Ask The Phinsider
by Matty I on Jan 16, 2008 12:03 AM EST
in 2012 Miami Dolphins News
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PrintI've gotten a couple of good e-mails and I figured now was a good time to address these. Yes, I'm aware we are probably on the verge of a new Dolphins head coach, but how much can really be said about this considering we've known for a while that Tony Sparano would likely end up being the next head coach.
With that in mind, onto some of the e-mails.
We know Tony Sparano will likely be named head coach in the near future. What's your take on him? Are you in favor of the move? I think he'll be a great fit and is what this franchise needs.
I'm not sure of my take on him. And I'm not sure it matters, either, considering Cam Cameron was exactly who I wanted last year. It's probably better off for everyone that I not have a strong feeling one way or another towards Sparano. But there is something that does puzzle me. What is with this sudden love affair with Tony Sparano by the majority of Dolphin fans? Do you guys know something I don't? Sure, if Bill Parcells is this high on him, that's a great sign. But if I remember correctly, I believe most Dolphin fans were also very high on Cam when he was hired last year. I just find it amusing that so many Dolphin fans are in love with this guy even though most probably never heard of him about 2 months ago. But that's what being a fan is all about, I suppose. And I just hope that all the "pro Sparano" fans are right this time around...unlike I was a year ago!
I think this team needs to draft Darren McFadden badly. He'd instantly upgrade the Dolphins' offense. What do you think?
You know, I wasn't ever opposed to the idea of taking McFadden #1 overall. That is, until last week. That's when I learned a lot of things. I learned that McFadden might be an "off the field" issue considering the incident he was involved in at a piano bar (a piano bar? really?). Investing all those millions in a questionable personality isn't the best way to get a franchised turned around. Then I watched the playoff games this past weekend and learned a lot. I saw just how valuable a very good offensive line is. I saw Laurence Maroney and Ryan Grant both go untouched for 5-10 yards on some of their carries. Seriously, that's ridiculous. Ronnie Brown had to make 2 or 3 players miss just to get a modest 5 or 10 yard gain. Jake Long, anybody? Oh, and I also learned that good running backs are very easy to find and don't need to be taken #1 overall. Ryan Grant is a perfect example. So are Brandon Jacons and Ahmad Bradshaw. And I could name more, but I'll spare you all.
So basically, all those factors combined with the obvious reasons to pass on McFadden (too much money tied up into 1 position, Ronnie Brown should bounce back and is a borderline star, etc...) is enough to convince me that he isn't a good pick. Instead, if I had to say right now (though I reserve the right to change my mind prior to April) who I'd pick, it would be Jake Long.
We need serious help at WR. First of all, Marty Booker needs to be shown the door. Then we need to sign 1 or 2 above average wide receivers. You agree? And who might be some surprise candidates the Dolphins could look at?
Yes, I agree. Booker should definitely be cut. As for some darkhorse guys, that's a good question. I'll stay away from the current free agents. And there are two names I'll throw at you. The first is Roy Williams, who I talked about a few days ago. The Lions may dangle him and I would certainly look into seeing what the cost would be. He's a 26 year old stud receiver who is just what the doctor ordered for the Dolphins.
The other guy is Donte Stallworth. His situation in New England is a bit tricky. First off, he recently seems to be losing playing time to Jabar Gaffney. Now, he did sign a 6 year deal with the Patriots last offseason. But these final 2 years are structured in a way that 2007 was basically a tryout for Stallworth. If the Pats are to keep him for 2008, here's what they would have to pay him. The Pats must first pick up an option on him by the end of February for $6 million. Then he gets a $2 million roster bonus in March. He'd also have a base salary of $1 million in 2008. He's also eligible for another $2 million in bonuses based on playing time and working out. So that's $11 million in 2008 for Stallworth. His contract gets more reasonable after that, but I don't think the Pats keep him around at that price tag for 2008. And I do think he'd make a great fit in Miami as a 3rd receiver, behind (hopefully) a new #1 and Ted Ginn at #2.
Why the hell did the Dolphins pass on Antonio Cromartie and select Jason Allen? I mean, holy f*ckin sh*t, what the hell?
Hmmm. I guess this reader isn't too keen on Allen. In 3 words: blame Nick Saban. But it isn't totally fair to kill Saban and the Dolphins for passin on Cromartie. He was expected to be a project out of school. Of course, with that, I swear to you that I was very, very angry when the Dolphins did pass on Antonio. He was the guy I wanted once Donte Whitner was off the board (damn Bills). Oh well, this is just water under the bridge now.
Thanks, everyone, for the e-mails. And feel free to send me an e-mail at phinsider@gmail.com.
Thoughts below...
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Comments
Simply put
For well over the past decade Wayne Huizenga has been doing the hiring. All through those times he went for big names coaches. Ok, he did hire a "big name", but it was to handle football decisions so he could stay out the way.
