The reason for this year.

[finfan54]

Is to build a team atmosphere where everyone excepts their responsibilities, and when they do not own up to those responsibilities, they are not a team player. Saban is not going to care about this year in the sense that he knows this team is not championship caliber......yet. These are the things I think Saban is looking for:

1) To establish an identity as a team who plays together and overcomes adversity together and not blame one person for the entire teams woes.
2) To see who fits and who goes. You may be surprised at who goes when the season is over. You may be surprised who stays and who gets new deals.
3) To get rid of the mistakes permanently and learn as you go to play the kind of football he wants to play. That takes time.
4) To see where our weaknesses will be and where are strengths are and play to those strengths, and does the whole organization, top to bottom, understand that?
5) To have teams hate to play us. Because if we accomplish the above, then there wont be a whole lot of weaknesses once we get the talent to do what we need to do.

So with that said, the problem with this board is that too many people are thinking inside the box. The Gus box. For those who want Gus gone, they dont really care about winning or losing because Gus is not sexy, is not accurate, is not the prime time Qb that we need. I would agree with that except this is what we came in with and AJ would never have been able to win games regardless of what AJ lovers will say. AJ didnt fit.

If Gus were looking good, they would find a way to diss him anyways. So the problems we have will be ongoing wether Gus or Sage or Cleo is playing. Cleo wont see any time this year unless both Qb's get hurt. Saban doesnt want that. It does no good for the team to switch everything at this point. The changes will come in the offseason as far as Qb is concerned.

The biggest problem on offense is that we are not using our greatest strengths, which is obvious isnt it? If Shula were running our team, he would play to our strengths of the talent that we have. In the seventies, he had Csonka, Kick, Warfield, and an Oline that would tear it up. Well, I see the same similarities in this team; if we could just build an Oline as good as them. We can, And I think we are on our way. The problem now is Linehan. I just do not think the guy likes to run the ball a majority of the time and he was given total control of the offense. So we have to deal with that. Come the end of the season, we will have a new OC IMO. Linehan will have a job as an HC somewhere else. I have a sneaky suspicion that what is going on on the inside with Saban and Linehan is a calm situation with the understanding that he will be gone. He doesnt fit.

Saban wanted Ronnie Brown. Saban wanted Ricky Williams back. Why? go from there and start to figure it out. Gus being Gus he can change when the time is right. Alot of people on this board say the time is now. But that is not the overall objective for Saban right now. That objective comes later. He wants to get through this season, using the vets until injuries occur, then the young ones get their PT. It is no different with the QB situation.

So for now, we should just figure out a way to get Ricky the ball. Then finish big with Ronnie. DEvise a way to get them both in there to run and pass the ball so defenses cannot tee off on us. Develope the Oline into a tough bunch who knows to get a hat on someone. DEvelope the defense within the scheme and build cohesion. Next year will be different, but it still will have to fit the whole big picture of what Saban is seeking long term, not the short.

 

[Shouright]

Good post -- it's all about building a foundation. The best thing about this year IMO is that we got the cornerstones of both sides of the ball for the next 5-8 years -- Brown and Crowder. I don't think it'll be long before Crowder is our "Ray Lewis" and Brown is our "Jamal Lewis." And we got both of those guys in ONE draft.

 

[Dolfan4life!]

You lost me at "If Gus were looking good, they would find a way to diss him anyways." Do you really think most of us that are calling for a change at QB are doing so because we don't like Gus? I'm calling for a change at QB because I'm tired of seeing him stink up the place. I'd love to see Gus play well, because it would mean we have a better chance of winning. Gus hasn't played well since the opener and that's been too long ago. I don't see haow anyone can defend him at this point.

 

[finfan54]

Good post -- it's all about building a foundation. The best thing about this year IMO is that we got the cornerstones of both sides of the ball for the next 5-8 years -- Brown and Crowder. I don't think it'll be long before Crowder is our "Ray Lewis" and Brown is our "Jamal Lewis." And we got both of those guys in ONE draft.

Crowder sure proved it the other day by providing a spark for the team huh? I think we are building a foundation for sure. In fact, I think we could have a better record right now if it werent for the penalties, but that is the work in progress that Saban has consistantly talked about. Part of that progress is believeing in each other. Right now, Gus is not believeing in his recievers and they are not believeing in him. They, internally, probably are pointing fingers at each other and what Saban is telling the team, "all of you are at fault."

 

[finfan54]

You lost me at "If Gus were looking good, they would find a way to diss him anyways." Do you really think most of us that are calling for a change at QB are doing so because we don't like Gus? I'm calling for a change at QB because I'm tired of seeing him stink up the place. I'd love to see Gus play well, because it would mean we have a better chance of winning. Gus hasn't played well since the opener and that's been too long ago. I don't see haow anyone can defend him at this point.

