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Put Yourself in Philbin's Shoes

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by KeyFin, Sep 27, 2015.

  1. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    So your team starts the season 1-2 and so far, they look pretty uninspired. All the promises from 2011 have failed to come to pass, and you essentially "bet the farm" on the development of Ryan Tannehill. Only, he was misguided the first two seasons right under your nose and you didn't even notice....you even went to bat for your offensive coordinator despite him guiding your QB in the completely wrong direction. Because let's face it folks, if you watch Tannehill's college videos, he certainly was not a pocket passer entering the league and we wasted precious time trying to convert him into one.

    So in year three, you make big splashes in free agency with promises of a bright future, and for a little while things looked like it was Miami's year. Top five defense, a blossoming quarterback, and a real shot at taking New England's crown come December. But then it all went wrong- injuries crippled us, just like they always do, and our bench simply wasn't deep enough to keep us competitive. Then the big whammy came- other teams found how to limit Tannehill's effectiveness, forced him out of the pocket and cut off those short throws. He got sacked a whole lot in three years, but your young QB certainly wasn't to blame since he did everything that was asked of him. He went out there every week, took his licks and did everything he could to "slay the dragon", even though others around him seemed like they could care less.

    The saddest part is that in year one, he was feeling that pressure and scrambling to make something happen. But your OC told him over and over again, "NO NO NO! Stay in the pocket! That's where you belong!" And like a good trooper he has, even when the rest of the world is screaming for him to use his athleticism to make that first down with his feet or to extend the play. We literally beat one of his best attributes out of him, just like the previous coach did with Henne and his obsession with touch passes.

    Perhaps the most damning evidence of all was that your specialty is supposed to be evaluating and developing offensive linemen, yet we consistently had the worst starting five in the league. We drove Incognito out of town simply because he was a mean person, and in hindsight some of that meanness would really come in handy right about now. Because your team has somehow become almost docile, uninterested and uninspiring.

    Entering your fourth year, a balloon year of sorts, you make another big splash in free agency by revamping the receiving corp and bringing in the best defensive lineman in the game. Which was sort of strange since we have a very talented RB/QB combo with nobody to really block for them, but reports say that Tannehill has taken huge strides this off-season and he is far more accurate. Only, it doesn't seem to translate to on-field play and for the third season in a row, your offense starts flat. Dropped passes, missed blocks, and strip sacks seem to pile up...and the best you can think to say is, "I don't know what happened...we will have to look at the tape and figure it out."

    Only, in this alternate universe where you're the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, you know exactly what's wrong- your team has no motivation. Players are arm tackling 45 seconds into your third contest and you're getting annihilated at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, plus it's readily apparent that we desperately need a starting cornerback. Who was that guy we cut a few years ago? What was his name....that guy who's consistently been one of the top 5 corners in the league? It's hard to keep track since the Dolphins that we've cut in your tenure scored more points this week than your entire offense has the entire season. Clay, Davis, Carpenter, 7 Eleven, Incognito...the list goes on and on of talent we let walk for very little compensation.

    So as Joe Philbin, you pretty much know that your days are numbered. Some jerk reporter started a thread to fire you immediately, and comments like that tend to take traction when you're putting up 14 points a game. And you have to think to yourself, "If they're going to fire me, then it would make a lot of sense to do it going into the bye week." That gives you a minimum of 7 more days at the helm if the worst comes to pass.

    So as Philbin, what do you do to turn everything around in the next seven days? How do you give your team a "eye-opening" moment where things begin to click and play-makers start to emerge? Where do you find the inspiration that's been missing for four long seasons to light a fire under these guys?

    I personally have my own answer, but I figured that I'd open it up for discussion before providing it since I'm interested in what others may think. So if you're the head coach of the Miami Dolphins and on the verge of being fired in the next 2-11 weeks, what do you do?
     
  2. DolphinGreg

    DolphinGreg Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    The reality is there's nothing he can do at this point. It should never come down to a single game. The last 51 games will be what indicts him.

