Adam Schefter on Twitter has reported that the Miami Dolphins plan to hire Packers OC Joe Philbin as their new head coach, which could bring added fantasy value to the Dolphin players in 2012.
The Miami Herald also confirms.
Originally the Dolphins were looking at Broncos OC Mike McCoy, but it appears now that Miami's sails have shifted in another direction.
Joe Philbin has been with the Packers since 2007, and was head coach Mike McCarthy's right hand man when it came to signal calling and offensive planning.
Joe Philbin was also the man who helped create the vaunted offense the Packers deploy—an offense that has never dipped below 9th in NFL offensive rankings during his time in Green Bay.
While this is a big score for Miami, there are several other fantasy implications that could wind up being big scores for fantasy owners in the 2012 season if everything goes off without a hitch.
Joe Philbin's Potential Impact:
Any Green Bay fan will tell you that Joe Phibin runs a traditional West Coast Offense, and with the right man at the helm, the potential impact could be huge for fantasy owners everywhere.
Let' start with the helm.
The whispers are beginning to circle around the notion that Packers backup quarterback Matt Flynn could soon catch the next flight to sunny Florida to join his old coordinator, and possibly take over (or at the very least compete for) the starting job at quarterback.
That is, of course, if Washington doesn't grab him first—let the games begin!
Flynn completed 62.1% of his passes for 1,015 yards with a 9:5 TD:INT ratio and is already familiar with Philbin's system, so it does appear to be a marriage made in heaven. But I personally wouldn't consider him any more than a QB2 no matter where he goes, until he shows everyone something more than what we have to work with.
Still, coming to Miami would have a bigger effect on Flynn's potential than Washington in my opinion simply because of Philbin's presence and familiarity with the youngster.
The Dolphins still have Matt Moore for the time being and Moore proved his competency last season filling in for Chad Henne completing 60.4% of his passes for 2,497 yards with a 16:9 TD:INT ratio in 347 attempts—not too shabby.
There is some sentiment that the Dolphins will part ways with both Henne and Moore, but I believe Henne will be the only guy to get the boot—it's just too hard to ignore Moore's apparent potential.
The Philbin Factor:
Wide receiver Brandon Marshall flourished in Denver under Mike Shanahan who ran a near identical version of Philbin's WCO—running back Reggie Bush has always flourished as a pass catching back (crucial for the WCO) and excelled in a similar system at USC—slot receiver Davone Bess is already a growing master of the short lateral routes that not only make a slot receiver dangerous, but it is those routes that characterize the WCO.
The importance behind the aforementioned is simple: the potential 2012 fantasy football value for these three particular players just got a significant punch in the arm.
The Dolphins ran a more traditional "run-first" campaign for most of 2011 and we can see the evidence of that through Reggie Bush's career numbers in carries (216), yards rushing (1,086), rushing scores (6) and his second best YPC average of 5.03.
This season, however, we could see the Dolphins transition to the WCO which will help them do what they couldn't do in 2011—stretch opposing defenses.
If that happens, each of these player's potential fantasy value will immediately increase.
The Intangibles: Read With Caution!
With the arrival of Joe Philbin the Dolphins have plenty to think about regarding some internal players, as well as their own upcoming 2012 NFL Draft.
In order for the expected transition to take effect (should they try), they will need some elevated play from outside receiver Brian Hartline in 2012—better play from Hartline would also increase his fantasy value, potentially raising him to a clear cut WR3 in most fantasy drafts.
The Dolphins will also have to figure out two key areas moving forward now: What to do with Anthony Fasano and the TE position and how to replace Marc Colombo on the O-Lie.
TE Anthony Fasano has never really been much of a impact fantasy player anyhow, and his role could even further regress if Philbin decides to convert Fasano to more of a blocking TE than a pass-catching one.
Fasano has the size and strength to do so, and with a lack of true pass-catching speed, the move does have some possibilities.
The Dolphins will more-than-likely lose RT Marc Colombo (thank god) raising some unavoidable questions come time draft day.
The Dolphins could very easily consider drafting an NFL ready offensive lineman in hopes of improving a unit that wasn't all that bad in 2011.
Miami could now shift their focus towards someone like Iowa's Riley Reiff who would be a huge upgrade over Colombo, and the sort of pro-ready player who may fit right in under Philbin's scheme.
With a line consisting of Jake Long, Richie Incognito, Mark Pouncey and Vernon Carey (hopefully he stays), adding Reiff would only make this unit better, adding to the potential success to the lot.
The bottom line here is that there is plenty of upswing in Miami right now and yes, they now appear to be the team to watch as the off-season moves forward.
For fantasy football owners there is a lot to consider here as well, adding a few options to the plate that perhaps weren't there in 2011.
It's amazing what fantasy implications can be brought from just one individual, isn't it?
