Like most posters on this board, I have been quite critical of the Dolphins lately. A 3-6 record will bring out the nasties for anyone. After further review, I think I'm changing my call a bit and I'd like to reflect on the important things about this team.
First, let's remember that Nick Saban inherited an absolute mess. Many people, including me, felt like we were a much better team than 4-12. We weren't. We wondered if Spielman wasn't all that bad, just getting a lot of criticism due to being Wanny's whipping boy. He was all that bad. Worse than we thought.
In fact, let's remember what Saban started with:
1) Lousy GM - Spielman replaced by Mueller. Problem solved.
2) Many poor Assistants - Most were fired and the new assistants seem to be working out well, especially Hudson Houck, who was a brilliant hire. Linehan is wobbling lately, but he has talent and things may get smoothed out down the road.
3) Terrible Salary Cap situation - Saban blows out half the roster, keeps the team competitve, and sets us up next year for a great salary cap situation.
4) No backfield - Saban brings back Ricky, drafts Ronnie, keeps Sammy and Travis, and adds a bull to block for the R&R boys. Problem solved.
4) Horrible O-line - Saban brings in a few scrubs, but keeps the guys we had last year. Houck has already turned this line into one of the better pass blocking groups in the league and they have made a lot less penalities and mistakes lately. Very encouraging.
5) Defensive Line - Much improved and very deep with young talent d-line. With guys like Roth, Wright, Vickerson, Shaw, and McGill in the wings, the line could be good for a long time.
6) Attitude - The team has bought into Saban's philosophy and they are playing hard. Mistakes by guys who will probably not be here next year (Gus, Reggie for example) has kept us from being 5-3, instead of 3-5.
I absolutely believe Saban has made many positive changes this year and set us up well for next year. A few good defensive backs, a #1 WR, and a talented tackle on offense and I think we're close. Getting a high-caliber QB will be difficult, but I think Saban picked Mueller because of his track record picking QB's - a hard thing to do in this league. Saban has shown he can find talent at every other position, but he needed Mueller to find the QB.
Anyway, finheaveners things are really better and I think we'll see more W's next year - we have the right decision makers in place now.
First, let's remember that Nick Saban inherited an absolute mess. Many people, including me, felt like we were a much better team than 4-12. We weren't. We wondered if Spielman wasn't all that bad, just getting a lot of criticism due to being Wanny's whipping boy. He was all that bad. Worse than we thought.
In fact, let's remember what Saban started with:
1) Lousy GM - Spielman replaced by Mueller. Problem solved.
2) Many poor Assistants - Most were fired and the new assistants seem to be working out well, especially Hudson Houck, who was a brilliant hire. Linehan is wobbling lately, but he has talent and things may get smoothed out down the road.
3) Terrible Salary Cap situation - Saban blows out half the roster, keeps the team competitve, and sets us up next year for a great salary cap situation.
4) No backfield - Saban brings back Ricky, drafts Ronnie, keeps Sammy and Travis, and adds a bull to block for the R&R boys. Problem solved.
4) Horrible O-line - Saban brings in a few scrubs, but keeps the guys we had last year. Houck has already turned this line into one of the better pass blocking groups in the league and they have made a lot less penalities and mistakes lately. Very encouraging.
5) Defensive Line - Much improved and very deep with young talent d-line. With guys like Roth, Wright, Vickerson, Shaw, and McGill in the wings, the line could be good for a long time.
6) Attitude - The team has bought into Saban's philosophy and they are playing hard. Mistakes by guys who will probably not be here next year (Gus, Reggie for example) has kept us from being 5-3, instead of 3-5.
I absolutely believe Saban has made many positive changes this year and set us up well for next year. A few good defensive backs, a #1 WR, and a talented tackle on offense and I think we're close. Getting a high-caliber QB will be difficult, but I think Saban picked Mueller because of his track record picking QB's - a hard thing to do in this league. Saban has shown he can find talent at every other position, but he needed Mueller to find the QB.
Anyway, finheaveners things are really better and I think we'll see more W's next year - we have the right decision makers in place now.
