The Dolphins Make Me Cry.com - Forums

Winning 4 out 5, with the potential for finishing 6-10 or 7-9 calls for a reevaluation.
Its about character. This team could have mailed it in (Indy) and didn't. It shows that they are starting to play like a team. That being said, improvements still need to be made.
First, Ireland must go.
Second, Sparano stays for one more year. Sounds crazy, but he changed and so did the team. One more year with the same staff just might do wonders next year.
Third, sign De Sean Jackson. With him opposite Brandon Marshall would just completely open up the pass game. With Devone Bess/Brian Hartline at the slot. Look out.
Fourth, the draft. They need to draft a guard or tackle to play the right side. Sorry for the Luck supporters, but this requires first round attention. Then they need to address the defensive end &safety positions.
Of course, anything could change in the future. But if the season ended the way I think, this is the way I would go

Im not a Luck supporter,  I rather them Draft Robert Griffin

Well we agree on Ireland must go, but aside from that NO to everything else you mention.

-Tony has to go. We have regressed every year under him. Moving in the WRONG direction.

-NO WAY IN HELL to Desean Jackson. One WR who is a head-case/lunatic is enough for any team

-Luck supporters? That ship sailed about 5 weeks ago, where have you been?? LOL LOL. And if we draft another o-linemen in round 1 then this franchise is officially the worst in the NFL and has no friggin clue as to what they are doing. Jake Long, Mike Pouncey, Vernon Carey, Marc Colombo....how many first round picks do you want on the o-line? And by keeping Tony under your hypothetical what makes you think he is going to get rid of his buddy Colombo? Our O-Line GURU head coach has 4 1st round picks on the o-line and you want to keep drafting O-line in Rd 1?? It's amazing!

Gotta say no on the keep Sparano point.  While the team's winning now and playing like we hoped it would - and that goes to Sparano's credit - an NFL team should never - ever - lose 7 in a row to start the season.  Clearly, there are exceptions (we'll call it the Jimmy Johnson exception) but I stack up 7 straight Ls on a team he's had 3 years to build versus how the team is playing now and I come up with he needs to go.

They lost 10 in a row going back to last year. Had December home losses to Cleveland, Detroit, and Buffalo. Playoff spot on the line, he choked. His team went around a calender year without winning a home game. While opponents (Pitt and NE) had more wins in our stadium than we did. That's just sad and embarrassing.

Tony went from 11 wins to 7 wins, to 7 wins, to this year 7 wins or LESS than 7 wins (most likely) and put that on a graph chart. And anyone who can point to that and say we are "improving" with a straight face I would love to see.

I agree with the original post.

Even though I know I am wrong because MikeO says so. ::)

But, I think Tony has turned the team around and deserves another look as a result.  You're so quick to point out 5-week-old bad stuff, but no one gives credit for recent good things.  He deserves credit, and you should give it up.

Go Tony!

^^^Brian, the problem with your logic is that the team lost 7 straight games with Tony's/Ireland's guys.  This isn't a case of a coach inheriting a poor roster.  This was the coach's rebuilt roster losing 7 straight.  I'm sorry, but as good as they'ved been lately, going 0-7 is in my book unforgivable.  Sorry Tony, I like you and all but you have to go.

Actually, it was 10 straight.  The team was on a 3-game losing streak coming into week 1 (and that streak was also with Sparano/Ireland's players).

there were so many changes in the offseason, which didn't exist.

I'm not making excuses for the guy but its not a coincidence that they are suddenly playing well.  They got better with time.  

I think there's more to it that "you lost 7 games, you're fired" - I think just the fact that he got them turned around to the point where they blew out a 7-4 team makes you think they are trending in the right direction.  Yes they started of poorly, but a new OC new QB, injuries on defense, etc will do that.  And its not like they got blown out, they were competitive in every one of those games.

I think getting rid of him just when he gets going is a mistake.  And, I think you let him start next season on a short hook, and get rid of him the second the team slips up.

Last season.  it really can't be seriously counted.  Its convenient to emphasize your point but it was a different team.

...except that that team was also coached by him, and hand picked by this regime.

He had his players, his coaches, his team.  He lost 10 straight.  This is a simple fact.

Why not? Tony was the coach then. Sure it counts!

No it doesn't. Different QB, two different running backs, different OC, and didn't the number one receiver on that team miss two out of the last three games last year? The whole offense was different. That's not even close to the same team- oh except that defense you keep raving about. THOSE guys were the same. -EK

Tony was the head coach last year but its not his team?? Because he failed with those assistants (mind you he hired them) it shouldn't be counted against him?  And he gets no blame for the results? The results shouldn't count against him??

Are you F'n serious?  So last year doesn't count? Strike it from the resume, Tony gets a free pass.  ha ha ha ha!! I needed a good laugh this morning.

