There are compelling reasons for Sparano to not return as HC here. The overall talent is better than when they arrived, but with the exception of Long and Marshall, there are no other elite players on board. Like you mentioned, when this team should be highly motivated and come out on fire, they seem to be flat and subdued. There are lingering questions about time management. While it's in Sparano's best interest to back his players and coaches publicly, Henning has clearly been uninspiring and ultra conservative and even somewhat flaky in his play-calling since he got here, yet Sparano talks of him like he was the Second Coming...Fine, don't dis him to the public, but don't praise him for not getting the job done either. They took a QB who was somewhat of a gambler and have tried to make him CP2. It's not him. Now the guy is so afraid of making a mistake, he won't take the risk of throwing the ball around and making plays... We have not played teams that we should beat and actually beat them. We've won a few of those games, but we've also fallen on our tush way too many times [over the course of Sparano's tenure] with the Buffalo's, Texans, Bungles, Cleveland's, Rams and Raiders, etc...teams we should have beaten resoundingly... I hear the players say he's a great motivator, but the results don't show that. All that said, I think he'll be back next year if the CBA isn't resolved rather quickly. The Gruden's, Cowher's and even the Harbaugh's will be gone pretty quickly unless Ross makes a move, like Jan 3rd... And given the labor climate, I don't think he makes a move unless that issue is resolved first...Now, Gruden or Cowher could move in later given their experience as successful HC's easier than some of the other candidates. Cowher might have an easier time since his MO is similar to the personnel we have. Retaining Nolan is a must, but not as the HC... I think that Ross might like to make a splashy move with any of the three guys I mentioned, but he's also a businessman first and foremost...A move to replace Sparano won't be made with labor unrest....IMHO....
I agree. What I do not understand is why this forum, with all it's football knowledge, has basically given R&R a free ride for the lack of success on O. The OL and play calling should share some of the blame but, far from all of it.
There are so many things to consider in making a coaching change next year that were never in play before because of the CBA. As stated, I believe that Cowher would be an upgrade and, as you say, a relatively easy transition. What if that means losing Nolan? Do we really want to change things on D as well as O?
the bill cowher rumor makes no sense to me. bill cowher is player's coach not an Xs and Os kind of guy. We have that in Sparano. His strength is defense. We have a top 5 or near top 5 defense now. Why would Ross eat Ireland and Sparano contracts and pay Cowher's six million dolllar price tag just to replace him with someone who isnt known as an offensive guy
Money is one thing. Phins fan base is diminishing, as will ticket sales. Not wanting to play second fiddle to the Heat is another. I mostly agree from a FB standpoint other than Sparano has not gotten his team ready to win or, more importantly playing to win. It's become boring. Cowher's teams were always ready to play, and was not as conservative. Don't get me wrong. I will have no problem with Sparano coming back with a new OC but, Cowher is the one upgrade available.
For those of you that DO WANT a change...........You DO realize that Cower was almost run out of Pitt.......... a couple of times, after a few bad seasons, only to come back a couple of years later to win the SUPER BOWL.................Right? For the record.......I dont think I want a change just yet.......but I am REAL sure it is going to happen. I suspect Ross's mind is made up after the home W L record we have this year. So ...........I can blame YOU GUYS for the change...............ya see how I covered BOTH sides of this thing.........the change comes.......but you cant blame ME. lol
I just did a little homework for all the Cowher fans that want him to be our coach. I am not so sure you are remembering all of the history. Are you willing to give him 15 years to bring us a Championship? I am not. Are we guaranteed to get one sooner if we DONT hire him? NO. Here is the list of how his teams did every year he was HC. As I said in my other post, he was almost run out of there a couple of times, but they stuck with him in the end. I DO KNOW, this group of fans wont give him THAT long to complete the task. He would be run out like the rest of them have. He made it to the playoffs pretty regularly, but couldnt finish the deed. I am not satisfied with that myself, but to each his own, I guess. Anyway.......here are the records............ 1992......11-5.......L rd 1 1993.......9-7.......L rd 1 1994.......12-4.....L AFC Champ game 1995.......11-5......L SB to Dall. 1996.......10-6......L 2nd rd 1997.......11-5......L 2nd rd. 1998.......7--9.......out 1999.......6-10.......out 2000.......9-7........out 2001.......13-3......L AFC champ. game.....AGAIN 2002........10-5-1...L rd.2 2003........6-10......out 2004........15-1......L AFC champ. game.....again 2005........11-5......WON IT ALL 2006........8-8........out 2007........Mike Tomlin takes over........ 5 times he did not make the playoffs 2 times he was knocked out in the first round. 3 times he lost in the 2nd round 3 times he lost the Conf. Champ. game 1 times he lost the SUPER BOWL He won it all...ONCE. some of the 2nd rd exits might actually go in another category, but the final results are still there. 15 years.......one super bowl........for the mighty Steelers. Mike Tomlin has a SB win in only his SECOND year as Pitt. HC. Sometimes, a rookie HC is a good thing. This is ammo for the Harbaugh group. Take from this what you like. But here it is.
I love how you say "Lost AFC Championship-AGAIN" like it wasn't worth even getting there. Do you even remember the last time the 'Fins were 1 game from the SB? It was 1992. 18 years ago. Bill cowher accomplished everything that you dismiss AFTER the last Fins AFC title game appearance. You probably think Any Reid's 5 NFC title appearances in 12 years are no big deal either.
