Tuesday Buzz: Dolphins audition LaMichael James

[gafin]

### The Dolphins this week auditioned running back LaMichael James, the 49ers' second-round pick out of Oregon, and though he didn't sign immediately afterward, it's still a possibility.

Agent Jeff Sperbeck said James and the Dolphins have had discussions and James is contemplating his options.

### The Dolphins aren't optimistic that Dion Jordan or Reshad Jones will be reinstated, according to a league official. NFL.com reported last week that both would be reinstated. Colleague Armando Salguero said Jordan won't be.

### One of the criticisms of this Dolphins team, under this staff, is that they take on the unemotional personality of their coach. And though Mike Wallace has never said that, he reiterated Tuesday that he was bothered Sunday that “I didn’t see anybody playing with emotion out there. We needed to be more into it.”

### Joe Philbin said Jarvis Landry will keep his punt return job despite his fumble Sunday… Michael Thomas said defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle told him he started ahead of Louis Delmas Sunday because “they wanted to see how I fit in as a starter.” Delmas played nearly four times as many snaps, but Thomas said he received high marks.

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/

 

[hoops]

i saw thomas out there to start the game but i thought it was some kind of package they were running cause it looked like to me he was up in the slot...staff obviously likes him

i don't understand why these players can't find the fire to play in your first road division game period or for that matter week 2 by themselves...nut up boys

 

[gafin]

i don't understand why these players can't find the fire to play in your first road division game period or for that matter week 2 by themselves...nut up boys

I agree, lost to them twice last year and can't get up for them, something wrong there.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

It's kind of amazing that these guys put in the incredible amount of work they do through the week -- they take the physical punishment and mental fatigue of a typical NFL week, and then they can't get fired up on Sunday?

I'll never understand that.

 

[jlfin]

Bill walsh, Joe Gibbs and Tom Landry were as unemotional as they come. While Philbin has deserved his share of legitimate criticism, this notion of his not being emotional enough is just idiotic.

 

[laxcoach]

It's kind of amazing that these guys put in the incredible amount of work they do through the week -- they take the physical punishment and mental fatigue of a typical NFL week, and then they can't get fired up on Sunday?

I'll never understand that.

Some people are introverts when it comes to getting mentally ready. You can't tell they are hyped, but they are. Others need Ray Lewis dramatics to start the emotional ball rolling. Others need to make a good play to get into it mentally.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

Bill walsh, Joe Gibbs and Tom Landry were as unemotional as they come. While Philbin has deserved his share of legitimate criticism, this notion of his not being emotional enough is just idiotic.

I haven't been a Philbin basher for the most part, but:

1. Do you honestly believe Philbin is anywhere near as good as those 3 coaches you named?
2. Do you think this team comes out completely flat and unprepared more than it should?

My problem is not that Joe Philbin is unemotional, it's that the Dolphins come out looking like garbage far too often under his coaching. The last 2 Buffalo games are giving me flashbacks to that 37-3 or whatever drubbing the goddamn Titans gave us 2 years ago.

 

[rickd13]

Bill walsh, Joe Gibbs and Tom Landry were as unemotional as they come. While Philbin has deserved his share of legitimate criticism, this notion of his not being emotional enough is just idiotic.

Great point. Tony Sporano was an emotional coach and we all know how that turned out.

 

[Ricky4Life]

Would love to sign James. He should be fairly familiar with the offense already.

 

[dabeastdabone]

Great point. Tony Sporano was an emotional coach and we all know how that turned out.

I'll fist pump that!

 

[AL R]

I haven't been a Philbin basher for the most part, but:

1. Do you honestly believe Philbin is anywhere near as good as those 3 coaches you named?
2. Do you think this team comes out completely flat and unprepared more than it should?

My problem is not that Joe Philbin is unemotional, it's that the Dolphins come out looking like garbage far too often under his coaching. The last 2 Buffalo games are giving me flashbacks to that 37-3 or whatever drubbing the goddamn Titans gave us 2 years ago.

You don't need to come out with emotion to have a prepared team, those coaches mentioned along with Dungy, Belichick are examples, and we have seen plenty of coaches that have emotion but are not good football coaches. Number 2 is the problem, there have been too many games we just don't look in sync. for whatever reason. Of course we can say that about the last few coaches as well. At one point really thought some of this was the players they just weren't good enough when players like Sean Smith and Davis left things would change we would get over the hump. Nope.

 

[maralieus]

We do need a better kick and punt returner. And hell, he can at least catch out of the backfield. Maybe throw him in the slot a few times, I watched him at Oregon and he was a pretty exciting player to watch. Maybe our offense is exactly what he needs to resurrect his career after a bad start.

 

[Markcalius]

I haven't been a Philbin basher for the most part, but:

1. Do you honestly believe Philbin is anywhere near as good as those 3 coaches you named?
2. Do you think this team comes out completely flat and unprepared more than it should?

My problem is not that Joe Philbin is unemotional, it's that the Dolphins come out looking like garbage far too often under his coaching. The last 2 Buffalo games are giving me flashbacks to that 37-3 or whatever drubbing the goddamn Titans gave us 2 years ago.

Plenty of reasons to gripe about Philbin, but I think this stuff about Philbin's lack of emotion rubbing off on the team is crap. There is a whole STAFF of coaches and assistants on the sideline that the players deal with, not to mention the players themselves. Does Philbin neutralize Dan Campbell and Kevin Coyle? Is the waterboy sad when he comes to work?

I think they brought in players like Finnegan and Delmas because this team lacked take-charge leaders. The offense already has a leader though, and it's Ryan Tannehill. Knowshon Moreno made a difference with his intensity in the one game he was healthy for. For the most part though, I think the offense is taking its cue from its quarterback.

 

[DuderinoN703]

I haven't been a Philbin basher for the most part, but:

1. Do you honestly believe Philbin is anywhere near as good as those 3 coaches you named?
2. Do you think this team comes out completely flat and unprepared more than it should?

My problem is not that Joe Philbin is unemotional, it's that the Dolphins come out looking like garbage far too often under his coaching. The last 2 Buffalo games are giving me flashbacks to that 37-3 or whatever drubbing the goddamn Titans gave us 2 years ago.

Philbin has nothing to do with those coaches mentioned above except for being unemotional. Being a hot-headed shouter doesn't make an NFL team great. If Wallace and the team need motivation to win, they might need to look at themselves first.

 

[Awsi Dooger]

I agree, lost to them twice last year and can't get up for them, something wrong there.

That's a Bar Stool comment. Don't be a Bar Stool. I wasn't surprised by the identity of some of the posters who thanked you. The home team has a considerable advantage in motivation and intensity in that scenario, particularly to open the game. Anti Revenge at home is the most powerful situational factor in college or professional sports. For example, Denver may want to defeat Seattle this weekend. Seattle will be frenzied to smack them around again. The players, coaches and city will be keyed up. All the energy will favor Seattle. Now, that's not my favorite type of Anti Revenge game. I learned very quickly that betting against the top teams and top quarterbacks is not as reliable or peaceful as picking on mediocrities. Even if Seattle is crashing into the backfield Peyton Manning is more than capable of creating a big play or several and spoiling the party. The fact that Seattle is at home enables the intensity advantage, even if the media and conventional wisdom will never accept it and prefers to believe Denver is more motivated.