Meet The Staff: Who Are These Miami Coaches? - Part One - Zac Taylor, QBs

He may be a good coach for us, too early to tell for sure, but the by far #1 reason he was hired is because he is Sherman's son in law. If he did not have that connection there is very little chance we'd ever have hired him. Nepotism is rampant in the NFL coaching ranks. So not really a surprise it would take place here for the 2nd year in a row.

 

He's listed as an Assistant Quarterbacks coach on the Dolphins website. So, I don't think the development of Tannehill is on his shoulders. Like BPK said, that's most likely on Sherman and probably Philbin, too. They're most likely the QB coaches even though we don't officially have one.

 

I was thinking the same thing, Barry. He made me overlook his age pretty quickly.
The way I look at it, something was going right for Tannehill to develop as a QB at TAMU as quickly as he did, so IMO it was a smart move by us to not disrupt that QB-coach relationship until it looks like it actually needs disrupting.

 

The NFL is serious business.

Zac Taylor isn't getting that job if there isn't confidence in him IMO. Obviously the Sherman connection got him the gig. But that's what the NFL is; connections. Whether he's got NFL goods, we'll see. But Sherman thought enough of him to put his reputation on it. Sherman also declared that Taylor would be an NFL head coach within 10 years.

Taylor played the position collegiately and has four years coaching experience coaching in this offense. His younger brother is on the same path (played QB at Marshall, QB coach at Tulsa). Dad played at Oklahoma and coached there a bit before moving on. Seems like they got it in the blood.

I just don't think they'd let him run an NFL QB room if he wasn't ready to do so.

 

Zach Taylor will be the next Dolphins Head Coach in 2023 when Philbin retires after his 3rd consecutive Super Bowl title.

 

Exactly.

 

Absolutely, Sherman and - more importantly - Philbin aren't entrusting this role to him unless he can do it. It's way too important for the the QBs to play well, and Tannehill's development cannot be compromised by simple nepotism. And what I've seen of Taylor on HK shows a confident kid well beyond his years, who's not afraid to talk straight w/ vets like Garrard and Moore.

Before I learned he was Sherm's SIL yesterday, I was thinking this kid was impressive. Even told my wife, watch, this kid will be an NFL head coachin 10-12 years, and probably be some hot commodity. Good for him, I hope it works out, for his and our sake!

 

Example: on HK Ep 3, when Moore flat out asked him "Is Ryan Starting" in practice, Taylor was very professional and said they would talk about it after. Didn't seem rattled - he did what most "bosses" would do when asked about something sensitive from an employee that he knows he can't share until the time is appropriate. Well done. A lesser mind may have panicked in that moment, or stuttered for words. Not him.

 

I believe they announced Sherman would also serve as QB coach so it isn't all on Zac right now.

 

Now go get his main receiver while he was at Nebraska in Maurice Purify. Rattlers won the Arena Bowl, yeah I know, big deal but Purify was their leading receiver and would be a cheap as hell tryout for us. Not sure what happened to him in his brief NFL career but the kid can certainly catch a football.

 

This is correct. Sherman is the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator; Zac Taylor is the assistant quarterbacks coach.

 

Oh yes it is. Zac Taylor IS the Miami Dolphins QB coach. You notice who they ask how the QBs are doing in those meetings ? Its not Sherman, its Taylor. Who did they ask opinion of who should be the starter on the last televised Hard Knocks ? Not Sherman, it was Taylor who said " at this point in time its Ryan Tannehill, in regards who was ahead in the QB race. No HC in the NFL is going to rely on an assistants opinion for something like that.

At camps I attended this year not one time did Sherman spend anything near being interested or speaking to the QBs, it was all Zac Taylor.

One thing I do not like he is teaching is if you look at our QBs in a shotgun formation when they get the snap, they only step back one or two steps. Look at any other successfull QB in any preseason game of your choice. Even in the shotgun, they are still dropping back an additional 4-5 steps and no, its not because their Oline is bad, its to avoid having someone slap the ball at the LOS. Take notice of that. Some will say its not big deal, well it is. Tannehill is a big kid and still having balls slapped down and no, our offensive lineman cannot hold a Dlinemans arms down when they jump up. Neither can our offensive lineman tug down on their jerseys to pull the Dlineman down. Slapped balls are all on the QBs. Either to close to the LOS or its simply a pass that should not have been thrown. Been waiting for Taylor or any coach to address that issue and they haven't.

 

They can announce whatever they want, it is what it is.

 

Isn't that because those are designed three step drops to get the ball out quickly?

 

Yup. They set it up that way so that there wouldn't be any media questions etc over it. But so far he's impressed me. Guy looks like he's 25 going on 40.

 

Philbin sure did give Sherman a lot of control..His coaches, (Turner, taylor)his offense, his Qb, I like what Sherman has shown thus far, the energy he is bringing to the table is evident..

Anyone have any thoughts as to what went wrong at Texas am, what the hell happened there?, thoughts on the Tam offense ? I mean, we do have all their coaches on offense?

 

I'm no TAM fan, but I think he may have not been the best recruiter on defense. I think they blew a lot of games late because of it. Seems he simply wasn't all that great at convincing talented kids to come to TAM - unlike Saban who draws them like magnets. Sherman SEEMS like a quality head-coach-type guy, but in college, it's mostly about recruiting.

Also, he just might not be true HC material (despite how he certainly talks and walks like one), as some guys have shown over the years. Look at Cam Cameron - was great before he came here, has been very solid since. Guy obviously has a talent, but it didn't translate to HC. Perhaps that's just it right there?

