Even the statement the Fins issued stinks

[MikeO]

"In an effort to maintain stability for the Miami Dolphins Head Coach Tony Sparano was given a two-year contract extension today by owner Stephen Ross. Sparano, whose original four-year deal was due to expire after the 2011 season, is now secure through the end of 2013 and can begin implementing his plan for the upcoming NFL Draft."

In an effort to maintain stability?!? ! How about come out and say we like Tony Sparano we think he is the best guy for the job here in Miami and we are pleased with what he has done in his 3 years here in Miami and that is why we are extending his contract. We are glad he will be with us through 2013.

Even if you don't believe it, put on the illusion that you do and say it!!!!!!  Instead we get....."we gave him a 2 year extension to maintain stablility". First 2 or 3 game losing streak next year or first big blowout loss, Sparano is gone. They can't even say a nice word about the guy the day they give him a 2 year extension. He is clearly not the guy they want and they are treading water with him until after the lockout thing plays and and/or they find someone else they want to go after.

[MikeO]

The Fins advertised a live press conference on MiamiDolphins.com

Last minute they pulled it and it wasn't aired. They didn't have the guts to face the public

[fyo]

I would've been willing to lay good money that NO STATEMENT from the Dolphins would have satisfied you. Even if they had said EXACTLY what you propose in your post, I'm convinced you would have decried it.

[JVides]

Wait, why the "illusion" talk?  Like we wouldn't have seen right through that?  Say it like it is, already!  "The Miami Dolphins this week attempted to replace Tony Sparano with Jim Harbaugh, a guy that management believed to be a better coach.  Harbaugh wasn't interested, so the franchise came back to Sparano.  He's done a decent job thus far, and with some mandated changes (aggressive offensive system), we believe he'll improve his performance.  To that end, we have given him a two year extension, during which time he will have the opportunity to see his plan through."

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Wait, why the "illusion" talk?  Like we wouldn't have seen right through that?  Say it like it is, already!  "The Miami Dolphins this week attempted to replace Tony Sparano with Jim Harbaugh, a guy that management believed to be a better coach.  Harbaugh wasn't interested, so the franchise came back to Sparano.  He's done a decent job thus far, and with some mandated changes (aggressive offensive system), we believe he'll improve his performance.  To that end, we have given him a two year extension, during which time he will have the opportunity to see his plan through."

I see this comparable  to the following which could occur: Dolphins offer Peyton Manning a monster contract on the first day of free agency, Peyton doesn't come to Miami.  Two days after Peyton signs elsewhere Henne gets a two year extension and is named the starter for 2011.   

[Pappy13]

I see this comparable  to the following which could occur: Dolphins offer Peyton Manning a monster contract on the first day of free agency, Peyton doesn't come to Miami.  Two days after Peyton signs elsewhere Henne gets a two year extension and is named the starter for 2011.   

I think you just insulted both Henne and Sparano in the same sentence. LOL

And yeah, it's the same thing.  Jim Harbaugh is officially on my shit list now.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I think you just insulted both Henne and Sparano in the same sentence. LOL

It wasn't my intent to insult either of them.  Unless my implying that Peyton Manning would be an upgrade over Chad Henne for the QB position is considered an insult.  But I think even Chad's mom would agree Peyton is a better QB than her son. 

My point being almost every week teams bring in players for tryouts.  If a team brings in 3 defensive lineman for tryouts and then doesn't sign any of them sticking with the existing ones, nobody goes nuts, "OMG how can our existing backup DL continue to function knowing the team doesn't want them."

[Pappy13]

It wasn't my intent to insult either of them.  Unless my implying that Peyton Manning would be an upgrade over Chad Henne for the QB position is considered an insult.  But I think even Chad's mom would agree Peyton is a better QB than her son. 

I was giving you a hard time Hoodie, I know you didn't mean anything by it.

But you did compare the difference between Peyton and Henne with a college head coach and an NFL head coach.  If Sparano is to Harbaugh what Henne is to Peyton, then the Dolphins really ARE in big trouble and that's no disrespect to Henne.  Unfortunately you might be right about that, so I was laughing about it.  Forgive me, I'm trying to keep a positive perspective on this whole thing, but it's not been easy lately.  I really would like to believe that Sparano will find an aggressive offensive coordinator and turn the offense around, but I just don't think guys like Tony change their spots that easy.  Tony's idea of an aggressive offensive coordinator is throwing a 9 yard pass on 3rd and 8.  That's not really what I was hoping for.  My idea of an aggressive offensive coordinator is throwing a 20 yard pass on 1st and 10.

[tepop84]

I was giving you a hard time Hoodie, I know you didn't mean anything by it.