I see you decided to ignore the points I made and just go right back in the box. I am not defending Gus. I am simply saying Saban has a method. Part of that method is to tell your players it is not all one mans problem that is causing the problem.

I wouldnt mind seeing Sage play. I think he could provide a spark and take it downfield and give the recievers something to build on. But that is not my point I was making. The point it Saban. Saban runs the ship. I do not. I simply am trying to offer some people on this board some sanity. You do not have to buy if you do not want to.

 

[Dolfan4life!]

I agree with most of the points you made, there is a method to his madness, I realize that. And it's true that the play of one man isn't the entire reason for our lack of productivity. However, changes have been made to the lineup this season when the play hasn't been up to par (o-line, FB, DB, etc), still waiting for the change at QB. Inside the box, outside the box, whatever...Let's just put Gus in a box and send him to China.

 

[Fin-Loco]

Is to build a team atmosphere where everyone excepts their responsibilities, and when they do not own up to those responsibilities, they are not a team player. Saban is not going to care about this year in the sense that he knows this team is not championship caliber......yet. These are the things I think Saban is looking for:

1) To establish an identity as a team who plays together and overcomes adversity together and not blame one person for the entire teams woes.
2) To see who fits and who goes. You may be surprised at who goes when the season is over. You may be surprised who stays and who gets new deals.
3) To get rid of the mistakes permanently and learn as you go to play the kind of football he wants to play. That takes time.
4) To see where our weaknesses will be and where are strengths are and play to those strengths, and does the whole organization, top to bottom, understand that?
5) To have teams hate to play us. Because if we accomplish the above, then there wont be a whole lot of weaknesses once we get the talent to do what we need to do.

So with that said, the problem with this board is that too many people are thinking inside the box. The Gus box. For those who want Gus gone, they dont really care about winning or losing because Gus is not sexy, is not accurate, is not the prime time Qb that we need. I would agree with that except this is what we came in with and AJ would never have been able to win games regardless of what AJ lovers will say. AJ didnt fit.

If Gus were looking good, they would find a way to diss him anyways. So the problems we have will be ongoing wether Gus or Sage or Cleo is playing. Cleo wont see any time this year unless both Qb's get hurt. Saban doesnt want that. It does no good for the team to switch everything at this point. The changes will come in the offseason as far as Qb is concerned.

The biggest problem on offense is that we are not using our greatest strengths, which is obvious isnt it? If Shula were running our team, he would play to our strengths of the talent that we have. In the seventies, he had Csonka, Kick, Warfield, and an Oline that would tear it up. Well, I see the same similarities in this team; if we could just build an Oline as good as them. We can, And I think we are on our way. The problem now is Linehan. I just do not think the guy likes to run the ball a majority of the time and he was given total control of the offense. So we have to deal with that. Come the end of the season, we will have a new OC IMO. Linehan will have a job as an HC somewhere else. I have a sneaky suspicion that what is going on on the inside with Saban and Linehan is a calm situation with the understanding that he will be gone. He doesnt fit.

Saban wanted Ronnie Brown. Saban wanted Ricky Williams back. Why? go from there and start to figure it out. Gus being Gus he can change when the time is right. Alot of people on this board say the time is now. But that is not the overall objective for Saban right now. That objective comes later. He wants to get through this season, using the vets until injuries occur, then the young ones get their PT. It is no different with the QB situation.

So for now, we should just figure out a way to get Ricky the ball. Then finish big with Ronnie. DEvise a way to get them both in there to run and pass the ball so defenses cannot tee off on us. Develope the Oline into a tough bunch who knows to get a hat on someone. DEvelope the defense within the scheme and build cohesion. Next year will be different, but it still will have to fit the whole big picture of what Saban is seeking long term, not the short.

Good post! A couple points.
I'd never say that Saban doesn't care about this season because we aren't championship caliber. Saban seems like the kind of guy where he is going to give it his all. '05 is just as important as '06 and '07 to him. I'm sure he sees that we are one game behind the leader of the AFC East. This week we have a chance to be tied for first. He'll give it his all and do his damndest to get us to the big dance.

I feel that Linehan hasn't had the QB to really prove/disprove his place on the team. Based on how our O is playing, do you really think we'd lose him as a head coach somewhere? If so, who's a suitable replacement?

I say Linehan stays at least for another season.

 

[finfan54]

I agree with most of the points you made, there is a method to his madness, I realize that. And it's true that the play of one man isn't the entire reason for our lack of productivity. However, changes have been made to the lineup this season when the play hasn't been up to par (o-line, FB, DB, etc), still waiting for the change at QB. Inside the box, outside the box, whatever...Let's just put Gus in a box and send him to China.