    However, what he should do now is no different than what he should've always done. He should be honest with his players and make all attempts at putting 100% of their effort on the short-term goal of playing as a team, playing for their teammates and beating the team that's in front of them--the Jets.

    The only thing he can do is to put every bit of his effort towards focusing the team on the NYJ. He needs to be in constant contact with the players and he needs to be a high energy guy this week. After 51 games of not doing a good job of that, it's hard to believe that he'll magically wake up and be that guy or that he'd even do it if he knew he had to.

    It's no secret. That's what good coaches do. He should've been doing that since day 1. His plan now shouldn't be any different. He's not going to meet that standard though because he's never been able to meet that standard.
     
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  3. caliphinfan

    caliphinfan Active Member

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    well. i would cut mccain right away because he sucks. then i would fire the defense coordinator cause it cant get any worse. promote an assist to call the D. i would mandate that we run at least 25 times a games no matter what. . i would also switch to a no huddle, because thats the only time we move the ball. and since o line sucks, call a bunch of screens. and pray that i havent lost the locker room yet. or i could do the fan base a solid and quit.
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  4. Coral Reefer

    Coral Reefer Premium Member

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    If I was in Philbins shoes I'd walk him right to the airport and put him on the next flight out of town.
     
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  5. heylookatme

    heylookatme Well-Known Member

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    Ignoring the low hanging fruit of "sign my letter of resignation," I don't know that there is anything that I (the hypothetical Joe Philbin doppleganger) can do to save this season and/or my job right now.

    I mean, if you want specifics, I'm putting Jamil Douglas at Left Guard, and Billy Turner at Right Guard, for starters. I'm giving Tony Lippett or Bobby McCain a shot at cornerback. I'm putting Chris McCain on the field and telling him to just go play like a wild dog.

    Maybe getting some young, hungry and mean players on the field -- even if they aren't great in practice -- can give the team a little spark? Because for all the things wrong with the Dolphins today, what really stood out to me was the same thing that stood out to the broadcast team and perhaps everyone else watching the game: the Miami Dolphins looked like they had no desire to be on that field, play in that game, or attempt to win it.
     
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  6. Phins Up Wins Up

    Phins Up Wins Up Banned

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    In order to help the team the only thing he can do at this point is turn in his resignation and write a letter of apology to the city of Miami.
     
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  7. adamprez2003

    adamprez2003 Senior Member

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    you have to scheme differently. when ALbert is out you know you have a bottom five offensive line. quick passes, max protection, rollouts and more running game. defensively you are going to have to blitz more i feel and you have to bring the CBs down lower. They cant be giving ten yard cushions. Other than that you have to hope some players start playing better because its too late now to add talent. Bottom line in football it sometimes takes four weeks to work the kinks out. By week five we will know for sure what type of team we have. right now it doesnt look promising though
     
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  8. bran

    bran Senior Member

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    if i was in philbins shoes i would be firmly stuck in his ***.
     
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  9. jboogie

    jboogie The sky is NOT falling!

    Start by doing what works! If the hurry up offence gets you down the field, frick in use it! If roll outs or screens or options are working, use them! If one guys is more productive, use him!
     
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  10. Finster

    Finster Finsterious Finologist

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    I'm trying to piece together how this team can look so disconnected, it didn't look like many cared that they were losing, not many getting pi&&ed off, these past couple weeks watching the team is like watching a bunch of players and coaches in a daze, like they work in a factory or something, just putting in hours, smh.
     
  11. Phins Up Wins Up

    Phins Up Wins Up Banned

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    the best is the 2 minute offense right before the half. Never go with the no huddle though careful Joe. Don't want to get queasy. ***
     
  12. Sethdaddy8

    Sethdaddy8 Well-Known Member

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    I'd call Jim Schwartz asap, and try to get him here. People think there is no time for a new scheme? How could it be any worse than it is now...with Blake Bortles dominating the time of possession. I'll take my chances on Schwartz.
     
