The question today isn't whether the Dolphins got fair value in trading cornerback Vontae Davis to Indianapolis or if this season is sinking before opening kickoff. The question is this:
Does Joe Philbin know what he's doing?
Because this latest, boldest move of trading Davis two weeks before the season opener started with Philbin, not Jeff Ireland. It was the new coach demanding to dump the second-best player on last year's defense, not the old general manager who drafted Davis in the first place.
Don't be fooled by Philbin's self-deprecating approach and good-uncle demeanor. Look at his hard-boiled actions in these opening months. He's making Nick Saban and Bill Parcells look like pansies.
Philbin wanted the team's best playmaker (and biggest headache) in Brandon Marshall to be traded. He allowed HBO's "Hard Knocks" in the room. He cut receiver Chad Johnson for the very kind of behavior that made signing him a head-scratcher.
He called out linebacker Karlos Dansby for talking back. He named a rookie with 19 college starts his quarterback. Now he's traded a prime-time player with Pro Bowl potential for his childish ways. Whew.
People keep looking at Philbin and asking if he's tough enough. That's the wrong question. Read that to-do list again. Philbin is plenty tough enough to make decisions most coaches wouldn't.
But is he shrewd enough? Able enough?
No he was not as good and he was lazy. The trade helped him become a more polished corner.Vontae was just as good with the Dolphins. But who needs a top notch corner who isn't in his best shape at the start of training camp, and can't hold his pee?
disagree. He had some consistency issues but he was a young, growing player who made big time plays - unlike the crappy CB we decided to keep that year.No he was not as good and he was lazy. The trade helped him become a more polished corner.
Andrew Luck is going to the AFC championship. **** you, Matt Moore.
I never understood the trade. When they said he was out of shape, I did not betieve it then and I still do not believe it. I think Philbin, for whatever reason, just wanted to get rid of him. I am so tried of this team getting rid of players only to have them be successful somewhere else in the league!
i don't know about this. I know they portrayed him as out of shape - and perhaps he was - but I don't recall drunk. Also, he wasn't the only guy who showed up out of shape (see john Jerry) that year.I believe he showed up inebriated at practice. He didnt leave Philbin much choice IMO. Let's not be revisionist here.
Never liked the trade, but maybe it helped him somewhat. Who knows.
Just another player Joe could not "coach up" and was booted.
I believe he showed up inebriated at practice. He didnt leave Philbin much choice IMO. Let's not be revisionist here.