Tannehill Loses Faith, Hartline Tears PCL

The Miami Dolphins are stagnant right now.  Nothing being talked about publicly and only God knows what is going on under the roof in Davie.  I can tell  you the mood isn’t a good one and the air is probably pretty thick.  With the season over it’s only natural to start hearing bits and pieces coming from within, from those claiming to know someone who knows someone.

For starters Brent Grimes has told members of the media that he likes Miami and that his impending free agency is in Miami’s court.  They have slightly more important details to wrap up in the immediate future.  Still, it’s good to hear that the teams Pro-Bowl corner wants to return.

The real news comes regarding Brian Hartline who has been diagnosed with a torn PCL in his knee.  The injury will require only rehab and will not require surgery.  It will make Hartline available for most of the off-season and will definitely make him available for training camp.  He would not have been available for the playoffs.

The man throwing him the ball, Ryan Tannehill, has been under a lot of scrutiny the last two weeks and has been lumped into the “fire everyone” cauldron.  According to Ian Rappaort of NFL.com, Tannehill has said the has lost faith in his OC Mike Sherman, according to “people who spoke with the quarterback”.  It’s a new revelation from within if true as Miami fans had lost faith in Sherman  in week 4.

The stagnant lifeless offense is not simply a product of Mike Sherman however.  It’s a product of the entire coaching staff.  I am a firm believer that team become their coaches.  Under Don Shula Miami was dominant and disciplined.  Under Jimmy Johnson they were far more laid back but played with a college fight, Wannstedt who often seemed confused on the sidelines coached a team that at times appeared just as confused on the field.  All over the NFL teams take on the personality of their coaches.  On Sunday, there was no question that the New York Jets played like Rex Ryan coached.  In other words, they never quit and their ego’s wrote the check that won the game.

Joe Philbin is laid back.  He is meticulous and highly aware but he lacks a spark.  A conviction.  He doesn’t seem to be the locker room inspiration.  His post-game locker room speeches are read off cue cards he clearly holds in his hands as if reciting poetry without the emotion.  It’s not surprising Tannehill has lost faith in Sherman, Philbin’s mentor.  Your QB won’t be a leader if your coaches don’t lead.

At least for now we can take some solace in knowing that Brian Hartline has time to heal his knee and that with each passing moment there is belief that at least Mike Sherman will be gone.  Of course that isn’t 100% done.  At today’s coaches press conference Philbin told reporters that he has complete faith in Sherman and that he is an excellent coach.  Instead inferring that the players simply didn’t execute…without actually saying the players didn’t execute.