Miami Dolphins Head Coach Joe Philbin has remained calm, cool, and collected but has been unafraid to be aggressive on game day. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE

If you read the most knowledgeable of football writers nationwide, you will find that a majority are strongly in favor of stability within a football organization.  Generally, the biggest building block of this is the coaching staff.  When the Miami Dolphins made the decision to fire former head coach Tony Sparano in-season, and to mostly clean house of the entire coaching staff in the off-season, they pleased many fans but also went against this piece of conventional wisdom.  So far this year, the front office has to be thrilled with their decision; the coaching staff is this week’s unsung hero.

New head coach Joe Philbin didn’t come to the team with a huge national profile.  While he was the offensive coordinator of a juggernaut offense for the Green Bay Packers, he was not the play caller, and thus head coach Mike McCarthy was thought of as the offensive genius.  Regardless of his involvement in designing and maintaining one of the best offenses in the NFL in Green Bay, what Philbin clearly was privy to is the leadership, preparation, and aggression necessary to maintain an NFL club.

While it is difficult to question Sparano’s leadership without being a staple inside the locker room, one thing that was clear from Sparano’s time as head coach was a general lack of preparedness in dealing with in-game situations and a lack of aggression when presented with such situations.  While Sparano’s game management was always blamed on an inferior roster that led itself to a conservative style, Sparano’s new role as offensive coordinator of the New York Jets has proven to be a continuance of Sparano’s play-not-to-lose strategy.   The Jets acquired Tim Tebow and preached of how he would be an integral part of the offense, used in creative ways that could revolutionize the NFL…

Personally, I don’t consider a QB as a personal punt protector to be revolutionary.

Sparano’s use of Tebow on offense has been pedestrian at best and inept at worst.  Tebow has been used even less creatively than Ronnie Brown, a running back, had been used in Miami’s wildcat in 2008, likely because that package was designed primarily by then QB coach David Lee.   The fact that Tebow, a quarterback, has thrown only two passes all season out of the formation is a shocking misuse of an asset.  Regardless, the lack of creativity and aggression in New York highlights the stark contrast between Sparano’s Dolphins and Philbin’s version being seen this season.

In the last two games alone, Philbin has run an impromptu onside kick and a fake punt.  Over the course of the season, he has been unafraid to let rookie QB Ryan Tannehill take shots on offense and has been willing to throw for first downs in late game situations rather than pound it up the middle for three downs and punt.  His attention to detail has seemed borderline obsessive-compulsive to some, but one can only assume this translates to a preparation level that rivals the best head coaches in football.

As far as the rest of the coaching staff, former offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has moved on to the Kansas City Chiefs, whom are only one of the most disappointing offenses in the NFL this season.  New offensive coordinator Mike Sherman certainly has some failures on his resume, but he brings head coaching experience that is valuable for a rookie leader like Philbin.  His offensive scheme is aggressive, modern, and fits what is successful in today’s NFL.

Former defensive coordinator Mike Nolan has moved on to the Atlanta Falcons, where he has certainly been successful to date.  Nolan was by no means a failure in Miami, but his defense was inconsistent.  In the first half of 2011, the Dolphins had the 26^th ranked defense in Football Outsiders DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average), but in the second half they were the second rated D.  This sort of inconsistency is not what winning teams are made of.

New defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle has come in and executed the usually difficult transition from a 3-4 base defense to a 4-3 with little to no hiccups.  His defense has put pressure on the quarterback and has made competent a once suspect defensive backfield.  Unlike the Dolphins of old, they do not sink into a prevent style defense at the first sign of a lead.

One hold over from the previous regime is special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi.  Rizzi had already proven a successful coach in Miami, taking over from John Bonamego in 2010 and righting the ship on what was a horrendous special teams unit at the time.  In 2011, the Dolphins unit performed solidly if unspectacularly.  In 2012, the special teams have been a huge strength for the Dolphins, as Philbin has allowed Rizzi to be more aggressive and exploit weaknesses in the opponents.  The stunt ran by CB Jimmy Wilson to exploit the aforementioned punt protection of Tim Tebow against the Jets this past week was a thing of beauty and the type of thing never seen under the previous regime.

While coaching impact can be hard to quantify, game management has its most noticeable impact in close games.  While the Dolphins have lost two tight games in OT this year, their record is reflective of their performance to date.  A +24 point differential should generate approximately 4 wins thus far using Pythagorean record expectations.  It may surprise many however, that the Dolphins actually had a positive point differential last season at +16; this should have translated to 9 wins!

A lack of success in close games can certainly be attributed to Sparano’s game (mis)management, and this is something that was a staple of the Dolphins in years past.  While it is too soon to determine whether Philbin is the next Bill Belichick or just a league average coach, he has no doubt exhibited the ability to properly manage a game and exhibit the necessary aggression to give the team the best opportunity to win.  In establishing a strong coaching staff, he has built the foundation the Dolphins can use to win in this season and years beyond without causing a scene or calling attention to himself.  For that reason, the Dolphins coaching staff are this week’s unsung heroes.

