Dolphins coach Brian Flores fires his first

The Miami Dolphins still haven’t played their first preseason game under Brian Flores. But he’s already making it clear that he will not hesitate to make changes, even if they are changes to his original direction.

The first of note was today’s firing of offensive line coach Pat Flaherty.

Here’s how it played out on Twitter:

We have relieved offensive line coach Pat Flaherty of his duties and promoted analyst Dave DeGuglielmo to offensive line coach.

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) July 29, 2019

The #Dolphins have fired offensive line coach Pat Flaherty of his duties and promoted analyst Dave DeGuglielmo to offensive line coach. Flaherty struggled to implement the new system, and it’s been an issue since the spring. It’s why DeGuglielmo was brought in.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 29, 2019

Here’s how our Chris Kouffman (@CKParrot) of Three Yards Per Carry viewed the move:

One thing about this Pat Flaherty firing is the message it sends to Dolphins players. If they ever think they are safe, or that coaches are not held to the same level of accountability as the players, well, that perception has just been shattered. @3YardsPerCarry

— Chris Kouffman (@ckparrot) July 29, 2019

Under Adam Gase, Dolphins assistant coaches get fired mid-year because they’ve been caught sniffing coke at their work desks.

Under Brian Flores, Dolphins assistant coaches get fired mid-year for not meeting performance standards.

Which do you prefer?

— Chris Kouffman (@ckparrot) July 29, 2019

I see a lot of folks saying Flores should’ve just hired the right OL Coach from the start. A little unfair. Assistant turnover happens in the NFL. A lot. Just like signing free agent players that turn out to be a bad fit. The key is how early you see and remediate those mistakes.

— Chris Kouffman (@ckparrot) July 29, 2019

Something to ponder. Dave DeGuglielmo is the coach that moved Jesse Davis to Right Tackle for two games in 2017, until an injury to Jermon Bushrod forced another re-shuffling of the line halfway thru the Buccaneers game.

— Chris Kouffman (@ckparrot) July 29, 2019

It should be noted that this came after a particularly brutal performance by the offensive line in practice. There’s not much talent there other than left tackle, so any coach will have trouble. But that group has been overmatched so far by another group (defensive line) that isn’t loaded with stars either.

I have seen a lot of practices, over many many years. Yesterday was as bad a practice, as I have seen. A few fellow media members agreed. A couple did not. You can make the case that the OL was the worst unit in that practice yesterday. @UptownReport

— Three Yards Per Carry (@3YardsPerCarry) July 29, 2019

How was it viewed elsewhere?

We hear about players being released during training camp, but not so much with coaches.#Dolphins head coach Brian Flores sending a key message to staff and players – no one is safe if you're not producing. https://t.co/a0GZHqSrmB

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) July 29, 2019

Accountability is key, apparently. What a welcome change.

Brian Flores makes Dolphins players run for sloppy Sunday practicehttps://t.co/ibQ8soEWYd pic.twitter.com/AInZ0MBV34

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) July 29, 2019