Miami Dolphins’ Joe Philbin Must Increase Intensity

By Alexander Christian @CouchGuyRants on October 18, 2014

If there has ever been a time in Joe Phibin’s tenure as head coach of the Miami Dolphins for the typically dull Philbin to show some intensity, it is now. He has been under scrutiny all week for his late game management that directly contributed to the collapse against the Green Bay Packers last Sunday, and desperately needs a win against the Chicago Bears tomorrow to prove that he is capable of making the right decisions to win the game.

In all fairness, Philbin has done a great job in handling the public outcry over the end of last week’s loss by utilizing that often infuriating monotone and seeming unfazed, while still accepting the blame and taking the heat off of his players. Characterized by a personality that brings to mind images of a basset hound on a rural porch on a hot day, Philbin doesn’t inspire much fire on the sideline. However, he needs to viscerally show that he cares this week. Run on the field and give the referee a hard time for blowing a call. Give a fist pump and smile after a big play. Differentiate yourself from a reanimated corpse.

Now, by no means should this be taken that Philbin needs to go out there and be somebody that he isn’t. Philbin’s calm and calculating manner is what made him a head coach in the first place. Dolphins fans remember the days when Tony Sparano would run down the field celebrating a field goal as if he had just won the lottery as the other extreme, and certainly don’t want a return to that. What is wanted, however, is at least the appearance that Philbin cares that the season and his job are on the line.