from Darren (DCoral)
Q – Mike as we watch another season head south it brings up an old question,
At times I watch individual players and players in a unit as a whole and it leads to the conclusion that we are still ” two years away from being two years away”
On the other hand there are some very positive things being done on the field and it may be a case of questioning scheme, game plan, adjustments etc.
There have been teams in the NFL that have brought in a new quality coaching staff, made minimal roster changes and are suddenly contending.
So as I scratch my head (common activity regarding this team) I thought well let’s axe Mike,
Are we two years away from being two years away or do we need to gut the front office ?
I don’t think there’s a specific blueprint on “How to Build a Winning NFL Team”, but I’m not sure the way we’ve approached it is the correct path. Lets start with the remnants of the Joe Philbin Miami Dolphins. My viewpoint on the hiring of GM Dennis Hickey was we were trying to find a GM that didn’t want his own HC in place, and therefore, would be willing to accept Joe Philbin, and work with him. Not an insane request, but due to the fact that I never liked Joe Philbin, that was a tough pill for me to swallow. Truth be told, Dennis Hickey hasn’t done a poor job, but the path that brought him here was all wrong. We skipped over what seemed like more qualified candidates to take a guy who was about to be jettisoned from his own organization, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, because he was willing to accept the odd hierarchy we had here in MIA. Don’t get me wrong, other teams have allowed the HC to pretty much handpick the GM, but those were all established, WINNING Head Coaches that deserved and earned to have that right. So what I’m saying is, we built the management of this team in an unorthodox manner.
Then in the off season, we brought in former New York Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum to be the Executive Vice President of Football Operations, who oversees and works along with GM Dennis Hickey. So now, thankfully, Joe Philbin is gone, but the hierarchy we put in place to suit him is still here. Mike Tannenbaum appears to be a guy that Steve Ross trusts and confides in, so it would seem his departure is unlikely. I don’t know how Mr. T feels about Hickey, and like I said, so far he seems to have done a decent job, although it’s important to preface that by saying he was buying groceries for Philbin, and besides Jarvis Landry, I don’t see one player having half the heart Landry has that Hickey/Tannenbaum/Philbin have drafted.
So, I guess what I’m saying is, I don’t think we’re going to tear it ALL down, or blow it ALL up, but but maybe just get a new HC, which of course would likely mean new coordinators and assistants all around. I suppose we might hire a Head Coach who who may decide he wants control over personnel, and the ability to handpick his GM, but I have a feeling we won’t be able to find a coach worthy of that honor. Furthermore, I don’t know if such a coach is even available, or will be available. I don’t think any of the TV personalities are giving up their cushy studio jobs, like Bill Cowher, Brian Billick or Jon Gruden to hit the 120 hour a week grind it can take to be an NFL Head Coach.
As far as being 2 years away from being 2 years away, it most definitely feels that we are. My hope is that if we find the right Head Coach, he can maximize some of the talent we do have on our current roster, and bring in the type of players that have quality and integrity, no-nonsense players that make a roster go. No whiners, no mega-talents that want everything catered to them, but team oriented players who quietly unite the roster. Of course MLB is not the NFL, but the Mets added a few of those type players to their roster, and it payed immediate dividends. Players like Juan Uribe, Kelly Johnson were exactly those type of players. Seasoned veterans who knew what buttons to press with their teammates. We need a few of those. Maybe if we infiltrate the roster with a few of those type players, and solid HC and good coordinators on both sides of the ball, we can get there faster than we think!
______________________________________________
from UK
Q – Ok Mike – gonna give you a broad remit this week – here’s my question.
Why? 🙂
Cheers
UK
Y is a crooked letter. It’s been a tough go being a Dolphins fan, especially the last 15 or 16 years after our Dan the Man left the team. We do get teased an awful lot, not by other NFL fans, but by the promise that things will get better, and that we can make the playoffs, but inevitably, it’s not to be, and we show what we really are, a finesse team that’s not up to playing against the NFL’s tough teams. We are a submissive team, we back down and fold up our tents when a bigger, badder team challenges us. When we find enough players to change that culture, we can finally stop asking why. When we find a coach that inspire the team, and also know how to manage a game, we can stop asking why. I know I’m tired of asking why myself, so much so that I told my wife my Sundays are free if she decides she wants to do something, I’m not going to further waste them in frustration from our team that can’t deliver.
