selling free agents "Miami"

[Tannchise]

I want it to be clear that I believe the ineptitude of this team for decades has been personnel, scouting, coaching and front office. It is also because Miami has not found a true franchise qb. There is a lot of meat on those bones, but it has been debated so much here. However between free agents, coaches and draft picks, does anyone think being in Miami, the weather, women and lifestyle, actually does more detriment to players down here, even though it is sold as a reason to sign here? I mean instead of studying the playbook on a Fr night, it's South Beach and getting drunk. Those hangovers end on Saturday, but for a Sunday game, you could still feel the effects. That's one example.

Back in the day when Shula and JJ were coaches, weren't players in camp supposed to stay in dorms? Wasn't there a curfew? Has that changed? I know this is just camp, but the fundamentals start here. I also want to ask back in the old days, didn't Shula and JJ have "spies" or "chaperones" on these players?

 

[<O>]

Being "in Miami" as you say needs to become more like being "in New England," where the emphasis is on joining a team for the reason of pursuing a Super Bowl.

That won't happen until the team builds a nucleus of talented players who create a winning culture. Until then "Miami" can be a fun place to go, where players can just get paid.

 

[finmann]

I want it to be clear that I believe the ineptitude of this team for decades has been personnel, scouting, coaching and front office. It is also because Miami has not found a true franchise qb. There is a lot of meat on those bones, but it has been debated so much here. However between free agents, coaches and draft picks, does anyone think being in Miami, the weather, women and lifestyle, actually does more detriment to players down here, even though it is sold as a reason to sign here? I mean instead of studying the playbook on a Fr night, it's South Beach and getting drunk. Those hangovers end on Saturday, but for a Sunday game, you could still feel the effects. That's one example.

Back in the day when Shula and JJ were coaches, weren't players in camp supposed to stay in dorms? Wasn't there a curfew? Has that changed? I know this is just camp, but the fundamentals start here. I also want to ask back in the old days, didn't Shula and JJ have "spies" or "chaperones" on these players?

Excellent question: This goes back to the question I have been asking of "The Player Friendly Coach." Shula and JJ (especially JJ) coached through fear, they were all about players getting the job done and playing at a high level. Gase comes across as a buddy of these players and being able to relate to them which is a grossly overblown way to coach, they're rubbing his head and shoving him after a win and I'm like WTF is that. He has also complained about players not studying enough and so on things that you never heard from Shula and JJ. We have players that are being rewarded with fat contracts that don't deserve them and when they do play at their level we can't understand why. The Dolphins have a culture of overpaying for talent, but when did this start? Did it start with Shula's last season when he was trying to buy a SB for Dan Marino? I really don't know. Living in South Florida shouldn't be a distraction (entirely) wants players realize that they have a coach who will not stand for anything but excellence on the football field. That means you understand the playbook, you execute well, you play hard, you obey the curfew, and on and on. IMO Gase is not a bad coach, just young, he just seems to be a buddy with these guys....I don't like it.

 

[montequi]

Excellent question: This goes back to the question I have been asking of "The Player Friendly Coach." Shula and JJ (especially JJ) coached through fear, they were all about players getting the job done and playing at a high level. Gase comes across as a buddy of these players and being able to relate to them which is a grossly overblown way to coach, they're rubbing his head and shoving him after a win and I'm like WTF is that. He has also complained about players not studying enough and so on things that you never heard from Shula and JJ. We have players that are being rewarded with fat contracts that don't deserve them and when they do play at their level we can't understand why. The Dolphins have a culture of overpaying for talent, but when did this start? Did it start with Shula's last season when he was trying to buy a SB for Dan Marino? I really don't know. Living in South Florida shouldn't be a distraction (entirely) wants players realize that they have a coach who will not stand for anything but excellence on the football field. That means you understand the playbook, you execute well, you play hard, you obey the curfew, and on and on. IMO Gase is not a bad coach, just young, he just seems to be a buddy with these guys....I don't like it.

I feared this last year. Wanny was a "player's coach", and his reign put us in a huge hole that we've never been able to really dig out of. The last coach we had with any real balls was Saban, and HE quit on US.

I've noticed that last year Gase took the blame for our losses. THIS year he's pinning that blame, PUBLICLY, on players. I don't know why that changed, but it's BAD. I, honestly, don't remember any of our previous coaches publicly complaining about players...including the worst: Cam Cameron. Gase's actions appear to be contributing to a toxic atmosphere within the organization. This sucks.

 

[finmann]

I feared this last year. Wanny was a "player's coach", and his reign put us in a huge hole that we've never been able to really dig out of. The last coach we had with any real balls was Saban, and HE quit on US.

I've noticed that last year Gase took the blame for our losses. THIS year he's pinning that blame, PUBLICLY, on players. I don't know why that changed, but it's BAD. I, honestly, don't remember any of our previous coaches publicly complaining about players...including the worst: Cam Cameron. Gase's actions appear to be contributing to a toxic atmosphere within the organization. This sucks.

You know your history, Wanny was terrible, he destroyed the Chicago Bears too...they couldn't wait to get rid of his ass.

