Miami Dolphins: Brian Flores Could be the Difference Maker in Miami

A new season, a new head coach. It seems like more of the same from the Miami Dolphins. Every 2-3 years, it’s the same old song and dance. From Cam Cameron to Joe Philbin, to Adam Gase and all the interims in between, the search for a long term head coach is almost as long as the search for a franchise quarterback. Is that why these guys have failed? They’ve all hitched their wagon to the wrong horse? And how can Brian Flores avoid the same fate?

The clear cut answer in most people’s mind is finding the right guy at quarterback. Unfortunately for Dolphins fans, there’s more to it than that.

One of the most impressive things about Brian Flores so far is the team-first mentality he’s bringing in. A philosophy that every guy and every role matters, from the owner to the guy sweeping the locker room at night. This is where the line is drawn not only in good football teams but in most successful businesses as well. If everyone feels as if they’re part of the process and their role is important, they’ll put in that little extra effort.

How does that affect the roster going forward, you ask?

Simple. Take Adam Gase and Brian Flores and put them side by side. They both wanted the same thing. Physically and mentally tough football players who love the game of football. Gase had limited success, Flores will unlikely follow his path by distancing himself from one key area, alphas. When Gase came to Miami, his whole mantra was alphas when it came to player personality. Sounds great on paper, did not translate to on-field success. Players with big personalities often lead to the “me first” egos that run good players out of town and doom franchises.

Flores, on the other hand, wants guys who put the team first. Players who understand they’re not going to get there without the help of the other 52 players on the roster. Accountability is the one thing that stands out in both Flores’ press conferences so far. He doesn’t seem like he’s a bs artist trying to spin positivity out of his failures. Preaching accountability and team-first has been the two focuses hammered home.

After all, he does come from the New England Patriots.

The same Patriot team where the six-time Super Bowl champion takes pay cuts year after year to help the team stay competitive.

A Pats team where everyone knows their role and the “next man up” mentality has bench performers and castaways becoming stars.

The same New England team who, for the better part of two decades, has made the rest of the NFL hate their dominant ways with consistency and winning football.

Sure, finding the right quarterback might solidify his coaching career, but Brian Flores just might be bringing the right intangible pieces to the Miami Dolphins, quarterback or not.