Indianapolis Colts

Joe Philbin focused on building relationships with Colts

Published Jan. 25, 2016 12:50 p.m. ET

foxsports

New Indianapolis Colts offensive line coach Joe Philbin has been with the team a little more than a week after being hired on Jan. 15, and has already begun addressing this first priority.

Philbin, who spent three-plus years as head coach of the Miami Dolphins before being fired in October after a 1-3 start to the season, said he's reached out to all the Colts' linemen in an effort to get to know the group he'll be coaching next season.

Via the Colts' official website:

“You have to build a relationship with the players that you coach,” Philbin said

“I’ve reached out to each and every one of them. I’ve talked to all of them on the phone. They seem like an outstanding group of men. Four or five of them have already stopped by the office and I’ve had a chance to visit with those guys in person. That’s job No. 1, getting to know the people you are interacting with on a daily basis.”

After establishing a relationship with the players, Philbin's primary task will be trying to coax better play out of a line that gave up 118 quarterback hits in 2015, second most in the NFL.

“Football is a game of fundamentals, execution and team work,” Philbin said. “Those are really the three things that you focus on along the offensive line. Whether it’s run blocking or pass blocking, there’s a certain way to do things.

“We all have to get on the same page, believe in what we’re doing, believe in how we are doing it and then we have to function as a team. We can’t have our own little groups. We have to be our own group and have pride in the offensive line.”

If the Colts are to return to the playoffs next season, keeping quarterback Andrew Luck healthy will be key. If Philbin is successful in getting his message across to the offensive line, the team should find itself in a far better position than 2015.