A realist perspective on our team

[Phinfan31]

Let me make something clear about this thread - this is not a topic of discussion on todays game. This is in response to all of the people who are yelling for Sparano to be fired, players to be cut, and to clean house. It is to defend the status of our team as a whole, because some seem to think we need to start from square one all over again.

For all of you guys who can recognize a good thing when you see it, you'll agree with me that we are in good hands. Yes. We are likely out of the hunt for the playoffs, but don't blame the guys up top. No, that would be a tragic mistake.

We all had high expectations. Period. We are all guilty of it, whether you want to admit it or not. Last season we went 11-5, MIRACULOUSLY. Starting 2-4 and going 9-1. Any of you that think we were a LEGITIMATE 11-5 team (i.e. Colts/Pats of this decade)...where anything less is a disappointment are definitely misled.

Our GM was quoted at the beginning of this year saying we are a better football team and may have a worse season. They SAW IT COMING...but not many of us would accept it. The reality is were not there yet. The trio has a 3 year plan in place. We overachieved last year. If you remember we BARELY won half of those games during that stretch, we could have easily been an 8-8 team or worse.

Our team is SO MUCH better off than it was before the trio got here. Lets compare something real fast:

What happened in 2007?
-We lost our starting QB
-We lost our starting RB
-We lost our #1 WR
-We lost BOTH our safties, and Bell was in week1

Lost all of them for the season. Those are just off the top of my head. Thats the BIG3 on offense, and 2 secondary starters. We went 1-15.

Lets compare with this year.
-Lost starting QB
-Lost starting RB + RB3
-Lost starting CB
-Lost starting DT
- I think its safe to say even though we didnt lose a WR...our status is pretty much as if we did because they all suck

What a hit weve taken, yet were still alive? We have been competing in every single game. How can we lose our QB, our star RB, our CB, and not really miss a beat? Coaching and depth. We are the youngest team in the NFL. We are starting so many rookies, drafted, undrafted, its ridiculous to expect us to go 10-6 or better with what we have had to endure. This team is FIGHTING though, they're learning, and with a few more acquisitions and god hoping no injuries next year, we could very well be a REAL contender.

Yes. Our coordinators have both made some seriously questionable calls...and I think they need to be evaluated. But you know what? I will back up the trio on whatever personnel decisions they make this offseason. If they choose to keep them or go another direction I will support it because they know a hell of alot more than we do.

Would you rather be the Rams? The Chiefs? The Falcons? All teams that sucked terribly in 2007. We are better off than all of them. Far better off. Yes, Atlanta may have big name players in Gonzalez, Turner, White...but I'll take our head coach, our GM, and Parcells over their guys any day. I deploy to iraq this summer and I will miss all of next season...and its hard knowing how much better were gonna be.



*****NOTE TO MODS*******

Can we please consider having a VENTING forum on its own? Its really painful to have to sift through all these awful negative threads that have absolutely no insight at all. Its been bad lately. Back to the 2006-7 status. It would be great because every time one is posted it could be moved over to that forum and people who get off on talking trash about our team can go have fun with it over there.

Just please consider the idea.:thanks:




EDIT: Update.

I want to relate the current situation to a very similar one in our recent history...

As much as we hate him, Saban turned us around from 4-12 with no hope to a 9-7 team to be reckoned with. The exact same thing happened the following year...expectations were very high, Miami was hosting the superbowl and our players were even saying we'd be playing in it in our home stadium, all of us fans bought into what Saban was doing and praised him.

Then what happened? We went 6-10...other than an incredible upset over Chicago, that season was one to forget. However, i'll have you remember that we lost several of those games by 6 points or less.

Crushed. Expectations couldnt be lived up to. Saban abandoned us and things were worse than ever as we'd go on to have the worst season of our teams history the following year.

This is what could happen if Parcells left and we cleaned house. Just because we didnt live up to the expectations this year doesnt mean that we need to change everything. We have identified the areas of concern, and I sure hope that those 3 up top stay with our team. Coordinators, players, they're all potentially replaceable but to lose any member of the trio would be a severe mistake.

 

[Phinfan31]

Another thing - Parcells is not leaving. Not till we make the playoffs again. Write that down.

 

[WVDolphan]

Yes. Our coordinators have both made some seriously questionable calls...and I think they need to be evaluated. But you know what? Anything those 3 guys decide I will back 100%. They know what we do not.

Good luck with that.

They know what we dont? Well I could swear I know that when your RB is pounding the **** out of a team and you come up with a 1st and goal from the 3, while their D has shown ZERO signs of stopping you from running.........its probably a good idea to call a running play. I donno. Call me crazy. But, I feel like we score there if we hand it off. 2 tries at the most, but we have 3 if ya need em.

But, yea Henning knows more than me.

Henning dosent know **** bro. Thats common ****ing sense. 8 year old ****ing kids would know it makes perfect sense to run the ****ing ball there. But, hey if you did want to throw, why not let your QB do it. Maybe even mix in a roll out off play action just for fun. But, that would still be pretty stupid when you consider the other team was not stopping your RB at all.

