Bryant McKinnie Questions Cadence
Dec 8, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin congratulates tackle Bryant McKinnie (78) and punter Brandon Fields (2) after a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half at Heinz Field. The Dolphins won the game, 34-28. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
As reported on NFL.com by Around The League’s Kevin Patra, Bryant McKinnie has approached the coaching staff following the Bills game. In what should come as little shock to anyone, and has been reported here on Phin Phanatic, as well as on every major social media site, questions around the cadence go as far back as Game 1 of the 2012 season against the Houston Texans. Nate Garner reportedly questioned it after the game against the Buccaneers this season as well.
All is not lost, however, as McKinnie also made a suggestion to the coaching staff around how to work small changes into the cadence, handling both the timing and telegraphing plays issue, while not being difficult to incorporate. It is now on the coaching staff to heed the voice of McKinnie and hopefully make a change this weekend, or else the Dolphins are sure to struggle often against a talented Jets defense on Sunday.
As we’ve indicated previously here at Phin Phanatic, from both myself and my fellow staff writers, the cadence has a major impact on the game of football. Telegraphing plays and giving opponents the timing puts our offense at a ridiculously huge disadvantage and is something that should’ve been stopped and recognized before the season began. The snapcount, cadence and other aspects are all part of a mediocre offensive package implemented by Mike Sherman, which should put him on the chopping block after two seasons of not being able to take advantage of some very talented players on the offensive side of the ball.
Joe Philbin is not blameless in this scenario, either, as the head coach ultimately has the control of both sides of the ball. I realize that Mike Sherman is both a mentor and a friend for Philbin, making it hard to part ways with the highly pedestrian (a very kind grade) OC, but that needs to happen. Philbin should have called out the issues, and may have done so as the cadence issues. While the cadence issues have improved at times this season, like many aspects of the Dolphins offense they appear to change slightly for the better for a limited time before slipping back into the same bad habits schematically. Joe Philbin needs to ask himself – “If my offensive coordinator can’t fail to work through simplistic predictability issues surrounding something as ‘beginner level’ as the cadence, can I trust the man to design an offense that utilizes the talent I have? Can this man grasp any of the more complex nuances of implementing our offense when such an amateur aspect of running an offense seems to escape his ability to grasp?”
If the answer to the question above is anything other than a resounding “Hell yes,” than it is time for a change in personnel at offensive coordinator. This team has the talent to win, and it’s being wasted on amateur level talent in their offensive coordinator.
Fins Up!