But that may seem like rational think to you and all the fans. Its much different when your the HC and you have centered this years team around already established criteria. Bringing in Sage is not going to solve the overall problem. That is the team is losing, not Gus. Gus can be replaced, yes, but for just imeediate gratification? At some point, when Gus is completely to blame, maybe thats when he makes the change or it is late in the season, but now, it really doesnt matter when CC still is dropping balls and we run stupid plays.

 

[perezferia]

I see you decided to ignore the points I made and just go right back in the box. I am not defending Gus. I am simply saying Saban has a method. Part of that method is to tell your players it is not all one mans problem that is causing the problem.

I wouldnt mind seeing Sage play. I think he could provide a spark and take it downfield and give the recievers something to build on. But that is not my point I was making. The point it Saban. Saban runs the ship. I do not. I simply am trying to offer some people on this board some sanity. You do not have to buy if you do not want to.

I'm with you, Brother!

Saban isn't just trying to launch a winning season, he's tryiing to launch a winning culture. For that to happen he needs to observe how certain players deal with adversity vs. their talent and/or potential. If they beat themselves due to mental weakness, he needs to see that this year in order to be ready to make the correct personell decisions next year.

Players like HOWARD and McKINNEY are mentally weak and therefore vulnerable to lapses in focus and judgement that ultimately lead to bad play. Frerrotte doesn
t have focus problems, he has talent problems. He simply can't hit a target. He recognize it, even recognize it in time, but once the thinking is over and the mechanics of being a QB kicks in his natural, God Given ability is not up to an nfl caliber. He under or over throws EVERY ball he tosses really. Look at them again. It's either thrown too hard and too high or too much arc or too low, etc.... Whenever he hits a receiver on the numbers we'r all shocked.

Another thing, when we played ATLANTA, how many passes did their receivers drop? Maybe 2. They caught EVERYTHING! Vick was accurate. That sideline pass caught on the goal line and defended extremely well by Schulters was a thing of beauty, no way to stop it. The receivers are dropping balls because they're tense when Gus throws because they have NO idea where the ball will be coming. Inside of them, out side, low, high...? On most plays the receivers know how a ball is going to be thrown to them because it's practiced that way. But with the hugely innacurate Gus they have no clue, so they tense up and develop hands of stone. We dropped 5 catchable balls against ATLANTA and they were all on third down.

We are, what we are. Howards will be gone next year and so will McKinney or at least he won't be starting. Frerrotte will at least have competition for the job from Sage or some other veteran if SABAN deems that next year's draft doesn't include our franchise QB. Damion McIntosh should be gone and Vernon Carey should be traded. Eddie Moore, David Boston, the list of players that will no longer be Dolphins is huge. Junior Seau will retire and next year will be one of Jason's and Zach's last few years with the team.

Saban needs a QB, DT, LT, (2) CB, CENTER, SS, SPEED WR.

Seven players. He won't get both corners in one year, it will depend on Poole's play next season off of his injury. But if the 2006 draft isn't the draft where we land a QB, then look for his first pick to be a stout Defensive Tackle, yes, even taking this year'ssupplemental draft into consideration. Manny ain't it. IF no QB, then it'll be a LT a CENTER (that would be awesome) or a SPEED WR. But whatever he doesn't get in 2006, he'll get through free agency or in 2007. Rest assured that we're a work in progress and th culture of winning that SABAN is building here will last a long, long time. Thanks for listening and GO PHINS!!!

 

[Dolfan4life!]

But that may seem like rational think to you and all the fans. Its much different when your the HC and you have centered this years team around already established criteria. Bringing in Sage is not going to solve the overall problem. That is the team is losing, not Gus. Gus can be replaced, yes, but for just imeediate gratification? At some point, when Gus is completely to blame, maybe thats when he makes the change or it is late in the season, but now, it really doesnt matter when CC still is dropping balls and we run stupid plays.

Not saying that bringing in Sage will solve any problems we have on offense, but nobody can say with absolute certainty how Sage will do if/when he is brought in. That's not my point anyway. We have a position that, IMHO is broke -the QB. All I'd like to see is an attempt to fix it...and not when the playoff are a mathematical impossibility.

 

[finfan54]

Good post! A couple points.
I'd never say that Saban doesn't care about this season because we aren't championship caliber. Saban seems like the kind of guy where he is going to give it his all. '05 is just as important as '06 and '07 to him. I'm sure he sees that we are one game behind the leader of the AFC East. This week we have a chance to be tied for first. He'll give it his all and do his damndest to get us to the big dance.

I feel that Linehan hasn't had the QB to really prove/disprove his place on the team. Based on how our O is playing, do you really think we'd lose him as a head coach somewhere? If so, who's a suitable replacement?

I say Linehan stays at least for another season.

point #1 in response. I think Linehan has a one year deal? I am not certain of this but I do believe he will be gone for personal reasons (which is what will be protrayed in the media).
Point #2. Saban is not really reacting heavy to what is going on on the field alot of the time. He is just wandering the sideline, thinking, thinking, and watching to how the whole team is working, not just one guy. He is looking at the big picture, knowing that this year is never going to be the year. What Saban is looking for is a team atmosphere where blaming someone is not an answere. Alot of mistakes were made out there from coaching right on down. That is what I think Saban is trying to spell out to his team with the Gus deal.

