Like these guys never lost a game. Oh wait, some of them didn't.
Dolphins Alumni critical of current team
- Thread starter earthwake
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dlockz
Hall Of Famer
Im definately not a ronnie supporter but he has been a better runningback by far than Bush to this point. its laughable to act like Bush has done more than Brown to this point in the NFL
Nick said they should call don shula...is this the same Don Shula who couldnt put together anything resembling a defense during Dan Marino's prime? i still wonder how don shula had dan marino and never won a super bowl. Unbelievable.
phinatic1399
Diehard Phinatic!
Dolphin legends not optimistic about the direction of the franchise
Proud Dolphins alums keep waiting and waiting, hoping the franchise can rise above the mediocrity that has infested it for much of the past decade.
“It’s not hard to be a Dolphins fan -- it’s heartbreaking,” Manny Fernandez said. “You always wonder if we will get back” to being a consistently good team. “I wonder if it will be in my lifetime.”
On the eve of the season, former Dolphins standouts have a lot to say about the state of the franchise.
“They’re going to finish third in the AFC East at best,” Hall of Famer Nick Buoniconti said, adding he’s unsure if they’re headed in the right direction. “Come on, the Patriots really bolstered their team. The problem is you can’t find one area on this Dolphins team that you can call excellent. Brandon Marshall can be excellent but he wasn’t last year. They have a very good defense, but defense can only hold up so long, and I don’t see offensive firepower.
“Steve Ross is too smart a guy for them not to get there eventually. Maybe he’s been a little too patient. I don’t understand what they did in free agency. Other teams were stockpiling people. Ahmad Bradshaw would have given them a real tough running back…. If they don’t go to the playoffs, there will be a housecleaning. I don’t mean the coach – I mean everybody. I hope to hell they prove everybody wrong.”
If these alums ran the franchise, a lot of things would be done differently.
“They want Reggie Bush to be the main back, but I can’t see it,” former Dolphins running back Jim Kiick said. “He’s not durable enough. He’s more of a specialty back. Everybody is optimistic about Chad Henne, but you can’t jump to conclusions. It’s preseason! And it’s like they told Tony Sparano, ‘Well, we don’t have anyone else, so we’ll see what you can do this year.’”
Then there’s Fernandez, who bemoaned, “I don’t see the team progressing more. I’m not a big fan of Jeff Ireland. I haven’t thought much of his drafts or offseason moves. I thought they would hire Bill Cowher. If you want a winning coach, you’ve got to give him personnel control. Steve Ross has treated the alumni well and he has done his best. [But] he’s more in-tuned with the entertainment world. He should have bought IMG. He would have been more at home.”
And don’t get Fernandez started on the Dolphins’ plans for a 2008 Gators championship reunion at halftime of the Oct. 23 Denver game. “What does that have to do with Miami and the Dolphins? That doesn’t make any sense,” Fernandez said. “I don’t remember us celebrating Vinny Testaverde when he won the Heisman Trophy at Miami.”
Said Kiick: “It’s ridiculous. You’re playing in the Miami Hurricanes’ stadium and yet you’re bringing in Gators fans who are despised by Hurricanes fans. If I was Tim Tebow, I would be totally embarrassed by them doing it.”
Optimism? Anywhere?
Mark Duper loves how Miami’s offense has come out of the dark ages. Hall of Famer Larry Little said, “I’m trying to be optimistic. But I’m worried about the running game. They haven’t knocked people off the ball like I thought” though “Jake Long hasn’t been there. I don’t know if Vernon Carey can play guard.”
Dick Anderson asserts the franchise “is on the right track” and said sticking with Henne over trading for Kyle Orton was wise because Orton “is out for himself, not a team leader.” But “I don’t know an offense that will work without a really good offensive line. The right side is the weakest part.”
The last word to Buoniconti: “My big concern is when you have a guy that has won more games than anyone in the history of football and don’t pick up the phone and ask him what is wrong with the team, then there’s a problem. They haven’t asked for Don Shula’s advice. He may be up in years but his brain isn’t.”
Proud Dolphins alums keep waiting and waiting, hoping the franchise can rise above the mediocrity that has infested it for much of the past decade.
“It’s not hard to be a Dolphins fan -- it’s heartbreaking,” Manny Fernandez said. “You always wonder if we will get back” to being a consistently good team. “I wonder if it will be in my lifetime.”
On the eve of the season, former Dolphins standouts have a lot to say about the state of the franchise.
“They’re going to finish third in the AFC East at best,” Hall of Famer Nick Buoniconti said, adding he’s unsure if they’re headed in the right direction. “Come on, the Patriots really bolstered their team. The problem is you can’t find one area on this Dolphins team that you can call excellent. Brandon Marshall can be excellent but he wasn’t last year. They have a very good defense, but defense can only hold up so long, and I don’t see offensive firepower.
“Steve Ross is too smart a guy for them not to get there eventually. Maybe he’s been a little too patient. I don’t understand what they did in free agency. Other teams were stockpiling people. Ahmad Bradshaw would have given them a real tough running back…. If they don’t go to the playoffs, there will be a housecleaning. I don’t mean the coach – I mean everybody. I hope to hell they prove everybody wrong.”
If these alums ran the franchise, a lot of things would be done differently.
“They want Reggie Bush to be the main back, but I can’t see it,” former Dolphins running back Jim Kiick said. “He’s not durable enough. He’s more of a specialty back. Everybody is optimistic about Chad Henne, but you can’t jump to conclusions. It’s preseason! And it’s like they told Tony Sparano, ‘Well, we don’t have anyone else, so we’ll see what you can do this year.’”
