After a Week 1 victory over Washington, the Dolphins have dropped two straight games in disappointing fashion, and if the club loses again this weekend in London against the Jets, significant changes could be in store. According to Rand Getlin of NFL.com, the Dolphins are mulling a shake-up of the coaching staff if they lose to New York.
After adding top free agent Ndamukong Suh and making several other offseason moves to bring in talent, the Dolphins were viewed as a strong playoff contender, with anything less than a postseason berth viewed as a disappointment. Through three weeks, however, the Patriots, Bills, and Jets have all looked like stronger squads, which could mean an uphill battle for Miami to earn that playoff spot.
According to Getlin, multiple sources “inside and around the franchise” have indicated that there’s widespread frustration among Dolphins players with certain members of the coaching staff. As Getlin details, some players are unhappy with that they consider to be flawed offensive and defensive play-calling.
“We’ve been going out there, and practicing our (tails) off every day, but as players, we’re tired of being embarrassed,” one member of the Dolphins told Getlin. “If we get beat in Europe, (players) are going to throw in the towel. It isn’t the players. We have all the talent in the world.”
While another loss might not mean the end of Joe Philbin‘s tenure in Miami, defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle definitely appears to be on the hot seat. Even after adding Suh, the Dolphins’ defense hasn’t been effective, and the team’s free agent prize hasn’t been producing like he did in Detroit. As for Philbin, owner Stephen Ross has shown confidence in the past in his head coach, extending Philbin last year when it seemed just as likely that he’d be let go.
“[Ross] is a remarkably loyal person,” one source told Getlin. “But I don’t think that loyalty is limitless.”