______________________________________________
from Al in Mia
Q – Would you fire Lazor if the Fins O does the same crap vs the Eagles as they’ve been doing the last 2 weeks?
Al, I would have fired Lazor and Coyle the same time Philbin was fired. Obviously, Lazor is being given an opportunity to show if he can turn the ship around, since he only has 1 season under his belt.
I don’t like his style, I don’t like his whole philosophy of being a finesse team. Don’t get me wrong, very few NFL teams can just be a ground and pound team and be successful, but almost every winning NFL team has a solid ground game. We can too, if he just allowed it to happen. Even though our O-line is a finesse group, ZBS instead of a power scheme, we can run block well enough to do well running the ball. Lazor strays from it far too often, and almost refuses to allow the QB to play under center, in a more traditional I-formation on short yardage plays.
The truth is, even if we have success, it will still be the same offense, and the same philosophy. I don’t think Lazor is willing to change. I’d love to have been around when Campbell met with Lazor, and told him I want you to incorporate more QB play under center, and I want you to bring a FB into play on some run plays. I could just imagine how Lazor accepted those things, probably as willing as having his prostate checked.
______________________________________________
So here we stand, Dolphins fans, at 3-5, 0-4 in the division, and I know all of you know that, but the 0-4 against our division is a sobering statement. Every year, as the NFL dictates, we play divisional rivals twice. If you can’t win about half of those games, you’re most likely not a playoff contender. Of course there is still a chance we can win 2 of them but if you look at our team, and look at our division rivals, which team are we going to beat, the Jets or the Patriots? I suppose we can beat the Jets, but the Jets are a much more complete team. They play defense more often than not, and they can both run the ball and throw it. Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker are a solid WR duo, and Chris Ivory is a very good downhill runner that runs with ferocity. The secondary has been a disappointment, but S Calvin Pryor has been in and out of the lineup with injuries, but it was expected that with Revis, Cromartie and Buster Skrine, that no one would be able to throw on the Jets, and that hasn’t been the case.
I’m not sure Dan Campbell is the guy yet. I haven’t ruled him out, but it’s clear he has deficiencies in game management, and game strategy, despite his ability to rally and inspire his team. I think it’s important that his team like him, but even more important that they respect him. Losing doesn’t necessarily instill respect and confidence from your team, so we may be looking for a new Head Coach come the end of the season.
I’m still going to the Fest next year, even if we suck, because I know the company will be outstanding! Looking forward to seeing all of you again!
______________________________________________
And now for the babe of the week . . .
Finsmob Unleashed 
ok cool. time for some thursday night officiating. i cant wait to see me some refs
lol, they are talking up sammy watkins and the buffalo offense. they do know they dont get to play the dolphins again this year.
son of a son of a shula says:
November 12, 2015 at 7:31 pm (Edit)
When they adjusted your score to the Ladies tee that’s what happened
I don’t need the ladies tee in our league. 😉
Lol
Kick their butts!
I’m trying. lol
ocalahowie says:
November 12, 2015 at 7:22 pm
Just you wait
I was the first one with the “BOLD PREDICTION” for a month now
yeah, those TE’s coaches with no head coaching experience always jump to another shit and win 5 championships.
Sonny with bullshit tomorrow
LMAO!
Bills in red. Looks weird
Are there two Thurs night games tonight?
No
What time did the game start?
starts at 8:25
son,
the problem with guys like cowher as coach is they usually want total control. the ex sb winners that is, they usually want total control and contrary to what my lutz neighbor said i just dont think that works in todays nfl any more.
Mike,
I like Cowher too, but I’d be a little concerned with how long he’s been out of the game.
I agree, but think of what we’ve had here. He’d be an upgrade no matter what.
It’s depressing for sure. We’d better get it fucking right this offseason.
lol, deion sanders just said eric decker is a darn good #2. i am sure decker is glad to know he is a darn good pile of poop
Yeah
Figures he’s a fucking ironman, lol
Neither team in a white jersey that’s very odd
Oh, I heard about this, is the “Rush’ jersey thing
You mean it’s the “Let’s try to sell more jerseys” thing.
LOL! Yeah, go “RUSH” to the store and frigging buy one!”