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  13. Phins Up Wins Up

    Phins Up Wins Up Banned

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    I would take my chances on Mickey Mouse before Philbin.
     
  14. jeremy2020

    jeremy2020 Active Member

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    The Bills ended up with 10 points off the Dolphins two minute offense...
     
  15. cbrad

    cbrad .

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    We're already taking a chance on Mickey Mouse (=Ross.. just look at his ears!). It's not working out. Gotta raise the bar a bit..
     
  16. muskrat21

    muskrat21 Well-Known Member

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    I would call my lawyer and have him go over my contract so I know how much money I'll be getting from being fired. I'd then check my 401k or whatever retirement plan I have setup to make sure I have enough money to survive. I invite as many people as I can to london and have a family vacation and see the sites, go to stonehenge(SP?) and whatever other famous things in london to do. I live it up as much as I could on an at least free one way trip to london and maybe even a free trip home. Then i call my agent and PR person have them do damage control and apply for any coaching jobs that come up.
     
  17. Kud_II

    Kud_II Realist Division

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    Take responsibility for being a limp noodle and resign.
     
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  18. jboogie

    jboogie The sky is NOT falling!

    Philbin's shoes? I'm thinking I'd be in some all tan New Ballance, something an 80 year old mall walker would wear.
     
  19. 2socks

    2socks Rebuilding Since 1973

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    If I was in Philbins shoes.........

    Visit Micky while I had the chance (might actually get in free) and get a giant dolphins symbol Tattooed on my chest surrounded by Philbin forever
     
  20. firedan

    firedan Well-Known Member

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    If I were in his shoes I'd take the team to the movies again- that had them happy in preseason.
     
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  21. Phins_Fan_87

    Phins_Fan_87 Phins and Heat fan Club Member

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    I'd feel like i just robbed 10mil and got away with it.
     
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  22. Canad-phin

    Canad-phin Active Member

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    First thing is I'd make Coyle come down to the sidelines so he can feel the Defensive players frustration but also talk directly to them. Get out of the damn booth. Talk to them man to man after each series like the Pats, Jets, and Bills. I hate when the Coordinators are up in the booth. They lose the feel of the game. Leaders lead from the trenches. Get on the sideline.

    Second, immediately have Lazor implement audibles into this offense. Allow Ryan to dictate what play we are running by what he is seeing. I feel like this is something a kin to Kelly. He doesn't let it happen either. I hate it. Ryan is in his fourth year. Let him run the offense.

    Third,

    Stop this 10-12 yard cushion crap we do on defense. Its terrible. Just terrible. Also, if we are going to put Wake on a pitch count, don't put him in on first down but then take him out on 3rd and long. Give Wake the Trace Armstrong approach now. He's our clean up hitter on passing downs.

    I could think of more but that's just the quick dirty ones. The coaching stuff I think would resonate with the players
     
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  23. VManis

    VManis Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I would do all of that and flip Jones and Aikens responsibilities. Aikens is lost in coverage and not helping anyone. Bring him down in the box for run support and let Jones help in coverage.
     
  24. miamiron

    miamiron There's always next year

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    Tannehill and the last 2 minutes of a half has been a train wreck so far
    13 for 28...46.4 % completion rate...5.8 yards per reception,59.1 qb rate
     
  25. jcliving

    jcliving Active Member

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    I would look at the game film and take notes on the ten things that infuriate me the most. I would bring in Lazor, and set the following priorities: never leave Fox one on one, 25 percent of our formations need seven blockers on the line, and if we have not run the ball 25 times in the game I am you get fined big money

    Bring in Coyle, tell him each time the CB is 10 years off in 3rd and short you get fined. Sit both Wake and Vernon for the first 12 plays. Make sure they know it is because they fail to consistently set the edge.

    Bring in your team captains and let them air their grievances. Listen to them, consider their input, and decide if it is actionable.
     

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