DKphin
Club Member
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/...-wrong-1121-20101119,0,347039.story?track=rssGot it right
1. Finding hidden gems: Outside linebacker Cameron Wake, receiver Davone Bess, kicker Dan Carpenter, offensive tackle Nate Garner came out of nowhere and emerged as solid NFL starters, if not Pro Bowlers. And this regime didn't use a draft pick or need a trade to acquire them.
2. Instant credibility: Parcells' name carried a lot of weight in the NFL, and that kind of credibility was needed after the team was one overtime win away from going winless in 2007. Parcells' reputation helped the Dolphins lure top-tier free agents and gain national exposure.
3. Culture of toughness: There's a team-first mentality about the Dolphins with a few exceptions, and that has a lot to do with Sparano's approach. The Dolphins aim to be a tough, smart, disciplined team, and that mantra usually makes them competitive every Sunday. Players are accountable to one another.
4. Quarterback depth a strength: Chad Pennington fell out of the sky and took this team to the playoffs in 2008, but his fourth shoulder injury proved he's more of a band aid than a long-term fix. Chad Henne, selected in the second round of the 2008 draft, was 11-10 in his 21 starts before getting benched last week. Henne still has upside, but so does Tyler Thigpen, who had little to work with in Thursday night's 16-0 loss to the Bears.
5. Roster has gotten younger: When this regime took over the average age of players was approaching 28. The average age of the players on the current 53-man roster is 25.6 and features 12 starters who are 25 or younger.
Got it wrong
1. Numerous wasted draft picks: The Dolphins have have three straight ineffective drafts. Although each draft class has landed at least a pair of starters, the misses — Pat White (2009 second round), Patrick Turner (2009 third round), Shawn Murphy (2008 fourth round) — have been eyesores. Also, going with tackle Jake Long then Chad Henne instead of Matt Ryan and then the best available left tackle in 2008 will forever be debated.
2. Too many free agent flops: In the cases of Brandon Marshall, Karlos Dansby and Vernon Carey, the Dolphins have overpaid to get or keep top free agents. While that's the nature of the business, it does start to add up for Ross. But more troubling are the numerous free agent busts — Ernest Wilford, Gibril Wilson, Jake Grove and Eric Green to name a few.
3. Egos that weigh them down: Parcells never embraced South Florida before he bolted, and as a result he pushing Jason Taylor into the arms of the Jets, a hated rival. The Dez Bryant interview misstep will always be a blemish on Ireland's resume, as will the releases of Matt Roth in 2009 and David Martin in 2009 and 2010. However, this regime isn't afraid to admit mistakes in free agency and move on.
4. Too much tinkering with the offensive line: The 2009 unit that featured Justin Smiley, Grove and Donald Thomas helped the Dolphins become one of five teams to rush for more than 2,000 yards. All three were dumped. Their replacements — Joe Berger, Richie Incognito and John Jerry — has paved the way for a rushing attack that averages 3.8 yards per carry.
5. Lack of team speed: This regime's bigger is better approach has made the Dolphins one of the NFL's slowest teams. Once Ted Ginn Jr. was banished, traded to the 49ers for a 2010 draft pick that turned into cornerback Nolan Carroll, the Dolphins no longer had a deep threat or proven returner. They lack a player who can win a game on one big play. That's why most of the running backs, all to be free agents in 2011, will likely be churned this offseason.