I can tell this is going to be the next big debate here, but I just don't agree with firing a coach after 2 seasons unless the team is just completely bad. It's not like Philbin came here with an established, overly talented roster. We have a raw 2nd year QB who is still learning as well. As Dolphins fans, we're all sick of mediocrity, but we also have to stop blending in past regimes with this one. Joe Philbin's Dolphins exceeded expectations last season. There weren't many who thought they'd win more than 5 games. This season, they're still competing for a playoff spot. As I said, this team rarely ever gets beat down. Almost every single game comes down to the end. They play hard. And more importantly, they never give up. I don't expect an overwhelming number of people to agree with me, but this team, given the youth and the inexperience at QB, is not one that should be firing it's head coach after two mediocre seasons. Now, if the Dolphins just completely collapse the rest of the way, I'll change my stance. But based on watching this team the past year and a half, I don't think they will. They'll fight to the last snap. Now, do changes need to made? Yes. Ireland needs to go. And some other coaches need to go as well. But Philbin? Not in my eyes. He should get more of a chance than this.
But some advocating a coaching change are minimizing the value of continuity. Right now NO and NE are the gold standards of this concept and if I'm not mistaken, this past off-season I recall Ross saying continuity is something very important to him. And one thing we know is that Philbin, with the guidance of Peterson and Dungy, was Ross' hire. In short, Philbin isn't going anywhere and it's high time this fanbase got used to it. What has killed this team the past few years has been critical ineptitude at one position. Last year, pass catchers. This year, offensive line. This falls squarely on the GM.
Yup. I just don't agree with firing Philbin. Not at all. At least right now. You can't be firing people after 2 seasons. He didn't come here with a Tom Brady or a Aaron Rodgers, he came here with a very raw, rookie QB. You need to give it time. The team isn't falling apart. Even with all the drama and the investigation. The locker room is behind him. The team doesn't finish all the time, but they damn sure don't quit either. Look at that Tampa game, they were beat down in the first half. Got way behind. Did they quit? Hell no, they fought back and took the lead. Just couldn't finish. But that happens with a young team. I'm on record now, giving up on Philbin after two seasons would be wrong. That's just one man's opinion.
But it's also the opinion of most owners in the NFL. Mediocre coaches all over the league are getting chance after chance. Change for the sake of change is a ridiculous concept.
Please don't use NE and NO as an example of continuity. Those guys won with those teams almost right off the bat.
What was NO's records right after their improbable 10-6 record of 2006? 7-9 and 8-8. I recall some calling for Payton's head after the third season but they stuck it out and won the SB in 2009. So yes they are valid comparison and this was with a veteran All-Pro QB. If that team was the Dolphins, what would we have been saying about Payton in 2007 or 2008? Exactly.
They were tearing **** up during those years but the defense sucked. He went and got a DC that made them a vicious unit. They had a SB calibre offense. WTF does Miami have? No run game, no O line, QB that can't throw a deep ball or see open WRs, no YAC WR, avg. WR across the board, a defense that is good but as usual crumbles when it matters, a DC that is a moron and an OC that is a baboon, an owner that is a moron and a HC that can't make any changes because he is tied to the OC, and a GM that is a dirtbag of a human and a garbage GM. You are right, things are looking bright for Miami.
If Miami had a franchise QB, one of those 3 passes he jacked up to Wallace would have been properly thrown and would have led to a TD which would equate to a victory. Or Miami would have a decent OC that doesn't make the play calling so obvious that I call them almost 5 seconds before they even break the huddle, or a QB that constantly misses open WRs because he is either having a "Uhh I'm an idiot" moment or he completely just doesn't see open receivers with 20 yards of space in front. In the last 3 weeks I have seen him stare and not see or not make the throw to an open WR that would have led to a TD of 40+ yards or a catch and run of 20+ yards at least 4 times. Thats 28 possible points he has left on the field and I am not including todays over throws to Wallace. If you put that in play its almost 42 points. Did NE come up with FG when they got TO or did Denver? Or did they score TDs?
