The Subtle Redefinition of the Miami Dolphins Player

shouright · Sep 6, 2012

Colmax said:

Philbin seems to be slowly plucking away players from the Parcells-Sparano era, which is fine. But when players can contribute and have talents that are not "everyday NFL" (ala Gates and Davis), sometimes you give those players a little longer leash, screw the culture. Coaches coach, and they should coach 'em up. It seems as if Philbin and Co. are not even trying. Get rid of the difficult players. It shows a weakness, and lack of courage. Build the culture by transforming players. Whip talent into shape and others will buy into that culture.
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At this point in a team's development under a first-year head coach, I think you "whip talent into shape" far better by getting rid of the guys who don't fit and having that affect the remaining players.

Lots of people are talking about how you motivate and develop players. Sometimes that motivation and development comes from one guy's watching another guy be cut or traded, and realizing he could be next. It sounds dictatorial, but in this team's current situation it's appropriate IMO.

Now, down the road, when the team culture is more developed, then you can show more flexibility with regard to who you might keep around despite the fact that he may not precisely fit your blueprint. Look at New England for example. Their culture is so developed they can take on Randy Moss and Chad Johnson and "whip them into shape" on the strength of the culture alone.

But at this point, under a first-year head coach who has no reputation on the job preceding him, you have to pull the weeds IMO. That's how you get the culture change you want, and guys like Clyde Gates just have to go by the wayside.

Now I will say this: what's also important is that you reward the players who do exemplify the characteristics you want to permeate your culture. This is why, and I'll say it again, you extend Reggie Bush at the first hint he's going to play like he did last year.

It's that balance of pulling the weeds and fertilizing the grass that gets your lawn (your culture) established.

RickyNeverInhaled · Sep 6, 2012

shouright said:

Episode five of Hard Knocks tonight, Joe Philbin and Jeff Ireland have a little talk about Clyde Gates.

Ireland is touting Gates's speed, while Philbin says there's no question of his speed, but there's a question of whether he's a football player.

Later in the show, Philbin says Javorskie Lane needs work, but is clearly a football player.

Gates was Ireland's fourth-round pick last year. I think it was clear in the show, both during Ireland's talk with Philbin about Gates, as well as during Ireland's talk with Gates himself, that Ireland was torn about cutting a player he was high on, had drafted fairly high, and hoped would develop.

But in the end Joe Philbin and company got their wish, and Clyde Gates and his tremendous speed were cut in favor of someone I suspect they deemed to be a football player.

That's the kind of player this team is looking for now, and IMO it's clear that Jeff Ireland will follow suit.

Football players who take their craft seriously and approach their job with professionalism.

That's a prototype you can win with IMO.
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Its very exciting to know that Ireland is "on board" with the head coach. that's a recipe for success as long as we have the right head coach, i believe and hope we do!

Hiruma78 · Sep 6, 2012

I think Philbin wants players able to play&understand football and not just athletes or choir boys or team guys.

I haven't red the all thread, so I don't know if someone mentioned this, but remember what he said about Bess: sure Philbin would have liked to have a bigger&faster WR, but he said that the guy is a football player, he find the right spot etc etc.

shouright · Sep 6, 2012

Hiruma78 said:

I think Philbin wants players able to play&understand football and not just athletes or choir boys or team guys.

I haven't red the all thread, so I don't know if someone mentioned this, but remember what he said about Bess: sure Philbin would have liked to have a bigger&faster WR, but he said that the guy is a football player, he find the right spot etc etc.
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And what that shows is that he's not rigidly wedded to the characteristics he wants in his players. There is flexibility there.

Colmax · Sep 6, 2012

shouright said:

At this point in a team's development under a first-year head coach, I think you "whip talent into shape" far better by getting rid of the guys who don't fit and having that affect the remaining players.

Lots of people are talking about how you motivate and develop players. Sometimes that motivation and development comes from one guy's watching another guy be cut or traded, and realizing he could be next. It sounds dictatorial, but in this team's current situation it's appropriate IMO.

Now, down the road, when the team culture is more developed, then you can show more flexibility with regard to who you might keep around despite the fact that he may not precisely fit your blueprint. Look at New England for example. Their culture is so developed they can take on Randy Moss and Chad Johnson and "whip them into shape" on the strength of the culture alone.

But at this point, under a first-year head coach who has no reputation on the job preceding him, you have to pull the weeds IMO. That's how you get the culture change you want, and guys like Clyde Gates just have to go by the wayside.

Now I will say this: what's also important is that you reward the players who do exemplify the characteristics you want to permeate your culture. This is why, and I'll say it again, you extend Reggie Bush at the first hint he's going to play like he did last year.

It's that balance of pulling the weeds and fertilizing the grass that gets your lawn (your culture) established.
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I certainly hope this is the case when Reggie's contract comes into question. He is becoming more of a leader, shown by asking Philbin in front of Ireland for the 'Leadership Council'. That took some cajones. His dedication to this team and his craft coming without the propensity to bring attention to himself shows his growth as a person and a player. This guy wants to be great, and I think he can get there if used properly.

While your logic is sound, I still disagree somewhat with the way Philbin has gone about his business. I am on board with getting rid of supposed weeds, and do not doubt his reasons....well, I guess I am in a sense because of my favoritism toward certain players, though, I still see some of these actions as unnecessary.

