So what changed?

[multistage]

Seems like something did.

Yeah, new coaching staff, some decent guys in the draft, streamlining, etc. But the core team seems about the same.

Keep in mind, these are the Dolphins. More so than any other team, we have a well documented history of winning when we shouldnt. And losing when we shouldn't. Been that way awhile.

I've been running with these guys since 1977. Inherited them from my father. Was there for the tail end of Griese, Strock, the glory of Marino, all the great seasons. And for the retirement of Shula and the inevitable unthreading ever since.

I have no high hopes. New staff, coaches younger than me, so on and so forth. A hell of a schedule. All adds up to 6-10, maybe 8-8 if they really get their **** together.

I will not default to the old, "This is the year" BS that breaks our hearts. Not this time. Too much to overcome.

But things do seem different. And I don't know why. We've had new guys and new staffs before.

Why do things seem more upbeat?

 

[PAphins]

I think it is the coaching staff, more than anything else, that has me trending upward on my feelings about this team.

With the exception of one half of dominant football (and I suppose the Tennessee game) last season made for the most consistently boring games to watch. The same head scratching, soft, 3 and out game plan week in, week out. This staff seems to really have taken the time to go over what went on in 2015 and, at least for now, are saying the right things to this fanbase.

 

[Aqua Shadow]

I think tunsil dropping made me happier with this new staff. Finally addressed the potential for Albert to go down mid season.

Sent from my SM-S820L using Tapatalk

 

[allsilverdreams]

Because the Circus has finally left Town.
They were here to long and we have finally moved on From gadget plays ,fads and other bs .we are about to see good old fashioned smash mouth football.

 

[Geforce]

The core of the team is about the same but the head coaches' attitude is what's different.

When was the last time we had a coach trash talk the players?

 

[fisi]

How about change in leadership, philosophy and personnel ? I think we have a top to bottom change here for the first time.

 

[uk_dolfan]

I love the new staff, But I think this is gunna be a tough season with a high pick at the end. The staff is an upgrade but we still lack quality on the field

 

[The Goat]

I think it is the coaching staff, more than anything else, that has me trending upward on my feelings about this team.

With the exception of one half of dominant football (and I suppose the Tennessee game) last season made for the most consistently boring games to watch. The same head scratching, soft, 3 and out game plan week in, week out. This staff seems to really have taken the time to go over what went on in 2015 and, at least for now, are saying the right things to this fanbase.

This.

It's the first time in a long time that I've thought to myself, "Wow. The head coach and DC actually seem to know what the #### they're doing."

 

[Tannchise]

I love the new staff, But I think this is gunna be a tough season with a high pick at the end. The staff is an upgrade but we still lack quality on the field

so you're saying the offense (the strength of the team, more specifically at qb and wr) aren't deep and strong enough to carry team and was a load for the defense? are we concluding the loss of talent isn't being made up with coaching? let's argue and suggest Miami's offense goes through levels never seen before, how does that effect the opinions of wins and losses?

 

[fansinceGWilson]

so you're saying the offense (the strength of the team, more specifically at qb and wr) aren't deep and strong enough to carry team and was load on defense? are we concluding the loss of talent isn't being made up with coaching? let's argue and suggest Miami's offense goes through levels never seen before, how does that effect the opinions of wins and losses?

Don't know if I'm alone on this or not . . . Miami had talent LAST year. The two problems were 1) coaching and 2) the bad players were VERY bad (Thomas, Fox, Mitchell, J Taylor). What has changed? A HC who seems smash-mouth and aggressive, a DC who seems to understand playing to strengths (and disappearance of soft coverage), Tunsil, the ridding of Fox/Taylor (and, I hope, Thomas).. Those, IMO, are the biggest changes and are not debatable. I'll not list the smaller ones. Nonetheless, those big changes, if they are as they appear, are worth 2-3 wins. If they can get players to rise to talent level, maybe 1-2 more.

 

[Tannchise]

If Miami addresses the run defense, and assuming this is scheme and coaching, AND Gase does his 1st year magic, as can be seen from his two prior jobs, then what? I am going to argue again, if we can stop the run, gamble on the 2nd and 3rd levels of the defense that they are coached better, and get a top 10 offense (Gase's history), does that add 4 more wins? 2 more division wins, after going 1-5 and 2 more wins from being able to stop the run and being on the field more as an offense.

 

[fansinceGWilson]

If Miami addresses the run defense, and assuming this is scheme and coaching, AND Gase does his 1st year magic, as can be seen from his two prior jobs, then what? I am going to argue again, if we can stop the run, gamble on the 2nd and 3rd levels of the defense that they are coached better, and get a top 10 offense (Gase's history), does that add 4 more wins? 2 more division wins, after going 1-5 and 2 more wins from being able to stop the run and being on the field more as an offense.

I'm not too concerned about the D backfield, with exceptions. First, I think we've seen the last of CBs 8 yards off LOS. *IF* the VJ can get good pressure on the QB, I think the CBs can stay with all but the elite (very quick) receivers. It WILL be better against the AJ Green/Brandon Marshall type and the garden variety receivers. If Hewitt can play well enough against big/average receivers, even better. I doubt anyone expects a worse O and all but the most scarred will accept it will be better . . . *IF* Miami can get production from RBs. Those and REAL NFL coaching can get me to optimistic and agreement on the "4 more wins."

 

[SoCal Finatic]

We'll see. Like the OP stated, I'm not buying the hype this year. Let's keep our expectations low, that way wins will be more fun, and losses won't hurt as much. Comfortably numb?

 

[xXwarXx]

I think gase has more of a NFL coach personality than philbin, along with being extremely competitive and thoughtful about everything he does. I think players will fight for him.

Philbin kind of had more of the nice neighbor who puts a lot of time into his lawn personality. He's a good guy, but beyond his lawn, kind of delusional about how things worked. Boring guy who lacked leadership.

So I think that's a big change.

Our team was flat out soft under philbin. Not only did they play soft, but they were soft, when they got hit they never answered back.

I also think tannenbaum has done a really good job doing a lot with a little, he's filled a lot of positions and needs this off season without breaking the bank or destroying our future, it's impressive especially considering the scheme changes on both sides of the ball.

 

[fansinceGWilson]

I think gase has more of a NFL coach personality than philbin, along with being extremely competitive and thoughtful about everything he does. I think players will fight for him. Philbin kind of had more of the nice neighbor who puts a lot of time into his lawn personality. He's a good guy, but beyond his lawn, kind of delusional about how things worked. Boring guy who lacked leadership. So I think that's a big change. Our team was flat out soft under philbin. Not only did they play soft, but they were soft, when they got hit they never answered back. I also think tannenbaum has done a really good job doing a lot with a little, he's filled a lot of positions and needs this off season without breaking the bank or destroying our future, it's impressive especially considering the scheme changes on both sides of the ball.

I'll agree, but add this . . . this season will depend substantially on avoiding injuries and on those with injury histories playing at pre-injury potential. Of my reasons for pessimism, those are, by far, the biggest. Good coaching, avoiding injuries and I can be optimistic. I have great difficulty shedding the memories of the post-Marino era.