NFL Miami Dolphins

Locker Room Issues Resurfacing For Miami Dolphins Is a Troubling Sign

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By @CouchGuyFB

Miami Dolphins, Joe Philbin

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In the NFL, there is a cardinal rule when it comes to dealing with internal discord between coaches and players: keep that discord internal.

The Chicago Bears became the laughingstock of the league after their troubles were aired out when a miserable performance by Jay Cutler caused then offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer to spout off on Cutler’s decision-making.

Last year, the Miami Dolphins were the NFL’s social pariah due to “Bully-gate,” and you would think that an organization that had just suffered a black eye would strive to avoid another one. Well, not the Dolphins.

Multiple on and off the field incidents have publicized the growing rift between players and coaches, and a report in the South Florida Sun Sentinel blew the lid off the powder keg that is the Dolphins’ locker room.

Players have cited a lack of communication and faltering relationships as root causes of Miami’s late-season collapse that once again kept the Dolphins out of the playoffs. The aforementioned Bears cleaned house after it was made clear that the players and coaches no longer had any trust in one another. It might be time for the Dolphins to do the same.

“Bully-gate” derailed the 2013 season and turned the Dolphins into a walking punchline, but this year was supposed to be different. This year, Joe Philbin supposedly had fixed the issues that plagued the locker room and had an open door, symbolizing a kinder, gentler administration. As it turns out, it was all a house of cards.

Obviously, there is something seriously wrong at Dolphins camp. Whether it is a lack of leadership from Philbin and his staff, or players rebelling against authority, it makes no difference. When a team misses out on the playoffs after having a golden opportunity slip away, it is easy to understand that there is frustration in the locker room.

What isn’t acceptable, however, is that the frustration left the family. This report is akin to throwing the coaching staff under the bus and is proof that there is a problem with respect on both sides of the equation. If the coaches respected the players and communicated effectively with them and, in turn, earned the respect of the players, we would not be discussing upheaval in the locker room again. Yet here we are.

It is clear that something needs to change, and whatever it is needs to change quickly. If the Dolphins cannot overcome the petty squabbles that once again have put the off-the-field issues before the on-the-field play, there is no hope for this franchise to turn the corner. Mediocrity or worse is the outlook for now, and until the Dolphins realize that the locker room trouble has outweighed the locker room’s talent, that is the best Dolphins fans will get.

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