 

[Viggen]

First of all...for all of you guys who can recognize a good thing when you see it, you'll agree with me that we are in good hands. Yes. We are likely out of the hunt for the playoffs, but don't blame the guys up top. No, that would be a tragic mistake.

We all had high expectations. Period. We are all guilty of it, whether you want to admit it or not. Last season we went 11-5, MIRACULOUSLY. Starting 2-4 and going 9-1. Any of you that think we were a LEGITIMATE 11-5 team (i.e. Colts/Pats of this decade)...where anything less is a disappointment are definitely misled.

Our GM was quoted at the beginning of this year saying we are a better football team and may have a worse season. They SAW IT COMING...but not many of us would accept it. The reality is were not there yet. The trio has a 3 year plan in place. We overachieved last year. If you remember we BARELY won half of those games during that stretch, we could have easily been an 8-8 team or worse.

Our team is SO MUCH better off than it was before the trio got here. Lets compare something real fast:

What happened in 2007?
-We lost our starting QB
-We lost our starting RB
-We lost our #1 WR
-We lost BOTH our safties, and Bell was in week1

Lost all of them for the season. Those are just off the top of my head. Thats the BIG3 on offense, and 2 secondary starters. We went 1-15.

Lets compare with this year.
-Lost starting QB
-Lost starting RB + RB3
-Lost starting CB
-Lost starting DT
- I think its safe to say even though we didnt lose a WR...our status is pretty much as if we did because they all suck

What a hit weve taken, yet were still alive? We have been competing in every single game. How can we lose our QB, our star RB, our CB, and not really miss a beat? Coaching and depth. We are the youngest team in the NFL. We are starting so many rookies, drafted, undrafted, its ridiculous to expect us to go 10-6 or better with what we have had to endure. This team is FIGHTING though, they're learning, and with a few more acquisitions and god hoping no injuries next year, we could very well be a REAL contender.

Yes. Our coordinators have both made some seriously questionable calls...and I think they need to be evaluated. But you know what? Anything those 3 guys decide I will back 100%. They know what we do not.

Would you rather be the Rams? The Chiefs? The Falcons? All teams that sucked terribly in 2007. We are better off than all of them. Far better off.
I deploy to iraq this summer and I will miss all of next season...and its hard knowing how much better were gonna be.



*****NOTE TO MODS*******

Can we please consider having a VENTING forum on its own? Its really painful to have to sift through all these awful negative threads that have absolutely no insight at all. Its been bad lately. Back to the 2006-7 status. It would be great because every time one is posted it could be moved over to that forum and people who get off on talking trash about our team can go have fun with it over there.

Just please consider the idea.:thanks:

Here's the thing. The fins actually have been pretty good against almost all their opponents, but have been HIDEOUS in the 4th quarter in about every game, even the wins. That is the killer. My God, the Saints or Indy may go undefeated and Miami had their foot on both of their throats.

Even in their worst years, a Shula coached, Marino led team would NEVER have let that happen. Maybe I was spoiled, or have high expectations.

 

[Phinfan31]

Good luck with that.

They know what we dont? Well I could swear I know that when your RB is pounding the **** out of a team and you come up with a 1st and goal from the 3, while their D has shown ZERO signs of stopping you from running.........its probably a good idea to call a running play. I donno. Call me crazy. But, I feel like we score there if we hand it off. 2 tries at the most, but we have 3 if ya need em.

But, yea Henning knows more than me.

Henning dosent know **** bro. Thats common ****ing sense. 8 year old ****ing kids would know it makes perfect sense to run the ****ing ball there. But, hey if you did want to throw, why not let your QB do it. Maybe even mix in a roll out off play action just for fun. But, that would still be pretty stupid when you consider the other team was not stopping your RB at all.

Wow. And so the venting floods right on in

Did you notice something? Your response has absolutely nothing to do with what I stated.

I was talking about personnel decisions. The future of the franchise. Absolutely nothing to do with in-game decisions. I was talking about Parcells, Ireland, and Sparano.

Last time I checked, Henning isnt making those calls. Nor is Sparano making Hennings calls. Why dont you go take out your Henning hatred elsewhere. I already pointed out that his calls were terrible in this thread. You offer nothing here. Its the same crap you've been spewing everywhere else. The ironic thing is I do not disagree with you, but I am focusing on the status of the team in a more general sense than a single play in a single game made by a single individual.

edit: i see the confusion. i see how you thought i was talking about the coordinators...what I had meant was that I back those 3 guys up top on their decisions on whether or not to keep our coordinators at the end of the season. sorry for not making myself clearer

 

[MD]

The Trifecta has done a good job of building a solid foundation of youth. No one in their right mind will deny that. But they have also made some pretty horrible personnel decisions as well that they should be held accountable for. The same as they get credit for the good.

They also bear responsibility in coaching decisions and play calling and should be held accountable for it. To lose the way they did to Buffalo is inexcusable. Coaching and play calling has been questionable this season and as Sparano claims when mistakes are made that someone needs to be responsible, hold some one responsible. It's the same mistakes repeated by the coaching staff that has haunted this team and will continue to until somone is, "held accountable."

