“I really like the direction that the Dolphins are going,” Shula told Jesse Agler of The Finsiders this week. “The coach and the quarterback, defensively, they’re pretty good on that side of the ball – I think it’s just a matter time.”
Shula said he likes "the way (Joe Philbin has) handled himself and surrounded himself with the best assistants." (photo: Mark Mathosian, Flickr)
Being a proud member of the Dolphins' rich history, Shula is obviously going to fluff up his thoughts on the organization's frontmen. However, it doesn't hurt to get his seal of approval.
"You can't help but like Joe," the Hall of Famer said of Philbin, who is coming off his first year as head coach after spending close to a decade coaching and being promoted in the Green Bay Packers' offense.
Shula added that he also "saw enough" of rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill to know he's capable of "being a good quarterback in the future."
Not screwing up the first year (7-9) of a rookie coach-quarterback tandem is a good start, but in the most win-now business in sports, the NFL, Philbin & Co. will be pressed to take another step forward in 2013.
Follow Nick @NickStDenis
Follow AFC East Daily @AFCEastDaily
