Who is going to be held accountable?

[PHANTASTIC 13]

There are plenty of reasons why this team is floundering, question is...who is going to be held accountable and what are they going to do to fix the problem.

Guys who should get the axe at the end of the year...

Mike Mularkey, this guy sends in some strange play calls...like on fourth and five they throw a pass behind the line of scrimmage...just a thought here, but wouldn't it be wise to throw the ball to a receiver who runs a route past the yard marker?
Later in the game against the Bills the Dolphins have a 4th and less than a yard and he sends Morris up the middle...how about a QB sneak, all Harrington has to do is fall forward and we make a first down. The Bills are in the same situation later in the game and Losman sneaks it and make the first down easy, no wonder the Bills fired this guy, his play calling stinks.
This guy needs to be replaced with somebody who is capable of making good judgment calls, Mike doesn't use his head in certain situations and it winds up cost the fins at some point in the game.

Keith Armstrong, his unit has been everything but special, they don't have any TD returns on kick offs or punts and Wes Welker was pretty darn good in college at Texas Tech as a return man, this shows you that he doesn't teach them how to form a wedge and give Welker a seam to run threw. Also, Mare has struggled all season and it seems like the coaching staff has lost faith in him, Armstrong should get some of the blame for his failures.

Dameon McIntosh and L.J. Shelton are cast offs from other teams and the Dolphins could easily upgrade over them in FA next year, they whiff on their blocks too much.

Randy McMichael drops way too many passes and he should be let go and I would love to see Miami sign Tony Gonzalez in the off season, he is the best in the business.

Sammy Morris and Travis Minor, has anyone noticed that these two guys have never rushed for 100 yards when Ronnie or Ricky were out of action, that simply isn't getting it done and we need back up players who can perform well when called upon.


Joey Harrington and Daunte Culpepper are nothing more than back up QB's and the Dolphins need to draft a franchise QB in the draft next year. The quarterback position is the most critical on the team and he contributes so much to the success of the team, when he struggles...the whole offense struggles....which is what we have been seeing now for the last 6 plus seasons. Let's draft a guy and let these other two groom him to be the eventual starter...we need a QB we can call our very own.

The defensive line has some talent and some youth waiting in the wings, no real pressing need here.

The LB position could use another outside LB or two, Donnie Spragan is like the invisible man out there, he never has his name called, it would be nice to have a play maker on either side of Zach, Crowder has been playing better as the season has gone bye.

The CB's have had there share of ups and downs and it wouldn't hurt to try and make an upgrade here, the safeties are good in Jason Allen and Yeremiah Bell.

Well, that's my take on things, let's see what you guys think needs to be done this off season to improve the team.

 

[RoninFin4]

Well, the one that brought them all here was Nick Saban, and I think to fix the problem, he should actually let Randy Mueller perform the day-to-day operations as GM.

I could be fishing here, but the 1st draft Saban was involved in, he kept Speilman around for it before getting rid of him, and we got Ronnie Brown, Matt Roth, Channing Crowder, and Travis Daniels; all significant contributors. Saban's second draft hasn't really turned up much of anything...yet. Let's not forget that Mueller discovered both Mark Bulger and Aaron Brooks in New Orleans, and if my memory serves correctly, I believe he suckered us into giving up 2 firsts for Ricky Williams, whom didn't really lead us anywhere.

To fix all this, I think we need to draft O-lineman and LBs. Maybe even multiple players at that position. There's also got to be some way to move up or down and stockpile more picks like New England, Tennessee and Philly have done, all of which have had better seasons than us. If that means moving players, even a Zach Thomas or Chris Chambers, I think it's got to be done. The current players on our defense haven't led us anywhere but to blowouts in the playoffs prior to the 2002 season, which seems like forever ago.

An upgrade in the secondary or a mid-round pick at QB wouldn't be out of the quesiton in my opinion either. But the bottom line is, let Mueller do his job and let Saban do the coaching and pray Daunte's knee solves our QB probelms. Harrington is what he is, which in our case is a solid #2 guy to come off the bench...oh if only he'd started the season, maybe Daunte would be in there now...

 

[PHANTASTIC 13]

I hope I am wrong, but I don't think Culpepper is the solution at QB and even if he does comeback next year, he will be 30 years old, so drafting a young QB now makes perfect sense, since Joey is just a back up and not the heir apparent at QB.

