Brian Flores has replaced Pat Flaherty with Phins “analyst” Dave DeGuglielmo
The late (and the huge) story came out late Monday night from Dead Spin that Miami Dolphins Brian Flores has fired Offensive Line coach Pat Flaherty.
First, I want to thank Phinsnews reader Steve for bringing this story to my attention or I would have missed it.
In my Day 4 Training Camp article, I wrote my biggest concern so far was the Offensive Line. It appears I wasn’t the only one.
According to the report from Ian Rapoport, “Flaherty’s problems stretch back a few months and have to do with his ability to coach the system of Dolphins offensive coordinator Chad O’Shea. DeGuglielmo was reportedly brought into the organization as an analyst primarily to help Flaherty “communicate what they want to the players.”
As an addon to this info, the Colts Offensive Line has strong improvement. But Guglielmo was released in January so Reich could hire one of ‘his guys’.
DeGuglielmo has even more experience than Flaherty.. but what about talent?
As per our beat reporter Steve on DeGuglielmo’s resume: “Colts offensive line coach last season and has spent 29 years as a coach, including 16 with Miami. Miami’s offensive line coach from 2009-11. The first coach in Dolphins history to serve three stints with the team. He was a Dolphins offensive assistant in 2017. “
On the flip side, DeGuglielmo was a disaster for the Pats for two years and was fired. Still, when Josh McDaniels was ‘almost hired’, DeGugliemo was going to be his OL coach… until McDaniels backed out. So, I wouldn’t indict him on those two years with the Pats if McDaniels didn’t. Dante Scarnecchia who pulled the Pats line together after DeGuglielmo left is one of the best OL coaches in NFL history.
What to think now?
I was pretty ‘meh’ on Flaherty, aside from his extensive experience. He seemed to be a talent dependent coach. The Phins current situation of young players demands excellent teaching. Flaherty’s firing means Flores wants more than solid.
Given all the info its a fair bet that the worst-case scenario is this is a lateral move…
… BUT, this puts the most critical unit and Miami long term Achilles Heel in the spotlight. The Phins must get above-average play from their Offensive Line to beat the poor predictions of the PPH best bookie software websites. And the reality is, this unit needs way more than an ‘okay’ coach.
The bottom line on this situation
You have to like Flores’ decision. At least he didn’t sleep at the wheel as Gase did with an OL coach high on coke. He saw a sub-par performance from one of his coaches and used the ‘exit stage left’ hook. This is the best move possible in a bad situation. Having DeGuglielmo in the wings was excellent foresight though, and the transition won’t be a rough one due to him being on board already. But, but, but… will DeGuglielmo make a difference? This is now the number #1 question over the next couple of weeks. Go Phins!!!