Are we just good enough not to be terrible?

[Diehard_Dolfan]

Aside from Long....where is the talent? Dansby has been OK since coming over but hasn't lived up to his contract. Marshall has been awful. Pouncey looks OK but only 4 games.

Where is the talent? Not being sarcastic, its a serious question.

Well, I didn't say a lot of talent...  I think  Pouncey, Vontae Davis and Smith are young players that are developing.  Hartline has shown that he can be a #2 and Bess is compared to Welker as a slot guy.  Clay showed today that he can be a match up problem... but he's a rookie.

We have a decent LB core but no real D-line so that can really make your LB's look bad.  The D-line is not providing any pressure and they are not keeping O-linemen off our LB's either.  Add that to poor safety play and... well you get the point!

[Dave Gray]

Let me try this again, to clarify.  We have enough good players to be competitive, from game to game.

However, we've tied ourselves to good players that aren't playing great like we expect.  It's a systemic problem, because we're building our team around players and systems that are doomed to fail.

Brandon Marshall is a good example.  He's a good receiver.  He's probably a very good receiver.  However, we're building our team around Marshall being an elite stud, and he's just not.  We need to admit to ourselves that we probably need to let him go and find another place to use our resources.  Thinking that this is a Henne or Sparano problem is missing the bigger picture.  Sure, we may be a few games better with a better coach or QB, but you'd still have your same core issues that need to be addressed.

It's almost better that we're losing these games and have a tough schedule, because even though I think we're probably better, skillwise, than our record indicates, that skill isn't enough to build around.  Anyone that thinks that "Henne is the problem" or "Sparano is the problem" just isn't right.  It's bigger than that.  The core of the team is the problem -- the strategy, the system, the identity, the mindset.

[MikeO]

Well, I didn't say a lot of talent...  I think  Pouncey, Vontae Davis and Smith are young players that are developing.  Hartline has shown that he can be a #2 and Bess is compared to Welker as a slot guy.  Clay showed today that he can be a match up problem... but he's a rookie.

Sean Smith sucks! Seriously he is awful. Lost out to Jason Allen last year. And has been beaten time and time again this year. He his horrible.

Hartline is NOT a #2 WR on a decent team in this league. He is a marginal NFL player. Worth a roster spot, not worth lots of playing time.

[MikeO]

Anyone that thinks that "Henne is the problem" or "Sparano is the problem" just isn't right.  It's bigger than that.  The core of the team is the problem -- the strategy, the system, the identity, the mindset.

QB and Head coach are 75% of your team in this day in age. Henne is a huge problem. Sparano is right there with him. It starts and ends at head coach and QB. The problem doesn't get fixed until you replace those 2 and put competent people in those 2 spots. THEN and ONLY THEN can you start to move in a forward direction.

[Dave Gray]

I'm not trying to save Henne or Sparano.  I think that Sparano out is a foregone conclusion.

I think that it's a matter of getting new free agents and getting rid of some key players that we've built around.  Ask yourself -- does this player get us closer to a championship.  It's sad that I think Marshall, on paper, may be our best player, but he's got to go, because he's not performing at a level that we require to use up that capital.

[MikeO]

It's sad that I think Marshall, on paper, may be our best player, but he's got to go, because he's not performing at a level that we require to use up that capital.

This we agree on

[Pappy13]

Let me try this again, to clarify. We have enough good players to be competitive, from game to game.

However, we've tied ourselves to good players that aren't playing great like we expect.  It's a systemic problem, because we're building our team around players and systems that are doomed to fail.

 Brandon Marshall is a good example.  He's a good receiver.  He's probably a very good receiver. However, we're building our team around Marshall being an elite stud, and he's just not. We need to admit to ourselves that we probably need to let him go and find another place to use our resources.

I completely agree with everything you said up to here. No question if Sparano is fired, the first thing the new head coach should do is try to trade Marshall. He still has trade potential and Miami is deep at WR, get a draft pick for him and try to bring along the young guys.

Thinking that this is a Henne or Sparano problem is missing the bigger picture.

Here I don't agree. It is a Sparano problem. He wasn't that great of a coach when Parcells was holding his hand, now that the Tuna is gone, he's floundering big time. He admitted just last week that he doesn't have any answers. All he has left is fist pumps and trying to get the team excited on FG's, but the players aren't buying into it anymore. They come off the field knowing they have to do better and here is the head coach acting like they are winning the freaking football game. He's a glorified chearleader at this point and the players know it.

Sure, we may be a few games better with a better coach or QB, but you'd still have your same core issues that need to be addressed.

It's almost better that we're losing these games and have a tough schedule, because even though I think we're probably better, skillwise, than our record indicates, that skill isn't enough to build around.  Anyone that thinks that "Henne is the problem" or "Sparano is the problem" just isn't right.  It's bigger than that.  The core of the team is the problem -- the strategy, the system, the identity, the mindset.