Jan 1, 2012; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; A banner flies over Sun Life Stadium before a game between the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins asking for Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland (not pictured) to be fired. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-US PRESSWIRE

Jeff Ireland has had his fair share of mistakes.  Forget about passing on Dez Braynt, that was a good move regardless of what his mother did for a living.  When you begin to question the lack of production on the field during this past pre-season, the finger immediately has to go to the man who is in charge of putting talent on the field.  Jeff Ireland.

Of all the topics one can discuss, whether in an article, on a news site, or even a forum, the topic of Jeff Ireland will draw a wide range of emotions and reactions.  Most of which usually start or end with a derogatory description.  Personally, I like Jeff Ireland.  I like his approach and his stubbornness.  I like the fact that he doesn’t play games and keeps a very defined separation between himself and the players so as not to confuse business decisions with friendships.  Yet, it’s hard to defend his evaluation of talent or his inability to turn this roster into something far more productive.

Regardless of whether you believe the first three years of his career in Miami was under the rule of Bill Parcells the last three drafts have been all his.  While this year can not be fully evaluated it’s easy to evaluate the last few and in reality, nothing stands out.  Clyde Gates became yet another in a long list of wasted early or mid-round picks on a WR.  The Dolphins lack that standout pro-bowl athlete that comes from a draft board.  In fact, it’s difficult to pinpoint one single drafted player prior to this season that has made a major impact on the success of this team.  Especially when you consider the team is not successful.

Forget about Jake Long, he was a Parcells selection.  Ireland has brought in guys like the above mentioned Gates.   Guys like the under-performing RB Daniel Thomas, and guys like, ummm, well aside from a few late round picks, his personal draft picks are still here.   Looking over the roster it’s a hodgepodge of players that mostly would be viable 2nd team options for some of the better teams.  Sure, Jared Odrick is developing but until he takes the next step and becomes consistently disruptive, he is a first round talent that is part of a team rather than someone who will lift the team around him.

This is not intended to be a Jeff Ireland argument or intended to insight the “Fireland Mafia” to volley more hatred.  There is a reality outlined above that our GM has failed to add significant talent to the team.  If Ireland’s job is on the line for how the team performs this year, then it’s very likely he will be gone next season.  Otherwise, Stephen Ross will stay the course and we will see if Ireland has what it takes to turn this around.

When I look at this situation, or any situation with this team, I try and view from different angles so to have a full idea of what is going on.  If I look simply at Ireland’s free agent moves, I may be happy with what I see.  Reggie Bush, Cameron Wake, and to some degree Matt Moore and David Garrard given the surrounding circumstances of this past free agency.  If I look at his drafting, I have to ask, honestly, how much input did he have with Parcells on his shoulder?  If there is any question to that I have to let it pass.

I know, it’s easier to point the blame and/or surmise that he was still the GM but authority wasn’t his.  In fact, you have to look back to the 2011 draft to see Ireland’s work fully on his own without input from “The Tuna”.  And in doing so, this is the point where this article turns from the obvious perception that Jeff Ireland is a total failure, to one that outlines the possibility that maybe, there is a little bit of hope.

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Dec 18, 2011; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Davone Bess (15) runs by Buffalo Bills free safety Jairus Byrd (31) during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Dolphins beat the Bills 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-US PRESSWIRE

Davone Bess could be the odd man out in the Miami Dolphins‘ wide-receiver competition.  He is very popular amongst the Phin fan base because he has a good story, being undrafted out of Hawaii, and embodies the “hard work defeats talent” mantra.  This underdog is still the smallest and slowest receiver on the team.  He is also returning from a partially-torn ACL and MCL in his left knee.

Bess has good hands, makes few mistakes, but lacks big-play ability.  He was Tony Sparano‘s type of guy, a “field goal” of a receiver, if you will.  Why on earth would you use him to return punts?  Because he was 5th in the league with an 11.9 yard average, you say?  Yes, but his longest return was 25 yards.  12 different punt returners scored a touchdown last year, and 23 had at least one return longer than 25 yards.  Tell me you ever had the feeling that Bess was going to break one.  I dare you.

Slow and steady doesn’t win in the NFL.  Sorry.

Now, let’s break down the receiver race.  I believe Chad Johnson, Brian Hartline, Legedu Naanee, B.J. Cunningham, and Rishard Matthews make the team.  Once again we have to applaud Jeff Ireland, who waited patiently knowing there would be WR value in the late rounds of the NFL draft.  Cunningham and Matthews were projected third-rounders because of their size and productive collegiate careers but apparently slid because of their lack of top-end speed.  I believe they will produce in the NFL.

Last year, the Dolphins kept 6 receivers so there could be one position left.  If available, the battle will be between Davone Bess, Jeff Fuller, Clyde Gates, Marlon Moore, Roberto Wallace, Chris Hogan, and Julius Pruitt.

Joe Philbin will also place Reggie Bush and Lamar Miller in the slot, at times, to bolster the passing game.

Analyze it any way you want, Bess is on the bubble.

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