should have been brought out back and put out of his misery instead. Guy came in with only one leg. See the condescension of Philbin when talking to Bush, Long and Dansby, and the leadership council. He was clearly annoyed. The guy almost seems like the teacher who doesn't like students. If he could do his job without actually interacting with players, he'd be in heaven.
I wasn't in the least bit sad to see Marshall go. Long had injuries. Don't know about perceived condescension to Bush. I really think when it comes to Philbin, many people have a certain opinion of him, and then other things appear to then to support their position.
I can be on board with your conclusion. It can certainly be perceived that way, and you may be right on key. Hell, it may even be the case. But regarding Vontae, they had every right to get rid of the kid....
I would be okay after one season. After giving it a shot for one season, if he didn't grow, then yes.
Imagine how little money they'd have had to pursue Suh had they signed both those corners? It's a double-edged sword... Personally, I'd have loved to keep Vontae too, but can understand why he's not here anymore. Don't like it too much, but as soon as a player is no longer a Dolphin, I don't care much about what they do. My least favorite "let go" actions were Marco Coleman, Troy Vincent, Wes Welker and Vontae Davis...Dansby pretty close. I don't really know a lot behind the Marco/Troy departures, except that I loved watching those guys play and hated to see 'em go.
It does say something about a coaching staff/front office when you trade players or cut them and they go to other teams and perform at a much higher level. Maybe Vonte Davis would never have been an all pro here but that says just as much about our staff as it does Vonte. Some players need motivation and direction, you aren't going to get a perfect player with every draft pick. The coaching staff needs to develop them to reach their potential. I don't like that we seem to dump anyone that makes Philbin queasy. There are a ton of guys in the Hall of Fame that would have made Philbin queasy.
Letting vontae go was one of the biggest blunders of philbin's tenure here. You don't let his type of talent walk. What we have is a coach who can't communicate with certain types of players and can't motivate them. Well Philbin is getting his type of players so we'll see how it turns out but he probably cost us a year of building by having to replace quality starters all over again
I am a little bit older I would suspect then quite a few posters here. It seems to me that questioning or challenging of "Authority" could be a topic in itself. It seems to me as if the younger generations have a lack of respect for their "elders" and are quick to question authority. I was always taught to respect my "elders" right or wrong and to always obey police, teachers, etc. Today's youth seem to have forgotten or were never taught the basic fundamentals of what society is based on: Laws, rules and respect for authority that governs. If most ignore or fail to recognize it, is just a matter of time before there is anarchy. Look at Boston for example, just recently. If I had to guess I would believe that this is what Philbin means when he states a player keeps his mouth shut: Respect for the governing authority of the Phins , trusting in the system and coming to work and working hard to win. It is an old school philosophy and it doesn't take but 1 or 2 running their mouth's to upset and undermine what the regime is trying to do. Sure there has always been when people don't like things, they talk among themselves; but forming a "union" so to speak inside a football team is probably a death sentence to the plan at hand. If not a death sentence certainly an undermining of it
I was totally against the trade but in fairness we need to look at the the options/info available at the time. He was a great talent who fell in the draft bc of character concerns dating back to Illinois. Those problems continued in Miami under Sparano/Parcells. We know about the scrap w Marshall but l assume there are other incidents that we don't know about. Philbin and staff clearly had issues w him, demoting him early in camp and again, there were probably issues beyond what we saw on Hard Knocks. He's a man corner on a team installing a system geared more towards zone. Do you pay him 10 million a year on a new contract or accept a 2nd round pick and use those savings on a guy like Grimes? It's much more of a coin flip than some want to admit.
Good catch Aqua, I remember him saying something like that too. As you know he's talking about being able to press and play a trail technique, which utilizes his length. But Smith is dreaming if he thinks he's on Sherman's level, in any scheme. The ball skills aren't there, his tackling and run support is lacking as well. On top of that we don't have an elite center fielder like E.T. who can cover side to sideline to sideline and erase mistakes. Allowing Smith to play his style would hurt the integrity of the defense as a whole, I don't think he's good enough to warrant that type of sacrifice, do you?
You know, I wouldn't have a problem with Philbin if he liked players that keep their mouths shut, if instead of jettisoning or shunning players that can't, he'd teach them the right way. How many malcontents have the Patriots taken in, yet all of a sudden they're quiet on that team? Randy Moss, wasn't Corey Dillon a bit of a character problem? I can't remember. Rodney Harrison was a little bit loud mouth'ish. They're not the Cowboys taking in felons and rejects but Bill is not afraid to get in someone's *** if they get out of line. Philbin would rather just avoid them. Did Ochochinco ever act up in NE?
I think it's wrong to assume that Head Coaches are out there forcing their players to stay in line. IMO it's the players that police themselves. Veteran leaders keeping guys in check by any means, including physical intimidation or violence. Perhaps Philbin jumped the gun by trying to have guys jettisoned prior to the vets having a chance to get them in line but getting them in line is typically not the coaches' job.
Man dude, you get way to personal...calling people names, making fun of where people are from...I have a perfect picture of you just by your posts and I bet I am dead on accurate...it's simple for you to sit at your keyboard and type all of these insults to people...probably because you cannot look people in the eye and tell them things like this...basically this is a great site about the Miami Dolphins...We all root for the same team...please show your maturity?a little better,it will be appreciated by all and posts won't sound so paumpus.
I think I feel exactly the same way. Just getting rid of someone instead of teaching them seems short sighted. In the case of Vonte short sighted, although we do not know everything that was done to try and help him out. I have a suspicion - not much. I am not sure if I can support a coach who is like that 100%. Trying to compare New England to here is so contrastly different that it is difficult to even try. The culture is different there, the players know it as soon as they walk in the door. There is superbowl culture in New England. Here we have "just make the playoffs" culture. It is one thing to buy in and believe the philosophy then it is to Write it on the wall. I believe it says "Champions Play Here" in the hall way. I cringe each time I see that because we are hanging on to 1972/73----------42 years ago. 42 years since this team has done what the object of the game is every year, To win the superbowl. Sometimes the obvious doesn't need to be written. Professionals govern themselves professionally and for the good of the team do not question the authority by forming a "union" inside the team. The players job is to play and do what the coaches are being paid to have them do. Put a quality team on the field. The coaching job is hard enough. Throwing in players who are not professional and speak out or do things are distracting and could be a determent of the team. At the same time, all teams have personalities. It is how the coaches react to those personalities coming out that is on display. I think in New England each piece of the puzzle is interchangeable and expectations are very well established. Step outside that box and you are gone. It is a different thought process. They are winning superbowls and every player is subject to being jettisoned at anytime should they not perform or step out of line. Think of some of the players we have seen leave. (Welker, Mcginnis, Moss, Ocho cinco) Just off the top of my head who went elsewhere and continued to play. The level or Bar is set higher. People on here and on other sights don't want to admit this team has not won anything in a long long time. It sucks and hurts to have to write that here but it is the truth. I love this team and will continue to root for them but sometimes it is better to take a step back and not say much because people don't like negativity. It is negative that the team has not won the superbowl since before most of us were born. It is even harder when you see the team continuously spin its wheels year after year. We are like drug addicts and we win a few games, we get our fix and try to pin point why we didnt make it to the prize. It becomes well if we fix this and that............... I guess we are all crazy because we continue to do the same thing year after year expecting a different result. (definition of insanity - Einstein) Before you know it 10 yrs have went by. A result that will not arrive until the culture changes. As much as I hate to admit Philbin is probably right, it starts with the players coming to work, doing their jobs and shutting their mouth.
