Was Joe Philbin really THAT bad?

[Spider-Dan]

I understand (and agree) that he was a bad coach.  I haven't been in a coma for the last 4 years, so I've seen his dumb decision making.

But there were 3 games that Philbin has not coached since 2012, and all three were blowout Miami wins; games that were not even competitive.  Can a head coach really have THAT much impact on a team's play?

I just don't understand how it's possible that a head coach could be THAT BAD at running the team Monday through Saturday that the team looks this much better by removing him.  Dan Campbell hasn't even had an opportunity to mismanage the clock or call timeouts for the other team, because the games aren't even close enough for bad clock decisions to be a factor.

Has Philbin been the boat anchor on this team for the last 4 years?

[Phishfan]

At this point, you have to say he was holding the team back.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Looks that way.  Granted neither of these two teams were the cream of the NFL.  If the fins win or lose and keep it close on Thursday, then Campbell should lose the "interim" part of his job title.

[masterfins]

I was thinking this afternoon, what must Joe Philbin be thinking now?  The three best victories for the Dolphins in the last 3+ years and he wasn't on the sidelines.  I put a big part of the blame on Kevin Coyle, but Philbin was certainly learning on the job; and he peaked about 1 1/2 years in.

[EDGECRUSHER]

It's not just his shitty coaching, the team lost all hope and knew they weren't going anywhere with him or Coyle. Not saying they were purposely tanking, but when you aren't motivated and the 300 pound steroid monster on the other side is, the monster is going to play better regardless of talent.

Makes me think Lazor was handcuffed too by Philbin because obviously the offense is more balanced and killing it and this is without our #1 draft pick doing anything but keeping his uniform neat.

I still am too jaded and hurt to have hope, but I think if you said Miami should be 5-1 at least right now, I'd agree with you.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Philban can hang out with Golden,  Miami is not a good city for keeping a job as football head coach.

[hordman]

The man sucked left-hind teet.  There's no way around it.  Helluva nice guy, just an unbelievable horrible head coach.

[MikeO]

Not only was he that bad he was probably worse!

If you can't coach Suh, Wake, and Vernon...something is wrong with you. Campbell and the new DC came in and just told them to do whatever they want and cause havoc and we see the results

[masterfins]

Not only was he that bad he was probably worse!

If you can't coach Suh, Wake, and Vernon...something is wrong with you. Campbell and the new DC came in and just told them to do whatever they want and cause havoc and we see the results

Exactly.  There was no point bringing in Suh, if you were going to pigeon hole him into your "system".  LET SUH BE SUH (minus the stepping on the opposing players of course).

[Pappy13]

No, I don't think Philbin really was that bad, however it became apparent this year that he completely lost the team. Even with a good head coach, when the team quits believing in you, they are lost. The worst part about Philbin in my opinion is that he approached the game like it was a chess match and always scared to death that one wrong and he would lose his queen. You can't play football like a game of chess. It's not all about X's and O's. A lot of it is staring the guy across from you in the eye and telling him you're going to beat him and then doing it. You have to put guys in position to make plays, but then you have to believe in them and let them make the plays. You can't always play it safe, sometimes you gotta just cut it loose. In my opinion the harder Philbin tried, the more he tried to control people rather than just letting them play.