Parcells is building like an expansion team

[matt11390]

IMO the free agents that the front office staff have signed are good players but not great. They are also in their mid to later 20's in age and seem to be versatile in their play (ie: special teams players and possible starters that provide depth).

To me, it seems that our staff is approaching the Dolphins with an attitude that you would find at an expansion team. Which, I think is wise...afterall we were 1-15. Last year's record is that of an expansion team's record. The Dolphins had a lot of turmoil and unmotivated players last year. So I think the staff is wiping most of the slate clean by keeping the few players they like and dumping everyone else.

Their view is to bring in medium and low priced free agents with that fit the criteria listed above and to build through the draft by selecting players that can grow into a nucleus of starters for years to come. I, for one, think the staff is doing a great job. I read on the Miami Herald a comment by Jeff Darlington how he thinks if it wasn't Parcells making the decision, but instead so no name person, that none of us would be as happy with the decisions on free agency. However, I see a plan. That plan requires patience. Some say we will be in the playoffs next year or the year after. Anything is possible in the NFL, but realistically I think about year three or four we should be at a playoff and maybe super bowl level.:beer1:

 

[phinfan33]

i don't know about expansion,but we are rebuilding

 

[Dolphin39]

Matt, I agree with you...good post.

 

[phintim]

Like an article expressed today they are concentrating on special teams right now and will work on the meat and potatoes area of the team later. Jimmy Johnson first player to make his team his first year here was Larry Izzo. Notice that Larry Izzo is still playing making Pro Bowls as a special team player and plays on NE of course and has several super bowl rings. Most fan other than Dolfans would not even know bout him but that shows you how important special teams are.

 

[Dolfan1000]

Darlington is a tool. Maybe he should spend less time trying to stir controversy, and more time answering some Q and As. He doesnt hold a candle to Jason Cole.

 

[matt11390]

This is maybe the most exciting time for me as a Dolphins fan in a long time. Maybe because I can now see a plan in place that has a goal at the end. From Wanny to Cam it seemed we were just floundering but now there is something to grab hold to.

Personally, also, I love the strategy behind building a team and then the idea of plucking the fruit from the tree that you have worked so hard to take care of. This draft I am taking the entire weekend off and treating it like a holiday. I am going to sit down with my paperwork that has all my study of college players, a bowl of spinach dip with chips, and turn the phone off!:wink:

 

[godolphins1985]

i cant wait till draft day, its gonna be a very exciting time. Im very interested in the first 3 picks. I hope by adding all these special teams players will improve ginn to a 4-6 touchdown return season ( it is possible, he shoulda had 3 behind the worst in the nfl). If we can just add a offensive linemen or 2 threw draft our Oline should be solid for the next 6 years. I think aside from 2 linemen and a wideout, we need to focus the rest on D and let the season ride.

 

[emocomputerjock]

Well, when your team comes one lucky FG miss and OT pass away from joining the only expansion team in history to go winless, you treat it as such and fix the damned problems :up:

 

[finboss]

This is maybe the most exciting time for me as a Dolphins fan in a long time. Maybe because I can now see a plan in place that has a goal at the end. From Wanny to Cam it seemed we were just floundering but now there is something to grab hold to.

Personally, also, I love the strategy behind building a team and then the idea of plucking the fruit from the tree that you have worked so hard to take care of. This draft I am taking the entire weekend off and treating it like a holiday. I am going to sit down with my paperwork that has all my study of college players, a bowl of spinach dip with chips, and turn the phone off!:wink:

This is the perfect plan for draft day. I endorse it completely (except for the spinach dip). Can't wait for each new personnel move. GO PHINS!!:up:

 

[PublixSubsRule]

Good thread.

It was a good point that you made about if it wasn't Parcells making these moves we would be concerned with what we were doing. With the name Parcells come a history of turning bad teams around and thus a sence of safety.

 

[OneHondo]

I really don't think the 1-15 record had as much to do with Parcells approach, as the fact he recognized this team was a draft starved team. In other words there had been very little talent brought in thru the draft and there were too many either less than average or underperforming players on the team.
He is trying to overcome years of poor management.

Yea your right if it wasn't Parcells doing this, we would all be saying, "what the heck are they doing".

 

[PYRO]

It seems right to me. Why not build like an expansion team when the team you have to work with is ill of talent at nearly all positions. Trust the tuna, he knows how to turn teams around.

 

[bkbuffet]

It looks to me like this year may not show a great improvement in wins, but should show a great improvement in consistency. I'm good with that, as it is the core of every great team.

 

[dolpns13]

Except we dont get a franchise type player from every team in the league like expansion teams do, or Houston did at least (I dont remember giving up players for Jags, Carolina, etc)

 

[Phineas64]

IMO the free agents that the front office staff have signed are good players but not great. They are also in their mid to later 20's in age and seem to be versatile in their play (ie: special teams players and possible starters that provide depth).

To me, it seems that our staff is approaching the Dolphins with an attitude that you would find at an expansion team. Which, I think is wise...afterall we were 1-15. Last year's record is that of an expansion team's record. The Dolphins had a lot of turmoil and unmotivated players last year. So I think the staff is wiping most of the slate clean by keeping the few players they like and dumping everyone else.

Their view is to bring in medium and low priced free agents with that fit the criteria listed above and to build through the draft by selecting players that can grow into a nucleus of starters for years to come. I, for one, think the staff is doing a great job. I read on the Miami Herald a comment by Jeff Darlington how he thinks if it wasn't Parcells making the decision, but instead so no name person, that none of us would be as happy with the decisions on free agency. However, I see a plan. That plan requires patience. Some say we will be in the playoffs next year or the year after. Anything is possible in the NFL, but realistically I think about year three or four we should be at a playoff and maybe super bowl level.:beer1:

Good post, thanks.


We were worse than most expansion teams, so if treating them that way works, I'm all for it. And so far I like what I see. It would be nice to see a big name or two show up, but their talent would be largely wasted here this year anyway.