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Darlington: Dolphins at crossroads

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It started with the bus ride from Ford Field to the airport, and it continued on a dark and quiet flight back to South Florida. This mood, this tone, was different from what had been seen in past seasons, an observation made by multiple members of the Dolphins' organization.

Few people spoke. Nobody laughed. And bitterness hung in the air like a thick fog in the wake of Miami's 20-16 loss to the Lions in Detroit -- a one-possession game down to the final minutes -- as players absorbed a failed opportunity to put themselves squarely in the playoff mix.

It might seem trite, but NFL people will say they can often tell a lot from a postgame mood, especially after a loss. Too much chatter is a sign of disenchantment. Too much anger is a sign of a divisive locker room. You want it somewhere in between -- a sour taste over what should have been -- and the Dolphins were exactly there:


Right down the middle.

And as they prepare for a critical game against the Buffalo Bills on "Thursday Night Football," that's precisely where the Dolphins remain: Teetering in purgatory, a team standing in the middle of a balance, wondering whether it'll fall with the weight or rise to the sky.

Who, exactly, are these Dolphins? Maybe they're the team that pummeled the Chargers, 37-0, in Week 9. Or maybe they're the team that caved to the Packers and the Lions, squandering contests that were within reach until the closing minutes. Either way, make no mistake: This is an organization in the midst of an identity crisis, like an awkward teenager going through a voice change.

All of that is why their upcoming matchup -- with a Bills team that exposed Miami's offensive line in a Week 2 loss -- might be the most important for the Dolphins in years. The winner will remain within striking distance of both the New England Patriots in the AFC East and a wild-card berth. The loser, especially if it's Miami, faces a wildly unknown future.

To understand the crossroads Miami is at, take the offense as the perfect example.

As much as the Dolphins have shown offensive potential lately (Ryan Tannehill's passer rating is right at 100 over the past six games), and as much as first-year offensive coordinator Bill Lazor seems to also be growing, there is nonetheless a rift forming between several players and Lazor, according to sources.

During involved conversations with four players (and text exchanges with multiple others), all the players made it clear that Lazor's relationship with the players is currently rocky. His abrasive tenor with several starters has worn thin on some, and an inconsistent identity on offense is internally magnifying the issue.

It is a delicate situation -- and Lazor doesn't necessarily deserve blame, especially since he should have the benefit of patience as he learns his new role. After all, the debate can go either way.

Is it a problem that Mike Wallace is now being utilized less as a deep threat and more as an intermediate receiver if that's currently the most efficient way to get him involved? Is it a problem that Lazor and head coach Joe Philbin don't give Tannehill any freedom to audible at the line of scrimmage if Tannehill seems to be playing the best football of his career?
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http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...at-a-crossroads-heading-into-crucial-showdown
 
Miami Dolphins at a crossroads heading into crucial showdown

It started with the bus ride from Ford Field to the airport, and it continued on a dark and quiet flight back to South Florida. This mood, this tone, was different from what had been seen in past seasons, an observation made by multiple members of the Dolphins' organization.
Few people spoke. Nobody laughed. And bitterness hung in the air like a thick fog in the wake of Miami's 20-16 loss to the Lions in Detroit -- a one-possession game down to the final minutes -- as players absorbed a failed opportunity to put themselves squarely in the playoff mix.
It might seem trite, but NFL people will say they can often tell a lot from a postgame mood, especially after a loss. Too much chatter is a sign of disenchantment. Too much anger is a sign of a divisive locker room. You want it somewhere in between -- a sour taste over what should have been -- and the Dolphins were exactly there: Right down the middle.
And as they prepare for a critical game against the Buffalo Bills on "Thursday Night Football," that's precisely where the Dolphins remain: Teetering in purgatory, a team standing in the middle of a balance, wondering whether it'll fall with the weight or rise to the sky.
Who, exactly, are these Dolphins? Maybe they're the team that pummeled the Chargers, 37-0, in Week 9. Or maybe they're the team that caved to the Packers and the Lions, squandering contests that were within reach until the closing minutes. Either way, make no mistake: This is an organization in the midst of an identity crisis, like an awkward teenager going through a voice change.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...at-a-crossroads-heading-into-crucial-showdown

This is a long article by Jeff - furhter down he talks about a rocky relationship with players and Lazor...kind of surprised to read that.
 
As much as the Dolphins have shown offensive potential lately (Ryan Tannehill's passer rating is right at 100 over the past six games), and as much as first-year offensive coordinator Bill Lazor seems to also be growing, there is nonetheless a rift forming between several players and Lazor, according to sources.
Click to expand...

This again? I bet I know who one of them is...
 
I wonder if Hartline is one of those mentioned. He's a leader, and you've got to think he's unhappy with his limited production. But it would be stupid for him to associate his lack of yards with the Fins recent struggles.
 
So some players had an issue with Mike Sherman and now Bill Lazor...I see trend.

I bet Brian Hartiline is one of the chaffed players. Gibson?

Has Lazor been perfect? No. However, maybe some of these players can make an extraordinary play for once like we see from Cam Wake or Brent Grimes. That might help.

Darlington is too close to the players btw. Big apologist for them.
 
roy_miami said:
This again? I bet I know who one of them is...
Click to expand...

I'm trying to think who spoke out against Sherman last season. We know Wallace wasn't thrilled with him, and IIRC it was either Pouncey or Incognito who nearly mutinied against Sherman over the lack of runs before Bullygate shut locker room leaks down.
 
Ahh after one tough loss all the sources some out with "rift" bull****.

Same old same old. Watching players on the field tells me all I need to know, this article is crap.
 
I just saw someone mention in my news feed that this also happened with Lazor last year in Philly?

First I have heard of this. Anyone know if this is true?
 
So frustrating..easily this is the best collection of players we have had here in years.

---------- Post added at 03:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:09 PM ----------
J. David Wannyheimer said:
I just saw someone mention in my news feed that this also happened with Lazor last year in Philly?

First I have heard of this. Anyone know if this is true?
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Now sure how since he wasn't the offensive Coordinator in Philly!
 
I can see how Lazor might be tough on them, but it's to build them up. I think it's Hartline and Wallace. Maybe even Tannehill, but if the QB is griping to media about coaches that's a problem


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last year the people who complained to the press were Wallace, Cogs, and Pouncey. They put their names on it. The reason nobody remembers is that this was right before Martin stormed out on the team.

That said, players are mad because Lazor is 'abrasive' with them? Really, guys?
 
Phinatic8u said:
Ahh after one tough loss all the sources some out with "rift" bull****.

Same old same old. Watching players on the field tells me all I need to know, this article is crap.
Click to expand...
However it is not one tough loss, it's a few, it's half a season. If people play hard it does not mean they aren't frustrated. However, I believe the media on speculation almost never! We shall see what happens. However I think we will see in a negative fashion tomorrow.
 
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