Philbin's fate to be decided Monday, coach not worried

Before Sunday, Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin's job appeared to be in jeopardy.

After Sunday, it still does.

Philbin's squad fell to the New York Jets in uninspiring fashion, losing 27-14 in a game that really wasn't as close as the score indicated.

Now, his fate will be decided in a day. According to ProFootballTalk, "owner Stephen Ross is now expected to make a decision on Philbin's job status by Monday."

Philbin, however, insists he isn't worried. His Dolphins are 1-3 and reeling.

"I'm worried about getting this team straightened out, fixed and getting our team ready to play the Tennessee Titans," he said, via NFL.com.

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RPT: Another decisive loss could be the end for Philbin

If the Miami Dolphins put up another stinker Sunday against the division rival New York Jets, Joe Philbin could be a goner.

That's according to the Miami Herald's Armando Salguero.

"How do I know this? I know," Salguero wrote Friday regarding the Dolphins head coach. "[Owner Stephen] Ross doesn't want anything to do with this topic. He declined to answer multiple questions on the matter during the week. He hasn't even discussed it with some of the most powerful employees within the Dolphins organization. But he has thought about it privately."

Miami followed a weak opening day win over the Washington Redskins with an uninspiring loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and a rout at the hands of the Buffalo Bills last weekend. If the Dolphins get blown out Sunday, Philbin's time at the helm could be running short.

"If the Dolphins start this game poorly again, suggesting their preparation is lacking," Salguero wrote, "… If the Dolphins show little fight again -- as they did at times in the second half of the Buffalo game … If the Dolphins are dealt a loss this week similar in size and scope to the one they suffered in that 41-14 thrashing by the Bills ... Then Joe Philbin's job will definitely be in jeopardy during the bye week."

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Philbin didn't see any 'freelancing' from Suh

The Miami Herald reported Monday that Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was "freelancing" Sunday in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Monday, coach Joe Philbin refuted that report.

“I just watched the entire tape with the entire defensive staff," he said, via the Palm Beach Post. "I just didn’t see anything of the sort. I’m not sure where that came from.” 

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Philbin: Carolina game a prove-it situation for safeties

With Louis Delmas lost for the season to a knee injury, the battle is on to see who can emerge as his replacement for the Miami Dolphins at strong safety.

And though practice can be a helpful guide, coach Joe Philbin will be looking for a standout performance -- namely from Michael Thomas and Walt Aikens -- in the team's second preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.

"Can they get a guy down in space? Can they tackle a guy when it’s third-and-8 and the guy catches a 5-yard pass? Those type of things. We need to see them compete and make plays," Philbin said via MiamiDolphins.com.

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Despite losing record, Philbin gets one-year extension

Joe Philbin and the Miami Dolphins have spent the last three years standing on the doorstep, a game or two out of a playoff berth. Monday, owner Steve Ross gave Philbin at least two more years to get what they've both been after.

The 53-year-old coach, who was set to start the final year of his contract, was granted a one-year extension Monday, a move Ross is hoping will keep Philbin's mind off his future and on the present task at hand.

"I really believe that you don't get the best out of someone when they are operating with a gun to their head," Ross said via Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel. 

Philbin's posted a 23-25 record since joining the 'Phins, certainly not what Ross was hoping for when he brought him on back in 2012. He hinted Monday that if things don't turn around, he wouldn't be afraid to shake things up ... with any aspect of the organization.

"No matter what business you're in you're always evaluating, and looking at your people, and looking to do things better," Ross said. "If you see a problem you have to react and do something about it and not just say 'Hey, I'm stuck with this problem no matter what.'"

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RPT: Dolphins to give Joe Philbin an extension

BY EDITOR

The Miami Dolphins will be giving coach Joe Philbin a contract extension, according to Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald.

"The purpose of the extension is two-fold: It addresses the idea that Philbin would enter next season as a lame duck coach," writes Salguero. "It also insulates the Dolphins should Philbin's Dolphins have a good year and the coach wish to parlay that into other opportunities."

Philbin's extended contract, however, doesn't mean he's certain to be the team's leader beyond the 2015 season.

Odrick: 9-7 record means nothing with no playoffs

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The Miami Dolphins will be out for a pair of moral victories the next two weeks when they take on the Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets, respectively.

A two-game sweep, however, won't be enough to lift the morale of the locker room if they miss the playoffs for the 12th time in 13 years--a likely scenario given their playoff hopes are slim to none.

“Finishing 9-7 and not going to the playoffs doesn’t mean a thing," defensive lineman Jared Odrick said this week, via Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald.

Dolphins cranking the AC in prep for Denver?

BY NICK ST. DENIS

This week, the Miami Dolphins are preparing for their coldest game so far this season.

Miami will travel to Denver Sunday to take on the Broncos, where the temperature is expected to peak in the low-40s or mid-to-upper-30s.

Sure, that's not that cold. However, the coldest the Dolphins have been this year is 50 degrees--in Chicago a few weeks ago--and they're certainly not battling frost bite every day in practice.

Philbin: Plenty of questions surround Jordan's return

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Dion Jordan is eligible to return to action this Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. That doesn't necessarily mean he'll be on the field, though.

The team technically has until Monday to decide on Jordan's roster status now that he's completed his second suspension of the season, the most recent for substance abuse issues. Moreover, coach Joe Philbin and the coaching staff have to decide whether they think Jordan is prepared -- in all aspects of the game -- to return this weekend.

"We’ll look at everything (including special teams)," Philbin said via Alain Poupart of the Dolphins' website Tuesday. We’re going to look at every single thing and dress the guys that we think are going to give us the best chance. Everything counts. Everything matters.

