Was Tony Sparano Any Good as an Offensive Line Coach?

[Shouright]

We go around thinking that because Tony Sparano was an offensive line coach, he should be more adept at putting together a strong offensive line as a head coach.

However, what if he wasn't any good as an offensive line coach? Is there any evidence that he was?

Of course his promotion to head coach would suggest he was, but people may be groomed as head coaches for reasons other than their effectiveness as position coaches.

They may have leadership ability, charisma, organizational ability, management skills, etc. that have nothing to do with how well they coach a position or evaluate its talent.

Anyway, perhaps Tony Sparano's ineffectiveness at putting together a quality offensive line here is no different from what he did as an offensive line coach. I have yet to see any evidence to the contrary.

 

[richied06]

shouldn't matter, we got the GOOG

the man who's offensive line beat the 18-0 patriots

 

[Lilmandude13]

shouldn't matter, we got the GOOG

the man who's offensive line beat the 18-0 patriots

Thanks to Eli's Miracle scramble and avoid getting sacked as his line crumbled around him

 

[dlockz]

is he any good as any kind of coach

 

[DolfanISS]

I have to admit it's very frustrating watching this line change year after year and not getting any better. If they start throwing players at it this week they're in panic mode. Really should have seen it coming and already had more players here IMHO.

 

[Miamifinz]

No idea, I never really paid any attention to the Cowboy's o-line, but I do know the fans really wanted him back the year after he left. Not sure they'd want him back now though.

 

[foozool13]

I remember Brian Billick saying a quote that is quite fitting here. "Whatever got you hired in the NFL, is probably the reason you get fired in the NFL."

 

[Sundance Kid]

4 Years Later and NOT much of any O-Line.....doesn`t tell me much of his Coaching?

 

[Adam First]

I took a look at the 2006 Dallas Cowboys roster when Tony was the assistant head coach/offensive line coach (he called plays for Drew Bledsoe and Tony Romo that year as well). The starters that year were:
LT Flozell Adams (2006 pro bowler)
LG Kyle Kosier
C Andre Gurode (2006 pro bowler)
RG Marco Rivera (former pro bowler with Green Bay)
RT Marc Colombo

Check out these other names on the 2006 roster:
Joe Berger
Al Johnson
Pat McQuistain
Cory Procter

In 2007 when Tony was relinquished playcalling duties in favor of Jason Garrett (by request of then-coach Wade Phillips) the starters were:
LT Flozell Adams (2007 pro bowler)
LG Kyle Kosier
C Andre Gurode (2007 pro bowler)
RG Leonard Davis (2007 pro bowler)
RT Marc Colombo

Tony had, then, above average to supreme talents at the offensive line to work with. Andre Gurode is one of the best centers in the NFL to this day. You can say he got lucky in a few spots. Then again Marc Colombo wasn't nearly as bad as he was then than he is now.

These Cowboys flakes weren't that great 5 years ago and they certainly aren't now.

 

[twg76]

Tony and Jeff were part of a packaged deal with Parcells. Parcells picked them and promoted them because he wanted to. I don't see a very good head coach in Sparano. He probably should have stayed OL coach and maybe tried to one day run an entire offense. Ireland isn't too bad at picking players. But he is very conservative with his choices. He should have just paid Orton the money IMO. But Sparano seems to be in over his head. This season will make or break him as the Dolphins head coach in 2012.

 

[LikeUntoGod]

Tony Sparano might be a good offensive line coach.

But he cannot draft offensive lineman.

Indeed, Tony Sparano seems over his head as a Head Coach and in drafting players.

Cam Cameron was horrible as a Head Coach and in drafting players. But then the Ravens put him back as a OC and you have a good coach again. Cam Cameron was simply over his head as a Head Coach but it does not mean he is not a good offensive coordinator.