There is a point being missed with the whole "3rd year" argument: PROGRESS.
If you think you're disappointed in Year 2 and are laying your hopes on an ESPN dubbed "3rd Year" to get it turned around, you have no idea how disappointed you are going to be next year. Especially when Nick's head is being called for.
At this point, saying the "3rd Year" is no different to any other "wait 'till next year" chant. It's simply delaying inevitable failure in the belief something "magical" will happen. And you are also collectively adding this year's disappointment to next year's disappointment. As if a victory next year nullifies a loss this year. It collectively adds failure on top of failure. To speak of failure is if there is a "Success Bank" right around the corner. And, we will soon be repaid in victories what we are owed by losing.
I said it a few days ago and have been uttering it in different ways all off season... this is not going to be quick. There's simply too much to do.
I really don't think the fans TRULY understand the scope of Saban's "job". He's not rebuilding, he's BUILDING.
Saban is trying to build a new era in Dolphins history. Why? Because it is needed. We are still hung over from Don Shula. The "Perfect Season", Dan Marino, the winning percentages.... Success.
But, when fans heard of Nick's hire, we thought "1 - 2 years and we are in the SuperBowl". Using what? Have you ever taken a look at our roster, compared them to other teams/players and WITHOUT a Dolphins bias, truly see how we've measured up? How do you think the "Chambers is not an elite WR" argument got started? Because there was evidence.
As a fan base, we thought Jimmy Johnson's job was to replace Don Shula and win Dan a ring. It wasn't.
Just as Jimmy's career in Miami became a stand off between he and Dan, it was silently a standoff between he and Don.
We've always known how difficult it is for any QB to follow a great QB. Well, try following a coaching legend. Jimmy did it in Dallas, you say? Different town, different story. Not only did Jimmy follow Landry in Dallas, Landry was in the twilight of his career. Not to mention, Jerry Jones escourted the "America's Team" Cowboys out the door when he bought the team. Jimmy was not directly challenged to immediately replace greatness. Instead, his job was to build greatness.
When Jimmy came to Miami, the fans weren't ready for Shula to leave; nor Dan. Which, were one and the same. And so, the entire Jimmy Johnson regime carried this mared legacy of replacing the "Greats". It was an experiment that left the fans dejected and angry with how their success, beloved coach and beloved QB were stripped away from them. And, at the same time, we were told it was all for the sake of "getting better" in the "modern NFL".
Enter Nick Saban. The job seemed pretty simple, get us to the Super Bowl. I mean, it's simple, right? Well, not when you fans are still thinking it's Training Camp 1996 and Don Shula is still coaching and the QB is Dan Marino.
It's almost like Jimmy Johnson never came to town. Yet, it's been over a decade since he arrived. So, why do we still feel "owed" success?
So, after 10 years of mediocrity, what exactly did that leave Nick Saban to work with? Quite honestly, nothing. Pro Bowl players who's name is long outliving their performance on the field. An inept offense with no identity. An elite RB who's mental behavior and lifestyle choices jeapordized his career. And a cast of failed draft picks and underachievers that simply are not producing for, as we fans claim, are the result of bad coaching or some other lame excuse that blame everything but the jersey their wearing. Because, after all, we are the Miami Dolphins. And that uniform gaurantees success.
Nick Saban is building a culture, people. A culture we haven't had in a decade. We had success and tradition stripped away from us like a kid who's favorite toy was stolen.
And now, Nick must clean up the Jimmy Johnson mistake AND forever close the door on Don Shula, the Perfect Season and Dan Marino. And, he has to do it from the ground up. Every player, every coach, every FO associate.... the ENTIRE organization.
And, also, he must do it while being judged by some of the most impatient and over-expecting fans in the NFL. Fans, who quite honestly, have never had to wait on success or perfection. Especially when you're still hungover from it.
So please, stop looking at stats and records as an indication of player greatness or team potential. That's PART of the PROBLEM. The Pro Bowl is about players. The SuperBowl is about the team. The season is about the fan. And the playoffs are about the player. We haven't seen real success in over a decade because we don't have what it takes to succeed. It's just that simple.
When the Dolphins organization and the fans truly understand what needs to be done, Nick will finally be able to make progress. But, until then, keep watching Dan Marino pass, Larry Cszonka rush and Don Shula coach the Miami Dolphins in the renevated Orange Bowl. And keep asking yourself, why isn't this great team playing like champions?
Maybe it's because the "great" rubbed off many years ago. And it's time everyone realized it.
This could take a while. But, only if we let it.
