Latest On Dolphins’ Coaching Staff
On Friday, we heard the Dolphins were considering coaching changes if the season didn’t begin to turn quickly, and more of that’s emerged from Miami media hours before 2015’s first London game.
A blowout loss in London will force Dolphins owner Stephen Ross to consider firing Joe Philbin, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports. The fact that multiple division rivals will, in this scenario, have routed the Dolphins in consecutive weeks won’t doom Philbin as much as the looming bye week that teams forced to play in the London game receive the following Sunday.
With that expanded window to reshape matters, it’s paramount for the fourth-year coach to have the Fins ready, and for the team to avoid a listless performance should a bad start again occur as it did in the 41-14 loss to the Bills, Salguero writes.
The Raiders executed this schedule-based maneuver after the Dolphins’ 38-14 win last season in London.
A lack of a presumptive in-house successor could prevent Ross from making such a move, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk offers, in assigning much of the blame for the Dolphins’ 1-2 start on Bill Lazor and Kevin Coyle as Philbin. The Raiders went to ex-Dolphins coach Tony Sparano after firing Dennis Allen last season.
As for Coyle, players are cloaking themselves as anonymous sources in venting frustration about the defense, according to Barry Jackson of the Herald. Topics like using practice time on inconsequential issues and a vanilla defensive scheme are causing the gripes about Coyle, a 59-year-old first-time NFL coordinator, Jackson writes.
The Dolphins rank 26th defensively with 391.0 yards ceded per game, with quarterbacks’ passer ratings against a thus-far-woeful secondary soaring. Although Walt Aikens and Reshad Jones have enabled QBs to post ratings in excess of 130, Bobby McCain‘s 232 yards yielded are the fourth-most in the league, Jackson offers.
So, a lot could be on the line for a Week 4 neutral-site game that will occur before many football fans are awake.
Dolphins Considering Coaching Changes?
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.”
AFC Notes: Mohamed, Steelers, Davis, Pats
The Texans placed linebacker Mike Mohamed on injured reserve this week, despite the fact that he says he has almost recovered from his calf injury. Mohamed tells Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle that he’ll talk to his agent, Ken Landphere, to determine what happens now — they may pursue an injury settlement with Houston, allowing the linebacker to reach free agency.
“I want to play this season,” Mohamed said. “It won’t be here, but I want to play somewhere and get back on the field. I’m almost back from the injury, so it’s kind of frustrating to go on injured reserve, but I understand that they didn’t feel like they could wait.”
While the Texans would like to bring back Mohamed when he’s healthy, an injury settlement prevents a player from re-signing with his old team for at least six weeks. During that time, Mohamed is a good bet to find a new job with another team.
Here’s more from across the AFC:
- After missing a pair of field goals in the Steelers‘ loss last night, Josh Scobee has now missed four field goals and an extra point through four games with his new team. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk suggests that finding someone who can convert kicks on a consistent basis should be a top priority for Pittsburgh moving forward. Meanwhile, longtime Steelers kicker Jeff Reed, who hasn’t played an NFL game since 2010, still wants to make a comeback and says he’d love a shot to try out for Pittsburgh (link via CBS Pittsburgh).
- Less than two weeks into his stint with the Ravens, cornerback Will Davis already looks better than he ever did with the Dolphins, writes Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. As Salguero outlines, it’s the latest case of a player becoming more productive with a new team after leaving Miami, a worrisome trend for the Dolphins.
- The Patriots have been active on the trade market during the last few weeks, and acquired two more defensive players this week. With the November 3 trade deadline just over a month away, Andy Hart at CSNNE.com wonders if Bill Belichick will look to land some help at cornerback as well.
Extra Points: Jets, Bears, Cardinals, Pats
The Jets are in London this week, but head coach Todd Bowles was quick to remind his team that it’s all business while they’re overseas.
“They’ve got enough money, they can make it in the offseason,” said Bowles, who is prepping for the Dolphins. “They will be OK, they’ll be all right. They get a little bit of free time, they can do their tour. We’re on a business trip. They want to go back in the offseason, hey, have at it.”
Here’s more from around the NFL as Gang Green looks to advance to 3-1..
- The Bears are faced with having to rebuild their roster after a series of misevaluations, Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com writes. Their trades of Jared Allen and Jonathan Bostic earlier this week netted the Bears a pair of sixth-round picks, but that barely scratches the surface of what they need to do in order to become a contender, he opines. Our Community Tailgate post from earlier today asked PFR readers if they think the Bears will continue trading.
- Cardinals corner Justin Bethel was one of the reasons the team let Antonio Cromartie walk in free agency after last season, but it still took him three games to see the field this season. That’s because the Cardinals have tremendous depth at cornerback and other defensive positions, as Zach Buchanan of The Arizona Republic writes.
- The Patriots worked out linebacker Jayson DiManche and Josh Allen, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets.
