The Homer Report by Andy Cohen

[DolFan619]

http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/news/andycohen.asp?contentID=5705

Blueprint For Success Taking Hold

March 4, 2008

Presented By
Andy Cohen

Perhaps the most impressive part of what we’ve seen from the new Dolphins regime over the past several months is the big picture.

The master plan.

It is right there in front of us. We see it unfold now almost every day. A clear, precise direction, and isn’t that refreshing?

This franchise has been meandering now for too long. What it needed most is what Bill Parcells and Jeff Ireland are providing: a blueprint for success.

It started with assembling the staff. It continued with a dismantling of the roster – players released who were either too expensive, too old or simply not talented enough. It recently escalated into free agency with the idea of bringing into the fold young players whose best days are not in the rearview mirror. And in late April it will bring us to the draft, the Dolphins having now put themselves in a position filled with enticing options.

None of this is meant to serve as some outlandish prediction that the Dolphins will turn 1-15 into some remarkable overnight success story. It just doesn’t happen that way. But it is just as important that this franchise start taking significant steps in the right direction and that, from this viewpoint, is what’s happening now.

Parcells and Ireland now have had time to carefully dissect the Dolphins roster from a year ago. Changes have already been made. Some were easy. Others, like the decision to part ways with Zach Thomas, were far more difficult. It is clear that this master plan has been formulated and is now being carried out in an almost methodical manner.

The coaching staff was the first order of business and the Dolphins now believe they have the mix that head coach Tony Sparano was looking for: people who share his philosophy and some who will bring fresh, innovative ideas. There are former head coaches both from college and the pros. There are coaches who worked side by side with Sparano in Dallas. There are those who used their job interviews to convince Parcells and Ireland they deserved to be in the mix.

This staff has now been in place for more than a month. They have played a key role in the evaluation process. They are now ready to hit the proverbial ground running in the offseason workout program.

The roster reductions that took place prior to the start of free agency cleared enough salary cap room for the Dolphins to be aggressive from the opening bell. The Dolphins had plenty of money to spend and they are not hesitating using it.

But what I really like is this: The Dolphins are not spending their money on overpriced players in the waning years of their careers or one or two players with astronomical salary demands. Certainly that would be a temptation. Instead, they are bringing in players in their early to mid 20’s, players on the verge of taking their game to another level, players who can help upgrade the special teams that were, putting it nicely, anemic a season ago.

By the end of the first weekend, the Dolphins had signed seven free agents: two linebackers, a defensive tackle, a wide receiver, a tight end, a quarterback and an offensive guard.

The only addition to the “Over 30” club was a trade with Dallas that brought in defensive tackle Jason Ferguson. This made sense from two vantage points. In the 3-4 defense, having an experienced nose tackle is essential. But also having Ferguson to tutor Randy Starks, signed from Tennessee, could prove essential down the road.

I’m not sure what to make of the signing of quarterback Josh McCown other than this: It was important for the Dolphins to bring in a veteran quarterback to work with John Beck. I still believe they will draft a quarterback; just not sure where. McCown is big and strong – the type of quarterback Parcells covets – but he has yet to prove his worth on a consistent basis. Perhaps this coaching staff can get that out of him.

I expect the Dolphins will continue to be active as free agency moves past the preliminary stages. There are needs everywhere and a free agent signing could very well open up a slot for another player on draft day.

Speaking of the draft, the Dolphins continue to hold on to the No. 1 overall pick. I have felt all along that it would be wise to trade that pick, but that is far easier said than done. Either way, you know the Dolphins are going to get an excellent player, as they should with at least their two second-round picks as well.

What we have here is a massive turnover in the works. We’ve seen it already in free agency and we’ll continue to see it in the draft. You are 1-15 for a reason, and Parcells, Ireland and Sparano are now well aware of those reasons.

They don’t come out and talk much to the media these days. It is just their way of doing business. But you don’t need press conferences or sound bites to have a clear indication of what has been going on.

The plan has been established. It is now being implemented. Parcells has done this before. He knows the routine. But there is nothing routine about it. There is a lot of work to do. But at least it is comforting to know that the process has begun and the right people are calling the shots.

[Dolphin-UK]

If Miami are willing to pay a third of the price I too will be willing to state the blindingly obvious......

Come on, offer me a job!