Sage Rosenfels on the 2004 Dolphins and Coaching Changes

[J. David Wannyheimer]

http://www.footballbyfootball.com/column/playing-through-a-raider-drama

This article is ostensibly about what the Raiders are going through right now, but it's mostly about what happened with that 2004 Dolphins team.

Though we were in a terrible situation, we were lucky to have Bates as our new head coach. Defensive players loved him and the offensive guys respected him. He was a no BS type of coach that also connected with players. For this reason, players were invigorated to play better and win. We felt that Bates had a legit shot at head coach for the 2005 season if we played well. If that happened, many of the players would remain as the team was still extremely talented.

Interesting look that team.

 

[MD]

I had hoped that Wayne would hire Bates because I felt he got the team back on track when they could have easily folded given what the expectations were and what transpired. I liked Jim and was deeply disappointed he was let go. Though we can't rewrite history I can't help but think had Jim been named coach where would we be today, particularily at the QB position.

Good read. I like Sage and the insight he brings to the game.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

Yup, that's what really intrigued me in that article. Bates + Trestman could have been an interesting coaching combination. Might have changed the course of our franchise for the better.

 

[fishfanmiami]

The team especially the defense certainly played well for Bates but he's never been offered a full time HC job to my knowledge so not sure how well he would have done. Wayne was infatuated with Sabin who had just won the championship at LSU and was everyone's choice for the next great NFL head coach. Maybe Bates drafts Aaron Rodgers or Alex Smith instead of Ronnie. Maybe he gets Drew Brees instead of Culpepper. Who knows ?
He never got the chance of course so we'll never know what Bates could have done.

 

[AquaInferno]

I remember when this forum referred to him as Master Bates

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[Sons Of Shula]

I've really enjoyed the insight of the FootballbyFootball website. It's been refreshing.

 

[tay0365]

I am very sure he would have taken Rodgers, though taking Brown was not a horrible decision (The potential was there to be a good power back with amazing speed), how does Saban not take Rodgers.

What an epic fail that was, as I watched us take Brown with Rodgers there, it took me a few minutes before I came out of my total shock...I thought there must have been a major injury or drug problem with him that we did not hear about.

 

[fishfanmiami]

If i remember correctly Aaron Rodgers dropped like a rock all the way to the 20's. We were not the only team to pass on him. At the time the choice was Ronnie Brown , Cadillac Williams or Alex Smith. At least that's what the draftnics were saying. Ronnie was a solid player but in hind sight we should have traded back and got some extra picks then picked Rodgers.
Many thought Rodgers was not ready. Green Bay had Brett so they had time to develop him.

 

[BlueFin]

The team especially the defense certainly played well for Bates but he's never been offered a full time HC job to my knowledge so not sure how well he would have done. Wayne was infatuated with Sabin who had just won the championship at LSU and was everyone's choice for the next great NFL head coach. Maybe Bates drafts Aaron Rodgers or Alex Smith instead of Ronnie. Maybe he gets Drew Brees instead of Culpepper. Who knows ?
He never got the chance of course so we'll never know what Bates could have done.

Alex Smith went number 1 overall...couldn't have had him without paying a big price....I liked Rogers better in that draft anyway...was very disappointed we passed on him.

 

[Finland]

The years we had high picks were a failure for not swinging for a QB. Those are blown opportunities that hopefully don't come around often.

 

[Djavelin]

I wanted Rodgers. I did like the potential of brown but we needed a QB. It is crazy how many bad picks we have had.

 

[dlockz]

I hated the Brown pick reminded me a lot of the Jordan pick. I never take parttime players in college as my pick that high. Both have one thing in common they were not even the best player at their position on their team in college.

 

[fishfanmiami]

Alex Smith went number 1 overall...couldn't have had him without paying a big price....I liked Rogers better in that draft anyway...was very disappointed we passed on him.

True but many thought Rodgers needed a few years seasoning before he would be ready to start. Sabin was in the win now mod and had Gus Ferrotte plus Ronnie had ran over his team in SEC play so really i don't think they were looking at Rodgers. Our mistake :crazy:
Could have been worst. We could have taken Cadillac the three game wonder.

 

[dlockz]

True but many thought Rodgers needed a few years seasoning before he would be ready to start. Sabin was in the win now mod and had Gus Ferrotte plus Ronnie had ran over his team in SEC play so really i don't think they were looking at Rodgers. Our mistake :crazy:

Kind of funny because SF was looking at either Smith or Rodgers then no one else looked at him. I would have ever taken a back like Brown that high. I think a back has to be like Peterson in college to think of taking him that high, not the second best back on a college team.

 

[fishfanmiami]

I hated the Brown pick reminded me a lot of the Jordan pick. I never take parttime players in college as my pick that high. Both have one thing in common they were not even the best player at their position on their team in college.

Keep in mind we had Ricky quit the year before and had nothing at RB. Sabin was all about good defense and a strong running game.
It's easy to look back and say could have should have.

At least we did not use a 2nd rounder to trade up for Ronnie like we did with Jordan:idk: