Did The Dolphins Improve?

[So Be]

Former Phin Kimbo on local CBS post game, said that Ross wanted to see improvement, which he did not see. On paper, and if you go with you are what your record is, we are better by a game.

For me, that doesn't matter much for the overall improvement of the team. The passing game improved (hard not to) but, the run, run D, overall pass D, and special teams did not.

Anyone believe the team improved?

 

[Namor]

If Brady had pulled out the win for the Pats against us...we are forever 7-9.....not enough improvement..Hell,we almost lost the Pitt game.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

No. The QB improved yet the team regressed somewhat overall.

 

[So Be]

I see the overall offense, defense, and especially special teams, as worse. I do not know how Ross can see things any differently.

 

[ProStyle]

technically yes, but not in the way that can be "seen."

 

[JTC111]

technically yes, but not in the way that can be "seen."

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

Incidentally, the guy nobody's talking about who needs to get canned is Darren Rizzi.

Okay, we blocked a couple of punts. But good grief our return game was AWFUL.

 

[So Be]

No. The QB improved yet the team regressed somewhat overall.

I really like our passing game with Hartline, Wallace, Gibson, and Clay. Agreed on the rest.

 

[tay0365]

If Brady had pulled out the win for the Pats against us...we are forever 7-9.....not enough improvement..Hell,we almost lost the Pitt game.

And if the O-line had been just a little bit better, Miami would be 11-5 right now...it's all about perspective.

 

[DuderinoN703]

There was improvement but they also ended the year as many Dolphins teams have done since 2000 and beyond, i.e. swoon. They were a few plays away from winning more and a few plays away from losing more games as always.

 

[So Be]

Incidentally, the guy nobody's talking about who needs to get canned is Darren Rizzi.

Okay, we blocked a couple of punts. But good grief our return game was AWFUL.[/QUOTE

HUGE change from our ST's of last year, and could well have made a difference i a couple of games. Rizzi lost a lot of VG ST guys from last year who could block and tackle. This past year was a mess. I give him next year.

 

[tfh_rules]

If Brady had pulled out the win for the Pats against us...we are forever 7-9.....not enough improvement..Hell,we almost lost the Pitt game.

Yes, and we almost beat the ravens, Tampa, Carolina, and buffalo the first game. So what. We're 8-8.

 

[Scotty P]

Tanny, Vernon and Clay improved but most of the other players that were here last year either stayed the same (Hartline, Odrick, Pouncey, Starks) or got worse (Jones, Run D, Oline, Running Game).

When your team is supposed to naturally get better through the draft or free agency and you only win one more game.......I would have to stay we did not improve. When we get rid of veteran players to replace them with veteran players that are sub par......I would have to say we did not improve. When we beat a team like the Pats, Bengals, and Colts, then get shut out by the Bills and give a winless Tampa team their first win......I would say we did not imrpove.

The only thing I am happy about is the fact that Tanny has shown growth.....and that doesn't mean he will ever materialize into a great QB. I can't really think of anything else that would be considered improvement over last season.

 

[GreenMts]

I think that as fans it is incredibly difficult to discern what went on with the team this year. We have no idea how disruptive the Martin thing was or wasn't. Have no idea how well or poorly it was handled by Philbin et al before and during the scandal. So I will leave that aside.

What I saw was a team collapse the last 2 weeks of the season for no reason but "closing it out" pressure and basically that is a microcosm of many games for us. We can't close out most gimme games - of course we couldn't close out a gimme season.

I saw us play down to weak opponents all year.

I saw little game day preparation.

I rarely saw second half adjustments.

I saw inconsistent tactics on both side of the ball.

I saw us stick with tactics that did not work.

I saw little creativity or no creativity really - and this is a real mark of intelligence.

I saw gaping holes at key positions even after tons of cap space and tons of picks were used.

I did not see anyone attempt to fix these problems / I saw these problems addressed in a reactionary mode (a la McKinney)

I could go on. It will probably be perceived as over-reaction but I see nothing good coming out of this leadership next year. The only remaining question is when do we fire everyone. It may be better to wait a year. I bet Ross is thinking this through based on who is available this year and who may be available next. I seriously hope he is thinking of selling the team. He could potentially sell us as being on the cusp. We may be at a high point for value over the next three years. I wonder if he has the will to see this through another transition.

 

[So Be]

I think that as fans it is incredibly difficult to discern what went on with the team this year. We have no idea how disruptive the Martin thing was or wasn't. Have no idea how well or poorly it was handled by Philbin et al before and during the scandal. So I will leave that aside.

What I saw was a team collapse the last 2 weeks of the season for no reason but "closing it out" pressure and basically that is a microcosm of many games for us. We can't close out most gimme games - of course we couldn't close out a gimme season.

I saw us play down to weak opponents all year.

I saw little game day preparation.

I rarely saw second half adjustments.

I saw inconsistent tactics on both side of the ball.

I saw us stick with tactics that did not work.

I saw little creativity or no creativity really - and this is a real mark of intelligence.

I saw gaping holes at key positions even after tons of cap space and tons of picks were used.

I did not see anyone attempt to fix these problems / I saw these problems addressed in a reactionary mode (a la McKinney)

I could go on. It will probably be perceived as over-reaction but I see nothing good coming out of this leadership next year. The only remaining question is when do we fire everyone. It may be better to wait a year. I bet Ross is thinking this through based on who is available this year and who may be available next. I seriously hope he is thinking of selling the team. He could potentially sell us as being on the cusp. We may be at a high point for value over the next three years. I wonder if he has the will to see this through another transition.

Well said.