Dolphins coach Joe Philbin faced the media for the first time since Peyton Manning became available on Thursday night, but he didn’t offer much insight into the Dolphins’ pursuit of the quarterback.
Philbin, who was at Sun Life Stadium for a charity event, said that he’s been so busy with work that he didn’t even know about the helicopter chase and media circus that accompanied Manning’s arrival in Miami after Wednesday’s press conference in Indianapolis. He was circumspect in regard to the team’s desire to sign Manning (or any other quarterback, for that matter) and said that, generally, his focus has been on other things this week.
“I have not talked to him, not at all,” Philbin said, via the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. “We had a busy day in the office. We’re evaluating draft prospects and putting our playbook together so I have not spoken to him.”
That doesn’t mean that general manager Jeff Ireland, owner Stephen Ross or anyone else hasn’t spoken with Manning or his representatives, of course. Philbin would likely be involved in any sales job, but any head coach of a team that wants Manning is likely to send a pretty similar message that revolves around an offense designed to make Manning look as good as possible while giving him enough leeway to feel comfortable in new surroundings.
Philbin might have an easier time of doing that than some of the other coaches running teams in the Manning market. As a first-year head coach, he doesn’t have an established system that must adjust to Manning although it is anyone’s guess as to how much that helps the Dolphins in their pursuit.