This may be the result of frustration, but I truly think it is an objective assessment as to why we are where we are. This is a problem that has been created by mismanagement on all levels, period. I understand the injuries and sudden retirements, however, that does not explain or excuse one monumental mistake made by the people running this team (and by that the finger is being pointed directly at Speilman and Wanny).
The Offensive Line – This is where offense stops and starts. With a good offensive line you can control the ball and score points (maybe not 25 a game but with our defense enough to give us a chance) with the current offensive weapons we have. Prior to this season and going back to January everyone knew this was a priority. We targeted free agents and tried to improve. We obviously did not. But not only did we not improve, the Dolphins have put an offensive line out there that appears unable of blocking a college team. I think that is attributable to two occurrences: 1) Very poor personnel decisions; and 2) Poor coaching philosophy.
As for the personnel decisions other than James every one of the players has been playing, to put it mildly, poorly. McIntosh deal was inane. How could we not know he was injured? While he may end up being good the fact that he could not participate in training camp and work with the o-line effectively ruined him for the first month of the season and disrupted any potential cohesiveness that could have and needed to be developed PRIOR to the season. St. Clair? There is a reason he was not starting. Whitley and McKinney? Well their play speaks volumes.
As for coaching, I think most football people know that an offensive line has to play together and develop continuity and cohesiveness. Having said that how can you wait to pick starters until the end of the preseason? They should have picked a line and kept them together and allowed them to play together and work out the kinks in the preseason and not during the first three weeks of the season. It just does not make sense. (It is the same issue at QB – not naming a starter until the last minute – gives the offense no time to consistently work with one person and develop the much needed communication and comfort level to be effective).
An addition note relates to Quarterback - Feeley is not very good and to have given up a second round pick for him was simply a mistake that you cannot make in today’s NFL when there is such a premium on drafts picks. Given our potential record, that pick will be at the top of the second round, which will cause it to sting a bit more. Notwithstanding that I would have had more respect if they made that move, cut Feidler and let Feeley work during training camp and the entire pre-season as the QB. They did not and that could not have helped anyone involved.
It seems to me this front office and coaching staff does not know if they should scratch their watches or wind their asses. Until Wayne resolves the problem up top the you know what will continue to flow down hill to us as fans….
The Offensive Line – This is where offense stops and starts. With a good offensive line you can control the ball and score points (maybe not 25 a game but with our defense enough to give us a chance) with the current offensive weapons we have. Prior to this season and going back to January everyone knew this was a priority. We targeted free agents and tried to improve. We obviously did not. But not only did we not improve, the Dolphins have put an offensive line out there that appears unable of blocking a college team. I think that is attributable to two occurrences: 1) Very poor personnel decisions; and 2) Poor coaching philosophy.
As for the personnel decisions other than James every one of the players has been playing, to put it mildly, poorly. McIntosh deal was inane. How could we not know he was injured? While he may end up being good the fact that he could not participate in training camp and work with the o-line effectively ruined him for the first month of the season and disrupted any potential cohesiveness that could have and needed to be developed PRIOR to the season. St. Clair? There is a reason he was not starting. Whitley and McKinney? Well their play speaks volumes.
As for coaching, I think most football people know that an offensive line has to play together and develop continuity and cohesiveness. Having said that how can you wait to pick starters until the end of the preseason? They should have picked a line and kept them together and allowed them to play together and work out the kinks in the preseason and not during the first three weeks of the season. It just does not make sense. (It is the same issue at QB – not naming a starter until the last minute – gives the offense no time to consistently work with one person and develop the much needed communication and comfort level to be effective).
An addition note relates to Quarterback - Feeley is not very good and to have given up a second round pick for him was simply a mistake that you cannot make in today’s NFL when there is such a premium on drafts picks. Given our potential record, that pick will be at the top of the second round, which will cause it to sting a bit more. Notwithstanding that I would have had more respect if they made that move, cut Feidler and let Feeley work during training camp and the entire pre-season as the QB. They did not and that could not have helped anyone involved.
It seems to me this front office and coaching staff does not know if they should scratch their watches or wind their asses. Until Wayne resolves the problem up top the you know what will continue to flow down hill to us as fans….