Then there’s Fernandez, who bemoaned, “I don’t see the team progressing more. I’m not a big fan of Jeff Ireland. I haven’t thought much of his drafts or offseason moves. I thought they would hire Bill Cowher. If you want a winning coach, you’ve got to give him personnel control. Steve Ross has treated the alumni well and he has done his best. [But] he’s more in-tuned with the entertainment world. He should have bought IMG. He would have been more at home.”
And don’t get Fernandez started on the Dolphins’ plans for a 2008 Gators championship reunion at halftime of the Oct. 23 Denver game. “What does that have to do with Miami and the Dolphins? That doesn’t make any sense,” Fernandez said. “I don’t remember us celebrating Vinny Testaverde when he won the Heisman Trophy at Miami.”
Said Kiick: “It’s ridiculous. You’re playing in the Miami Hurricanes’ stadium and yet you’re bringing in Gators fans who are despised by Hurricanes fans. If I was Tim Tebow, I would be totally embarrassed by them doing it.”
Optimism? Anywhere?
Mark Duper loves how Miami’s offense has come out of the dark ages. Hall of Famer Larry Little said, “I’m trying to be optimistic. But I’m worried about the running game. They haven’t knocked people off the ball like I thought” though “Jake Long hasn’t been there. I don’t know if Vernon Carey can play guard.”
Dick Anderson asserts the franchise “is on the right track” and said sticking with Henne over trading for Kyle Orton was wise because Orton “is out for himself, not a team leader.” But “I don’t know an offense that will work without a really good offensive line. The right side is the weakest part.”
The last word to Buoniconti: “My big concern is when you have a guy that has won more games than anyone in the history of football and don’t pick up the phone and ask him what is wrong with the team, then there’s a problem. They haven’t asked for Don Shula’s advice. He may be up in years but his brain isn’t.”
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I'm speaking in terms of ability, not production.
Reggie Bush has speed that Ronnie could only wish for and ran away from more defenders in one preseason game than I ever remember Ronnie doing in six years
SRM
Scout Team
I don't agree 100 % with what he said but I do agree with the Bradshaw bit.. we really should've made a play for him, even if it meant overpaying. I'm not excited at all about our running game at this point.
Besides LJ we don't even have a "pure runningback" on this roster.
Bush (based off history) is more of a scat back/slot guy/returner
DT has only been playing RB for what, 3 years.. and he's being told how to lower his pads still.. something you learn back in pop warner
Hilliard was projected as a fullback
I'll remain hopeful but I won't be surprised if we have a very lackluster running game again this year.
Besides LJ we don't even have a "pure runningback" on this roster.
Bush (based off history) is more of a scat back/slot guy/returner
DT has only been playing RB for what, 3 years.. and he's being told how to lower his pads still.. something you learn back in pop warner
Hilliard was projected as a fullback
I'll remain hopeful but I won't be surprised if we have a very lackluster running game again this year.
I made it down without any problems. Had a good dinner at the Grand Lux Cafe at Sawgrass Mill.
FinzFanGal
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Nick didn't say we should have done what the Pasties did, but with their coach (who knows how to motivate lazy players) they were good moves. Meanwhile, with us, FA just sort of came and went with little to nothing to show for the Dolphins. It was mightily disappointing.
FinzFanGal
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The Hurricanes didn't "lose" their stadium, they made a decision to move to Sun Life and accept the offer given them by the Dolphins (who sought the Hurricanes out, after it was known the Marlins would be leaving - no new stadium or not). But Nubular how you be expected to know those details ? You live in Pa. Surprised you are even commenting on it.
And bringing in the Gators is a recipe for disaster. Drunk Gator fans picking fights with Hurricane fans in the stands. Its bound to happen.
FinzFanGal
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The affront is that the Hurricanes have 5 (FIVE) National Championships, and the Dolphins have never acknowledged any of theirs and this is their home, and the stadium they call home. Why have the Dolphins never done this for the U ? That is why its seen as insulting.
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For every gator fan you draw you INSULT 10 Canes fan.
After all when the City of Miami owned the Orange Bowl with the Canes as thier main attraction they ALLOWED an upstart AFL francise to play there. The stituation is reversed now but the Fins and Canes do share a LARGE mutual fan base. That fact is often overlooked in this debate. Sorry this is off subject of this thread but Canes fans take it personally.
After all when the City of Miami owned the Orange Bowl with the Canes as thier main attraction they ALLOWED an upstart AFL francise to play there. The stituation is reversed now but the Fins and Canes do share a LARGE mutual fan base. That fact is often overlooked in this debate. Sorry this is off subject of this thread but Canes fans take it personally.
juniorseau55
Go Fins
I wasn't aware that Reggie Bush is a running back lol. Maybe a 1st and 2nd down back if anything.
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Have a wonderful time down in Canes country. I know you will.
dabeastdabone
Seasoned Veteran
I'm a little optimistic about this years team but they are in a tough division. I could see third in it as a reality. The phins have to answer alot of questions before we know where they are I guess. It is a head scrather why teams like Philly sign a QB to a massive deal as well as bring in a bunch of "A" list free agents and teams like Miami always seam to do the bare minimum in free agency.
dlockz
Hall Of Famer
big deal what good is ability if u have dissapointing overall results. Over their career Ronnie has been the more productive player although thats not saying alot but at least Ronnie was a average starter while Bush was a third down back