Does Sparano deserve blame or credit for our recent run?

[Cathal]

He might deserve some credit for the recent turnaround, but him and the staff were all inept at the start of the season. You can't have these horrible results and expect to continue coaching in the same place.

[EKnight]

If they finish by winning 3 out of last four, I'm torn. The OC finally seems to know what to do with the talent we have, and Nolan's defense is playing like it should have all year. I'm not sure that bringing in a new group AGAIN is the solution in that circumstance. 7-9 after starting 0-7 makes me think keep what we have, just on a short leash. -EK

[CF DolFan]

Sparano has changed many things with this team ala Tom Coghlin after the Denver loss. I guess you could say he got rid of the Bill Purcell syndrome.  It has obviously had a positive effect on the team.

This is a portion of an article talking about it.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/dolphins/suddenly-formidable-miami-dolphins-credit-tony-sparanos-warning-2012404.html?cxtype=rss_dolphins


Burnett said the Dolphins' play in the last five games - four victories and a one-point loss at Dallas - traces back to a speech coach Tony Sparano made after Miami lost to Denver to fall to 0-6.

Burnett recalled Sparano's words: "He said, 'You know what? If you guys want to lose and be 0-16 and get me out of here, no problem. But guess what? I'm not going to be the only one gone, and that's just the reality of this business.' "

The Dolphins - 4-2 since that day and easy winners Sunday after racing to a 34-0 lead - responded to Sparano's warning and to changes that he made.

For the last two-plus seasons, players had privately complained about their grueling schedule and punishing practices. But with his team winless and Sparano fighting to keep his job, he made what he called "drastic" changes - adjusting practice schedules to let players sleep later, reducing the intensity of practices and letting the players police themselves on and off the field.
"Coach put the fun in it for us. He gave us the team," said Burnett, who on Sunday had a sack and an interception returned for a touchdown, Miami's first defensive score of the season. "He said, 'It's on you now.' He didn't give us any more excuses - tired, hurt, scheme, whatever. It's on you now, so if you want to lose, that's on you.' "

The Dolphins expressed their new attitude again Sunday - another day-long party at Sun Life Stadium. The defense held the Raiders to just 136 yards through three quarters and didn't give up a touchdown until 7:51 remained.

[Pappy13]

OK, you're right, fire everyone.  Let's start all over from zero every time we don't win the super bowl.  Good idea.

How about a nice compromise.  Win more than either one of the 2 previous years and you stay. Lose more than both of the previous 2 years and you're gone.

[tubba marxxx]

Sparano has changed many things with this team ala Tom Coghlin after the Denver loss. I guess you could say he got rid of the Bill Purcell syndrome.  It has obviously had a positive effect on the team.

This is a portion of an article talking about it.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/dolphins/suddenly-formidable-miami-dolphins-credit-tony-sparanos-warning-2012404.html?cxtype=rss_dolphins


Burnett said the Dolphins' play in the last five games - four victories and a one-point loss at Dallas - traces back to a speech coach Tony Sparano made after Miami lost to Denver to fall to 0-6.

Burnett recalled Sparano's words: "He said, 'You know what? If you guys want to lose and be 0-16 and get me out of here, no problem. But guess what? I'm not going to be the only one gone, and that's just the reality of this business.' "

The Dolphins - 4-2 since that day and easy winners Sunday after racing to a 34-0 lead - responded to Sparano's warning and to changes that he made.

For the last two-plus seasons, players had privately complained about their grueling schedule and punishing practices. But with his team winless and Sparano fighting to keep his job, he made what he called "drastic" changes - adjusting practice schedules to let players sleep later, reducing the intensity of practices and letting the players police themselves on and off the field.
"Coach put the fun in it for us. He gave us the team," said Burnett, who on Sunday had a sack and an interception returned for a touchdown, Miami's first defensive score of the season. "He said, 'It's on you now.' He didn't give us any more excuses - tired, hurt, scheme, whatever. It's on you now, so if you want to lose, that's on you.' "

The Dolphins expressed their new attitude again Sunday - another day-long party at Sun Life Stadium. The defense held the Raiders to just 136 yards through three quarters and didn't give up a touchdown until 7:51 remained.

This is tough.  I know I've been very critical of Tony Sparano and have been calling for his head for a while now.  This information makes it a little tougher to judge.  It's so up and down with Sparano, I have the grey hairs to prove it, but has he finally figured it out?  I know, I know, their wins weren't against juggernauts, but a big win is still a big win.  Do you bench Tebow because he's "not an NFL QB" ?  Sorry for being cliche and bringing Tebow in as my example, but it is what it is.  I know Miami is on pace for yet another 7 - 9 season, but for a coach to put his ego aside and change everything about the culture of his scheme speaks volumes.  I just don't know anymore what to do about this team.  It's been pretty much a roller coaster ride.  Don't get me wrong, I love roller coasters with a passion, but after being on one for YEARS, even an avid coaster fan would get sick of it.

[MikeO]

at best Miami can finish 8-8, so a 1 game improvement over last year....at best. Odds are Miami will lose one or two from here on out and will match or do worse than the past 2 years.

There is no way in hell he stays.

[tubba marxxx]

I forsee Dave Wannstedt 2.0 developing.


Good/Great defenses and mediocre QB play.

[Dave Gray]

Here's an anology.

Your child is throwing a fit and throws his bowl of food on the floor.

How much credit does your child get when made to clean it up?

[MikeO]

Here's an anology.

Your child is throwing a fit and throws his bowl of food on the floor.

How much credit does your child when made to clean it up?

Perfect analogy!

[EKnight]

Carrying that analogy to it's logical conclusion- you advise givign away the child, then? Not so perfect an analogy. -EK

[CF DolFan]

I was thinking along those lines.  Ever hear the phrase "You don't throw the baby out with the bath water"? you don't get rid of somethng good to get rid of something bad.

If he is getting better and doing a good job now why would you discard him just because previously he wasn't acceptable. Kind of like cutting off your nose to spite your face .

[fyo]

If he is getting better and doing a good job now why would you discard him just because previously he wasn't acceptable.

He was exceptionally slow in adjusting this season.

Are you saying he'll never need to adjust again?

Or that NEXT TIME, he'll adjust quickly?

[CF DolFan]

Not saying either. I said he has obviously gotten better ... learned on the job ... adjusted to meet his staff or whatever.  I can only assume he will contnue to rise. 

I'm betting Cleveland wishes to hell they never got rid of Bellichick.

[fyo]

CF, I don't disagree with you, but honestly, how do you tell the difference between a coach who has improved as a coach and one who is just slow to adapt?

Sparano FINALLY adapted to the players he had available, after God knows how many weeks. Is that because he's a better coach now or is "slowly adapting to changing circumstances" what we can expect in the future as well?

It's the difference between Belichick and Wannestedt... and I'd rather not have another Wannestedt.

[BigDaddyFin]

He gets too much blame when the team plays like shit, and he'll get too much credit when they win.  No different than any other coach. 

However, the fact that he hasn't completely lost the team and that he's got it to where they're actually playing well again, that's something he should absolutely get credit for.