The Dolphins Make Me Cry.com - Forums

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As is the case with any team in any sport, a new season begets a plethora of new hopes and expectations. For outsiders, it would seem the fans of the Miami Dolphins should keep their expectations at a minimal level. After all, what should you expect from a team that has won seven games in two years, including a one-victory 2007 campaign? Naysayers would say not much, but cruise around the Miami message boards for a couple of minutes and you get a distinctly different feel. They see a team with at least average (if not better) talent. They see a team with a few playmakers. Most importantly, they see a team with a new direction, a new attitude. Although their predictions remain mostly modest, the best being 8-8 with 7-9 a more likely outcome, even these are optimistic for a squad coming off a 1-15 season. So what would it take for the Dolphins to attain this level of success? Here are the seven people most most crucial to Miami's success or failure this year:

1) Bill Parcells:

When Miami hired Parcells as its executive vice president of football operations, a new sheriff strolled into town -- a sheriff with Super Bowl rings to boot. Few personalities in football command the type of respect that Parcells does. He’s a living legend in the game. Though Parcells won’t be patrolling the sidelines or directly influencing the game plans, the attitude he brings to the organization presents a paradigmatic shift from what has come to be expected. After all the coaching changes and front-office turmoil that has developed in South Florida the last several years, the Dolphins need a dogmatic enforcer. They need a personality with the bark of Marge Schott and the bite of Tony Soprano. Parcells is that guy. More than just providing a new attitude and outlook to the organization, Parcells must continue in the path started by Nick Saban of infusing young talent into a roster previously chock full of talented but aging veterans. Parcells’ first draft seems promising; the Dolphins added needed bulk on both lines, at linebacker and improved their quarterback position.

2) Tony Sparano:

Much like Parcells, Sparano brings a sort of doggedness to the organization which Cam Cameron lacked simply by being too nice of a guy. Sparano does not need to be an instant savior. He’s not expected to win 13 games and the AFC East. But he is expected to bring the team under his reins; and if his current stance on the Jason Taylor situation serves as any indicator, there will certainly be no questioning his authority. Sparano is an offensive-minded coach, which seems to be an interesting choice for Parcells, but the two are obviously linked from their days in Dallas. Sparano should institute a toughness to this team. For a team with a talented staple of running backs and a retooled offensive line, the Dolphins should be able to ride their horses into a position to win several games this year. Sparano should bring life to what has been a sinking ship in recent years.

3) Jake Long:

Here is the pick the Dolphins have needed for years. Long's not a first-round reach for a receiver/return man (though Ted Ginn has proved promising); he's not the flashy QB pick everyone hopes for; instead, he should become a legitimate anchor for an offensive line that desperately needs one. Thanks to his attitude and work ethic, Long will drive every player around him to get better, even as a rookie. He’s just that type of a player. He’s a true leader and a hard worker. He provides an immediate upgrade over Vernon Carey, who has never quite worked out the way the Dolphins expected (mostly because he's been playing LT when he should have been at RT), and will be protecting the blind side of either Chad Henne or John Beck while paving lanes for Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, and Jesse Chatman. The Dolphins now have two solid bookends at tackle, and the additions of free agents Justin Smiley and Steve McKinney should help to shore up the middle of their offensive line.

4) Ronnie Brown (health):

Brown is an NFL star to be, if he can just stay healthy. How will Brown recover from offseason ACL surgery? Having Williams and Chatman should help to soften that blow. While Brown should be the workhorse, he won’t likely be expected to step into that role immediately. Brown is a gamebreaker who can do damage both carrying and catching the ball out of the backfield, and he could really be a versatile weapon for the Dolphins' now-young offense this season.

5) Whoever the QB is:

Will it be Beck or Chad Henne? It seems there are two separate camps on this issue. Some think Beck has said and done all the right things this offseason and provides the single best option for the future. Others think Henne could seriously compete for the job with his smarts, relating back to his early success at Michigan. Yet the consensus before the draft seemed to be that Henne was little more than a solid career backup. Then again, his draft status rose rapidly in the final weeks. Either way, the competition should be interesting. For a team which needs consistency, it seems important that Sparano tap his guy and run with him in order to produce as little confusion as possible.

6) Phillip Merling:

This may seem a little out of left field, but Merling, one of Miami's second-round picks, could really be an impact player for the team immediately. Merling has the size and athleticism to play a variety of positions for defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni. If Jason Taylor returns (more on that in a minute), Merling can step into the DE position, giving Miami a pair of dynamic OLBs in Taylor and Joey Porter. Channing Crowder has more than proved his worth in the middle, and the additions of Reggie Torbor and Akin Ayodele give the Dolphins another solid couple of players for the middle of their 'D'. Conversely, if Taylor does depart, Merling has the athleticism and speed to be moved to the outside and play as a pass-rushing threat similar to that of Demarcus Ware in Dallas and Shawne Merriman in San Diego. Either way, Merling will be essential to this team’s defensive success this season.

