When the dust clears…

[finner]

IMO…

The Dolphins are in the middle of a major roster revamping/rebuilding process so expect a high percentage of the draft picks to stick again this year. “Projects,” such as Toledo, or Wright etc. will be given a full year before they will be definitively evaluated in relationship to the roster.

Saban needs at least one more off-season and draft to get the roster to his 100% liking, so I expect the team to be highly competitive this year but the accent on performance is still “we’re in the process of getting to where we want to be,” so winning [X] number of games is secondary relative to “getting better” every week (relating the teams overall building process philosophy).

With this in mind I do NOT expect Culpepper to be rushed onto the field, to the contrary, the staff will be cautious with him because they know his most important years with Miami are in the future, not right away. Barring the unforeseen, I expect Harrington to be the starter for 4-6 games, and if he’s productive, it could be substantially more.

I also expect the team’s performance trajectory to be similar to last years --- meaning the teams best football will be played in the second half of the year. Personally, I would find a 10-6 or even 9-7 record to be “successful,” as long as the TEAM’S POTENTIAL is obviously on the updraft (which I fully expect it to be).

Bottom line, I’m really enjoying watching Saban put together an entirely NEW team molded in his philosophical image. The guy is a REAL WINNER, and as long as he stays in Miami, we’re going to be a team to be reckoned with!

As John Madden said about Saban, “with him, you get the feeling it’s only a matter of time…[before he wins the big prize]”

So let’s remember to be at least a little patient and let the process completely unfold…

 

[flintsilver7]

At the moment, Cleo Lemon is our backup quarterback. Joey Harrington taking the field for any length of time is not desirable. Nobody can convince me that Joey Harrington is a better option than Sage Rosenfels, who would've been not only cheaper but better as well. Just something to think about.

 

[Ryan1973]

I totally agree with you. That is why I don't Culpepper will be rushed back. I think they might even hold him back until 2007 when I think the Dolphins will be in prime position to make a Super Bowl run. Saban needs one more offseason and draft to make the roster really good.

 

[FrankP]

Although Culpepper will be turning 30 years old pretty soon....

 

[cnyphinfan]

At the moment, Cleo Lemon is our backup quarterback. Joey Harrington taking the field for any length of time is not desirable. Nobody can convince me that Joey Harrington is a better option than Sage Rosenfels, who would've been not only cheaper but better as well. Just something to think about.

Good, I am glad that Saban and his entire personnel staff's opinion of Sage vs. Joey Harrington is not enough to convince you. :shakeno: That is why Sage got so much love from the NFL while he was available.....oh wait, he only got love from the "We think Mario is better" Houston Texans. Don't get me wrong, Sage had his moments with the Dolphins and he was loved by the fans, but don't be so crazy as to think that his skills even remotely compare with Harrington. Harrington has been dealing with screwed up coaching and a screwed up franchise. You will see this year what he can do when he is put in a position to succeed!

 

[Wallace758]

good post...i have same feeling as you do...i dont care if culpepper doesnt see the field till 2007...we have a franchise qb finally..get him back 100 percent

 

[flintsilver7]

Good, I am glad that Saban and his entire personnel staff's opinion of Sage vs. Joey Harrington is not enough to convince you. :shakeno: That is why Sage got so much love from the NFL while he was available.....oh wait, he only got love from the "We think Mario is better" Houston Texans. Don't get me wrong, Sage had his moments with the Dolphins and he was loved by the fans, but don't be so crazy as to think that his skills even remotely compare with Harrington. Harrington has been dealing with screwed up coaching and a screwed up franchise. You will see this year what he can do when he is put in a position to succeed!

Joey Harrington has consistently failed - with and without a strong running game, and with and without good receivers. Sage showed last year how good he could be with this core of players, and now he is gone. He would've been one of the cheapest backup options. Now, we're leaning towards trading for a guy who has failed for four straight years to even approach his supposed potential. So no, "Saban and his entire personnel staff" have not convinced me of anything. Joey Harrington's play for the last four years has.

For what it's worth, Sage was not on the market long at all. Also, the "we think Mario is better" Texans would have seen next to no improvement as they already have a tough running back and a Pro Bowl returner. They also have no pass rush. Which would you take? Is the star-studded USC team great, or is each individual player great and they just happened to be together? Be wary of the fact that two RBs, a FB, a QB, a TE, and three offensive linemen all came from the same school. It stands to reason that they all made each other better. (In fact, the only two guys who are least correlated are Bush and White.) So the Texans might turn out to be the smart guys even though Williams has the same situation surrounding him.

This team has good players, but I don't like building a team that's too focused on "projects" or guys with character issues. I'm not at all optimistic about a Mike Mularkey-led offense, as evidenced by what happened in Pittsburgh and Buffalo. I didn't like bringing back Ricky Williams - and where is he now? Sure, he'll be back in 2007 - maybe - and he'll be 30.

Whatever. I love the Dolphins and I always will, but I'm no Sabanite.

 

[se7ensaw]

It is definately more exciting right now than I think it has been at any point since Danny retired. Maybe when we brought Ricky in, but even then the excitement was subdued some by the fact that Fiedler was still our QB. No offense, but Joey is better than all the guys we have had over the last 6 years, and with Mularkey's coaching, and the talent that we have on our offense, Joey should be able to put up decent numbers. I think that if Culpepper is close to 95% you have to put him in the starting lineup, unless Joey is absolutely tearing it up. We have had another great draft, showed that we will be big players in free agency. The respect for Nick is only going to continue to grow from hereon out.