Dave, just what do you think the head coach does anyway? He doesn't install the strategy, the system, the identity and the mindset? That's ALL he does. That's ALL on the head coach. Everyone under Sparano should be marching to his drum, but they aren't. I don't really know why or how that came to be, but he's lost the team and they are lost right now. I don't really care about winning games, but they MUST find themselves before next year. We cannot go into the off-season completely clueless again. Sure, another head coach is gonna make changes, but I'm not talking about finding a strategy or a system, I'm talking about finding some confidence. Some success. It doesn't even have to be wins, but the team has to come together and start playing for each other. Maybe a new coach does that and maybe he doesn't but clearly Sparano doesn't know how to do it. I can't believe you can't see that Dave. He's lost them.

[Dave Gray]

Sure, get rid of Sparano...whatever.  I'm not trying to save him.  But I think that where we are is due to the principles and strategy of Parcells and Ireland (and Sparano, too).

I think that Sparano is not losing the game in the Xs and Os of games.  Even if Sparano were a better coach and that small difference made a difference between 0-4 and 2-2, we're still in bad shape either way.

In short, the fundamentals of the makeup of our team are weak.  It's bigger than bad coaching.  It's bad management (which coaching is a part of, but not the biggest part.)

[Pappy13]

Sure, get rid of Sparano...whatever.  I'm not trying to save him.  But I think that where we are is due to the principles and strategy of Parcells and Ireland (and Sparano, too).

No question. Get rid of Ireland too. Parcells is already gone. Bring in someone new and start fresh next year. Absolutely.

I think that Sparano is not losing the game in the Xs and Os of games.  Even if Sparano were a better coach and that small difference made a difference between 0-4 and 2-2, we're still in bad shape either way.

No, it's not X's and O's, it's execution of those X's and O's. Sparano knows what he wants the players to do, but they aren't doing it. That falls on him. He's got to get his team prepared. Perhaps these players just cannot be prepared no matter who the coach is, but you can't fire the players. Start with the head coach and then let him get the guys he wants. I know it means another rebuilding project, but it has to be done.

In short, the fundamentals of the makeup of our team are weak.  It's bigger than bad coaching.  It's bad management (which coaching is a part of, but not the biggest part.)

I disagree. Coaching and player personel are the biggest part of it. That's Sparano and Ireland and Parcells when he was here. The owner has nothing to say in any of that, all he does is hire the coach and GM and let them do their stuff.

[hordman]

our key positions aren't stepping up in win/lose situations.

Like for example Brandon Marshall, who leads the league in dropped passes.

We have in the last 8-10 years, picked up a top name or playmaker that has failed to produce in big situations or on a consistent basis. it seems as though the ones that have produced are no names or came out of left-field.  it's unfortunate, but seems to be the norm for MIA

[Sunstroke]

QB and Head coach are 75% of your team in this day in age.

I love how people create a firm number out of thin air for something that doesn't have a firm number, just so it sounds more "factual," and less "made up."

Henne is a huge problem. Sparano is right there with him. It starts and ends at head coach and QB.

So, Ireland isn't part of the problem?

[Diehard_Dolfan]

I love how people create a firm number out of thin air for something that doesn't have a firm number, just so it sounds more "factual," and less "made up."

Funny isn't it? LOL

[Brian Fein]

I love how people create a firm number out of thin air for something that doesn't have a firm number, just so it sounds more "factual," and less "made up."

I was thinking the same thing.  In my line of work we are required to provide facts and data when we spew random numbers like that.

My questions is this:
Why is it that playmakers make plays on other teams, and just generally suck in Miami?
- Brandon Marshall in Denver was top 5 in the league
- Reggie Bush has always been talented and is getting outperformed by a 2nd-round rookie
- Bobby Carpenter is starting on the last undefeated team and returned a pick for a TD yesterday.
- How many players have left the Dolphins and went on to be superstars in New England and elsewhere?
- Anthony Armstrong couldn't even make the team here, and is starting in Washington

That's just a few. The only consistent variable is the MIAMI DOLPHINS.  Why is this team poison for any player that wears the aqua jersey?

[dolfan13]

That's just a few. The only consistent variable is the MIAMI DOLPHINS.

and bad qb play... matt moore will make #16 to start since the end of marino. nothing will be consistent with the dolphins until they resolve the qb position with someone you will be able to plug in and play for the next 10 - 12 years at a high level.

[Diehard_Dolfan]

The only consistent variable is the MIAMI DOLPHINS.  Why is this team poison for any player that wears the aqua jersey?

I think we're using many of our players the wrong way!    We have match up that favor us but we don't exploit them enough in my opinion.  New England will Wes Welker you to death... we don't use Bess in that manor.  We look for Bess on 3rd downs or check downs.  You get Bess involved like N.E. with Welker and Hartline and Marshall will get more single coverage.  Despite what's said I don't think Fasano is a TE that stretches the field consistently... he gets open occasionally but he's not a real threat at that position.  

We have players that should be able to make some plays but they aren't utilized enough and then our poor O-line play doesn't help.  With Bush,Bess,Hartline, and Marshall on the field at the sametime you can't tell me there aren't mismatches out there.... either they aren't creating them or our QB's don't go through their progressions well!