How many wins for Philbin to keep his job?

[Dolphin North]

Though I don't see as many wins as most, I don't think Philbin is in trouble unless:

a. Tannehill fizzles out
b. The team isn't competitive

For the record I don't see either of those instances occurring (doesn't mean I'm not concerned about Tannehill). After going through a coaching search in 2012 and a tough GM search in 2014 I am inclined to think Ross will stay the course. Don't forget Ross is very loyal to his employees and I'll bet he wants to give Hickey and Philbin a couple years. And that's the right choice.

It's been many years since I have been enthused about off season talent acquisition and this year I am. On the surface it appears that Hickey/Philbin have done a pretty good job with the draft, FA and UDFA and I'd like to see them get at least one more year.

If Philbin was to go I don't see Cowher, Gruden or Harbaugh in Miami because I don't see the Dolphins as a priority for any. If Cowher gets back in I think NY is the logical destination. Gruden is comfortable at ESPN. I love Harbaugh but can't see the 49ers letting him get away no matter how big a prick he is. If they did, unless he wants to stay in the NFL, Michigan will be after him should he go back to college.

Good point at the end there. And if we continue to have a coaching merry go round every 3 years or less, a coach good enough to have a few options at his disposal will be less inclined to come here.

 

[TheJetsBlow]

Let me know when reality kicks in....

No one has a better grasp on reality than me. Just watch what happens if we miss. And if I'm wrong, I'll eat crow and admit I was wrong.

 

[roy_miami]

I just don't think he has what it takes to be a successful head coach without an elite QB to carry him.

What coaches in the league right now can be successful without a QB?
1. Jim Harbaugh
2. Bill Belichick (probably)
3. ???

Do you know whats going to happen if you keep hiring and firing coaches after one season until you find the next Jim Harbaugh? He's going to be smart enough to not come to an organization like that, so it'll never happen. It is much easier to find an elite QB that can win with a mediocre coach than it is to find an elite coach that can win with a mediocre QB.

J Wanny is right about his positives. Philbin's game management is elite, not just the challenges but everything. And he's innovative. He doesn't follow trends just because they are trends. Go/go-go is a perfect example of that.

J Wanny may also be right about his deficiencies. Philbin has a vision for what he wants the team to look like and I believe his vision is very good, but is he capable of molding the team to where he wants it in a timely fashion? As an example I believe he believes the uptempo is a key to victory and he's wanted us to run it since arriving but where is it? Chip Kelly had no problem running a variant of it straight away so what is our problem?

I believe owners need to sack up more and nip all this "hotseat" business in the bud by committing to coaches they like to longer term contracts, because being on the "hotseat" could potentially compromise the coach from making decisions he feels are in the best interest for the team long term as opposed to just worrying about the short term all the time. As an example if he knew he was safe I'm pretty sure we would have taken another young QB as a contingency plan, but Philbin knows his future is tied with Tannehill so he has to go completely all in in hopes Tannehill is who he thought he was when he drafted him. If fans had their way Tom Coughlin could have very well been fired too soon before winning two SB's. Even Pete Carroll could have been in trouble from a gung-ho owner after going 13-19 his first two seasons in Seattle. I mean, he was supposed to be a defensive genius but their defense was still horrible after his second year, like 29th in DVOA I believe. And Marvin Lewis hasn't won a championship (yet) but what he's accomplishing right now is great for a fanbase. Playoffs 3 years in a row is a big deal. Going 8-0 at home is a huge deal for the season ticket holders. Home playoff games is very nice also.

 

[TheJetsBlow]

Good point at the end there. And if we continue to have a coaching merry go round every 3 years or less, a coach good enough to have a few options at his disposal will be less inclined to come here.

If the QB shows progress but the team still underachieves for any reason, I could see Harbaugh wanting to come here. A decent talent base, a QB with potential, a deep-pocketed owner, great weather and no state income tax. You guys seriously underestimate how attractive a franchise the Dolphins are to outsiders. Especially with Ireland gone now.

 

[roy_miami]

I just can't believe San Fran would be stupid enough to let Harbaugh get away. And even if they are that dumb he won't be an easy get because every owner with half a brain and has questions about their coach will go after him just as hard as Ross. Its not every day you have the opportunity to buy your way to a dynasty. The Rams (who should be moving to LA in the not so distant future), the Cowboys, the Giants, the Jets, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, even being reunited with Luck in Indy are all possibilities. Plus a slew of other teams probably. Though looking at that list we'd probably be the favorites.

 

[KTOWNFINFAN]

We have to tank hard for Philbin to be fired. We just changed GM's and I doubt we break up that couple after just 1 year unless something really drastic happens.

I just don't think you are being realistic. This is a win NOW league, and Philbin will have been here 3 years without a single winning record, much less a playoff game. There is no way he slips through the cracks again. He should have been gone last off season, after that epic crash and burn to end the season, and Ross knows it. This is his last year to make his plan come into focus, if not Ross can't begin to claim he is here to bring a winner to south Florida, while keeping Joe.

 

[johngarryvo]

playoffs

 

[Zounds]

I just don't think you are being realistic.

How's this for being realistic.....I don't even think Philbin is on the hot seat. I think he is pretty secure this year barring some bizarre team meltdown.

He should have been gone last off season, after that epic crash and burn to end the season, and Ross knows it.

Ross knows that he should have fired Philbin last year? based on what? I cant wait to hear your new conspiracy theory

 

[SkapePhin]

I am convinced roy_miami is one of Philbin's delinquent sons...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ruckus45]

I'm not having that. That's settling for mediocrity, and that's what this franchise has been doing for far too long. If you don't think Ross will be all over Harbaugh should we miss the playoffs, you're underestimating Ross.

Don't have it all you want but it's prob the truth. It's not like Harbaugh is a guarantee anyway. Like I said, I don't think that's how it'll play out but that's the floor in my opinion.

 

[NY8123]

9 wins and Philbin is safe regardless of playoffs. 8 wins and it would have to be a special set of circumstances, like the injury bug runs amok. If the team is health and finishes at .500 or less he is outta her faster than Nick Saban leaving Miami in the dead of night.

 

[AphexPhin]

Do you feel it's playoffs or bust?

I do feel its playoffs or bust so probably 9 or 10 wins

 

[psfign]

I agree with Zounds. I dont think Philbin is on the hotseat. To say he should have been fired last season is laughable.

 

[39wildman]

I'm not so sure he is on the hot seat like that. 7-8 wins will prob keep his job easy. It's not what I think we'll do but that's probably his floor as long as the games are played solid and there are no mental breakdowns.

i think jets and bills will tell us if we are going make playoff, win them 4 game and we will make playoff.

 

[roy_miami]

I agree with Zounds. I dont think Philbin is on the hotseat. To say he should have been fired last season is laughable.

I agree with you and Zounds. I don't believe his seat is any hotter than your average coach, which is still relatively hot in this day and age. I'm sure Philbin, Ross, Hickey and Lazor would have all had this conversation at some point and I think they are all smart enough to realize a one year "playoffs or bust" ultimatum would be an idiotic way to run a franchise. I'm also sure that, unlike Ireland, Philbin is smart enough to not take his job security for granted and he knows as well as anybody that he needs to win, and win in a big way. I believe that was why he wanted to spend the resources on Albert, but Ireland, with his shiny new contract extension, felt like he was safe as safe could be so he chose to gamble on Martin.