 

[Dolfan4life!]

I'm with you, Brother!

Saban isn't just trying to launch a winning season, he's tryiing to launch a winning culture. For that to happen he needs to observe how certain players deal with adversity vs. their talent and/or potential. If they beat themselves due to mental weakness, he needs to see that this year in order to be ready to make the correct personell decisions next year.

Players like HOWARD and McKINNEY are mentally weak and therefore vulnerable to lapses in focus and judgement that ultimately lead to bad play. Frerrotte doesn
t have focus problems, he has talent problems. He simply can't hit a target. He recognize it, even recognize it in time, but once the thinking is over and the mechanics of being a QB kicks in his natural, God Given ability is not up to an nfl caliber. He under or over throws EVERY ball he tosses really. Look at them again. It's either thrown too hard and too high or too much arc or too low, etc.... Whenever he hits a receiver on the numbers we'r all shocked.

Another thing, when we played ATLANTA, how many passes did their receivers drop? Maybe 2. They caught EVERYTHING! Vick was accurate. That sideline pass caught on the goal line and defended extremely well by Schulters was a thing of beauty, no way to stop it. The receivers are dropping balls because they're tense when Gus throws because they have NO idea where the ball will be coming. Inside of them, out side, low, high...? On most plays the receivers know how a ball is going to be thrown to them because it's practiced that way. But with the hugely innacurate Gus they have no clue, so they tense up and develop hands of stone. We dropped 5 catchable balls against ATLANTA and they were all on third down.

We are, what we are. Howards will be gone next year and so will McKinney or at least he won't be starting. Frerrotte will at least have competition for the job from Sage or some other veteran if SABAN deems that next year's draft doesn't include our franchise QB. Damion McIntosh should be gone and Vernon Carey should be traded. Eddie Moore, David Boston, the list of players that will no longer be Dolphins is huge. Junior Seau will retire and next year will be one of Jason's and Zach's last few years with the team.

Saban needs a QB, DT, LT, (2) CB, CENTER, SS, SPEED WR.

Seven players. He won't get both corners in one year, it will depend on Poole's play next season off of his injury. But if the 2006 draft isn't the draft where we land a QB, then look for his first pick to be a stout Defensive Tackle, yes, even taking this year'ssupplemental draft into consideration. Manny ain't it. IF no QB, then it'll be a LT a CENTER (that would be awesome) or a SPEED WR. But whatever he doesn't get in 2006, he'll get through free agency or in 2007. Rest assured that we're a work in progress and th culture of winning that SABAN is building here will last a long, long time. Thanks for listening and GO PHINS!!!

Saban is trying to launch a winning culture yet is sticking w/a QB that you admit has no talent whatsoever. OK.......

 

[finfan54]

Not saying that bringing in Sage will solve any problems we have on offense, but nobody can say with absolute certainty how Sage will do if/when he is brought in. That's not my point anyway. We have a position that, IMHO is broke -the QB. All I'd like to see is an attempt to fix it...and not when the playoff are a mathematical impossibility.

So be it. And Saban will have to deal with that. Not me or anyone else. i just do not think people will go for the response. The other thought I have is that Saban had plans for New England. The playcalling was bad IMO for Atlanta. Maybe because we had plans for NE. I expect to see more downfield passes. Then Gus will be judged because maybe they had gameplanned this one a few weeks ago. That scenario is out there.

 

[finfan54]

Saban is trying to launch a winning culture yet is sticking w/a QB that you admit has no talent whatsoever. OK.......

Ummm, yes. Dont count on this year us doing anything. I dont think Saban wants to send a message of us as a good team when we finish 8-8 and get to the playoffs. Very Dangerous thinking. But what do I know? If Gus screws up NE bad, then I think Saban will make a move, but I wouldnt bet Las Vegas on it.

 

[Fin-Loco]

point #1 in response. I think Linehan has a one year deal? I am not certain of this but I do believe he will be gone for personal reasons (which is what will be protrayed in the media).
Point #2. Saban is not really reacting heavy to what is going on on the field alot of the time. He is just wandering the sideline, thinking, thinking, and watching to how the whole team is working, not just one guy. He is looking at the big picture, knowing that this year is never going to be the year. What Saban is looking for is a team atmosphere where blaming someone is not an answere. Alot of mistakes were made out there from coaching right on down. That is what I think Saban is trying to spell out to his team with the Gus deal.

I don't know man. Saban just doesn't seem like the kind of HC that would make a whole team get used to a new offense. Then get rid of the O coordinator. That just seems really un-saban like.