 

[cnc66]

Whatever. I love the Dolphins and I always will, but I'm no Sabanite.

wow, that's to bad, life must suck because you obviously aren't getting "it" I will forget in ten minutes that you wrote that but Ima telling ya...you might never be a Sabanite, but you are soon to a lonely fellow. This dude is the real deal, despite YOUR misgivings. In a world where you can look at things anyway you want, I'm sorry you don't share my enthusiasm. Not since Shula took over from Wilson have we had this much to be excited about.

 

[Delphis]

Joey Harrington has consistently failed - with and without a strong running game, and with and without good receivers. Sage showed last year how good he could be with this core of players, and now he is gone. He would've been one of the cheapest backup options. Now, we're leaning towards trading for a guy who has failed for four straight years to even approach his supposed potential. So no, "Saban and his entire personnel staff" have not convinced me of anything. Joey Harrington's play for the last four years has.

For what it's worth, Sage was not on the market long at all. Also, the "we think Mario is better" Texans would have seen next to no improvement as they already have a tough running back and a Pro Bowl returner. They also have no pass rush. Which would you take? Is the star-studded USC team great, or is each individual player great and they just happened to be together? Be wary of the fact that two RBs, a FB, a QB, a TE, and three offensive linemen all came from the same school. It stands to reason that they all made each other better. (In fact, the only two guys who are least correlated are Bush and White.) So the Texans might turn out to be the smart guys even though Williams has the same situation surrounding him.

This team has good players, but I don't like building a team that's too focused on "projects" or guys with character issues. I'm not at all optimistic about a Mike Mularkey-led offense, as evidenced by what happened in Pittsburgh and Buffalo. I didn't like bringing back Ricky Williams - and where is he now? Sure, he'll be back in 2007 - maybe - and he'll be 30.

Whatever. I love the Dolphins and I always will, but I'm no Sabanite.

You sound more like a pessimite

 

[finner]

Joey Harrington has consistently failed - with and without a strong running game, and with and without good receivers. Sage showed last year how good he could be with this core of players, and now he is gone. He would've been one of the cheapest backup options. Now, we're leaning towards trading for a guy who has failed for four straight years to even approach his supposed potential. So no, "Saban and his entire personnel staff" have not convinced me of anything. Joey Harrington's play for the last four years has.

You certainly have a right to be skeptical, but so far the moves Saban has made have (IMO) greatly enhanced the Dolphins POTENTIAL for long-term success. Harrington has serious POTENTIAL to be a real NFL player, and after spending a year with Sage, it’s fairly certain Saban had him 100% evaluated. So, based on what Saban has already produced on the roster, I’m 100% confident he knows what he’s doing --- at least in the DIRECTION he’s taking the team.

As they say, the proof is in the pudding, and SO FAR I feel it’s not a reach to say that Saban has done an excellent job of remaking this team.

“Projects” are an important part of building a big-time program. No matter how well you draft, it’s MORE IMPORTANT how well you develop talent!

I feel really good about Saban’s capacity to develop players who have either (a) not fully blossomed physically and/or technique wise, or (b) players who’s development has been stunted by “bad systems” (Harrington being a prime example).

Great coaches GET MORE OUT OF THEIR PLAYERS than lesser coaches, and I believe Saban has that capacity coupled with a keen eye to get talent that CAN BE DEVELOPED and fit his “system.”

 

[Gardenhead]

I agree 100% with the original post, except for the possibility of Joey succeeding. I just don't see how a crappy QB will blossom in Miami. He's not a good QB. I think its pretty simple.

 

[fint0xicated]

wow, that's to bad, life must suck because you obviously aren't getting "it" I will forget in ten minutes that you wrote that but Ima telling ya...you might never be a Sabanite, but you are soon to a lonely fellow. This dude is the real deal, despite YOUR misgivings. In a world where you can look at things anyway you want, I'm sorry you don't share my enthusiasm. Not since Shula took over from Wilson have we had this much to be excited about.

Couldn't have said it better myself. :up:

 

[InSabanWeTrust1]

finner just for teh record, projects take more than one year. toledo and wright aren't going to be starting in 2007. Yes, we do want to look at the future and make sure we're ready but we're also looking at right now. in the words of chris chambers,"the superbowl is in miami and ill be damned if were not playing in it." saban and huizenga have made comments along these lines as well and we're not rebuilding, the jets,bills,packers,49ers, they are rebuilding. The pats every year grab "projects" and high caliber players in the draft to provide depth in the present and in the future step in while staying competitive. thats how you make a good franchise in this league, get a lot of depth through the draft and eventually they take over. If we keep saying oh were rebuilding next year is our year, thomas and taylor will be gone and then you will REALLY see a rebuilding in our front 7. We play for now and the future, i agree be cautious w. culpepper but hell be back by week 3 or 4 and we are going to make a strong push this year with glaring holes only at olb. If we fail early in the playoffs (which we might), we continue from there adressing olb, OC, de, and SS next year in the draft when we have all our picks.

but for now.....we play for now, we play for the prize, we play...TO WIN.

 

[huck1974]

Surely we could improve at least a game or two with all the additional talent we have. I don't like the negativity of the first post. I would be very upset if we went 9-7 or 10-6 and missed the playoffs. Be a believer. Be a true fan of your team. :dolphins: