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Dolphans Expectations vs Reality

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by Southbeach, Nov 26, 2010.

  1. Southbeach

    Southbeach Banned

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    During pre-season, every Dolphan predicted how our team would do. We can go back and look it up but, with the exceptions of aqua colored beer goggles, most believed that a 10 win season would be a good thing, after an average start. That was fair. WHAT HAPPENED?


    We did not win as well as anticipated? We did not beat the teams you thought we would? Thats fair but, the forrest is still growing in spite of the tree's, and you predictions are still in play. Why are some now supplying "fertilizer" to our season?


    I have been as annoyed, frustrated, angry, pissed off, ready to smash the TV with the remote or, throw the TV in the ocean (an advantage of living on South Beach) as anyone here.


    However, for now, I am gonna watch OUR team and see how they do. Suggest every Phanatic does the same, at least for now. It just may be what we thought would happen. JMO.
     
  2. F.O

    F.O New Member

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    Expectations from Vegas before the season started was the Dolphins going 7-9.

    They know what they're doing a vast majority of the time and they were on the ball on this one.
     
  3. Coral Reefer

    Coral Reefer Premium Member

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    I expected a 9-7 run based on our schedule and the fact that we were starting so much youth at important positions.

    The record hasn't troubled me as much as what how we've gotten there. To me there are some glaring issues about how the offense is being run and of course the injuries.

    The Defense was expected to be a huge liability going in.
    Seems to me Nolan has maximized talent levels there while Henning has failed to maximize talent on the other side of the ball.

    I'm shocked that our defense is the one hope we have to win any game were in and not the other way around.
     
  4. Merauder

    Merauder Perseverance

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    Still love Dan Henning?
     
  5. muscle979

    muscle979 Season Ticket Holder

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    We started the season 2-0. I think everyobody has forgotten that. That's a pretty decent start. If you just play .500 ball for the next 6 games up to the halfway point that still has you at 5-3. We didn't even pull that off. After that start, finishing at .500 or worse is a failure basically.
     
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  6. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    imo SB, the natural progression from 1 and 15, taking into account many variables including youth, strength of schedule, and most importantly just how void of talent we were 3 years ago, 9 or 10 wins would be about right, whether that was good enough or not to get us into the playoffs is not something that I worried about, this year was all about evaluation, maturing and gaining experience for a real run next.

    I dont think he'd mind, but I think this post by CK has merit for this thread, and iam not sure he comes in the mains very often.. so i figure I will just post it instead of just trying to post what I read.

    ''You know what's funny is if they went 5-11 in 2008, everyone would have understood, based on the awfulness of 2007's 1-15 team. In fact, 5-11 would have been lauded as a decent turnaround. And then 7-9 the next year would be seen as progress. And if we went 8-8 maybe 9-7 this year, who could argue against the fact that the team is continuing to get better year over year?

    But because they went 11-5 in that first year, a result borrowed with a few temporary veteran options that weren't long for Miami (Pennington chief among them), there's a strong unhappiness with the results of 2009 and 2010.
     
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  7. GMJohnson

    GMJohnson New Member

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    Couldn't have put it better. 11-5 definitely skewed expectations to unreasonable levels for many, when the reality was that we basically lucked our way into the playoffs with an average (at best) team. Not that level headed thinking is to be expected, that's why we're called fanatics.
     
  8. Arodgers12

    Arodgers12 Well-Known Member

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    I think getting Henne back will help you guys alot. Oakland is winnable.
     
  9. Killerphins

    Killerphins The Finger

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    Most Dolphin fans are too impatient and ignorant to understand the reality of rebuilding a team from the bottom up. It takes time for young players to develop and you have to take the time. Not every player enters the league as a Pro Bowler. For instance Chad Henne. Even the coaching staff got ahead of themselves and put the blame on a young guy who is at the beginning of the maturing process. It was a glaring mistake and now there is a bit of a controversy. People were ready to burn him at the stake along with the likes of Sean Smith, Chris Clemons and Kao Misi. Saying they suck without giving them sufficient time to develop. It really is ridiculous the things that I read here about the team without taking into consideration of the youth on this football team.

    The HC and the OC are the ones who deserve to be bashed with what I have seen this season. They have been blatantly abysmal.
     
