Don't get me wrong, I definitely don't think that Wannstedt is a great coach by any means. He may be above average at best. I can't excuse the fact that Wanny continues to run screen plays and draw plays every time the Dolphins have a 3rd and long..I hate that! But he hasn't always been conservative as many label him. Wannstedt has been aggressive on several occasions as the Dolphins head coach. It just seems that almost every time he takes a gamble it fails due to poor execution. That's probably why he's conservative most of the time (like most coaches).
Here are some examples of the aggressive Wannstedt:
2002 @ NE, Dolphins throw 3 straight times late in the 4th qtr with the idea that a 1st down would put the game away. They failed.
In the same game, the Dolphins went for a deep pass that could've given Miami a 28-10 lead in the 3rd qtr but it was overthrown and Mare missed the resulting FG attempt.
2003 vs. Texans, The Dolphins scored to go up by five, 20-15, with more than 12 minutes left to play. If they kick the extra point, they are up by six. But they wanted to go up by a touchdown, so they went for two (and failed).
In the same game, leading 20-18 with 4 minutes to go the Dolphins throw on 2nd &12 instead of playing it safe and working the clock. The poor pass was intercepted resulting in a loss.
2000 @ NY Jets, Immediately after the Jets tie the score at 30 in the 4th qtr, the Dolphins throw a 46 yard bomb to regain the lead.
2000 vs. Tampa Bay, trailing 16-13 and in FG range late in the game, the Dolphins try to pass for the win instead of running out the clock and settling for OT. A penalty and a terrible pass for an INT result.
2002 @ Bills, Late in the first half with the Dolphins up 14-10 and facing a 4th and 4 at the Bills 36, Miami coach Dave Wannstedt decided to gamble and go for it. Ray Lucas fumbled and Miami never recovered. A quote from Wanny..
"You know when you're on the road you're going to have to score points against Buffalo, you could just feel it out there. The momentum of the whole thing obviously swung into their favor, and that's what you've got to try to prevent.''...
It's hard to imagine that that gamble came from Mr.Conservative. I hope that with better offensive talent, Wannstedt will be less afraid and he will take more chances.