- James Walker of ESPN.com wonders if Jonas Gray, who has been moved around on the Dolphins‘ roster a few times this season, could see an increased role in Miami’s offense.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/29/15
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL, with any additional moves added to the list throughout the day:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: S Marcus Ball (Twitter link)
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DE Lavar Edwards (Twitter link via Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com)
- Cut: OL Ronald Patrick
Denver Broncos
- To be signed: T Antonio Johnson (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
- Cut: OLB Danny Mason (via Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post)
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: QB Alex Tanney (press release)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: WR Shaq Evans (Twitter link via Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union)
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: WR Marcus Lucas (Twitter link via Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
- Cut: LB Terrell Manning (Twitter link via Jayson Braddock)
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Donte Foster (Twitter link)
- Cut: FB Blake Renaud
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Tavarres King (Twitter link via Ralph Vacchiano of the Daily News)
- Cut: OL Vinston Painter (Twitter link via Wilson)
New York Jets
- Signed: S Ronald Martin (Twitter link via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com)
- Cut: CB Keon Lyn
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: C B.J. Finney (Twitter link via Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
- Cut: C Barrett Jones
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: G Michael Huey (via Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego)
St. Louis Rams
- Signed: WR Nick Toon (Twitter link via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DT Derrick Lott (press release)
- Cut: CB Imoan Claiborne
Washington:
- Signed: C Austin Reiter (Twitter link via Zac Boyer of the Washington Times)
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/28/15
Today’s minor NFL signings, cuts, and other moves..
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The Giants cut wide receiver Chris Harper from IR, the Raiders cut offensive lineman Anthony Morris from IR, and the Chargers cut Gordon Hill from IR, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets.
- The Dolphins will sign offensive lineman Mike Leidtke to their taxi squad, as agent Brett Tessler tweets. Liedtke, an Illinois State product, recently auditioned for the Saints and Jets.
- The Raiders released cornerback Chimdi Chekwa from their injured reserve list, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The defensive back was drafted by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
- The Rams will sign wide receiver Nick Toon, a source tells Ross Jones of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Toon had workouts with the Rams and Seahawks last week.
- To make room for Dion Bailey, the Jets waived Ronald Martin, as Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets. New York claimed Martin from Seattle just a few weeks ago.
- The Cowboys cut backup defensive tackle Davon Coleman, Todd Archer of ESPN.com tweets.
Extra Points: Pryor, Jets, Dolphins, CAA
Last week, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported that the Seahawks would be working out quarterback-turned-wide-receiver Terrelle Pryor. We later heard word of Pryor’s tryout with the Jets, though it wasn’t clear if he ever made it to Seattle. Today, Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk writes that the ex-Raiders signal-caller is auditioning for the Seahawks as a receiver this week. While PFT’s report makes it sound like it’ll be Pryor’s first workout with the Seahawks this season, La Canfora suggests (via Twitter) that the 26-year-old is auditioning for the club “again.”
Whether it’s Pryor’s first or second tryout for Seattle, it’s clear the team is interested in seeing what he can do as a wideout. While he didn’t last long on the Browns’ roster, Pryor has enough speed and athleticism to make him an interesting – albeit raw – project, so we’ll see whether or not the Seahawks decide to take a flier on him.
In the meantime, let’s check in on some other items from around the league….
- The idea that the Jets would sign both Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson to blockbuster deals “has always been a fairytale,” writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. Although he cautions that the team hasn’t given up on the idea of negotiating a multiyear extension for Wilkerson, Mehta suggests that perhaps the standout defensive lineman could be franchised in 2016 and then used a trade chip to try to move up in the draft to land a franchise quarterback.
- It’s probably too early to start talking about Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin being on the hot seat, but defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle may not last much longer in Miami if the club’s poor defensive play continues, says Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link).
- Player agent Todd France has officially joined CAA Sports, bringing approximately 50 NFL clients with him, writes Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal. Broncos wideout Demaryius Thomas and Bills defensive lineman Marcell Dareus are among France’s clients who got lucrative, long-term contracts this year.
East Notes: Dolphins, Eagles, Alonso, Jets
With Week 3 of the 2015 NFL season nearly complete, only one division has three teams over .500 — the AFC East currently features the 3-0 Patriots, the 2-1 Bills, and the 2-1 Jets. Of course, there’s plenty of concern about the one sub-.500 club in the division, so let’s round up the latest out of Miami, along with a few more notes from around the league’s two East divisions….
- In the view of Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, Sunday’s loss to Buffalo was the worst of the Joe Philbin era for the Dolphins, and it put the entire coaching staff on the hot seat. In a second piece, Salguero writes that the Dolphins have issues on multiple levels, pointing to ownership, coaching, and the team’s offseason personnel decisions as potential causes for concern.
