Kiick This
Practice Squad
When one steps back and looks at the big picture, it’s safe to say that Miami is still a couple of years away from becoming a legitimate (i.e. not a one-and-done) playoff team. Some of the reasons include:
- Despite all of his experience, Saban is a first year coach and will make mistakes. As organized as he is, I’m sure he’s run into problems that in the end will teach him how to be a better coach. Unlike his predecessor, I am confident he will learn from his mistakes and take corrective action.
- Saban is hamstrung with several players from the previous regime and it will take at least two years to purge them (because of salary cap constraints). All things considered, he’s done an outstanding job. It’s virtually impossible to assemble a legitimate playoff team from the remnants of a 4-12 squad.
- The players are still trying to learn the new schemes to the point where they no longer have to think about them. This is especially true after using the same system/philosophy for the previous seven years. Wait until next year starts and the players will all say how easy it is now that they have a year in the new system uner their belt.
- The AFC East is at a distinct disadvantage in that they play the AFC West and NFC South, two good divisions, where as the AFC South gets the NFC west and the AFC North gets the NFC North. It’s highly probably the AFC East will only send one team (the division winner) the playoffs. On that note, Miami’s two division losses will make it extremely difficult for them to compete for the Division title. If you’re going to lose a game, it’s best to lose to an opponent from the other Conference (which is probably the reason why Atlanta rested Vick).
- I’m starting to believe the Shula’s Dolphins did in fact get a break when it came to officiating, because I have never seen so many damn flags before. Miami is too undisciplined of a team right now and something needs to be done to fix it.
- Miami has to play better on the road. For the second strait road game, Miami looked flat and unprepared as Buffalo went into the hurry up, which caused problems for Miami. Rest assured, we haven’t seen the last of the hurry-up offense this year.
- The margin between winning and loosing is extremely small and cumulative mistakes such as a lack of focus (offsides), and selfishness (taunting) will cost them games. If you play to your potential, a game shouldn’t come down to a taunting call. Also, just because team “A†lost to team “B†doesn’t mean they’ll lose to Team “Câ€Â. Every game is unique and previous performance can only be considered an indicator of a teams likely performance.
- Timing is everything. When you play a team is the most important consideration. If Miami played Buffalo last week, odds are, they’d of faced J.P. Same with NE in that they'd of faced Vick. Injuries, momentum, the pressure to succeed (or in Buffalo’s case overcome) are the intangibles that make prognostication virtually impossible. I’ve long since stopped making season predictions.
So while it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of a win or two, it’s important to understand the season is a marathon and not a sprint. With a very few exceptions, only the teams with talent, depth, good timing, and an occasional bit of luck win Superbowls. Miami is still a couple of years away. When the 2007 season kicks off, then Miami will have to deal with another factor that has torn teams apart: Expectations.
- Despite all of his experience, Saban is a first year coach and will make mistakes. As organized as he is, I’m sure he’s run into problems that in the end will teach him how to be a better coach. Unlike his predecessor, I am confident he will learn from his mistakes and take corrective action.
- Saban is hamstrung with several players from the previous regime and it will take at least two years to purge them (because of salary cap constraints). All things considered, he’s done an outstanding job. It’s virtually impossible to assemble a legitimate playoff team from the remnants of a 4-12 squad.
- The players are still trying to learn the new schemes to the point where they no longer have to think about them. This is especially true after using the same system/philosophy for the previous seven years. Wait until next year starts and the players will all say how easy it is now that they have a year in the new system uner their belt.
- The AFC East is at a distinct disadvantage in that they play the AFC West and NFC South, two good divisions, where as the AFC South gets the NFC west and the AFC North gets the NFC North. It’s highly probably the AFC East will only send one team (the division winner) the playoffs. On that note, Miami’s two division losses will make it extremely difficult for them to compete for the Division title. If you’re going to lose a game, it’s best to lose to an opponent from the other Conference (which is probably the reason why Atlanta rested Vick).
- I’m starting to believe the Shula’s Dolphins did in fact get a break when it came to officiating, because I have never seen so many damn flags before. Miami is too undisciplined of a team right now and something needs to be done to fix it.
- Miami has to play better on the road. For the second strait road game, Miami looked flat and unprepared as Buffalo went into the hurry up, which caused problems for Miami. Rest assured, we haven’t seen the last of the hurry-up offense this year.
- The margin between winning and loosing is extremely small and cumulative mistakes such as a lack of focus (offsides), and selfishness (taunting) will cost them games. If you play to your potential, a game shouldn’t come down to a taunting call. Also, just because team “A†lost to team “B†doesn’t mean they’ll lose to Team “Câ€Â. Every game is unique and previous performance can only be considered an indicator of a teams likely performance.
- Timing is everything. When you play a team is the most important consideration. If Miami played Buffalo last week, odds are, they’d of faced J.P. Same with NE in that they'd of faced Vick. Injuries, momentum, the pressure to succeed (or in Buffalo’s case overcome) are the intangibles that make prognostication virtually impossible. I’ve long since stopped making season predictions.
So while it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of a win or two, it’s important to understand the season is a marathon and not a sprint. With a very few exceptions, only the teams with talent, depth, good timing, and an occasional bit of luck win Superbowls. Miami is still a couple of years away. When the 2007 season kicks off, then Miami will have to deal with another factor that has torn teams apart: Expectations.