 

[RoninFin4]

I hope I am wrong, but I don't think Culpepper is the solution at QB and even if he does comeback next year, he will be 30 years old, so drafting a young QB now makes perfect sense, since Joey is just a back up and not the heir apparent at QB.

I agree.

 

[johngarryvo]

sorry gents, but Uncle Fester (Wayne) in back aboard the S.S. Bermuda Triangle, and has again left the day-to-day franchise ops to...who else...Cousin Nit (Saban)...so let's just get used to our little team full of Pugsley's...[props to mah boy J. Workman]

 

[hestar]

I agree on all aceept the Sammy Morris thing. Last week we he ran for 123 yards on 25 carries.It's kinda hard to run when our O-Line isn't creating holes and jsut letting people get by them.also,We need to trade Chambers.I really don't think hes a # 1 WR and hope we get one VIA draft or FA.

I say we draft a QB or an O-linemen.If Troy Smith is still there when we pick I hope saban takes him IMO.

 

[PeterNorth]

There are plenty of reasons why this team is floundering, question is...who is going to be held accountable and what are they going to do to fix the problem.

Guys who should get the axe at the end of the year...

Mike Mularkey, this guy sends in some strange play calls...like on fourth and five they throw a pass behind the line of scrimmage...just a thought here, but wouldn't it be wise to throw the ball to a receiver who runs a route past the yard marker?
Later in the game against the Bills the Dolphins have a 4th and less than a yard and he sends Morris up the middle...how about a QB sneak, all Harrington has to do is fall forward and we make a first down. The Bills are in the same situation later in the game and Losman sneaks it and make the first down easy, no wonder the Bills fired this guy, his play calling stinks.
This guy needs to be replaced with somebody who is capable of making good judgment calls, Mike doesn't use his head in certain situations and it winds up cost the fins at some point in the game.

Keith Armstrong, his unit has been everything but special, they don't have any TD returns on kick offs or punts and Wes Welker was pretty darn good in college at Texas Tech as a return man, this shows you that he doesn't teach them how to form a wedge and give Welker a seam to run threw. Also, Mare has struggled all season and it seems like the coaching staff has lost faith in him, Armstrong should get some of the blame for his failures.

Dameon McIntosh and L.J. Shelton are cast offs from other teams and the Dolphins could easily upgrade over them in FA next year, they whiff on their blocks too much.

Randy McMichael drops way too many passes and he should be let go and I would love to see Miami sign Tony Gonzalez in the off season, he is the best in the business.

Sammy Morris and Travis Minor, has anyone noticed that these two guys have never rushed for 100 yards when Ronnie or Ricky were out of action, that simply isn't getting it done and we need back up players who can perform well when called upon.


Joey Harrington and Daunte Culpepper are nothing more than back up QB's and the Dolphins need to draft a franchise QB in the draft next year. The quarterback position is the most critical on the team and he contributes so much to the success of the team, when he struggles...the whole offense struggles....which is what we have been seeing now for the last 6 plus seasons. Let's draft a guy and let these other two groom him to be the eventual starter...we need a QB we can call our very own.

The defensive line has some talent and some youth waiting in the wings, no real pressing need here.

The LB position could use another outside LB or two, Donnie Spragan is like the invisible man out there, he never has his name called, it would be nice to have a play maker on either side of Zach, Crowder has been playing better as the season has gone bye.

The CB's have had there share of ups and downs and it wouldn't hurt to try and make an upgrade here, the safeties are good in Jason Allen and Yeremiah Bell.

Well, that's my take on things, let's see what you guys think needs to be done this off season to improve the team.

Mike Mularkey resigned in Buffalo-they did not fire him and actually wanted him to come back. Too bad for us, he didn't. Now, despite everyone calling for him to be canned after the season, it isn't going to happen. If he goes, they have to bring someone else again, which means yet another year spent in flux while players get accomodated to the system. There has to be some semblance of continuity at some point.

Also, regarding Sammy Morris, I think you are a little off base. He has performed very well in place of Ronnie, I think. One could even make a case that he has played better than Ronnie has most of the year. He ran very well today when given a chance. It was inevitable that Buffalo would eventually shut down the running game when it became obvious that the Dolphins weren't going to try to throw the ball much. The playcalling was extremely conservative-well, a combo of playcalling and Harrington relying way too much on his checkdown options, I guess. The lack of balance spelled doom for Morris and the running game today.

