We're back...
Yes, it's been another long layoff between posts. What can I say, when you have no service in the stadium after the third quarter ends, then you have to drive home in Miami traffic, then you have to finish up last minute Christmas shopping two days before the clock strikes midnight, you're going to have to make sacrifices..
Anyways..
The official Pro Bowl rosters were announced earlier tonight, and the Dolphins have two familiar representatives in the dance: CB Brent Grimes and DE Cameron Wake.
This is Grimes' third pro bowl, and second in a row with Miami. For Wake, this is his fourth pro bowl, all with Miami.
Grimes is second in the league with five interceptions, while Wake has recorded 11.5 sacks this season.
Two other Dolphins who could have made it were LT Branden Albert, and SS Reshad Jones. Why didn't they?
Well, methinks that Albert's injury had an awful lot to do with it (obviously), while Jones probably would have made it (or come pretty darn close) had he not missed the first five weeks because of his suspension.
PHILBIN STAYS, BUT DO COORDINATORS?
First, my thoughts on Joe Philbin returning next season..
I think it's the right move for owner Stephen Ross. Why? Well, I'll answer that question with another question: If not Philbin, then who else?
The only reason I would have fired Philbin would be if you were 100% certain you could have signed Jim Harbaugh. Obviously, Stephen Ross, like the rest of us, knows this was never going to be the case. In fact, I doubt Harbaugh would have ever really considered Miami with Michigan and Oakland also on his radar.
Knowing this, who else would you have signed?
Seattle DC Dan Quinn?
Auburn HC Gus Malzan?
Rex Ryan?
No, no, and no. Stephen Ross is a loyal man, and he's a man who really, really likes Joe Philbin. He also really, really likes continuity.
What does retaining Philbin for a fourth season bring?
Yes, continuity. Continuity for the organization, and, most importantly, continuity for Ryan Tannehill, who's made significant strides in his third season.
So yes, I have no issue with Philbin returning. If Miami wins on Sunday they'll finish 9-7 and have a winning record for the first time since 2008. Philbin's tenure would look like this:
7-9
8-8
9-7
Is it progress? Yes. Is it small, baby step progress? Yes. But it's progress nonetheless, and I believe you give him and Ryan Tannehill one more year to see if they can really build something in Miami.
As for the coordinators, that's a different story.
I believe OC Bill Lazor will undoubtedly return next season. The offense has improved this season, folks. You cannot deny that. The numbers cannot deny that. Ryan Tanehill's play cannot deny that.
So yes, I believe Lazor returns.
As for DC Kevin Coyle, this is a bit more murky to me.
Coyle's unit has severely underperformed during the second, most critical half of the season. The run defense has been an achilles heel, and the defensive line, once a strength of this team, has regressed mightily this year.
Some even go as far to say that Coyle isn't getting the most out of the talent he has on the defensive side of the ball.
So when it comes to Coyle, I believe this could be a little more tricky come January. Joe Philbin obviously declined to answer one way or another when asked about this yesterday.
GM Dennis Hickey is also confirmed to be back in 2015. Like Philbin, I believe this to be the right move. Hickey had a solid, if not impressive, first season at the helm, bringing in the likes of Jarvis Landry, Ja'Wuan James, and Cortland Finnegan.
Hickey deserves another season, and another draft, to get this thing in the right direction.
Jets week begins tomorrow.
See you then.
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