- If Dolphins owner Stephen Ross isn’t wondering what he’ll get out of the $210MM he committed to Ryan Tannehill and Ndamukong Suh this offseason, he should be, writes John Kryk of the Toronto Sun.
- Eagles kicker Cody Parkey aggravated a preseason groin injury against the Jets, so the Eagles will bring in free agent kickers for workouts today, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports.
- Eagles linebacker Kiko Alonso today is in Florida today, visiting Dr. James Andrews to get a second opinion on his knee injury, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). As Schefter notes, Dr. Andrews’ diagnosis will help to determine whether or not Alonso will require surgery on the troublesome knee.
- Ryan Fitzpatrick had his first bad game of the season on Sunday, throwing three interceptions in the Jets‘ loss to the Eagles. But even with Geno Smith on the way back, head coach Todd Bowles reiterated that Fitzpatrick is the team’s starter, and Newsday’s Bob Glauber says that’s the right call.
AFC Notes: Jets, Bills, Dolphins, Browns
Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick performed nicely for the Jets in leading them to a 2-0 start, completing well over 60 percent of passes and tossing four touchdowns against two interceptions. However, the 11th-year man came back to earth on Sunday in a 24-17 loss to the Eagles. He threw a whopping 58 passes and three picks while averaging a paltry 4.88 yards per attempt. Afterward, head coach Todd Bowles gave Fitzpatrick a vote of confidence, but he acknowledged that the 32-year-old is going to have to limit mistakes to stay atop the Jets’ depth chart.
“Ryan (Fitzpatrick) is our starter,” said Bowles, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini (Twitter link)
Bowles then added, “You’re not going to win a game throwing three interceptions.”
A look at a few other AFC teams, including some notable injury news:
- Although a hamstring injury has slowed Bills running back LeSean McCoy since August, head coach Rex Ryan is reluctant to give him a week off, per ESPN’s Mike Rodak (Twitter link). McCoy, whom Ryan estimates to be at 80 percent, wasn’t much of a factor in the Bills’ 41-14 thrashing of Miami on Sunday. The three-time Pro Bowler rushed for a mere 16 yards on 11 carries, though he did find the end zone for the first time this year on a 10-yard reception.
- Like McCoy, receiver Sammy Watkins – one of Buffalo’s other big-time playmakers – was limited Sunday because of injury. The second-year man caught one pass for 39 yards before leaving with a calf injury. Ryan referred to Watkins’ ailment as a “big concern” after the game, Joe Buscaglia of WKBW tweeted.
- While McCoy and Watkins didn’t make huge impacts Sunday, the same wasn’t true for most of their offensive cohorts in Bills uniforms. Their embarrassment of the Dolphins should lead to the end of defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle‘s tenure, opines Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. Among Salguero’s reasons: The Dolphins have just one sack this year (none in the last 11-plus quarters), and tackle Ndamukong Suh has gone from a superstar in Detroit to a nonentity in Miami. That won’t cut it for a player who signed a mega-deal worth over $100MM to join the Dolphins in the offseason.
- Browns quarterback Josh McCown injured his right hand in the team’s 27-20 loss to Oakland on Sunday and subsequently had X-rays, which were negative, according to ESPN. “I don’t want to speak on it,” McCown said. “I’ll let coach (Mike Pettine) speak on it, but I feel good.”
AFC Notes: Pats, Cooper, Ravens, Haden, Philbin
As the second wave of Week 3 games begin, let’s take a look at a few notes from the AFC…
- In his latest notes piece for ESPN.com, Mike Reiss wonders if the Patriots might be able to work out a trade for a cornerback. New England’s secondary is depleted after losing Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner, and Kyle Arrington during the offseason, and Bill Belichick has certainly shown a willingness to make in-season deals. Reiss speculates that New England might target Chiefs CB Marcus Cooper, who played just one snap last week and will see even less time given the return of Sean Smith from suspension. Per Reiss, the Patriots tried to claim Cooper off waivers in 2013 but were beaten out by Kansas City.
- Not only did the Ravens fall to 0-3 by losing to the Bengals today, but the club might be without first-round rookie receiver Breshad Perriman for longer than originally thought. Reports had indicated that Perriman was close to a return, but he apparently suffered a setback during pregame warmups earlier today. According to Jeff Zreibec of the Baltimore Sun, Perriman was “moving well” as he attempts to come back from a sprained knee, but pulled up lame as he tried to go after a deep ball.
- Elsewhere in the AFC North, Browns cornerback Joe Haden told Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (Twitter link) that X-rays came back negative on his injured ribs. However, Haden did say that he’ll undergo an MRI tomorrow.
- With the Dolphins record sitting at 1-1, and the club facing a stiff divisional test today against the Bills, several USA Today scribes debated whether head coach Joe Philbin might be on the proverbial hot seat. It’s widely believed that Miami must make the playoffs for Philbin to keep his job.