What do you really expect out of a backup running back, though? I am just curious. Look around the league. How many backups do you see that would gain 100 yds. or more per game with regularity? Not many. Michael Turner would have a good shot. Most of the other ones who would are part of a rotation, so are more like 1b vs. a straight backup (Indy guys, Jax, etc.) and in most cases were just drafted in the last year or two, so they will be the guy shortly. For what they need him for, Morris is fine and is not the problem at all. I'll agree with you on Minor, but then again the only reason he is even on the roster is because of his special teams play.

 

[peeps]

Well, the one that brought them all here was Nick Saban, and I think to fix the problem, he should actually let Randy Mueller perform the day-to-day operations as GM.

Exactly. Let Mueller do his job and coach the players he brings. He's supposed to be pretty good at finding QBs.

 

[zonk4ever]

To imagine Mularkey coming back a second year. If that doesn't increase ticket sales, I don't know what will

 

[BLITZKRIEG]

Saban needs to be held accountable. He's the man pushing the buttons during the off-season, so it's his call. I'm not sure if any coaching changes will be made this off-season, but there is still tons of work to be done no doubt....

PHINZ RULE!!!

 

[true dol-fan]

the hole team when we play good and we win we are all over the fins plane n simple we played really bad yesterday
is not only 1 person or 2 or 3 is the hole teams the D made mistakes @ da wrong time n the O didn't show up that is it
when we win we get 3 sacs n we score
win or loose is the hole teams
goos or bad is the hole team
but the really bad is the we make it worse for the TEAM when they mess up

 

[PhinsRock]

Good Post

Mike Mularkey resigned in Buffalo-they did not fire him and actually wanted him to come back. Too bad for us, he didn't. Now, despite everyone calling for him to be canned after the season, it isn't going to happen. If he goes, they have to bring someone else again, which means yet another year spent in flux while players get accomodated to the system. There has to be some semblance of continuity at some point.

Also, regarding Sammy Morris, I think you are a little off base. He has performed very well in place of Ronnie, I think. One could even make a case that he has played better than Ronnie has most of the year. He ran very well today when given a chance. It was inevitable that Buffalo would eventually shut down the running game when it became obvious that the Dolphins weren't going to try to throw the ball much. The playcalling was extremely conservative-well, a combo of playcalling and Harrington relying way too much on his checkdown options, I guess. The lack of balance spelled doom for Morris and the running game today.

What do you really expect out of a backup running back, though? I am just curious. Look around the league. How many backups do you see that would gain 100 yds. or more per game with regularity? Not many. Michael Turner would have a good shot. Most of the other ones who would are part of a rotation, so are more like 1b vs. a straight backup (Indy guys, Jax, etc.) and in most cases were just drafted in the last year or two, so they will be the guy shortly. For what they need him for, Morris is fine and is not the problem at all. I'll agree with you on Minor, but then again the only reason he is even on the roster is because of his special teams play.

You nailed it my friend. And personally on a side note, I'm holding the thread starter accountable, at least I can yell at him! (well you know what I mean)

 

[dabeastdabone]

look at Waynes history, noone will be held accountable. Wayne let that atitude turn the Dolphins into one of the Leagues worst franchises. Who should be accountable? Saban. I'm sick of hearing excuses as several new coaches coach circles around him.

 

[Vendigo]

Mike Mularkey resigned in Buffalo-they did not fire him and actually wanted him to come back. Too bad for us, he didn't. Now, despite everyone calling for him to be canned after the season, it isn't going to happen. If he goes, they have to bring someone else again, which means yet another year spent in flux while players get accomodated to the system. There has to be some semblance of continuity at some point.

Good concept, wrong time. I agree that continuity is important (that's why I would consider promoting Jason Garrett, by the way), but in Mularkey's case, there's too good a chance that it would only result in continuously bad game planning and play calling - and that's not exactly useful continuity. If this was Mularkey's first year as an OC, I'd be willing to grant him the benefit of the doubt, but the guy has a long history of questionable game planning and play calling. I really don't see that much of a point in bringing back a system that clearly didn't work just for the sake of having continuity in the form of a system that doesn't work.

 

[muscle979]

You have to hold the coach accountable. The team tries, they're just not good enough. (Except for 99 and 54). I'm not ready to can Nick just yet but I have to admit my patience is wearing thin. He can seem like a genius one week and then completely inept the next.