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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-flspdol13sbjun13,0,3125117.story

New attitude takes over

By Harvey Fialkov
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

12:24 AM EDT, June 13, 2008

DAVIE - André Goodman has far too much experience playing on losing teams for different coaching staffs.

However, even Goodman, a six-year veteran cornerback who has suffered through four horrid years in Detroit and two more in Miami, is psyched about the "hard-nosed" attitude spreading through the Dolphins' locker room.

"The difference between this one and the last regime is maybe we've taken on the personality of the man upstairs," Goodman said, referring to Bill Parcells, the Dolphins' vice president of football operations. "Coach Parcells comes here and almost instantly changes our mentality from a finesse-type feeling to now a hard-nosed, physical attitude.

"It's hard to be excited after a 1-15 season, but I am. This regime has rejuvenated me."

"Player-friendly defense" and "accountability" are also words being tossed around by several returning Dolphins, who watched last season unravel into the franchise's worst season.

"They're a lot more passionate and adamant about getting their point across," said safety Yeremiah Bell, who played one game last season after suffering a torn Achilles' tendon in the season opener. "I think the last couple of years, the coaches, they'd get on you for things, but they weren't really passionate about it. I think this staff this year is letting you know what you do wrong, letting us know what we can do to win and what we can do to lose ... definitely more accountability.

"I think over the last couple of years we've had a slight problem with that, guys really not knowing almost what to do."

Defensive end Vonnie Holliday didn't criticize former defensive coordinator Dom Capers for his complex schemes but seems more comfortable with Paul Pasqualoni and his simpler approach to defense.

"It's a very player-friendly scheme in terms of the calls, so yes, things are much simpler," Holliday said. "Sometimes that wasn't the case in the past. This takes the stress and strain off the player from thinking too much. We want to just go out and react, let our ability take over."

Sparano is a believer in the KISS or "Keep It Simple, Stupid" theory.

"We're giving them the ability to play in the scheme," Sparano said. "It's not so complicated that they have to think of a bunch of things when they're out there and maybe there are not 10 different checks when they get to the line of scrimmage."

Goodman basically compared the difference in defensive schemes to performing arithmetic instead of calculus.

"Under [Nick] Saban and Coach Capers the defense had so many X's and O's it felt like you were in a classroom all the time," Goodman said. "I left the huddle and all day you're looking on the side to get some sign, [wondering] what am I going to play right before the snap. It kind of put you on edge. Now, I actually have time to relax before the play."

Quarterback Josh McCown, who has played on losing teams in Arizona, Detroit and Oakland, believes that Parcells and Co. purposely brought in "hungry" players who have yet to establish themselves because it creates an almost desperate atmosphere.

"I promise you someone that needs money will cut your grass a lot better than someone who doesn't need money," McCown said. "When you have a dream of being a successful NFL player then you're going to work hard to accomplish that.

"We have a great mix of that and a lot of veterans who've been successful who are great at showing guys the way.

"It makes it fun to go to work."

I can't wait until we actually have something to write about.  The players would be pumped ... or at least appear to be if Philly was coaching. Same story every year ... QB competition, players psyched and excited to be a part,  cliches being thrown around and so on.

Is anyone else ready for football to begin?

I am way more excited about the season this year than I was at the same time last year.  I don't mind all the chatter by the players even if it is a company line.  I hope fans buy into it and start supporting the team with some enthusiasm. 

I am buying into it, but not necessarily from the interviews and such.  I just think the team is doing things right.  I am not saying everything is being done right, but almost everything.  I think we have a real chance to over-acheive this year.  I feel confident that I will like the product that is put on the field and understand what is trying to be accomplished in trying to improve.

I hate it that we are about to go into the time of year where nothing much is going to happen.  It will be a long wait till training camp and pre-season.  It will be torturous waiting for the season to start this year!

Only way I'll see a new attitude is when we start putting teams away in the 4th quarter

It's been the same thing since Jimmy Johnson took over in one fahsion oe=r the other. In fact ... one could say this is exactly the same as when Jimmy and Nick came in.   Results are the only thing that will change my attitude or mind.

QFT...Untill we start putiing W's up...it's all B.S....

QFT to the second power