gofins60
Club Member
We all live in hope (although there are always some who live to complain).
I've been complaining for years! I watched Sparano's team wreak havoc on defense, just to see the offense struggle to score TDs due to a lack of offensive talent at the skill positions. Anyone could see that a new GM who could recognize and draft offensive talent was needed. Instead, Ross keeps Ireland and hires Philbin. As soon as Philbin described his offensive philosophy (an explosive, dynamic, high-scoring offense based on short timing routes with the receivers gaining yards after the catch, and those short passes will mostly replace the running game) I knew it was a bad idea, and defenses shut it down by playing up near the line of scrimmage. With little to no threat of a vertical passing game, defenses close to the line were in position to both stop the occasional run and to limit the receivers' yards after the catch. Philbin hated the running game so much that Miami was probably the only team in history to have eight plays inside the opponent's 10 yard line and not run the ball once. They ran eight straight passing plays and still failed to score, turning the ball over on downs. Unfortunately, Ross replaced Philbin with Gase, another one who prefers the short pass in place of the run. Gase's favorite playcall on 3rd or 4th and short was a pass behind the line of scrimmage for a loss.
So yes, I've been complaining for over 7 years, and feel that my complaints were justified by the ineptness of the team under Philbin and Gase. I even complained when they won, because winning would only make Ross think that he should keep those clueless clowns. Now however, I'm pleasantly surprised that the new regime wants a tough, physical o-line and running game, has 2 QBs who will throw the ball downfield, and wants a defense that will attack an opponent's weaknesses. For the first time in years, I'm optimistic!