Dolphins Must Consider Cleaning out Toxic Wide Receiver Situation

As the NFL playoffs continue, take a look around at what kind of players each of the remaining contenders have on their rosters. You’ll find playmakers scattered throughout the field on offense and defense.

What is also important is that these playmakers put the team before their own personal goals. Some players inevitably have dynamic personalities (see: Marshawn Lynch), but the common goal of winning a championship through personal sacrifice exists.

Stakes are at their highest in the playoffs. Games are decided by just a few plays that separate the good from the great, and emotions are at their highest. That leaves opportunities for individuals to make selfish decisions as a reaction to plays that don't go their way.

But that hasn't happened in the playoffs. And most likely, the individuals taking part in the playoffs will continue to be good teammates even when the games don't go as hoped.

Why is that? Because winners understand that being a distraction hurts the team. Making a statement on the field or afterwards in the locker room can create rifts or factions between parties.

Let's take these simple principles and see if they apply to the Miami Dolphins receiving corps.

When the Dolphins reached 5-4, they were positioned to make a strong playoff push so long as they defeated the Buffalo Bills at home on November 13. The Thursday night showdown offered the team a prime-time opportunity to make a statement win, and it ultimately delivered with a masterful 22-9 victory.

One day before the game, however, NFL.com's Jeff Darlington reported that some of Miami's starters weren't happy with new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor. The complaint was odd, as Miami had improved its offensive play from 2013, mostly due to quarterback Ryan Tannehill's growth and Lazor's schemes.

Considering that Tannehill and running back Lamar Miller each have no history of creating stirs in the media and each enjoyed a breakout season, the remarks seemingly came from one positional group: Miami's wide receivers.

As the season reached the finale with Miami out of playoff contention, the morale of the team seemed to lower. Many Dolphins players looked tired and worn out from the roller-coaster season. And eventually, the biggest headache on the team showed his true colors.

"

Many Dolphins teammates were very displeased with Wallace’s actions today. Several tell me they felt like he abandoned them when needed.

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) December 29, 2014"

Needing just 138 yards to break the 1,000-yard mark for the season, receiver Mike Wallace benched himself for the rest of the game, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. He effectively quit on his team because he wasn't being featured enough in the offense. It also wasn't the first time he threatened to bench himself.

Yes, the receiver on pace for the second-most targets in his career (the most coming last season) was unhappy despite being the most relied-upon weapon for the team. That in itself set the tone for what happened after the game, which can only be described as a disgrace and embarrassing for one of the league's most historical franchises.

With the help of fellow receiver Brandon Gibson, Wallace made a mockery of his postgame interview. He allowed Gibson to answer every question so that Wallace didn't "say anything wrong" from what Gibson said in the interview.

After the fact, receivers Brian Hartline, Matt Hazel, Wallace and Gibson seemed to find the event funny on social media. Take a look at their tweets on January 8, which insinuated they did not take team meetings seriously.

"

@Bgibson04 @brianhartline @Wallace17_daKid pic.twitter.com/tOZCZCTKjh

— Matt Hazel (@MattHazel_) January 9, 2015"

"

@brianhartline @MattHazel_ @Wallace17_daKid that was me and mike everyday in meetings 😂

— Brandon Lewis Gibson (@Bgibson04) January 9, 2015"

It's childish and embarrassing to the organization that the highest-paid receiving corps in the NFL would act this way. Not only did the group fail to provide Miami with enough game-breaking plays, it instead blamed surrounding parties for its mediocrity.

If the Dolphins allow the duo of Wallace and Gibson to return to Miami for another season, it will only be a matter of time until the shenanigans begin next year. Talented or not, teams don't win with habitual malcontents being the loudest mouths in the room. Part of the issue is that Miami has allowed them to get away with these actions, and the Dolphins lack more leaders, but the team shouldn't need babysitters for these grown men.

This is an offseason purge that must happen. Otherwise, the receiving corps will continue to be an issue—both on and off the field.

All stats used are from Sports-Reference.com.

Ian Wharton is a Miami Dolphins Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, contributor for Optimum Scouting and analyst for eDraft. 

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