Mike, stej bills starts at 8:30im watching preface on NFLN
Ahhh, Ok. I’m never home on Thurs night, so I have no idea. I thought the game started already.
No sorry to mislead you
You didn’t mislead me, when you said they were wearing red unis, I just figured the game started.
Bri
No reason to be confident we will, but we still have to hope. lol
We can do it
That’s all we have! I’d like to see us interview Hue Jackson, and Chudzinski. At least they have some experience. Other than that it’s going to be the hot coordinators at the end of the season.
Son,
I never got a chance to tell you, but you have a great family.
Hey man thanks. I like em pretty well I reckon( spoken like Karl from Slingblade)
Mike E. says:
November 12, 2015 at 7:31 pm (Edit)
GDP was not happy. Apparently there was a stat change.
I don’t see where he said anything?
Oh, OK,, Toba sent an e-mail to me, I assumed it went to everyone, I can barely see it on my phone. lol
Mike E. says:
November 12, 2015 at 7:31 pm
GDP was not happy. Apparently there was a stat change.
you say that like there is a time he is
Son
I use the word reckon far more than any northerner should. I just loved the way Clint Eastwood said it. He’s the man!
Ahh that proud moment when you say to wifey what movie is this song popular from:
Tracks of my Tears
And she says Duh, Platoon
I love that woman!
That’s the smoking scene. Good girl!
that woman on thur night kick off has a crooked mouth. i bet her husband hates that he just cant up straight and has to lean to the side
He might have a Clinton!
son of a son of a shula says:
November 12, 2015 at 8:11 pm
He might have a Clinton!
oh you mean that wasnt really woman but a man. ok sorry, my bad i didnt think she was a himary
I meant her husband. Never mind
I could see Mike Smith being on our radar as a HC as well. 5 winning seasons and 4 playoff appearances out of 7 and he started that with a rookie QB in Matt Ryan. The reason he was eventually fired was the Falcons had a void in talent and it caught up with them.
He’s a defensive coach who likes to run the ball and play physical.
You don’t think it looks poorly that he went 6-10 last year, and now the Falcons are 6-3?
No, what about 11-5, 9-7, 13-3, 10-6 and 13-3 and an NFL Championship game? The Falcons personnel went through a bad stage where even Smith said we have to play more physical but they couldn’t do it.
The Falcons have also lost 3 out of their last 4 and are coming back to reality. They’ve played a lot of close games but by no means are they a juggernaut.
son of a son of a shula says:
November 12, 2015 at 8:16 pm
I meant her husband. Never mind
ok, but can you tell me which of them was the husband. i dont think we ever found out. and dont say the one with the testicles cause i am sure that covers both of them
The price of ice cream keeps going up and the container keeps getting smaller. Pretty soon we’re going to have to pay to get No ice cream.
Same with cereal.
Al,
Yep, he’s going to get canned in Texas- do you know why?
And Al, the coach they had before Strong maintained nearly a 70% winning avg over his tenure, national championships and multiple bowl births, and they fired him. Getting fired by Texas seems like a badge of honor to me.
Mike E. says:
November 12, 2015 at 8:23 pm
You don’t think it looks poorly that he went 6-10 last year, and now the Falcons are 6-3?
you mean the team that has lost two straight to the yucs then 49ers. i dont know if you have seen them play yet this year, but they are not a very good team. more then likely will end up with a losing record
wtf is this the christmas game?
Only these two teams could show up on the field looking that rediculous
Tim
I know they’ve had a bad stretch, but what if they go 10-6 or 11-5 with basically the same team he went 6-10 with?
The team got old because they were going for it and then they hit a wall and the owner made a change. But Smith had a lot of success. You want a HC who’s unproven or a guy who’s still a young HC who has won?
I heard him recently on Mike Francesa’s show because he wrote a book and he’s an impressive guy. He said he’s a coach at heart and if he gets another opportunity he thinks he’ll be a better coach from his experience. He went through a lot of trial and errors.
I don’t think the Falcons are very good but they won some close ones early. They should have lost to the Giants early in the year but the Giants gave them the game.