I kinda like the fact that he isn't a big name coach, or some big name coordinator. He is just a football guy who lives football, knows what he is doing, decisive, doesn't take any crap, and gets his point across. The very opposite of Cameron.
Bill had a plan and it's all coming together. He isn't going after any big names, Parcells, Ireland and Sparano live, eat, and breath NFL football. Its a breath of freah air to know the head of my beloved Fins will be wanting to win as much as I want them to win. And "buring the midnight oil" to help them do it.
Love Affair
What's even more amazing to me, is that you don't know anything about him, and love him, and some of our rookies have struggled, for one year, and yet you say they suck, or we never should have drafted them. How about trying to have some F#$%ing patience for once and let the chips fall where they may.
I want Sparano too, but i'm not in love with the guy that is an offensive line coach. Last time i checked, we had a great, probably the best O-Line coach in the league. Would you want him as your head coach? I think not. I chose to follow whatever it is that Parcells does just like the rest of you. But don't you dare sit there and act like you all have known Sparano, and what he is all about.
Myself, just like the rest of you only know what we've read, and for the most part it's been pretty positive. Let's just leave it at that, cause if I recall last year, you were all saying the same thing about Cameron being our savior, and how he and Randy are gonna bring the Dolphins back to the promise land, and his offense is exactly what we need in Miami.
Where are all of you guys now that they both sucked arse? Probably under a rock somewhere, with your little pom-poms re-living the 2007 NFL on your TV/Radio walkman.
I'm out!!!!!
Jason Allen
I'll do it like this - Name, Tackles, Pass Deflections, Sacks, Forced Fumbles, Interceptions.
Jason Allen - 62,3,0,1,3
Donte Whitner - 89,1,0,1,1
Michael Huff - 75,11,1,1,1
Ed Reed - 39,13,0,0,7
Bob Sanders - 97,6,4,0,2
Now lets double Allen's numbers since he only started in the last 9 games.
Allen - 124, 6, 0, 2, 6
So as you can see a full year next year should get the fans off of Allen's back if he can play the way he did this year for 16 games. There's no question Allen has to get better in some areas of his game and I think he will. Remember next year will be his 3rd year in the league and he should really start coming around.
I see you point about...
Bagging on Jason Allen
- The fact of the matter is that Allen could never play his way into the line-up until there was nobody left. Hell, he couldn't even instill enough confidence in his coaches to play his way into the dime package. He only got serious playing time after the Fish went through five other safeties.
- DB stats are always deceptive. Allen may have more pro-rated tackles than Bob Sanders, but Sanders changes the game, and the Colts' defense overall performance shows that. Opposing QBs had an overall pass rating of 92.4 in 2007, which was the 4th-highest in the NFL. If Allen is a real NFL-quality starting safety, the numbers don't show it.
- If Allen were a fifth-rounder instead of the #16 overall pick -- mind you, a mid-first rounder who NOBODY ELSE had on their draft boards -- you'd be happy to have a guy like him on your roster. But at #16, he's a reserve at a position where guys typically develop quickly. That's a bust pick.
Allen
It's hard to blame one player for that in my opinion.
2. Allen could never play his way into the line-up until there was nobody left. Hell, he couldn't even instill enough confidence in his coaches to play his way into the dime package. He only got serious playing time after the Fish went through five other safeties.
When he did get a chance he played better than any other safety on our team this year.
3. If Allen were a fifth-rounder instead of the #16 overall pick -- mind you, a mid-first rounder who NOBODY ELSE had on their draft boards
Not to discredit you but where did you get that info from? That nobody else had him on their draft board in the first round.
I understand what you're saying about the numbers. The reason I put that together was alot of fans comment who don't watch the games and are looking for Ronnie Lott or Rod Woodson out of this kid. The fact of the matter is when he plays he's just as good as Whitner or Huff who were drafted ahead of him that year. I think we're going to see Allen get better next year and get this "bust" thing off of his back.
Sparano
FINS GET SPARANO
Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com reports that the Miami Dolphins have hired Cowboys offensive line coach Tony Sparano to be the team's next head coach.
Dolphins officials, per Glazer, called the other "candidates" on Wednesday morning and informed them that the job was going to Sparano.
As if they didn't already know.
There were reports more than a week ago that Sparano had been offered the job, which if true is a violation of league rules since Sparano already had a job and his work for that team was not finished. Also, the offer reportedly was made before a minority candidate was interviewed for the position, which would seem to be a violation of the Rooney Rule.
So in roughly two days after Sparano became available to be hired, the offer was made, it was accepted, and a contract was worked out.
Meanwhile, we're hearing that Jaguars assistant head coach Mike Tice was indeed slated to interview on Monday, but the session was canceled after the Cowboys lost. If that's true, it only confirms that the post-Sparano interviews were shams.
