- Joined
- Apr 29, 2003
- Messages
- 3,282
- Reaction score
- 686
I'm still supporting Saban. If Dave Wannstedt can get 5 years of mediocreville with a team largely held together by JJ's defense, the next coach should get at least 3 years to try to come in and clean up the mess and show some level of change and improvement.
However, Saban made a mistake, I believe, in thinking he could turn things around immediately. Now he is saying it will take time. That's true. But, when you look at the nucleus of this team it is composed of veterans - many of whom are past their prime. He made the mistake of thinking he could turn things around and rebuild quickly.
What Saban needs to do now is recognize his mistakes and start to develop and use the younger players. Ronnie Brown needs to become a more central feature of the offense and utilized in more productive ways than the same stuff. At the same time, Jason Allen needs to be inserted as the starting safety whether he's ready or not.
I also agree that the Dolphins cannot afford to let Harrington get enough starts that they lose a fifth round draft pick. Losing a 6th is bad enough as Harrington's contract has such a huge escalation clause in it that it is very possible he will not be on the team next year. Fans don't realize that his two year contract is more of a one year deal that gives him some freedom to pursue another job - or have a big payday next year. If we only get him for a year and we lose a 5th round pick - that would be a huge error! There's still talent in the 5th round. Even if the team wants to keep Joey and pay him, they need to try to avoid losing that draft pick.
At the same time, the team needs to do all it can to hoard future draft picks. This should have been done from the start. They need 8-10 picks per draft, not fewer than seven! A youth movement must be afoot if this team is to avoid a future like that of the Raiders the past few years. One of the prime areas to rebuild in the draft will be the offensive line and linebacker. We have one sound starter at LB for the future. Beyond that, the rest are either getting too old or are simply not good enough. The O-line is worthless, imo. So, too, the DL needs a few more players and a stud rushing DE to replace JT. Saban may need to realize his talent evaluation needs more help. Randy Meuller is a proven evaluator and must be given greater authority.
(Saban made his biggest mistake here, imo, in not drafting a guy like Lawson as an OLB/DE - instead of Jason Allen. You want a player who has as much impact and upside as possible, as early as possible, in round 1)
If I'm Huizenga, I would give Saban a private vote of confidence, but I would also let him know he needs to go in a true rebuilding direction. At the same time, Saban needs to start letting the hammer fall on some of the vets who are not prepared to make plays or play winning football (e.g., McMichael, the O-line, etc.). The only way Saban can really lead the team is for them to know he really has authority for the duration.
Then, if there is not a sign of significant improvement after next year, Huizenga has to take a serious look at the head coaching position. Knowing Huizenga, I think he will give Saban at least 4 years of his 5 year contract and even if the team shows a modicum of improvement, Saban will get all five years - unless he burns himself out. It has to be difficult for a guy like Saban who has basically had success everywhere he's been to see this kind of losing.
However, Saban made a mistake, I believe, in thinking he could turn things around immediately. Now he is saying it will take time. That's true. But, when you look at the nucleus of this team it is composed of veterans - many of whom are past their prime. He made the mistake of thinking he could turn things around and rebuild quickly.
What Saban needs to do now is recognize his mistakes and start to develop and use the younger players. Ronnie Brown needs to become a more central feature of the offense and utilized in more productive ways than the same stuff. At the same time, Jason Allen needs to be inserted as the starting safety whether he's ready or not.
I also agree that the Dolphins cannot afford to let Harrington get enough starts that they lose a fifth round draft pick. Losing a 6th is bad enough as Harrington's contract has such a huge escalation clause in it that it is very possible he will not be on the team next year. Fans don't realize that his two year contract is more of a one year deal that gives him some freedom to pursue another job - or have a big payday next year. If we only get him for a year and we lose a 5th round pick - that would be a huge error! There's still talent in the 5th round. Even if the team wants to keep Joey and pay him, they need to try to avoid losing that draft pick.
At the same time, the team needs to do all it can to hoard future draft picks. This should have been done from the start. They need 8-10 picks per draft, not fewer than seven! A youth movement must be afoot if this team is to avoid a future like that of the Raiders the past few years. One of the prime areas to rebuild in the draft will be the offensive line and linebacker. We have one sound starter at LB for the future. Beyond that, the rest are either getting too old or are simply not good enough. The O-line is worthless, imo. So, too, the DL needs a few more players and a stud rushing DE to replace JT. Saban may need to realize his talent evaluation needs more help. Randy Meuller is a proven evaluator and must be given greater authority.
(Saban made his biggest mistake here, imo, in not drafting a guy like Lawson as an OLB/DE - instead of Jason Allen. You want a player who has as much impact and upside as possible, as early as possible, in round 1)
If I'm Huizenga, I would give Saban a private vote of confidence, but I would also let him know he needs to go in a true rebuilding direction. At the same time, Saban needs to start letting the hammer fall on some of the vets who are not prepared to make plays or play winning football (e.g., McMichael, the O-line, etc.). The only way Saban can really lead the team is for them to know he really has authority for the duration.
Then, if there is not a sign of significant improvement after next year, Huizenga has to take a serious look at the head coaching position. Knowing Huizenga, I think he will give Saban at least 4 years of his 5 year contract and even if the team shows a modicum of improvement, Saban will get all five years - unless he burns himself out. It has to be difficult for a guy like Saban who has basically had success everywhere he's been to see this kind of losing.