To be fair, Bill Cowher went to an organization thats been the most stable in the entire league. Was there really any drop off when he was replaced by Tomlin?
Tony Sparano didn't take over a 7-9 team from Chuck Knoll that was two years removed from the playoffs. Tony Sparano took over a 1-15 team from Cam Cameron that was 7 years removed from the playoffs. It's not exactly an apples to apples comparison.
from a marketing point of view it might make sense. it would just further my opinion of ross as a barnum and bailey buffoon if he does that. if the problem is offense and you dont feel your coach can fix that you hire a coach who is considered an expert in offense not defense
I'm not comparing him to sparano. I'm just pointing out that what Cowher accomplished, which ATL dismisses, was more than the dolphins have accomplished since 1992. Sparano is completely irrelevant to that point.
A head coach is a completely different animal. You need to be a leader of men, a motivator, ana dministrator, etc. You don't need to be an expert on one side or another. That's why you hire coordinators. Bill cowher had numerous OC's, three of whom became head coaches after working for him, who ran varied offenses. Bill cowher will hire a solid O-coordinator. I have no doubt of that.
That had pieces on it already like Rod Woodson and Neil O'Donnell and Carnell Lake and playing in the same division as the Bengals and Browns did not hurt either. And wow: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/CowhBi0.htm 4 seasons .500 or worse..
well that would have to be addressed before the hire. you would be hiring bill for his offensive coordinator then in essence. wouldnt it be cheaper just to get a new offensive coordinator
No, because Cowher has proven to be better at the head coach role than Sparano has. They are different roles. Cam Cameron is a great offensive coordinator, dunce as a head coach. Being proficient at one has no bearing on your success as the other.
Ya know, I was a little uncertain on making a change. Now, after reading many good posts, I think it would be in the best interest on our team to keep Tony. Being convinced of changing one's opinion is a good thing.
Frankly, who cares if they disagree? Their results certainly aren't showcasing this great head coaching skill you think sparano has. How many befuddled time outs has this guy taken? And they aren't the same, unless you don't believe there should be a head coach at all. Just have the two coordinators run their side of the team.
OK.......I'll play with this one. What has Pitt. done in the last 16 yrs that we havent? THey have ONE SB win to our 0. Reids 4 big loses are just that. HE has the same nametag Shula had when he was run out......they couldnt win the big one...anymore(for Shula). What has NE done in SB's, 4-1 or3-1 or whatever. You cant pin that label on HIM. What did Dallas do with JJ. 4 and 0 or 3 and 0.. I dont have the memory and I am not going to look it up right now. If you are happy to go to the playoffs every year, but win one only every 15 years or so....have at it. That doesnt set well with me. I want a coach that can win the big one. Look at SHotty........That is what he is remembered by, cant win the big one. Always there, but cant ever close the deal. NOT INTERESTED. You can have Reid, and Cowher. I will take my chances on the unknown or with what we have now. He is learning to be a HC day to day, and he had almost no talent when he got here. PItt was probably stocked, like they almost always are. I DO dismiss Cowher for what he did. He won one championship in 15 years. again.........NOT INTERESTED. I dont buy the hype.
Ok, whatever bro. Your team has missed the playoffs 8 of 9 years. Andy Reid has been to a SB and 4 other NFC championships in tha time period. Apparently, you'd rather watch the crappy football we've been playing for 20 years rather than being one game from the SB every other year or so. Continue enjoying crappy football.
I expect a new OC who will be better. I expect a new RB who will be better. I expect better ST's. I expect a better OL. All of the above make a HC better.
Why would you expect any of that? Sparano's philosophy is his philosophy. The new OC will reflect that. We're not going to all of a sudden sling it downfield 10 times per game. Sparano has stated that he wants 15 round fight. He's not looking to have an Eagles style offense. As for ST's, he refused to fire Bonnameog until the worst ST performance of the last 2 decades. What makes you think anyone better than Rizzi will be hired? As for the OL, any issues are on tony. He hasn't fixed it in 3 years. What's going to be different this off season? We might get a new RB, but if that guy only carries 10-12 per game while splitting with Ricky, I really don't see the huge difference
you're going to fire the guy for time outs? we built a top five defense after three years. reagardless of who the coach is the offense is improving next year since thats where all the attention will be paid in FA and the draft. This regime is no longer drafting for both sides of the ball. now they can concentrate on one side
The irony that Andy Reid is cited, then Sparano is criticized for game management. You could make a career writing on Andy Reid's game mis-management.
sparano didnt sign smiley, grove and thomas and since none of them are starting you cant possibly fault him for that
Other than Marshall, Long and Bess, I've seen no evidence that this regime can either identify or develop offensive talent.
What do you think, Grove, smiley amd Thomas just showed up and Sparano didn't know who they were? We all lvoe to talk about who has final say, etc., but the fact is its a partnership. I guarantee you Sparano was behind those moves. He has to be because if he doesn;t want the players they won't play. A GM is only as good asd the coach makes the players they pick look
you could be right but i feel its only because they concentrated on defense first. they got that right and i see no reason to not give them a year to see if they can fix the offense now that the defense has been fixed
yeah but its not the same kind of input. he's not putting in the hours Ireland is. I suspect its more of a this is what i need you find it relationship