Philbin: Stats don't tell entire story on 3-2 Packers

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

The old adage that "stats don't lie" is hard to refute in this day in age, particularly in the NFL when nearly every single move a player makes is tallied and compared to his counterparts.

Take a look at the Green Bay Packers' offense through five games, however, and you can make a pretty strong case.

In total offense, the Pack ranks 25th; their third-worst when you take into account teams that haven't had a bye week yet. The squad is currently averaging 309 offensive yards per game (28th in the league), 90 of which is on the ground (25th overall).

Start to look at the scoreboard though, especially during their wins, and the picture changes a bit.

Philbin: London trip a good gauge of team's maturity

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Coach Joe Philbin doesn't expect much to change work-wise this weekend as the team travels across the Atlantic for its Week 4 game in London. In fact, he plans on keeping things exactly the same, including the amount of time the players have to themselves.

Sunday's game at Wembley Stadium in England offers plenty of opportunity for distraction. For the young roster, it's a potentially once-in-a-lifetime trip where they'll surely want to experience some of the more famous sights and hot spots in Europe.

For the football side of it, Philbin told reporters Tuesday that schedules will remain as regimented as always leading up to the game, as the team aims to keep things somewhat normal minus the change of scenery.

Philbin says backup QB spot hasn't been settled yet

BY EDITOR

Brady Quinn was brought in to the Miami Dolphins' quarterback mix in place of third-stringer Pat Devlin, but the guy who was already ahead of Devlin on the depth chart apparently isn't safe, either.

According to Dolphins coach Joe Philbin, Matt Moore isn't a lock to enter the season as Ryan Tannehill's backup.

“We haven’t really settled it,” Philbin said, via Andrew Abramson of The Palm Beach Post. “We’re going to go play a game in a couple days, we’re going to take a look at that. I’d hope maybe after this week we can settle in a little bit as we head in to Dallas (for the third preseason game).

Philbin says Dolphins have sorting out to do at TE

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Miami Dolphins tight end Charles Clay had a breakout year in 2013 and appears to be a guy on the way up. His backup? We'll find out.

Dustin Keller, who never played a regular season down for the Dolphins due to injury, isn't coming back, and Michael Egnew, a guy the team had high hopes for a couple years ago, hasn't materialized.

But Miami didn't target the position in free agency and instead opted to roll with a young squad, which includes fifth-rounder Arthur Lynch.

Philbin says Gibson is off to a good start in 2014

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Brandon Gibson was developing into a solid option in the Miami Dolphins' otherwise on-and-off passing offense before suffering a season-ending torn PCL seven games into the 2013 season.

Gibson was back to work Tuesday at the start of the team's OTAs.

"We’re looking for progress on a daily basis with Brandon," Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said, via MiamiDolphins.com. "He’s been very diligent in his preparation for the offseason. He spent a lot of time here. The training staff, the medical staff have done an excellent job with him.

Philbin: Clay's progression evident beyond stat sheet

BY SEAN DONOVAN

Arguably the most consistent performer for the Miami Dolphins' offense in 2013 was a guy little was expected of going into the season.

Tight end Charles Clay, who was a projected backup behind free agent signing Dustin Keller, stepped up in a huge way after Keller went down with a knee injury in the preseason.

Clay hauled in 69 passes for 759 yards and a team-leading six touchdowns, each total an increase from his previous year's production by a factor of three. The third-year pro also added a touchdown on the ground.

Philbin expects 'significant jump' for Dion Jordan

BY SEAN DONOVAN

One of the biggest disappointments of the Miami Dolphins' 2013 season -- which ended in the ultimate disappointment of a late-season collapse and no playoff berth -- was the lack of impact from No. 3 overall pick defensive end Dion Jordan, whom the Dolphins moved up nine spots to draft.

To be more specific, Jordan's lack of playing time raised concerns that the coaching staff didn't believe that the 6-foot-6, 260 hybrid defender could succeed in a more significant role.

Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin dispelled that rumor, citing "injury issues" as the primary reason Jordan's role was curbed last season in an interview at the NFL owner's meetings in Orlando, via The Miami Herald.

Philbin made sure fired offensive line coach got paid

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Keep your friends close and your head coach closer.

Former Miami Dolphins offensive line coach Jim Turner was fired last week in the wake of the Ted Wells report, which outlined a harassment and bullying scandal Turner supposedly had a hand in.

Owner Stephen Ross didn't plan on honoring the two years of paychecks Turner was still under contract for, but coach Joe Philbin changed his mind.

Philbin takes accountability but pleads ignorance

BY SEAN DONOVAN

In an about-face, the Miami Dolphins scheduled head coach Joe Philbin to speak Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

There, he'd finally address the franchise-shaking details contained in the NFL's independent report on Miami's locker room culture.

And if you've heard Philbin speak in the past, you knew what to expect: acknowledgment of ultimate responsibility for his team, with emphasis on his deniability in the situation.

For a change, Dolphins' coach & GM see eye-to-eye

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The Miami Dolphins' head coach and general manager getting along? Weird.

The well-documented disconnect between former Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland and current coach Joe Philbin came to a head in 2013, as Philbin made Ireland's rookie class by far the least active in all the NFL.

That was only one piece of evidence, though it was a pretty telling one.

Philbin is lone AFC East coach not at Senior Bowl

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The Miami Dolphins are the only team in the NFL currently without a general manager on staff, and they're reportedly the only team in the AFC East currently without a coach at the Senior Bowl.

According to Andrew Abramson of The Palm Beach Post, no members of the Dolphins' coaching staff are in attendance at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., though the Dolphins do have scouts at the event alongside assistant general manager Brian Gaine.

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan and Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone have spoken to media members over the past couple days at the practices, and New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick was spotted Tuesday.