7) Jason Taylor:

Last but not least, the darling child, Taylor, the same guy who has poured his blood and guts into this organization for each of his 12 years in the NFL. Not just a pass-rushing threat, Taylor is a well-rounded force with the ability to completely change the complexion of any game. But -- and it’s a huge but -- it’s all for naught if the team's management and Taylor can’t iron out whatever riffs that have recently arisen. Taylor will not show for organized team activities, and his date to return to the Dolphins is at this point undetermined. Trade rumors violently fly about and many seemed resigned to the fact that he’s gone. But if the Dolphins know what’s good for them, they need to keep him around. Parcells and Sparano should be patient with the veteran and allow him to voice his opinion. They should give him special treatment. Why? Because his play has warranted it. Adding Taylor to this Dolphin defense makes the unit a drastically different animal. Without Taylor, questions immediately arise: Who will be the pass-rushing threat? Who will play OLB? Who will play DE? Will Merling be ready? Who will the leaders be? For both the Dolphins' immediate and long-term future, having Taylor as an active team member this year is the absolute best option for all parties involved.

While there are certainly a large number of mitigating factors entering the upcoming season, a simple first take of the Dolphins illustrates that fundamental success will be completely impossible without the inclusion of the above seven individuals. Barring a shocking development or unexpected turn of events, the Dolphins will very likely suffer if some of the aforementioned names fail to perform their tasks as described.



I don't think Ronnie Brown should be up there because he might take at least a season to get back to form and we have a GREAT back up(if not the starter himself)in Ricky Williams. Forget about Taylor. He is done here. I'd also add Joey Porter or whoever is going to take over for the absence of Taylor and Thomas on the defense. We need a seasoned Vet to lead these rookies.
 :|

I would say than it ain't looking good......


1) Bill Parcells: -- not playing

2) Tony Sparano:  - also not playing

3) Jake Long: - rookie has never snapped the football in the NFL.

4) Ronnie Brown (health):  might spend the season on IR

5) Whoever the QB is:  --- TBA is going to play a major role on the team?

6) Phillip Merling:  -- another rookie

7) Jason Taylor: doubtful he will be a dolphin (might get a 2009 draft pick for him, but he won't be on the field in a Dolphin's uniform

3 or 4 of the most important "dolphins" won't be on the field. 

I didn't know Jesse Chatman was still a Dolphin.  I thought he signed with the stinkin, lousy Jets. 

Hoodie,

I think that's the point.

People not listed are more sure-things, one way or the other.  This list represents the unknowns on the team.

Yes, in March he signed a one year deal.  If Long is paving a lane for Chatman the Fins are in real trouble. 

Apparently the author of this piece is a real football scholar. 

Maybe he meant Chatman needs to screw up on the Jets?  ;D

And so might Tom Brady... Ronnie's injury last season has no chance of causing him to go on IR for the season. All historical evidence points to him having a mediocre season this year and not being as productive as pre-injury until next season. If we're very lucky, he might be at 100% some time late this season, although I really doubt it. Maybe sharing the load with Ricky will help the muscle recovery?

Basically, there are two distinct parts of recovering from an injury like this (complete ACL tear):

1) Recovery from the ACL reconstruction itself (basically all about giving the body time to heal). This takes about 6 months and has basically no variation. There is no evidence that some players are "fast healers" in this regard, despite what coaches / trainers / managers may claim.
2) Rebuilding muscle, flexibility and proprioception (basically the sense of where the knee is). This one is highly influenced by what the player does. Serious rehab is a full-time job and you can't start for real until you've recovered from the ACL reconstruction itself. This is also the part of recovery where banned substances can increase recovery speed significantly.

The primary risk in part 1 (aside from post-surgery complications like rejection of a grafted ACL) is that you start recovery too soon and injure the knee before it is completely healed.

Part 2 is just hard work and lots of it. People (pro athletes) who have gone through it describe it as incredibly frustrating. There's no doubt that it's a huge test of character and discipline. Because you're already expected to rehab intensively for 8 hours or so a day, every day, there's no room to catch up if you've slacked off for a period. It's also critical to have some knowledgeable people (typically physical therapists) around your rehab everything (strength and conditioning is only part of it) and keep pushing your body (knee) without going over the limit. Player effort, genetics and banned substances can all greatly affect the degree to which a player can rehab and the time it takes.

Hoodie are you telling me if someone asked you to name the seven most important patriots you wouldn't list Bob Kraft or Belicheat ?

Bob Kraft won't have an impact on the team this year.  While he was instrumental in bring winning to New England, since the 2001 SB his role has primarily been stay out of the way. 

He did four really smart things, he hire Bill Parcells, Scott Pioli and Bill Belichick.  Then in 2001 he realized SP and BB knew a hell of a lot more football than he did.  Since then his role has primarily been to sit in the owners box and get drunk. Unless Bob decides to fire Bill or Scott or decides that he is going to micromanage the team. His role will be zip. 

I don't recognize the second name you have listed, maybe you made a spelling error.   If you want to spell his name correctly I will comment.   

Trust me I spelt it right.