Dolphins Throw it Away Once More

Photo Credit: Associated Press

Despite controlling their playoff fate, the Miami Dolphins failed to secure a shot at the NFL postseason once again - leaving them sitting at home for the fifth straight year.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has clearly stated that he isn’t ruling anything out during this offseason, which could include parting ways with GM Jeff Ireland, Head Coach Joe Philbin and/or other members of the team staff. While the Dolphins issues do not solely lie on the coaching staff, Betfair.com odds suggest that Philbin could be on his way.

"I'm making no comment on that,” said Philbin after seeing his team throw away their best chance of reaching the playoffs in recent history. But building a winning franchise takes more than just replacing a head coach every few years.

Teams wouldn't suffer droughts of five straight seasons at or below .500 if that were the case.

An offensive line wouldn't allow just short of 60 sacks in a season if that were the case (the most in franchise history by a wide margin).

An offense as a whole wouldn't combine for just seven points in the final two games of the season if that were the case.

The Dolphins seemed to survive the Richie Incognito-Jonathan Martin scandal by going 5-2 after the controversy reached national headlines. But losing two straight to finish the season sealed their fate.

There's at least one major positive to take away from the season: the development of quarterback Ryan Tannehill. The question will now be whether the youngster can lead the team into next season’s playoffs, something the oddsmakers predict could happen.