He didn't hire Henning- that was an Ireland/Parcells move. He didn't draft Ricky or Ronnie. Didn't draft Henne either. Didn't trade for Marshall. Way to dodge every one of those points. Talk about a laugh. -EK

So the Head Coach the last 3 years in Miami was a puppet. He had nothing to do with the outcome of any game....win or lose. Not his fault. LOL LOL

That's too much

First point, writing "LOL LOL" just sounds lame...LOL inflation, what is the World coming to.

Onto footballing matters, Sparano deserves credit for getting the team working after a disasterous start.

I am willing to accept that the talent pool he has at his disposal may not be ideal, to his liking or whatever and that may not be his fault.

The best course of action is to replace Sparano with a suitable, good quality HC if someone is availible. And before you say it (I'm looking at you MikeO) no, ANYONE is not better than Sparano.

Whatever his flaws and weaknesses, at the moment he has the team playing for him despite the detractors earlier in the season suggesting he'd lost the dressing room.

Do you seriously ONLY read what you want and view everything in black and white? Are you honestly that ignorant? I never said he was blameless. I said that the last three games of last season are not even closely the same as the first seven of this year and shouldn't be held in the same light. Different circumstances warrant different evaluations. Do you seriously think that KC or Chicago will fire their head coaches if they lose out this year? By your logic they should- even though they are dealing with different circumstances than they started the year with. They both won their divisions last year, so any and all losses should be pinned on the head coach right? Never mind the fact that they have had a slew of injuries. Same applies to those last three losses last year. Different offense in every possible way- from coordinator to qb to rb's to injured receivers. It's not an apples to apples comparison to what happened the first seven games this year. You can't honestly be that blind can you? Or are you just so insecure about your own knowledge that you have to presume anyone who disagrees win you is wrong? -EK

Brian, I know what you mean and, being an optimist, I am hopeful that you could be right.  On the flipside, however, I must consider that this same level of optimism must have been being expressed on San Diego Chargers message boards over the last 4 years.  Yet year after year Norv Turner's teams underachive despite having an excellent offense and a stellar defense.  At some point, you have to shoot for something better.

No, what is too much are people mistaking this head coach with a GM. Or a college head coach that recruits his own players. Twice in the last year, management tried to replace him behind his back. He starts 0-7 this year. He could have quit trying then. Instead, he found a way to turn things around. Considering next year's schedule (vs. NFC West & AFC South) and the stability of building off of this year's momentum. Tweaking the roster with a new GM is a way I would go. Again, look at Industry. Then look at this team. They have a "franchise QB with the possibility of drafting another. It will still take years to get them where they used to be. The Dolphins could make the playoffs next year. Industry can't say that.

You would need a degree in psychology to properly access all this keep Tony talk but as a layman I'm thinking maybe Stockholm Syndrome.

I understand what you're getting at, but I'm not quite as convinced that throwing the baby out with the bath water is the best solution if Miami finishes strong. The Stockholm Syndrome analogy wasn't even close to appropriate for this situation. -EK

Sparano is in charge of his own coaching staff.  For evidence, look at Pasqualoni's abrupt dismissal at the end of '09.

He had 2 years to find other options if he didn't want them.  This is not year one.

He also didn't draft Pouncey, or Davis, or Long, didn't sign Dansby or Burnett, didn't re-sign JT.  I mean, as you are clearly pointing out, he is not the GM.  Fine.  But then you can't use personnel as an excuse at all; even if Miami kept him, he's still not going to be the GM.

As I see it, Sparano and Ireland are a team.  If Sparano wants to pin his (lack of) performance on the groceries Ireland is buying, he needs to say so.  Otherwise, the hatchet falls on both of them.

That's fine. I just disagree. -EK

My new plan for 2012 is to start talking with the Colts about acquiring Peyton Manning.  Given the Fins' recent win streak they are falling down the draft order, which means they probably won't be able to draft one of the top 4 QB's, and its probably a waste to use a #1 pick on a QB after that.  So, instead of trading away a bunch of picks to move up on an unknown, they should look at trading some picks to Indy for a healthy Manning.

Indy will draft Luck, that will piss off Manning, not to mention Indy won't want to pay millions to have one of them riding the pine.

A healthy Manning on the current team equals a deep playoff run.

This is the problem...  We aren't only winning, we are winning in convincing fashion.  And Dallas was damn fortunate to win on Thanksgiving with some lucky completions as Romo was getting hit on the final drive.  Winning big is something we haven't done in a very long time.  It seems to be no coincidence that it came with a new QB.  Considering we are unlikely to get Luck, Moore has probably already locked himself in on our roster even if we draft a QB with our first pick.

Many people think that Sparano has no choice but to be fired due to attendance.  However, I think that all of this offensive production along with true star talent in Marshall, Bush, Dansby and now possibly Moore may bring people back to the seats.  The energy in the crowd on Sunday was better than I have seen in years and it wasn't even a division game.  If we outplay our division opponents the rest of the way this year, I think there will be an undeniable buzz in Miami that will have to be considered.