Try Pod says:
November 12, 2015 at 8:24 pm
Same with cereal.
i heard they were going to stop making cap’n crunch. what kind of cruel world will kids have to grow up in with no cap’n crunch
Omg that’s devastating news. Society is doomed.
son of a son of a shula says:
November 12, 2015 at 8:36 pm
Omg that’s devastating news. Society is doomed.
i know. exactly. kids now a days with no crunch will just grow up with no cavities from all the sugar. and with no cavities and stronger teeth they will hunger for more. and with hungering for more, they will start hunting grizzly old people and when they are gone, the will move down the chain until they are eating babies and that will be the end of society. so dont tell me cap’n crunch isnt the backbone of society
Generations of kids that won’t know what it’s like to have the roof of their mouth shredded
lmao. rex says taylor has it all. what they didnt say was the rest of that comment. rex said ‘taylor has it all as long as he is playing against the dolphins’
lol
Trying to watch Golden State at Minn., Curry came out on fire, then Minn got every call in the book, but doesn’t get called for any of the moving screens. The refs ruined that game, so now watch jets bills or whatever this Christmas tree game this is.+
I’m not sure there is a HC available who has a better resume than Mike Smith. He’s also coached multiple positions and units in his career so he knows the intricacies in a lot of areas.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Smith_%28American_football_coach%29
why didnt they play this game at boise state?
A three year old with his first box of crayons
jets turn the ball over and their d holds. something the dolphins d can never do
What’s up FUers? My mom passed away this morning. Obviously I have not been on today so just playing catch up to see what I missed as I dealt with making all the arrangements and other assorted family drama.
So sorry, Ken. My sincerest condolences. Peace & Love, Brother.
Thank you my friend
tim,
i am with ya on the mike smith thing. i dont think that would be a bad choice. just need someone to get the talent though
Tim:
I am not a fan of Mike Smith. He did alright with the Falcons but ultimately that was a team that under performed, especially come playoff time.
They were in it every year though and they weren’t the best team. I’ll take runs like that over what we’ve had. Two 13-3 seasons and a championship game. He’s got unfinished business. He’s made the playoffs and won a game but is still chasing the prize. 2nd time is a charm. Belichick failed in CLE and was nowhere near as good as Smith first time around. Belichick also had a savvy vet QB in Kosar and Smith did it with a rookie QB in Matt Ryan. Food for thought.
You have a point with 2nd time HCs. There is pretty good track record for 2nd time HCs. My first choice is Hue Jackson. He would be a 2nd time HC and has a great track record as an OC.
ken,
truly sorry to hear that. i hope you and yours are dealing with it as best as possible
Coming on to talk some football helps
Ken I can’t even imagine facing the day all of our love and support God bless your mother and you and your family.
Thank you Son.
He did alright with the Falcons but ultimately that was a team that under performed, especially come playoff time.
lol. hey, they got there. can the fins just start getting there at least
They weren’t the best team though. They were one of the better teams. What coach who has won it all a bunch of times is available? I’m not into an experimental approach again. Go land a proven HC.
i dont get the nfl moving they extra point back. what the hell is the point. to make scoring harder. yet you cant run within 15yards of the qb, but lets make it hard for the kicker
Ken very sorry to hear about yer mom. Stay strong Mr Green
Much appreciated.
Ken says:
November 12, 2015 at 9:34 pm
Coming on to talk some football helps
oh ok, cool. ok then we dont have to talk about the dolphins anymore. we can talk football
Or NLCs. They help to.
GDP and Herd. I had thought i had sent the email to everyone in the league about what caused the change in score/winners. Apparently on Wednesday Herds player T Smith was awarded 1 more tackle than has originally been calculated. Giving her +1 pt In response to GDP on the Week 10 preview stating as tou won, rhe game oreviews are created on Tuesdays. And wont change unt after Thursday night game.
Bills are looking tough right now
manitobafinfan says:
November 12, 2015 at 9:38 pm
GDP and Herd. I had thought i had sent the email to everyone in the league about what caused the change in score/winners. Apparently on Wednesday Herds player T Smith was awarded 1 more tackle than has originally been calculated.
ssssoooooooooooooo, basically you are saying herd’s team is the patriots.
Lol
No she has lost ONE game However GDP is prolly calling me Bellicheat or Kraft 😳
son of a son of a shula says:
November 12, 2015 at 9:41 pm
Bills are looking tough right now
yeah, they look like a bunch of women on their periods. who would want to mess with that?