I know we as fans may not agree with a coach's decision, but I still think we should question those that might negatively affect the team, especially from one with no track record as a head coach.

I hope he is right in all of these decisions for the betterment of the team.

**EDIT**

(On the development thing):

I wonder if his actions might hinder the development of 'culture' and this team? I will wait, but only because I have no other option. Let us hope that he has his head around this thing.....

shouright · Sep 6, 2012

Joe Philbin on what makes up an ideal player in his opinion said:

A guy that comes in a little bit early, gets his lift in, gets a good meal in, comes to the meetings attentive, sits there and listens and takes notes, laughs a little bit, enjoys what he’s doing, is passionate about what he’s doing, practices hard and learns from the mistakes that he makes in practice. I’m looking for guys that are good, honest guys, good teammates and unselfish guys. I’m not looking for any super heroes or guys with capes on or anything like that but just guys that like the game, respect the game and come in and give us an honest day.
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http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/a...er-Notes/7b3fbad5-3f70-4d77-86ba-902f814cd8cf

mommabilly · Sep 6, 2012

shouright said:

Episode five of Hard Knocks tonight, Joe Philbin and Jeff Ireland have a little talk about Clyde Gates.

Ireland is touting Gates's speed, while Philbin says there's no question of his speed, but there's a question of whether he's a football player.

Later in the show, Philbin says Javorskie Lane needs work, but is clearly a football player.

Gates was Ireland's fourth-round pick last year. I think it was clear in the show, both during Ireland's talk with Philbin about Gates, as well as during Ireland's talk with Gates himself, that Ireland was torn about cutting a player he was high on, had drafted fairly high, and hoped would develop.

But in the end Joe Philbin and company got their wish, and Clyde Gates and his tremendous speed were cut in favor of someone I suspect they deemed to be a football player.

That's the kind of player this team is looking for now, and IMO it's clear that Jeff Ireland will follow suit.

Football players who take their craft seriously and approach their job with professionalism.

That's a prototype you can win with IMO.
Click to expand...

This is what Philbin thinks is a good player and what he is looking for, right from the horses mouth.

“A guy that comes in a little bit early, gets his lift in, gets a good meal in, comes to the meetings attentive, sits there and listens and takes notes, laughs a little bit, enjoys what he’s doing, is passionate about what he’s doing, practices hard and learns from the mistakes that he makes in practice. I’m looking for guys that are good, honest guys, good teammates and unselfish guys. I’m not looking for any super heroes or guys with capes on or anything like that but just guys that like the game, respect the game and come in and give us an honest day.”

Good luck coach. Steve Spagnuolo had the same thoughts in players in St. Louis and they ran him out of town in 2 years. Your highest paid LBer, Dansby, shows nothing of what you are looking for in a player, nothing.

A lot of guys can do exactly what he likes. Does not realate anywhere near them having talent though.

shouright · Sep 7, 2012

mommabilly said:

This is what Philbin thinks is a good player and what he is looking for, right from the horses mouth.

“A guy that comes in a little bit early, gets his lift in, gets a good meal in, comes to the meetings attentive, sits there and listens and takes notes, laughs a little bit, enjoys what he’s doing, is passionate about what he’s doing, practices hard and learns from the mistakes that he makes in practice. I’m looking for guys that are good, honest guys, good teammates and unselfish guys. I’m not looking for any super heroes or guys with capes on or anything like that but just guys that like the game, respect the game and come in and give us an honest day.”

Good luck coach. Steve Spagnuolo had the same thoughts in players in St. Louis and they ran him out of town in 2 years. Your highest paid LBer, Dansby, shows nothing of what you are looking for in a player, nothing.

A lot of guys can do exactly what he likes. Does not realate anywhere near them having talent though.
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And how about the guys who had a similar prototype and did well? Are you going to invalidate an entire approach to player selection based on one example?

It's also entirely possible that players who formerly showed certain behavior refashion themselves under Philbin and in the culture he creates. Although I disagree that Dansby shows "nothing" of what Philbin wants, we may find that Dansby becomes a much different player under Philbin than he has been before in his career.

Alex44 · Sep 7, 2012

shouright said:

And how about the guys who had a similar prototype and did well? Are you going to invalidate an entire approach to player selection based on one example?
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Hasn't Coughlin benched players because they were late for being early? When you succeed guys WANT to come to work and see their work pay off with wins. What Philbin said is what EVERY coach would want.

shouright · Dec 25, 2012

From today's Barry Jackson article, which reminded me of this thread:

Joe Philbin said:

Jon Martin has done well. He’s a serious, professional individual.
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http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/

shouright · Jan 24, 2013

Interesting quote here, regarding the upcoming free agent moves we have to make:

Sun-Sentinel said:

"It's difficult because you have guys that you drafted that you believe in when you draft them, you signed them, you traded for them, but schemes do change. Personalities change," Ireland said. "(When) you go from Tony Sparano to Joe Philbin, there is not only a schematic difference, but there is a personality difference."

If you're reading between the lines you'll see that Ireland hints Philbin might not like the personality, or makeup of some of those free agents.
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Goodbye Sean Smith, IMO. Hello Brian Hartline.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/...their-own-free-agents-20130123,0,529810.story

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