Response
With all of our needs, I think drafting a RB in a class full of quality running backs would be insane. Parcells always seems to fins running backs in rounds 2-4, so look for us to take one then, if we take one at all.
I would love to have Roy Williams, but I think Bernard Berrian could be had without trading away picks... I say we go for one in FA or the draft!
Antonio Cromartie had not played in 2 years, and had off the field issues... thus, Saban took Jason Allen, who I think will have a breakout year next year! Cromartie didn't come on until this year anyway, and even if Allen had, we still would be 1-15...
by JDPhinFan on Jan 16, 2008 9:59 AM EST reply actions
Sparano Offered Job
ESPN.com news services
Updated: January 16, 2008, 10:30 AM ET
The Miami Dolphins have hired Tony Sparano as their new head coach, replacing Cam Cameron, who was fired after one season on the job, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen.
The Miami Herald also is reporting that Sparano, the former assistant head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, was offered the job by Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga this morning.
Sparano will be the Dolphins' fifth coach in five years.
According to the Herald, the two sides are working out the details of the new contract.
Sparano and his wife left Dallas Tuesday night, accompanied by Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland, and traveled to Miami on one of Huizenga's private jets for a dinner meeting with Huizenga.
Sparano and Ireland were at the Dolphins' facility early Wednesday morning, and Huizenga showed up shortly after.
Sparano, 46, also interviewed for the head coach openings in Atlanta and Baltimore.
Although he has worked in the league only nine seasons, Sparano is widely respected for his offensive acumen and his demeanor with the players. Before joining the Dallas staff in 2003, Sparano was on the staffs of Cleveland (1999-2000), Washington (2001), and Jacksonville (2002).
Before landing his first NFL position, Sparano worked 15 years in the college ranks and was head coach at New Haven from 1994 to 1998.
He worked primarily with the Cowboys' offensive line this season. But when Parcells was the coach, Sparano had much broader responsibilities. Although he didn't hold the title of coordinator, Sparano called the team's plays in 2006. Parcells is known to hold Sparano in high regard.
As the Dolphins appeared poised to fill their head coaching vacancy, they took another step to shore up the franchise's personnel department, hiring Dallas assistant director of pro scouting Brian Gaine.
Gaine, whose contract with the Cowboys had expired, was named assistant director of player personnel. Gaine has worked as a personnel official in the league for nine seasons, the past three in Dallas, and landed his first NFL scouting job with the New York Jets in 1999, when Parcells was head coach there.
Information from ESPN.com senior NFL writer Len Pasquarelli was used in this report.
by JDPhinFan on Jan 16, 2008 10:38 AM EST reply actions
Again...
Posted on Wed, Jan. 16, 2008
BY JEFF DARLINGTON
The worst-kept secret in this year's NFL coaching carousel will soon become official as the Dolphins were near a completed deal Wednesday with Cowboys assistant head coach Tony Sparano.
The Dolphins have offered him the job.
Sparano arrived at the team's facility with general manager Jeff Ireland shortly before 8 a.m. Not long after, team owner Wayne Huizenga showed up in his car for a brief conversation. Huizenga left the building by 9:30 a.m.
The final details of the deal are now currently being discussed, but it appears nothing will now get in the way of Sparano's rise to head coach. A news conference has not yet been scheduled, but it is likely to take place at some point Wednesday afternoon.
Huizenga's final approval was the only aspect of the negotiations that needed to take place. The owner met for dinner with Sparano and others for 2 ½ hours on Tuesday. After the dinner, Huizenga told The Miami Herald he thought Sparano was ''great'' and ``terrific.''
by JDPhinFan on Jan 16, 2008 10:40 AM EST reply actions
Agree with McFadden..
If we keep the pick, I'd much rather see one of the Long bros or Dorsey. We need to sure up the O & D lines on this team. We spent a ton of ca$h on Ronnie Brown a few years back and - while he has shown he can be a top 5 back in this league - he has also missed significant time with injuries, which questions the value of the money/pick.
With Ricky coming back next year and Chatman and L Booker, I think unless someone falls into our lap in the 2nd or 3rd rounds, we stay away from RB's in the early rounds.
We need a 10 year player for this team on one of the lines with that pick, there is no Peyton Manning out there this year, McFadden has question marks - is it the offensive system, etc.. Besides - RB's are only as good as their O-Line. (Except Barry Sanders, Gale Sayers, etc. -> but they come along once every 20 years or so)
Shore up the O-Line and bring in some youth on the defensive side of the ball through the draft and then go FA hunting and see if you can land a #1 WR or a DB, etc. Plus, we need to bring in an experienced QB if Green decides to retire. Beck showed some signs last year on a very bad team, but he also showed a propensity to fumble. There is too much of an unknown there that we need a backup plan. (Hopefully Cleo decides to follow CC wherever he ends up so we can be rid of him)
Stallworth
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