The good news for us is, the TAM offense seemed to be clicking last year, so there's that!

 

Except Sherm was an excellent HC in Green Bay. I think your original point about recruiting was the key.

 

Good point. I forget, whatever happened to him in GB to get him fired? Did he get Favred?

 

While technically Sherman is the "QB Coach", I think it's pretty clear in Hard Knocks who is running the meetings and coaching the QB's

 

Who ever suggested that? The OL can help with batted passes though by the use of properly timed hand punches, thus getting the DL to lower the arms to protect themselves. Especially when an empty backfield indicates a likely short set and quick pass. DLs know they probably can't get to the QB in that situation, so they just take a step and try to get their hands up. The OL then needs to be using their hand punch.

 

Sherman served as GM for a time with the Packers as well

 

Heavy delegation due to confidence (and likely training/preparation for future promotion) is not a technicality.

 

No, but Sherman being called the QB Coach is.
Either way, I have no problem with it. Far as I can tell watching Hard Knocks, Taylor is doing a good job.

 

With all due respect there is not such thing, never was and never will be, a " well timed hand punch " Oline has no idea of when the ball is being released. Quick slants there MAY be a remote possibility but no offensive lineman in the history of the sport has or ever will be asked to punch the man he is fighting off in the chest on the count of such and such. Our QBs have to take the ball back further or if you had not noticed yet, Tannehill throws a veeeeery low ball on short passes, almost side arms it sometimes.

 

I may have confused on the way I put it. Look at most better QBs in the NFL when they receive a deep snap. Yes there are short passes but on all the others they continue backward even further for another 3-4 yards. our QBs do not. They get the snap and stand pat.

 

While I admit I was not too keen on Taylor being the QB coach and readily accept the only reason he is here is because he married the bosses daughter I now have to admit, I like the kid so far. He seems dedicated and eager to both teach and learn.

On the other hand, well, is Nebraska really noted for producing NFL caliber QBs ? No. Its not hard to hold the school passing record in a place like Nebraska now is it ?

All in all though, thus far, I like the kid.

 

Its all the same IMO. The Dlineman do not have timed jumps, they just jump when they see the QB is going to release the ball of which our Olineman has no clue of when that is about to happen. In todays NFL if an Olineman punches a Dlineman in the stomach on the way up in the air you can bet the yellow laundry is going to fly. AT BEST, our Oline can give the Dlineman a shove if they sense he is going up but in no way will that completely stop the upward motion.

Know what I mean ? I am sure Tannehill is only going to get better as the kid does havea good arm and lets face it, its all new to the kid. In college there is usually only MAYBE 1 dlineman to face per game that is NFL Caliber. Now he is facing the real deal so to speak , across the entire Dline.

Even on Hard Knocks when he was hit square in the chest. He seemed ok speaking about it on the bench but it was pretty evident the kid never took a hit like that in college. He seemed amazed he was hit square in the chest after he rleased the ball.

 

For people wondering on Shermans release from Green Bay and ATM. Not really sure about Green Bay but think his last year there he was like 4-12 At ATM its been passed around the man did not have the personality to bring in good recruits. Mike Sherman was never known for being a personable guy. From what I know about the guy he is quick to criticize but only shows pleasure to those that are his " personal favorites " and yes, the man has been pegged long time ago for that issue. Guess a lot of coaches are like that but Sherman has been mentioned for years being like that.

His offensve, IMO is nothing special at all. Its been derived from play books combined around the league. Regardless of what offense you run, you need the players to implement that offense. Bill Callahan formerly of Oakland, formerly of Nebraska, Formerly of the Jets ( Oline and Asst. head coach ) is another one that fits into the Sherman mould. Very smart and at first it seems like he is a good fit but after all the shiny stuff wears off, the players usually are not responding well to their leadership or supposed leadership. Time will tell.

 

Not sure, Moore does the same thing. I for one pray this Martin kid comes along. You know many times they play great in college, practice great but when it comes to the real dance they fall on their face bad. If you have an Oline coach standing on the sideline watching his player saying out loud " what am I on drugs " LMAO, thats not a good thing. Love this Oline coach. No gray areas with this guy.

 

Sherman is officially the quarterbacks coach in addition to being the offensive coordinator. That's not a technicality. He holds both titles.

Every offense in the league has adapted or borrowed from every other offense in the league at some point.

If you're looking for innovation in football offense, then it's high school football you'll want to watch. Maybe some college ball depending.

 

I didn't see any 4-5 step drops out of the shotgun from this guy.

[video=youtube;9mxK8jxlKt0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mxK8jxlKt0[/video]

 

LOL only one Peyton man but you also saw a batted ball and the same ol BS punch the Dline in the stomach. When that happens the yellow laundry flys for sure. Anyone can say what to do but when a Dlineman goes up in the air, there is no way to prevent it.

 

Actually, Coach Sherman addresses the issue here at the 3:15 mark. Pretty much confirms what Mr C wrote.

http://www.miamidolphins.com/media/...nference/af892f8f-9531-475c-aac5-7d26df6802db

 

I'm not arguing with you over this. I know he holds both titles.
But he is really only doing one. He is essentially leaving the QB's in Taylor's hands. Hence the technicality.
But we're arguing over semantics here.

 

I think the flaw is that you're basing your assessment on HardKnocks which obviously isn't telling the whole story. You may very well be right, but you're not basing it on all of the info.