If we continue to win and play at a high level, I would strongly consider continuity over another rebuild.  Please read why I think we started slow this year in this thread - http://www.thedolphinsmakemecry.com/forums/index.php/topic,19474.0.html.

If we start to suck again and show that we are only good enough to beat the mediocre teams, fire Sparano.

No Henne, a true offseason to keep our defense in proper shape, rookie development, second year with the same OC, second year with Bush and a few tweaks on the right side of our O-line could make a substantial difference.  The only thing that I would have to know as an owner is the truth about one thing... Do the players truly believe in Sparano?  Only way to find out is private and confidential meetings with the team leaders and vets.

^^Absolutely this. No chance in hell I would take Manning. He will never be the player he was, you can bank on that, and Moore is playing great ball right now. I think we should keep what we have, see where it takes us, and go from there. A revolving door of coaches and QBs over the past ten years hasn't really worked out too well. The product on the field right now- over the past month- is the best I've seen in a long while. Why junk that and start over yet again? -EK

And I'll give him credit for pulling the team out of a tail spin as long as you credit him with putting them into the tail spin in the first place. That's realistic. That's a fair assessment of the job he's done this year and pretty much what he's done since he's been here. There have been times when the team has seemed close to putting it together, but each time it's done that, it's then followed that up with long periods of looking totally lost.

As happy as people are that this team is finally playing well, I must remind everyone that the Dolphins were all but out of the playoffs by week three!

How is this forgivable?  Our season was submarined three weeks in and he may get another shot? 

The pro-Sparano types make some valid points, but at this point I view Sparano and his regime the way I view Norv Turner and his.  Talented roster, should be pretty good, can't get it done.  Fair or not, that's the impression that I get.

Anyone isn't better....But change for the sake of change in Miami is needed this offseason! It's the same problems with the same mistakes every year. Time to give someone else a shot.

Does that mean bring back Wannstedt or something...no, than anyone wouldn't be better by you're words. But pretty much any "hot" assistant or out of work coach (Billick, Fisher, Gruden...etc) WOULD be better!

Sparano didn't win his division last year. Nor the year before. Nor even make the playoffs. Nor have a .500 team. SO, little different, check that a lot different!

There is nothing to talk with Indy about. Indy cuts him in late Feb/early March or they pay him a $28 mill roster bonus.  Peyton will be a FA. They can't trade him because the "league year" starts in early March and Peyton per language in his contract is due his roster bonus a week or more before that date. That's why his agent put it in there. So if something like this comes up he can be a FREE man and pick his team and not traded someplace he doesn't want.  Impossible to trade him. Miami can sign him for nothing.

It's not forgivable considering he was coming off back to back 7-9 seasons. Plus the stadium is empty, nobody believes in Tony, the team, or the franchise as being legit. The lost revenue in ticket sales alone is why Tony will be gone. Missing the playoffs and the final record is just icing on the cake.

Seriously what is wrong with you people the head coach has a losing record over his time here. We did not win a game at home for over a year. We lost TEN times in a row when the team took the field over the last 2 seasons before finally winning a few against bad teams.  The stands are half empty see last weekend. If Field Goal Fistpump stays on the sideline for another year the team will wallow in mediocrity for another season and fan apathy will only get worse.

Don't worry, Tony isn't coming back.  Best case scenario is you end up with a Gruden or Cowher. Worse case is Dawn Aponte get's her way in Miami and Eric Mangini is brought in as head coach. And there are a hundred other options in-between those 2 scenarios.

Either way, Tony is gone. Winning a bunch of meaningless December games won't change that.

If this team goes 2-2 over the final 4 games, they would finish 6-3 over their final 9 overall. You know what you're not seeing anymore? Drive after drive of only 3 plays. Drives consistently stalling after a penalty. The inability to score more than 20 points. The defense having to consistently bail out the offense. Granted, the failed in Dallas. But Dallas had to work for it. Again, they dug a deep hole early. But they also have turned the corner. You are seeing an offense that can put points on the board. One more year isn't going to kill anybody.

You know what you are seeing though, a 3rd straight losing season and not sniffing the playoffs.

Sparano got his "one more year" this year. He failed. Time to move on.

The thing I don't see mentioned much if at all is the absolute embarassment of a cluster**** that last off season was. We are in holding mode here. It's like a wife caught her husband screwing her best friend but they're waiting till the kid heads off to college to move the bum out.

As bad as it was last offseason, I think Ross will run like a swiss watch this offseason. Fire Sparano on Monday (possibly Ireland too, still not sure about Jeff, he should go but everything I hear Ross loves him). Then promote Peterson in Parcells old role. And let King Carl run the show. And I have a feeling they got a short list of guys they want and will work there way through it in short order and within a week to 10 days have a new coach.