Why We Haven't Won This Year

[Shouright]

Because based on what I've seen, Saban and Linehan went into the season with the philosophy that they would both run their systems (offensive and defensive) without regard for whether we currently have the players who can pull it off.

In other words, they didn't tailor their systems to the players we currently have in an effort to have a winning season. Instead, they "jammed the square peg into the round hole" to determine the personnel changes we would need to make for their systems to work like they should.

Here's what we found out:

• We need a new QB
• We need a true #1 WR
• We need offensive linemen who can block better while pulling
• We need a mauler we can run behind routinely on the offensive line
• We need better blitzers
• We need a shut-down corner
• We need better tackling from the CB position

In other words, this was an "evaluation year." If it were anything more, I think we would've seen MUCH more of an effort to tailor our systems and our gameplanning to the players we currently have.

The good news is that one "evaluation year" may yield quicker and longer-lasting GOOD results down the line. Had we tailored our systems and gameplanning to the players we have this year, we might've won more games in the short run but fewer in the long run, because we wouldn't have gotten nearly as much information about the changes we would need to make to run our systems like they should be run.

In the end we might've had more of a winning season with a lot less of an idea about how to get the most out of Saban and Linehan's systems in the future. If the coaches' systems, with the players they need to run as full-bore as possible, are going to be what eventually make us a successful team, I think it makes a lot of sense to spend a year figuring out where we need new players to make the systems run like they should.

I think there's a grand scheme here, fellas.

 

[fishypete]

We Need many things....more than can be listed.

 

[Shouright]

Bump

 

[BLITZKRIEG]

[*]We need a new QB
[*]We need a true #1 WR
[*]We need offensive linemen who can block better while pulling
[*]We need a mauler we can run behind routinely on the offensive line
[*]We need better blitzers
[*]We need a shut-down corner
[*]We need better tackling from the CB position

That's just for starters. We also need a coach who can get them to play up to expectations....

I trust Saban, but I'm still not impressed with the direction this team is heading right now. It doesn't leave much confidence, but hopefully that wil change in time....

PHINZ RULE!!!

 

[dolphan117]

Because based on what I've seen, Saban and Linehan went into the season with the philosophy that they would both run their systems (offensive and defensive) without regard for whether we currently have the players who can pull it off.

In other words, they didn't tailor their systems to the players we currently have in an effort to have a winning season. Instead, they "jammed the square peg into the round hole" to determine what changes we would need to make for their systems to work like they should.

Here's what we found out:

• We need a new QB
• We need a true #1 WR
• We need offensive linemen who can block better while pulling
• We need a mauler we can run behind routinely on the offensive line
• We need better blitzers
• We need a shut-down corner
• We need better tackling from the CB position

In other words, this was an "evaluation year." If it were anything more, I think we would've seen MUCH more of an effort to tailor our systems and our gameplanning to the players we currently have.

The good news is that one "evaluation year" may yield quicker and longer-lasting GOOD results down the line. Had we tailored our systems and gameplanning to the players we have this year, we might've won more games in the short run but fewer in the long run, because we wouldn't have gotten nearly as much information about the changes we would need to make to run our systems like they should be run.

In the end we might've had more of a winning season with a lot less of an idea about how to get the most out of Saban and Linehan's systems in the future. If the coaches' systems, with the players they need to run as full-bore as possible, are going to be what eventually make us a successful team, I think it makes a lot of sense to spend a year figuring out where we need new players to make the systems run like they should.

I think there's a grand scheme here, fellas.

Good post shoutright. I disagree a little though about having no regard to the players we have. Saban went out and got some players in FA that fit this system and cut others that didnt. Other than that I agree, The success Saban has had is because of the systems he and Scott have coached. You will always have to vary it some based on the players you have but esentialy you have to dance with what brung ya. We will be in good shape for the long haul imo but right now we are rebuilding and like you said evaluating what we have.

 

[dolfan4good]

We also need...

Safeties that will come up strong on runnnig plays and make the tackle.
Backup Corners that can cover the slot man.
A backup Middle LB.
An offensive coordinator that will use his BEST player when the game is on the line.

 

[Jimmy James]

I think this theory is a solid enough one, but I disagree with some of the specifics.

[*]We need a new QB

I agree, but I think it is wide open where that QB comes from. I think the new QB could be Kitna. It could be Joey Harrington or Rex Grossman.

[*]We need a true #1 WR

I disagree with this. I think Miami is fine at WR because Linehan is not trying to duplicate what he had in Minnesota. Line up Booker/Chambers and bring in Welker when there is a need for a third WR. That's fine given the running talent and talent at TE this team has.

[*]We need offensive linemen who can block better while pulling

I think this is the key need and that those who disagree are just kidding themselves because they're rabid for a QB. It's like mad cow disease with some here -- it's impossible to get the notion that some prestigious rookie QB will make things all better off out of their brains. The OL has been a pleasant surprise this year, but it is only because of where the team was last year. Garbage in=Garbage out even if we have HH. Give him the talent, and he'll bring Miami a line that works like the ones in KC or Seattle.

[*]We need a mauler we can run behind routinely on the offensive line

I'd suggest it's more the case that we need a true H-back. A big part of that would be helping out with the run, but I think it is more than that.

[*]We need better blitzers

I disagree. See below.

