How do you fix a fractured trust? The Dolphins have been asking themselves this question, one player saying, "If we don't start believing in each other, we're done."
Dolphins players don't trust coaches. Whispers after the Buffalo loss have became louder since. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill called out coach Joe Philbin before the Oakland game. Linebacker Philip Wheeler questioned strategy after the Green Bay loss. Every player asked agreed with them, too.
And ...
Coaches don't trust players. Philbin didn't trust Tannehill and the offense in the final minutes of the first half in Buffalo or in the game against Green Bay. Defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle called two late time-outs to help the frantic Packers, because he didn't trust his veteran defense to line up properly.
And ...
Coaches don't even trust other coaches. The most telling quote of this past week came from offensive coordinator Bill Lazor. Lazor is smart and sharp and was ordered by Philbin to run out the first-half clock in Buffalo and run the ball on third-and-9 to give Green Bay the ball in the final minutes.
"We stand up in front of the offense, and we tell them we want to win, play aggressive, play loose," Lazor said. "And I think it's our job to coach that way, too.
"When coach [Philbin] makes certain decisions on how we are going to play the game, then I think the players appreciate giving them a chance to go win the game."
And then came the hammer.