 

[Adam Strange]

Wanny hasn’t made a single decision regarding the Dolphins in a literal generation. The team could have been rebuilt three times since then. Stop blaming Wanny for the failures of everyone after him, from Saban to Parcells to Philbin and Tannenbaum, and Ross especially.

 

[AL R]

Seems like the Heat did ok, the Marlins won a WS, not really buying that one. The problem is you need to have the ‘want’ to win like a Wade and then do what is necessary to achieve it.

We dont have enough of that on the Dolphins and or talent.

In reference to the old days, everything has changed- the CBA etc most players attitudes and the money.

 

[Danny]

I think that at the end of the day you need the right kind of "people" and not just the right kind of "players". Gase always talks about Pouncey being one of the "leaders".....well, is he the "right" kind of leader?. It always starts at the top

Ozzy rules!!

 

[Awsi Dooger]

Wanny hasn’t made a single decision regarding the Dolphins in a literal generation. The team could have been rebuilt three times since then. Stop blaming Wanny for the failures of everyone after him, from Saban to Parcells to Philbin and Tannenbaum, and Ross especially.

No kidding. Dave Wannstedt is the single most ridiculous crutch that Dolphin fans have ever used. It went beyond laughable status more than a half decade ago, yet still persists. It's like people who can't let go of a political figure they didn't like and continue to blame him/her for everything, years and decades after all relevance has lapsed.

 

[Stoobz]

Our problems start at the top.

Ross spares no expense trying to buy a team and good product for the fan yet is is undone by his own decisions as to who should run the product.

If I'm the owner, TBum and Grier are gone yesterday, along with a few scouts depending on who decided what players were worth a crap over the last decade.

I'd also tell Gase to change out some of his assistant coaches as whole units of this team are far below average. I would make sure he knows it's all on him. I would give him a say so in everything football related and if he fails, he's gone.

Anyhow, none of this will ever happen but I promise my (and most of FH's) draft choices would have been better than the last eon of Miami's.

 

[artdnj]

Our problems start at the top.

Ross spares no expense trying to buy a team and good product for the fan yet is is undone by his own decisions as to who should run the product.

If I'm the owner, TBum and Grier are gone yesterday, along with a few scouts depending on who decided what players were worth a crap over the last decade.

I'd also tell Gase to change out some of his assistant coaches as whole units of this team are far below average. I would make sure he knows it's all on him. I would give him a say so in everything football related and if he fails, he's gone.

Anyhow, none of this will ever happen but I promise my (and most of FH's) draft choices would have been better than the last eon of Miami's.

This is what needs to be done

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Nice post. I think the team has to bring in players who are committed and won't buy into those distractions. Easier said than done I suppose.

Another issue is that the team never builds a strong foundation. Teams win in the trenches and Miami continues to dumpster dive for offensive linemen.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

I feared this last year. Wanny was a "player's coach", and his reign put us in a huge hole that we've never been able to really dig out of. The last coach we had with any real balls was Saban, and HE quit on US.

I've noticed that last year Gase took the blame for our losses. THIS year he's pinning that blame, PUBLICLY, on players. I don't know why that changed, but it's BAD. I, honestly, don't remember any of our previous coaches publicly complaining about players...including the worst: Cam Cameron. Gase's actions appear to be contributing to a toxic atmosphere within the organization. This sucks.

This post is nonsense.

He called out the players exactly one time, didn't call anyone by name, and even referred to them as the team's "best players." After every other game this year, he's followed his usual MO of defending his players to the point of absurdity.

 

[Highzenga]

Excellent question: This goes back to the question I have been asking of "The Player Friendly Coach." Shula and JJ (especially JJ) coached through fear, they were all about players getting the job done and playing at a high level. Gase comes across as a buddy of these players and being able to relate to them which is a grossly overblown way to coach, they're rubbing his head and shoving him after a win and I'm like WTF is that. He has also complained about players not studying enough and so on things that you never heard from Shula and JJ. We have players that are being rewarded with fat contracts that don't deserve them and when they do play at their level we can't understand why. The Dolphins have a culture of overpaying for talent, but when did this start? Did it start with Shula's last season when he was trying to buy a SB for Dan Marino? I really don't know. Living in South Florida shouldn't be a distraction (entirely) wants players realize that they have a coach who will not stand for anything but excellence on the football field. That means you understand the playbook, you execute well, you play hard, you obey the curfew, and on and on. IMO Gase is not a bad coach, just young, he just seems to be a buddy with these guys....I don't like it.

Let’s be honest, the Miami lifestyle absolutely has an affect on some players. Partying and drugs are a regular thing here. I’ve lived in Miami my entire life and have witnessed professional athletes partying very hard. Some can handle it and still perform, most cannot. The “south beach flu” is a real thing. Maybe we need to re-evaluate the type of guys that we draft.

 

[hab321]

Just to throw a wrench into this conversation.....if you don't think the players back in Shula's days didn't party, I think your sadly mistaken. Watch some of the old interviews....they partied pretty hard. They just didn't get caught. I'd also be willing to say that they partied pretty good under Jimmy's nose too. I think its the freedom aspect of this conversation. The players are "freer" now than they were back then, but they still partied.