[*]We need a shut-down corner
[*]We need better tackling from the CB position

I think Miami needs help at corner (though not necessarily a shut down corner) and that tackling is important. I think a young, hard hitting safety is an even bigger priority, though. With a CB who could either push Sam off the team or to nickel and a safety who can really lay the wood, the blitzing will work a lot better.

 

[BlueFin]

That's just for starters. We also need a coach who can get them to play up to expectations....

I trust Saban, but I'm still not impressed with the direction this team is heading right now. It doesn't leave much confidence, but hopefully that wil change in time....

PHINZ RULE!!!

Your the same kinda fan that would have bashed Billichek during his poor first season in New England, or JJ during his 1-15 first year in Dallas......try to see the big picture and not obsess over one game on the road where the team came out flat.

 

[BLITZKRIEG]

Your the same kinda fan that would have bashed Billichek during his poor first season in New England, or JJ during his 1-15 first year in Dallas...

I'm an AVID fan, and that's why I'm disappointed. I'm not sure about you, but I expected more out of this team than getting shut out by the Browns. I don't know, maybe those are outrageous expectations.....

If that's such a crime, shoot me. But don't preach to me.....

PHINZ RULE!!!!

 

[Shouright]

I agree, but I think it is wide open where that QB comes from. I think the new QB could be Kitna. It could be Joey Harrington or Rex Grossman.

I agree with this, and I think taking a QB in round 1 is too much of a risk. I'd rather build the team around the QB.

I disagree with this. I think Miami is fine at WR because Linehan is not trying to duplicate what he had in Minnesota. Line up Booker/Chambers and bring in Welker when there is a need for a third WR. That's fine given the running talent and talent at TE this team has.

Wow Jimmy -- I think he's DEFINITELY trying to duplicate what he did in Minnesota. That was the main fuel for my theory. I don't think Saban and Linehan are satisfied with Chambers AT ALL.

I think this is the key need and that those who disagree are just kidding themselves because they're rabid for a QB. It's like mad cow disease with some here -- it's impossible to get the notion that some prestigious rookie QB will make things all better off out of their brains. The OL has been a pleasant surprise this year, but it is only because of where the team was last year. Garbage in=Garbage out even if we have HH. Give him the talent, and he'll bring Miami a line that works like the ones in KC or Seattle.

And wouldn't ya just LOVE to see that? I agree with you here -- if you're spending $20 million on Ronnie Brown, the next step is to get him some people who can open up holes for him. And that may be an H-back too. Kleinsasser was the guy in Minnesota, and he's a hard-nosed, 270-pound guy. We don't have that right now.

I think Miami needs help at corner (though not necessarily a shut down corner) and that tackling is important. I think a young, hard hitting safety is an even bigger priority, though. With a CB who could either push Sam off the team or to nickel and a safety who can really lay the wood, the blitzing will work a lot better.

I agree -- I think Madison is a much bigger weakness than a lot of people here realize. He fit in the old defense -- he doesn't fit in the new one.

 

[Bonedoc7777]

we have just little talent and alot of names, no real pro bowlers that is why we stink, but we started rebuilding, we need a QB and all else will change

 

[BlueFin]

I'm an AVID fan, and that's why I'm disappointed. I'm not sure about you, but I expected more out of this team than getting shut out by the Browns. I don't know, maybe those are outrageous expectations.....

If that's such a crime, shoot me. But don't preach to me.....

PHINZ RULE!!!!

Dude, all I'm saying is, this was a classic letdown game..it happens, its not like the whole season has been played that way.

 

[Shouright]

We also need...

Safeties that will come up strong on runnnig plays and make the tackle.
Backup Corners that can cover the slot man.
A backup Middle LB.
An offensive coordinator that will use his BEST player when the game is on the line.

I think you'll see Channing Crowder at MLB pretty soon. If we can't get Haloti Ngata in the draft, I'd like to see us get AJ Hawk and put him alongside Zach and Crowder.

 

[Jimmy James]

Wow Jimmy -- I think he's DEFINITELY trying to duplicate what he did in Minnesota. That was the main fuel for my theory. I don't think Saban and Linehan are satisfied with Chambers AT ALL.

I see daylight between what Linehan needed to do in Minnesota because he had the talent dictated to him and what he wants to do here in a place where he gets to put together what he wants his offense to look like. I think he had the Randy Ratio imposed upon him and that he actually wants to mix it up more than that. In fact, I believe the OL has been holding back his use of the run this year because he fears this team cannot run at will. I agree with your premise, but I disagree that Linehan is trying to duplicate Minnesota.

 

[Shouright]

I see daylight between what Linehan needed to do in Minnesota because he had the talent dictated to him and what he wants to do here in a place where he gets to put together what he wants his offense to look like. I think he had the Randy Ratio imposed upon him and that he actually wants to mix it up more than that. In fact, I believe the OL has been holding back his use of the run this year because he fears this team cannot run at will. I agree with your premise, but I disagree that Linehan is trying to duplicate Minnesota.

Could be right about Moss -- makes sense. Really the offense is based on Joe Gibbs's offense that features HOGS as offensive linemen, lots of double TE sets (with an H-back as one of the TEs), and a power running game. You could be right here, and if so, the next step would be to get us some HOGS.