USA Today: Dolphins appreciate new side of Joe Philbin | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

USA Today: Dolphins appreciate new side of Joe Philbin

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DAVIE, Fla. — In the wake of the infamous bullying scandal that rocked the Miami Dolphins last season, Joe Philbin vowed to build a stronger connection with his players.

But no one expected the third-year coach, once perceived to be as stiff as a first-down marker, to step completely out of character Monday night.
"We're in our team meeting watching clips of the film Animal House, and coach starts dancing to the song Shout," receiver Mike Wallace told USA TODAY Sports. "It must have been his favorite movie growing up because he was so excited, he started dancing."
Picture a stork that's just been tazed.
"It was so funny because he was so awful," Wallace said. "But we'll take it. ... Coach Philbin has made a lot of strides.
"One thing I know about coach is he's working to be a better man, a better coach. He's doing a lot better from last year being more engaged, conducting leadership seminars, the team building.
"He's still going to get his work out of us. ... But he's looser, creating a better environment for everybody."
Philbin did plenty of soul searching during the offseason.
The best advice he received came from Hall of Fame coach John Madden.
"Coach Madden said, 'You have to be yourself, stick to your beliefs. You can't run your program the way somebody else wants,' " Philbin said.
"This year, I've been more myself. Or who I am."
Philbin has always been a sharp, passionate football man. Now he's evolved by engaging his players.
"Don't wait for players to come through your door. Go through their door, and that's what Joe is doing," Madden told USA TODAY Sports. "I respect Joe as a coach, as a man and his knowledge of the game.
"When I first was impressed by Joe Philbin is when they were on Hard Knocks. Joe ran one of the best training camps I've ever seen. ... I go back to (New York Giants coach) Tom Coughlin. Remember when players talked about him loosening up and they went and won the Super Bowl?
"I don't know if Tom really loosened up or not. But when they won the Super Bowl, it made a pretty good story. ... That's the same type thing here."
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"Last year, they weren't really that far away," Madden said. "They have a shot to be better this year.

"They don't have to be a whole heck of a lot better to be a playoff team. That's where I think they are."
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"We want to win for him," Hartline said. "Not that that wasn't the case before. But there's more incentive now because I've never seen a head coach put so much into improving."

Philbin has gone from appearing on Hard Knocks to knocking on hotel doors, handling bed checks to further engage players.
"If maybe I can sense something going on, I can maybe put a stop to something," Philbin said. "If I don't know something is happening, it's hard to stop."
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Just win Joe. Just win.



http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...oe-philbin-miami-bullying-aftermath/13639667/
 
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I hope Joe can turn it around, it sounds like he is trying hard to improve himself as well as the players.
 
If Philbin succeeds the Fins succeed and I'm all for a good year of winning football. He needed to change and hopefully he has for the better.
 
They'll appreciate the "new side" of Joe Philbin for as long as the team is winning. If they start out losing, the players will view all this stuff as cornball. That's just the way it is. A coach's perception among players is tied to the success of the team.

Wanny, Sparano tried similar approaches in their "lame duck" years but it didn't change the result on the field.

Good luck to Joe though, I hope it works out and we make the playoffs.
 
Should not take until the 3rd year to finally be yourself? Didn't we get that the first 2 years? But I ll take it. Nice to see Joe loosening up, and being a leader...
No more excuses, playoffs 2014. Go Fins...
 
The departure of Mike Sherman may also be the opportunity to get closer to his players without stepping on Mike's toes and thinking that's not how he did it in Green Bay.
 
Lol would like to see video of philbin bustin a move
 
Seems like the players have been rallying around Joe after the bully gate incident. I'm excited! Watching games last year, it seemed like we always came out the gate slow. Maybe this year that will change with players being more comfortable with coaching. The team usually takes on the character of the head coach. You can't make plays out there being timid... you have to play loose, but also stay focused at the same time. I'm looking forward to it.
 
Don't be afraid to jump in their asses either when they mess up!
 
Interesting that Madden says what he saw on Hard Knocks looked like the best training camp he'd seen. Did that include Philbin's comments about picking up trash that so many here commented on?
 
Some people forget that Philbin lost his son the year we got him as our coach. You think that's an easy thing to lose a child? C'mon, I respect the man, he kept his head up and believe that maybe he is starting to get over that loss.
 
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