It depends on the type of fan.
The casual fan may lose interest quickly. The more hardcore fan will probably give it some time, as long as there is a perceived plan, and progress is evident.
I'm with ya there.
Most fans are indeed casual fans, so there is definitely going to be some flack, especially if Gase performs better than Flores this year.
Posters here are not casual, not even close. Most will be ok, many will still be critical, but try to keep the big picture in mind, and of course, we have the never-happy malcontents.
But what you are saying, Is there a plan? Are they progressing according to the plan? That is spot on.
For myself, I will have a better feeling with the "tank job" and Flores if we can play disciplined, hard-nosed football. Keep the games close if we can. Minimize the blow-out losses that we have endured lately. If we have issues, let them be at the skill positions, I dont want problems in the trenches. (Understanding that it will take time, probably half the season, for them to begin to Jell.)
I want to see the team progress during the season, not start strong and fade.
Show me you are properly identifying team needs and addressing those needs.
Show me the ability to adjust your gameplan according to your own personnel, your opponents' personnel, tendencies, game time situations.
Show me that when you make mistakes, you learn from and correct those mistakes as best you can.
Of course, I'll never lose interest. Not many in here will.
The casuals on the other hand? Just hope people like you and I (Or we or us) can help to educate our friends in the Dolphin community and make them more tolerant of some of the struggles we will be facing this year.