The British dictionary defines leader as: “a person who rules, guides or inspires; head”. Head-Coach is Philbin’s title. One he is paid quite well to be. As the HEAD-COACH he is the brains behind the team and must rule, guide and/ or inspire: the measured parts added are the recipe of his making. We have witnessed since his beginning as a “reality” star until now that he guides (picking up gum at practice and “Bullygate”) and rules (See “Ochocinco” and Incognito). The net results of both of these attributes are not yet conclusive. This Sunday his ability to inspire will be on full display in his team’s play and more specifically the play of his quarterback.
Some inspire like Alexander the Great riding at the front of the army into battle, others lead like Stalin with a gun at the backs of those he wants to lead his army into battle. Inspiration is evoked through many emotional avenues: fear, hate, awe, love. Inspiration’s only constant is that it must motivate.
Philbin has seemingly opted for the Stalin route of a threatened gulag with his quarterback Ryan Tannahill. Three times Tannahill said distraction when it came to his coach’s lack of commitment to his starting role. This Stalin esc’ nature has even extended to his conflict with Bill Lazor the offensive coordinator who in no uncertain terms said Tannahill was the starter.
Was this instead a Machiavellian plan by Philbin to pull the media’s heat off his QB’s play and place it squarely on his own shoulders? Maybe it was an attempt to forge a closer bond between Lazor and Tannahill? Or was it to light a fire under a lukewarm thrower of the “pigskin”? We will never know the “truth”.
Dealing in face-value, we have a coach and coordinator out-of-step and a QB and coach at odds. Friction has forged many champions (See 90’s Cowboys and 85 bears) and yet it has also worn out many (See 90’s Oilers and late 90’s ‘Phins). Which will this team end up being? A betting man might lay money down on the latter.
Let’s be clear: this is a man who has coached days after his son’s death. This is a man of iron will, sheer determination and iron-clad commitment. This is what he is known for: calm in the storm. Yet, it takes more than just calm to survive an angry sea. It also takes skill, wisdom and an inspired crew in lock-step.
Football is a game of pain. It has broken many, many men. Only inspiration allows men to suffer this abuse and continue. Only a coach that inspires leads his team to the championship. This Sunday, in London, against the Raiders, we will get a much clearer picture of coach Philbin and whether he is an inspirational leader of men or just another stepping stone to the one who will.
This article originally appeared on MiamiDolphinsNews.net and is reprinted by permission.
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