Originally posted by finfan54
I dont understand how the jay hating thing ever got started. i think becuase wanny was so loyal to him and people didnt want to go with a guy like JF for the future.
Oh I tell ya....
It was in 2000 when Jay signed and Marino retired.
Most Jay and wanny haters are doing it since 2000 (not all though).
I remember that when Wanny signed people already pro-claimed another Chicago. Wannstedt was not their coach. Most wanted Shula back or at least another "big" name.
When Wannstedt gave Marino his option (we will become a running team) Dan retired. Dan flirted with a couple of "pass first" teams like Minnesota which of course gave fodder to the Wannstedt hater gang that Marino was driven out of town. Reality though is (and Marino said that many times) that Dave told him that he will do anything possible to become a running team and gave Dan the option to compete with a mobile QB.
Dan decided to retire.....
So, there is your Wanny hater history.
Now, Wannstedt signed Jay. Jay and Huard (endorsed by Marino), who was a fan favourite because of his record in Danny's abscence, competed in camp and pre-season. Wannstedt made the "not" so popular choice of lifting Jay to the starter position. His argumentation was that Jay was able to move the offense as it was designed. Wannstedt at this time became already the focus of some "haters" because in their eyes all we did was sign potential "backups" (Lamar, Jay etc) and made them starters. Jay was hated because some felt that Wannstedt conspired to have Danny ousted so he could sign Jay.
The predictions that year ranged from 3-13 to 8-8.....ending up with a 11-5 record got those who disliked Jay and Wannstedt in the first place even madder and all focus was placed on our playoff loss in Oakland. That was the start of "jay can't win the big game or playoff game" and Wannstedt will make us "Chicago south". Of course another 11-5 season later the dismayed crowd grew. Constant bashing took its toll on some weak minded fools (disregarding the fact that we haven't won 2 playoff games in the same season since 1984) and they joint those who were diehard "Wanny and Jay bashers". In that season.....the opinion changed from "our backup is better than Jay" to "any QB is better than Jay". It was highlited last year with Ray being the backup. Our team was elevated to superbowl caliber and the QB was the only hurdle on our way to the "big one". The crowd grew larger even after the Dolphins went 5-1. I think it was more the anger over the fact that the Phins offense was efficient and high scoring. Jay was blamed for the only loss at that time (KC) and word got around that with another QB we could have been 6-0. Jay got injured. Some who wished injury on Jay earlier applauded and were excited to see Jay out with an injury. Of course those dissappeared quickly when it became apparent that Lucas was less than a mediocre QB. In pain and embarrassment for lifting Lucas into our solution for a superbowl run they all returned once Jay started. Blame was laid solely with Jay for not making the playoffs...after all ...our only hurdle was the QB.
This year it escalated. The name Brian Griese was a guarantee for a superbowl win. The words "pedigree" and "bloodline" was thrown out (as we were starting a horse or dog at QB) and phrases like "the legacy and legend has returned". Fiedler and Wannstedt and Jay haters layed all their eggs in the one basket named Brian Griese. Once again we started as a team which "had all the pieces in place and was just missing a QB". Those aching for the Marino years but still supporting Jay began to listen to those who wanted Jay out at all costs. In the first 6 games...no win was good enough and we could have been 6-0 if not for Jay. Once again, they got their chance. Jay injured and here comes the "legacy". A good first half against a weak SD team followed by a mediocre half and then the Dolphins went on to one of its worst stretches of offensive production in its history. Suddenly our team went from "all the pieces" in place to "our WRs suck, our coaches suck, our OL sucks".
But one thing has changed this year from last year. When Jay returned...before he even took one snap...he was finally embraced by everybody. I do discount the little minority which is left who still fights the fight.
I think this is a pretty accurate account of what happened since 2000. I base that opinion on MBs, game days, tailgating and of course my neighborhood which has 300 homes and of which about 80% go to the games regularly or frequently.