I have seen stats change scores a few times but honestly have never seen the outcome of a game change on one. I was going to post congrats to GDP for taking down the Queen Bee but got distracted and Didnt Herd is kicking all our asses i think Mike E wa the only one able to beat her. GDP i apologize for the way things have played out with draft and the adjusted outcome. Hope i doesn’t sour ya on FFB Forever.
Oh and I just want you to know that the record of all of our blogging will reflect that son was a big fan of Tyrod Taylor. Could’ve had him for a 5th
A fifth of what ??
i think Mike E wa the only one able to beat her.
that is cause he is the hand, the hand beats everyone
He has to be careful because he can beat himself. Oh wait a minute.
son of a son of a shula says:
November 12, 2015 at 9:47 pm
Oh and I just want you to know that the record of all of our blogging will reflect that son was a big fan of Tyrod Taylor. Could’ve had him for a 5th
you do realize that if they drafted him he couldnt play against them and basically make him useless
Just would have been another one they shit out while continue searching.
Opie went fishing again ( son whistling the theme song)
Ken, I’m so sorry to hear about your Mom.
Thanks Herd.
Dallas and Winnipeg playing a great run and gun hockey game. Cant bring myself to watch Bills vs Jets unless there was a way they could both lose
It sucks on one hand the stej are losing but on the other the bills are winning.
I dunno I guess stej losing is probably best
Unfortunatly i don’t think it will end up mattering to us
Root for injuries. Other than that this game doesn’t matter.
Somewhere my mother is yelling at me for saying that.
I have done that in the past not gonna lie. In this game there is no Brady type player to root to get hurt though
We can hope someone dives into the sideline and takes out Rex
For the record, I was going to congratulate GDP the next time he was on here. I had no idea what had happened, I was just looking to see if I had anyone playing tonight and saw my record had changed.
It Was truly bizarre and couldnt have happened to anyone else. Oy vey
I knew I had lost by less than a point, which was the same as when Mike E. beat me. I didn’t even know they would adjust the score. I kind of feel bad that I won now.
Never apologize for winning, unless you are Canadian. Its what we do !!!
We can hope someone dives into the sideline and takes out Rex
Wrong place.
son of a son of a shula says:
November 12, 2015 at 9:52 pm
Just would have been another one they shit out while continue searching.
Opie went fishing again ( son whistling the theme song)
aawww ok, but i dont get it, why is suh opie?
Ken, I’m leaning towards a defensive coach this time around. The Dolphins historically have had more success with defensive coaches than offensive coaches as the HC.
Look at Don Shula, Jimmy Johnson, Dave Wannstedt and even Nick Saban over Cam Cameron, Tony Sparano and Joe Philbin.
I want an offensive guy who is going finally make Tannehill take the step forward. Hue Jackson has a great track record with QBs. Hell he has Andy Dalton playing great.
Its nit January yet 😛
Ken says:
November 12, 2015 at 10:06 pm
I want an offensive guy who is going finally make Tannehill take the step forward.
guess you havent heard. tanny sucks and is the reason for global warming
Taking out Rex is like taking out GinoSmith. Never know if it may improve yer team
can someone let the dolphin d watch this game so they know how to step up when the offense has a turnover
This game is now officially boring.
I probably should get some sleep. Don’t feel much like sleeping but it’s going to be a hectic 3-4 days. I am out peace to you all.
Peace to ya Ken take time for yourself at some point
Ken, the OC and QBs coach works with Tannehill and the HC oversees and encourages them while making sure the defense and STs are good to go.
In Dolphins history defensive HCs lead offensive HCs in winning seasons.
Defensive coaches
Don Shula: 328-156-6
Jimmy Johnson: 36-28
Dave Wannstedt: 42-31
Nick Saban: 15-17 (9-7 and 6-10 then bailed)
*Every coach made the playoffs but Saban and obviously Shula has a ton.
Offensive coaches
Cam Cameron: 1-15
Tony Sparano: 29-32
Joe Philbin: 24-28
*One playoff game for Sparano in his first year 2008.
This is the order of the universe. LOL
Ken,
Peace be with you.
http://m.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2014/0227/Republicans-block-Senate-bill-to-boost-veterans-benefits
I apologize for the above article. I did not read the date of the article, and fresh off the remembrance of Veterans Day, I felt a little perturbed. I vaguely remember this vote about 20 months ago.