MIAMI GARDENS, FL – SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Adam Gase of the Miami Dolphins looks on during a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Hard Rock Stadium on September 1, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase has coached three games in his NFL career, and he is not wasting time delivering a message to his players.

It is one that can be a tricky message to deliver for a first year head coach, without the experience of a guy like Bill Belichick, but every coach has to do it.

Gase told reporters this week he is challenging his team to start performing better or they will risk getting benched regardless of where they were drafted or how much money they are making.

“I’m over discussing any of this stuff with players,” Gase said, according to The Miami Herald. “We’re either going to start getting the job done, or we’re going to make changes.”

On Sunday, against the Cleveland Browns, former first-round right tackle Ja’Wuan James was shown the bench after giving in to a pass rush that resulted in a strip-sack in the fourth quarter. The Dolphins were lucky that did not cost them the win, and they should be thankful that Cleveland allegedly skimped on free agent kickers when they signed Cody Parkey instead of Robbie Gould. Regardless, Gase knows changes sometimes need to be made in order to improve a team’s standing. Gase was hired to do just that, and taking command by threatening a loss of playing time comes with the job.

How that is handled is what can be tricky. With Gase being a first-year head coach, there is still a respect level that needs to be established. A first-year coach cannot just come right in without any winning experience behind him and start being a complete dictator and expect instant results. Gase needs to make sure his relationship with his players is a respectful one, so that veteran leaders on the team will back up the decisions being made and help create a new atmosphere and culture within the locker room. Turning around a team that has been struggling to thrive can be extra difficult.

It is sort of a Catch-22 for Gase. He needs to establish order and prove his way will work, but he has no track record as a head coach to lean on for gravitas.

Will the strategy work?

We’ll have to watch the rest of the season.

[The Miami Herald]

About Kevin McGuire

Contributor to Athlon Sports and The Comeback. Previously contributed to NBCSports.com. Host of the Locked On Nittany Lions Podcast. FWAA member and Philadelphia-area resident.