 

[Phinfan31]

Here's the thing. The fins actually have been pretty good against almost all their opponents, but have been HIDEOUS in the 4th quarter in about every game, even the wins. That is the killer. My God, the Saints or Indy may go undefeated and Miami had their foot on both of their throats.

Even in their worst years, a Shula coached, Marino led team would NEVER have let that happen. Maybe I was spoiled, or have high expectations.

I agree with you...but I don't think the finger can be pointed at Sparano for the 4th quarter. I think that is on the coordinators...we have seen a complete shift in philosophy at times, out of nowhere. thats why i say they need to be evaluated considerably this offseason. The team respects Sparano, that much is clear...I cant say its his fault. You know hes ripping into their *** when they come back in the lockerroom just as much as he praises them when they do well.

 

[MD]

we have seen a complete shift in philosophy at times, out of nowhere.

The head coach instills his philosophy on the team and the coaches and players follow it.

 

[Phinfan31]

then maybe the mistake is that hes letting the coordinators do too much on their own accord? he should start overriding their calls perhaps? i agree that something must be done...but i cant say that id want to fire sparano, etc. like some ignorant fools around here are calling for

 

[Fl_Neil]

I do not like the wildcat. It is a distraction for the offense as a whole. If you cannot get it done with a regular offensive package than that means you cant FEKKING GET ERR DONE!!! So many things need to be filled... Ricky is not going to be around for much longer,ronnie brown is a big question mark. I DID not like the 2nd round pick that is Pat White. Yes he may be able to make some plays but he was not worth wasting a 2nd round pick on this KID. Spending a ton of money on grove, when he has not been solid is a mistake. Bell is terrible. The other safety is terrible. Vontae and Smith are works in progress at CB. Crowder sucks as always, our Defensive Line sucks, We have not given enough playing time to C. Wake. We'd rather nurse old timers like porter and Jason Taylor. Long has been nothing. Another wasted first round pick. Ginn sucks too, he might as well put more grease on his hands when he plays. Ohh yeah, and we have no WR. Let alone a #1 WR. All we have are scrubs.

 

[MD]

It's not like this problem just started. If Sparano can't hold his coordinators accountable, then the GM needs to hold Sparano accountable.

 

[Miami1]

Its a decent foundation in my opinion, that still needs alot of work.

Miami needs weapons at WR

More help in the secondary

Better ILB

More of a pass rush

The bottom line is, this team is built to beat teams that are run oriented teams. We match up horribly against teams that can throw the ball and have weapons at WR. Other teams QB's have field days when throwing the ball alot against us.

There is no way Miami will overtake NE in the years to come, unless they figure out a way to stop the opposing passing game.

And at the same time, figure out how to CLOSE A TEAM OUT!!! THEY HAVE NO KILLER INSTINCT!!

 

[Sulamar]

I appreciate you writing this thread. Finally a decent thread in this place. I swear these people here are nut jobs. They lose it every game. Should we have beat the Bills, maybe, they are a division rival. They will play us better than any team outside of it, this is the nature of these games, it's also why we can beat New England when they are Superbowl bound in these past few years. It is a new level of intensity.

Anyways, not to divert this to a game day topic, I want to say I think people are losing sight of what this team will be next year with Henne having almost full year under him, and yes our receivers are having trouble but Henne throws a lot harder and they are still trying to adjust to him. If these guys are still on this team next year they won't have as many drops you can be sure of that.

On to Sparano, this guy has heart. He gets into the game, he wants to win, it shows all over. I don't like it when a coach sits there all morose, appearing almost not interested in the game. Sparano is new at this too. Last year was amazing and it helped build him into a better coach but he is learning and I can assure you Bill Parcells is watching his every move and helping Sparano be a better game day coach. This offseason will be amazing in what it will be able to do for Sparano and our players.

When you are in the season you stop growing as a team sometimes. You get so into the week in and week out you don't have the time to take a step back and analyze yourself because you are too busy trying to analyze your next opponent. This offseason will be one of reflection for our team and especially our Coach and young QB. There will be a lot of growth.

 

[AllFinsAllDay]

My god somebody finally makes sense on here!

I'm for the venting forum because most of this stuff is utter garbarge.

 

[FinHopeful]

Good luck with that.

They know what we dont? Well I could swear I know that when your RB is pounding the **** out of a team and you come up with a 1st and goal from the 3, while their D has shown ZERO signs of stopping you from running.........its probably a good idea to call a running play. I donno. Call me crazy. But, I feel like we score there if we hand it off. 2 tries at the most, but we have 3 if ya need em.

But, yea Henning knows more than me.

Henning dosent know **** bro. Thats common ****ing sense. 8 year old ****ing kids would know it makes perfect sense to run the ****ing ball there. But, hey if you did want to throw, why not let your QB do it. Maybe even mix in a roll out off play action just for fun. But, that would still be pretty stupid when you consider the other team was not stopping your RB at all.

Again, reading comprehension is obviously a lost skill. The trio does not refer to Henning. Your misquote invalidates everything you wrote. Your words have zero meaning. Too bad you might have had a point.