Phins OC job is a critical hire for success
While the Miami Dolphins are coming off their most promising season in decades, a key piece to their future is still full of uncertainty. Veteran offensive coordinator Chan Gailey suddenly decided to resign after only one season and the search for his replacement is still underway. While it’s still very early, this hire is critical. The Phins have a young Top 5 selection at quarterback, an excellent Head Coach, and tons of picks to boost the team, so the job should be highly coveted. But, after a few candidates have turned down the interview so the job is still unfilled. The hope is the Phins have a target in mind on the roster or in one of the final four teams in the playoffs.
Whatever the case, bet with the pay per head services that a whole lot is riding on whoever they pick.
The Phins offense is in flux again
We don’t know what’s really going on… so, it’s tea-reading and spitballing time. Let’s go over what we do know.
What we do know is that Brian Flores is going on his third offensive coordinator in three seasons. This is never an ideal situation for an offense to have that many playbooks in so short a time. We know Flores moved on from one OC because the offense was ‘too complex’. As for Gailey, though it could have been quiet firing, on face value he decided to leave. Was it because Miami moved on from Fitzpatrick or something else? Whatever the case, Gailey was good for the Phins and despite some fans not liking his calls for Tua, he was an asset.
The bottom line: the turnover at offense has been a lot… and if truthful, a bit concerning.
Named candidates… so far
- Clemson OC Tony Elliott: Declined interview and chose to stay at Clemson.
- 49ers run game coordinator Mike McDaniel: declined an interview and promoted to 49ers OC.
- Steelers QB coach Matt Canada: declined the interview and promoted to Steelers OC… until an interview with Hue Jackson opened the job up again.
- Chargers QB coach Pep Hamilton: Now appears to be interviewing for Steelers job as well.
- On the Phins roster: RB coach Eric Studesville: No experience as an OC.
- On the Phins roster: QB coach George Godsey: No experience as an OC.
All the jockeying for the Steelers job over the Phins is both bothersome and bewildering. Maybe it was just poor scheduling by GM Chris Grier? It sure does feel like a lot of coaches want the Steelers job though. Isn’t Miami the one with the young quarterback and the Steelers with an old one on his last legs?
This regime has been aces in every area but on offense. We’ve blown through a ton of O-coaches and haven’t nailed one elite player on that side of the ball. We need to fix this fast. Miami must stick the landing on the next offensive coordinator and find some elite offensive players if they want to take the division and make the playoffs.
This won’t be an easy offseason to keep pace in the AFCE. Bills are loaded with a top-flight QB and the Jets and the Patriots are stacked with picks and either could land Watson. Having only an excellent defense and special teams won’t be enough in the 2021 Season. The Phins must be a complete team this year with an offense that can win games to keep from returning to the bottom of the division. Go Phins!!!
PS: My family and I have been battling COVID for near two weeks, so Phins news has been slowed down. We should be back to full strength soon.