Change could be on the horizon in Miami if the Dolphins fall to the New York Jets in London Sunday, and drop their record to 1-3 after a big offseason spending spree. According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle's job is in jeopardy, and he's reportedly lost the confidence of his players.
Dolphins defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle could be fired after another loss
The dysfunction continues in Miami, where defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle has reportedly lost the confidence of his players.
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Per Rapoport, the players had a heated closed-door meeting with Coyle last week because they believe his complex schemes hinder their performance. Miami has the seventh-worst defense in the league this season even though it brought in star nose tackle Ndamukong Suh on a $114 million contract in the spring. Suh has six tackles in three games, and has been accused of ignoring Coyle's play calls. Both Suh and head coach Joe Philbin denied those claims.
Philbin's job could be on the line, too, if the Dolphins don't improve their performance. NFL Media's Rand Getlin reported Saturday players may "throw in the towel" if the losing persists. The Dolphins have lost to the Jaguars and Bills after squeaking by Washington in Week 1.
Getlin says players are frustrated with the play calling and don't like how practices have been run.
“We’ve been going out there, and practicing our (tails) off every day, but as players, we’re tired of being embarrassed,” said one member of the Dolphins. “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.”
Owner Stephen Ross tacked on an extra season to Philbin’s contract this offseason despite two consecutive late-season collapses. The Dolphins dropped the final two games of the 2013 campaign –– including a 19-0 loss to the Bills in Week 16 –– to miss out on the postseason after a promising start. Miami lost four of its final six games last year. Philbin is 24-27 in four seasons as the Dolphins’ head coach, and has never posted a winning season.
If the Dolphins start 1-3, the odds of them posting a winning record in 2015 would be slim –– and it seems as if the odds of Coyle and Philbin keeping their jobs could be even slimmer.
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