But you did compare the difference between Peyton and Henne with a college head coach and an NFL head coach.  If Sparano is to Harbaugh what Henne is to Peyton, then the Dolphins really ARE in big trouble and that's no disrespect to Henne.  Unfortunately you might be right about that, so I was laughing about it.  Forgive me, I'm trying to keep a positive perspective on this whole thing, but it's not been easy lately.  I really would like to believe that Sparano will find an aggressive offensive coordinator and turn the offense around, but I just don't think guys like Tony change their spots that easy.  Tony's idea of an aggressive offensive coordinator is throwing a 9 yard pass on 3rd and 8.  That's not really what I was hoping for.  My idea of an aggressive offensive coordinator is throwing a 20 yard pass on 1st and 10.

once again. the offensive coordinator doesn't throw the ball. henne is the pussy who always chooses to check down.

[fyo]

once again. the offensive coordinator doesn't throw the ball. henne is the pussy who always chooses to check down.

Considering that he didn't do that BEFORE coming to the Dolphins, maybe at least SOME of the blame lies on the daily COACHING. The coach, (ex-)offensive coordinator, and (ex-)quarterbacks coach are all as extreme "play it safe" oriented as you'll find in this league. That was certainly reflected in his play.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I was giving you a hard time Hoodie, I know you didn't mean anything by it.

But you did compare the difference between Peyton and Henne with a college head coach and an NFL head coach.  If Sparano is to Harbaugh what Henne is to Peyton, then the Dolphins really ARE in big trouble and that's no disrespect to Henne.  Unfortunately you might be right about that, so I was laughing about it.  Forgive me, I'm trying to keep a positive perspective on this whole thing, but it's not been easy lately. 

I don't know if Harbaugh is an upgrade at coach.  I do know he is a "sexy" upgrade.  Too many college coaches don't make the transition.  

 I really would like to believe that Sparano will find an aggressive offensive coordinator and turn the offense around, but I just don't think guys like Tony change their spots that easy. 

I have been underwhelmed by the offense play calling this year of the fins.

I was very very impressed with what Henning and Lee did in 2008.  But it seems like they used up all their creative juices that year.

Tony's idea of an aggressive offensive coordinator is throwing a 9 yard pass on 3rd and 8.  That's not really what I was hoping for.  My idea of an aggressive offensive coordinator is throwing a 20 yard pass on 1st and 10.

Nine yard pass on 3rd and 8, isn't a bad call.  What I never understood is a 5 yard pass on 3rd and 15.  

[Pappy13]

once again. the offensive coordinator doesn't throw the ball. henne is the pussy who always chooses to check down.

The OC and QB coach are the persons telling Henne where to throw the ball based on game planning.  They can either tell Henne to check it down because ball security is the most important thing or they can trust Henne to make some tough throws and tell him to let it rip if he feels that his guy has a step.

Don't try to pretend you didn't hear Marshall and Hartline both bitching about how Henning and Lee were telling Henne to stick with his reads and check it down.  That's what Marshall was talking about when he said they weren't on the same page.  I didn't hear Marshall saying Henne couldn't do it, only that he wouldn't and Lee agreed with Henne.  There's a big difference between couldn't and wouldn't.  

Perhaps Henne is beyond repair at this point, he's had 3 years of being taught only 1 way, so maybe you're right, but I still hold out hope that given the right circumstances Henne could be a decent QB.  I don't think he'll ever be a franchise QB, but I do think he can be decent in the right system.  Ricky said as much.  So did opposing DB's.  I agree.

[Pappy13]

Nine yard pass on 3rd and 8, isn't a bad call.

No, it's not a bad call, unless of course everyone in the building knows that's what you are going to call and they also know exactly how to stop it because their DB's know that's the only play you got.  When the DB's have to respect that you MIGHT throw a double move and go over the top, the 9 yard out becomes a LOT tougher to defend.  I NEVER saw it happen this year.  Not once.

[fyo]

I have been underwhelmed by the offense play calling this year of the fins.

I was very very impressed with what Henning and Lee did in 2008.  But it seems like they used up all their creative juices that year.

In retrospect, I think you have to question how creative it is to install options plays at the NFL level. Pretty rare in the NFL, yes, but very common at lower levels. The most creative part, IMHO, was the unbalanced line (which they stopped using, for reasons I never understood).

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

In retrospect, I think you have to question how creative it is to install options plays at the NFL level. Pretty rare in the NFL, yes, but very common at lower levels. The most creative part, IMHO, was the unbalanced line (which they stopped using, for reasons I never understood).

But that is all it takes.  You don't need to reinvent the wheel, just need to be unpredictable.  The Dolphins beat the Patriots that year, cause NE didn't know what was coming.  Fins won some other games not because of the effectiveness but because teams had to prepare for it.

One comment made during yesterdays game was the Colts spent and entire day of practice solely on Brad Smith.  That is one less day to prep for the rest of the game plan.  So while Brad's 11 yards might not have won the Jets the game, the full day the Colts spent dedicated to limiting him to 11 yards might have. 

An onside kick isn't very creative either.  Unless you kick it to start off the second half of game, in which case it might win you a superbowl. 

I bet that if the Carolina Panthers ran the T-formation they could beat the NEP with it.  Once.  Second time it wouldn't work 'cause BB would have consulted the top Pee-Wee football coaches on how to stop the T-formation along with watching reels and reels of vintage film from the 50s.  But once it could work.