Ireland and Philbin should return to the Dolphins
The franchise record 58 sacks are an embarrassment, but I believe that they are a result of a conservative approach to aggressive playcalling that just does not make sense.
The ball needs to be out of the quarterbacks’ hand. Period.
Yes, there are some amazing lines that can keep the pocket clean for a long time and there are some amazing quarterbacks who can create extra time by scrambling, but Miami is deficient on both counts and the answer to this dilemma is simply that if you call a pass, the ball has to be chucked, even if it is intentionally incomplete or occasionally intercepted.
Sacks are drive killers and yet coaches keep instructing young quarterbacks to take them and live to play another down and it is wrong.
Only occasionally is taking a sack the right play, based on mathematical probability, and any hit to the quarterback could end his season.
When you lose yardage and a down as you do with every sack, you are putting the quarterback in a hole that he has to either throw himself out of, which increases the likelihood of a turnover, or play it safe and turn the ball over on downs.
The net gain in taking the sack tends to be field position, which makes sense when your defense is better than your offense, but the Dolphins will need their offense to lead the way if they are to take the next step.
From time to time, there is a benefit to punting, getting a quick stop and getting another crack at it, but the Dolphins seem content to be conservative and have their defense keep them in the game and that is why they have 8 wins instead of 12.
Ron Rivera, the Carolina Panthers coach used to be the most conservative head coach until he was in the hot seat this year and decided to go for it on fourth down more often this year, among other things. Many of you will remember Carolina beating Miami after going for it on fourth down on their own side of the fifty yard line.
Getting back to quarterback play, Dan Marino said two things that resonated most with me. “Pick a guy and let it fly” and “there is no defense for a perfect pass”.
Ryan Tannehill has been given the keys to the car, but the training wheels have to come off in order for the offense to come alive. Aside from holding onto the ball for too long on many plays, I was very impressed with Ryan’s season. If he continues progressing, the Dolphins will reach the next level.
There is no reason to overreact.
From top to bottom, if you can upgrade, you do it.
If not, you work with your guys on improving on the things that they struggle with. If the coaching staff and general manager have learned something from their 2013 failures, then the team will be much improved.
Otherwise, history is doomed to repeat itself and that is why Stephen Ross is doing the right thing by re-interviewing his staff and deliberating.
Their approach has gotten the Dolphins to the cusp and I would be curious to hear what changes Philbin, Sherman and Ireland have in mind. Hopefully, the coaches and GM have a plan that works more than half of the time, because the fan base has been patient and demands a winner.