Why We're Not Far Off

[Shouright]

The 10 games Scott Linehan was upstairs in the booth, we averaged 16.2 points per game.

The 6 games he coached from the sideline, we averaged 26 points.

26 points would've won 5 of the 7 games we lost.

Of course you can't think about this in 1 + 1 = 2 fashion, because opposing teams might've played differently had we scored more points in our losses (i.e., we still might've lost), but just for the sake of argument, with 5 additional wins we would've been...

14-2. :eek:

All I'm saying is that the lack of offense was responsible for many of our losses, and that problem seemed to be rectified with Linehan's move (a 10-point difference is huge). If we start the season that way next year, who's to say we wouldn't be at least 11-5/12-4 with the same team?

I'm not saying don't make any personnel moves; I'm saying we may not need to make as many as I've seen mentioned here. And there's a good reason not to make many. The culture of this team has changed significantly for the better, and the team has come together with very good chemistry (Ricky has said this is the closest team he's ever been on, for example). Adding a boatload of new players may damage that.

 

[17-0]

We had many opportunities to win some of the games that we lost this year. We only missed the play-offs 1 or 2 games, that remarkable for a team that went 4-12 last year. The Dolphins can be a contender next year with a couple key acquisitions

 

[HelloMotto]

The 10 games Scott Linehan was upstairs in the booth, we averaged 16.2 points per game.

The 6 games he coached from the sideline, we averaged 26 points.

26 points would've won 5 of the 7 games we lost.

Of course you can't think about this in 1 + 1 = 2 fashion, because opposing teams might've played differently had we scored more points in our losses (i.e., we still might've lost), but just for the sake of argument, with 5 additional wins we would've been...

14-2 :eek:

All I'm saying is that the lack of offense was responsible for many of our losses, and that problem seemed to be rectified with Linehan's move (a 10-point difference is huge). If we start the season that way next year, who's to say we wouldn't be at least 11-5/12-4 with the same team?

I'm not saying don't make any personnel moves; I'm saying we may not need to make as many as I've seen mentioned here. And there's a good reason not to make many. The culture of this team has changed significantly for the better, and the team has come together with very good chemistry (Ricky has said this is the closest team he's ever been on, for example). Adding a boatload of new players may damage that.

with o line, secondary/lb and qb help we will become a force to deal with. with running the ball better (o line upgrades) and secondary/lb help we will not have to score 26 points every game to win.

 

[oldfinfan]

The 10 games Scott Linehan was upstairs in the booth, we averaged 16.2 points per game.

The 6 games he coached from the sideline, we averaged 26 points.

26 points would've won 5 of the 7 games we lost.

Of course you can't think about this in 1 + 1 = 2 fashion, because opposing teams might've played differently had we scored more points in our losses (i.e., we still might've lost), but just for the sake of argument, with 5 additional wins we would've been...

14-2. :eek:

All I'm saying is that the lack of offense was responsible for many of our losses, and that problem seemed to be rectified with Linehan's move (a 10-point difference is huge). If we start the season that way next year, who's to say we wouldn't be at least 11-5/12-4 with the same team?

I'm not saying don't make any personnel moves; I'm saying we may not need to make as many as I've seen mentioned here. And there's a good reason not to make many. The culture of this team has changed significantly for the better, and the team has come together with very good chemistry (Ricky has said this is the closest team he's ever been on, for example). Adding a boatload of new players may damage that.

Its all part of maturing as a team under a new coaching staff...they don't have all the answers on a piece of paper...they try new things and adjust as needed...that is what I like most about Saban. He has stayed consistent in his approach and teachings...he's TOTALLY in control.

Saban will continue to add new faces to make it HIS team. He needs to build depth as he was lucky with major injuries this year.

For my 2-cents worth, what turned the season around was the humiliating loss to Cleveland. That hurt the players where it hurts the most...their pride. And this tells me that this team has a lot of character.

Can't wait till the free agent signings start to see how Saban carves out some nice moves once again.

 

[PHINANALYST]

Don't fool yourself into thinking that this is a Super Bowl team based off of the last 6 wins ...

Yes, they were very good, but there still is a ways to go before anyone is raising a Lombardi trophy ...

The defense needs some upgrades ... S, LB, DL

The offensive line needs a upgrade ... C, T

And of course QB and maybe WR ...

This year was a VERY large step in the right direction .. but there is still work to be done ... and sentimental or not ... if you can upgrade smartly ... at any position .. you do it !!