Why was Jordan Phillips, who has Miami’s only sack this season, inactive against Buffalo? He said coaches told him it was performance-based, that “I’ve got to be better” and “I didn’t do what I needed to do in practice.” He said being inactive was somewhat shocking because “I’m supposed to have a big role on this team.” Joe Philbin says he will stick with struggling Jamil Douglas at right guard. So why can’t Billy Turner get on the field? Offensive line coach John Benton wants his linemen to block with the technique he teaches, and Turner hasn’t done it to Benton’s liking. “[The issue] wasn’t my production,” Turner said. “Every coach wants things done with their technique. It’s much different than what I did in college, which was straight up power.” http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...affirms-family-commitment-dolphins-can-1.html --Maybe the team should have drafted OL who used something closer to Benton's techniques if they're so inflexible about it, and maybe not getting the best players in the field until square pegs fit into round holes is part of the reason why this coaching sucks and why the team is floundering so badly. If history is our guide, Philips and Turner will get cut eventually and then be highly productive for better coached and smarter teams who will put them into sytems and play to their strengths. But hey, we'll be providing designer sports shakes to inferior players who fit the system, and losing games of course.
Its this type of stuff that has lost my support for Philbin. What we have is a situation where he's lost the team, and instead of changing his ways, he's doubled down on the stubbornness....and THAT is the sign its time to go.
So Dallas Thomas gets to play because he attempts to block with Benton's technique? It's not like he actually blocks anyone. This is a **** show of a coaching staff. I think one of the most egregious f--- ups was not being able to see Jenkins was starter material last season. If it weren't for injuries, we'd have been stuck with that Wheeler/Ellerbe combination and Jenkins would have rode the pine, probably because he didn't sink his hips at the correct 45 degree angle for Coyle in practice.
Whoa, whoa. Need to slow your roll there, bub. It's a pretty big assumption that Coyle can count to 45 let alone knows what an angle is..
And you say this because they came out flat three weeks in a row and played uninspired football? Or because you reviewed some tape and an NFL team actually gave effort but not optimal effort? Curious indeed. If you don't think that Philbin lost this team then you're equally as lost.
Good post. I like the way you make these sweeping declarations and beat your chest about how great it is to not study film or make any effort to be informed. It's amusing.
Not about that at all- the main point that most are focused on is how the team appears to be alarmingly lethargic, that's quite a bit different than focusing on individual players in an NFL game and gauging effort levels- they have to try, they're on a national stage making millions of dollars. But the team is flat emotionally and the effort level and performance leave much to be desired. Most see a flat team, you for whatever reasons do not.
At a certain point we have to face the truth that it's not that they are coming out flat, it's because they aren't good. We aren't suddenly making plays later in the game. We just suck, period. Which of course is an entirely different, and bigger, problem altogether.
We actually agree there. I just wish you didn't seem so angry with me, I'm just like you, one guy with an opinion. I don't feel like we need to see eye to eye in order to have a good discussion. I'm sure there's plenty I can learn from hearing your views and hopefully you feel the same. We've already discussed flat vs playing poorly. But it's only been 3 weeks, can we agree the jury is still out on that one?
That's the sad conclusion I came to last week. I think people are still assuming Miami is a good team, held back by poor coaching. Time to face reality.
It's not about emotions when Koa misi can't cover the TE, or jennings drops multiple passes, or Jason fox/Jamil douglas/Dallas thomas can't stay in front of anyone. They could be the most hyped, exuberant players ever. Truth is they still suck.
Couldn't agree more. Misi was totally out of his league. We had 4 years to see Clay and how hard he is to tackle but when it happens to our defense all of a sudden they're flat? Lol. Brice McCain is a bad CB. I don't care if Philbin threatens to kidnap his family, the guy still can't cover. Like you said, Jennings dropping passes. Fox and Thomas had issues. Landry gift wrapped an INT. Tannehill gave away 7 points. I could write a novel on all the mistakes and piss poor execution. That's not to say Philbin is doing a good job, but putting it all on the coaches is ridiculous.
Not angry, I think that our main disagreement is that I'm focusing on the team being collectively flat, which imo is a huge issue- have they given up on philbin and the coaches, what's really going on? Case in point- Jordan Phillips and Billy Turner getting no playing time, Phillips exceedingly talented and Turner not using the proper technique (?) Is that not with Turner, at least, wasting talent by making the player fit the system instead of playing to the strengths of a talented player? There is something weird going on- many things I agree with you on, but my inclination is that the team is in a funk and they gave up on Philbin- the question is why.
Probably stubbornness by the coaches to refuse to change and adapt. The players , regardless of how talented or not , are probably growing tired of the " my way or no way" attitude of the inept leaders.
My response on Phillips and Turner would be, who are they? What have they done in the NFL to show that they be allowed to freelance, dog it in practice, and still see the field? I'd answer with, absolutely nothing. You think Belicheat tolerates guys doing their own thing and ignoring his scheme/technique? I doubt it. Especially from nooks and rookies. Rishard Matthews is anther example. Talented guy who didn't conform. Now he's earned the coaches trust, he's out on the field making plays and earning millions of dollars for himself. Isn't that what we want?
Except the coaches have changed and adapted. We know they simplified the defense. Cut back on practice time to keep guys fresh. The results aren't good so far but ts still early. Why are so many ready to write an obituary after week 3? Wasn't the big complaint from years past that the team didn't play well in December? Wasn't Miami 1-2, coming off of back to back blowout losses at this time last year? I'm as miffed about the start as anyone buy 3 games is 3 games and there's plenty of season left.
I think that Bellichick will, for example, play to the strengths of of draft picks Tre jackson and Shaq Mason to get the most and best out of them rather that focus on what they don't do well- our OL is so bereft of talent that Billy Turner should be starting, tring like hell at LT or- be on the active roster at least? We have no OL depth and BT is deactivated- incredible. Phillps, too.
