I don't know what to credit or not credit him for but for the sake of discussion are we going to credit him for Tannehill's development? Philbin took a lot of heat for not naming RT the starter after the KC game and all he did after that was play the best football of his life. Just an example...
Philbin himself has said that he determines who starts and who doesn't. The buck stops with him, especially since he's a former OL coach. But no I do not absolve John Benton of those decisions and quite frankly he's on thin ice for me. As for Lazor, it's not his call. It's more Philbin and the position coach.
I don't see this logic. Sit-start decisions are specifically part of Philbin's purview as the head coach. So yes he should be evaluated on them. There are lots of things that are under his authority but not necessarily under his direction most of the time, like play calling. That would be an example of something you don't necessarily judge him on, in a detail oriented manner. But sit-start, that's him. He made those calls.
My opinion on this is totally subjective, based on personal experience and interactions so I'll defer to you on it bc you probably have info more specific to the Dolphins. Still, I'd be worried about the staff as a whole if Philbin felt the need to choose starters on the OL or anywhere else outside of perhaps QB. Im ok with the HC who sets overall guidelines, in this case maybe he said he wants the five best guys, leaving it to Lazor and Benton to decide who those guys are but if Philbin is saying I want this guy here and his guy there it speaks to micromanaging, a lack of trust in his assistants or both.