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  10. Coral Reefer

    Coral Reefer Premium Member

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    Some fans are ignorant true.

    This organization is partly responsible for making them that way though too.
    You have an organization here that has been utterly putrid in Acquiring young talent. Our failed drafts over the last decade are legendary. Think how many young prospects the Phins have drafted that never developed into anything the last 10 years.

    I think that has kind of developed an attitude with fans that are less educated about the game to doubt the whole concept of player development. THey think it's some magic deal where the kid either comes out and lights it up or he's a bust.

    It's not an excuse for the mindset because if they took the time to really get to know the game they'd realize how silly that is but the ineptness of this organization in recent history has certainly helped to develop the mindset with fans that "player development" timeframes are just an excuse.

    To the comment on the coaching of this team I could not agree more.
     
  11. GMJohnson

    GMJohnson New Member

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    Yep. Credit KP with coining the term, Ignoratience, a term describing all of the fans who are crying because we're not undefeated and Super Bowl bound.

    IMO Henne wasn't benched for poor play, but as a nod to Henning and the locker room. Henne is the future, no one disputes that. But Penny is a better fit for Henning's offense, and a better/more respected leader on the team. And since firing the OC mid season is (seemingly) out of the question w/o a ready replacement, benching Henne was probably the best option for giving the O a spark I don't agree with the decision, but I see why it was made. If Henning is still here next season then the brass probably thinks Henne is the problem. In that case I'll have a giant slice of humble pie, and I'll lace it with cyanide.
     
  12. miamiron

    miamiron There's always next year

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    2000
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    2001
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    Shawn Draper
    Brandon Winey
    Josh Heupel
    Otis Leverette
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    Omare Lowe
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    2010...time will tell
     
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  13. ilovemyfins4eva

    ilovemyfins4eva New Member

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    thanks for making me puke.
     
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  14. Hellion

    Hellion Crash Club Member

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    If this FO picks a (what will soon to be) 71 year old OC that is here as a favor to his friend over the likes of Henne, Marshall, Long, Hartline, Brown and even the defense that is relying on the offense to improve well pass the cyanide laced humble pie over here.
    As a side note IF that was to happen, I have no doubt it wouold actually be in Hennes best interest, he could find a team that fits his abilities. And then watch out..Loyd Carr proved that if u unleash Henne he will win.
     
  15. Killerphins

    Killerphins The Finger

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    It is rough to even take that we have to sit through Dan Henning for six more games let alone another season.
    My God that would be a nightmare.....
     
  16. Hellion

    Hellion Crash Club Member

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    This is a good thread, another thing this applies to is QB, If Marino took a year or two to develope, and whether he won a SB or not I think alot of fans would be less harsh on our current QB. When the bar is set so high so early its hard to live up to anything but.
     
  17. Hellion

    Hellion Crash Club Member

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    Aww man not cool, you're like the guy who reminds all the guys that got to drunk to remember anything the night before what they did the night before. Not cool.

    :tongue2:


     
  18. Southbeach

    Southbeach Banned

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    Argee with both of you DJ. In 08, we were a below average team that got lucky. Last year, we were about an average team, and this year I believe we are an above average team, all things considered.
     
  19. Rick 1966

    Rick 1966 Professional Hipshooter

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    Most fans of all football teams are impatient. Most people are impatient.
    But I don't think Dolphin fans are any more impatient or ignorant than fans of any other team. It would be one thing if the team were run by a stingy owner that wouldn't spend any money, or a Jerry Jones-like owner who screwed things up by demanding control. But they aren't. They're run now and have been run by fairly free-spending owners who have pretty much given the coach-GM a free hand. Other FOs, with less money to work with, have built winners and some have done it fairly quickly.
     
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  20. muscle979

    muscle979 Season Ticket Holder

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    In ten years we should have had a chance to draft a hall of famer in every unit and they will have had 7-8 years to develop and reach their full potential. So in about ten years right before these players are getting ready to retire we should be able to think about making a run at the playoffs. That is if the AFC isn't too tough that year. We'll need all of these things to go right and a favorable schedule. And assuming no starter gets injured for any amount of time. Teams can't win Super Bowls unless all of those things go right. They can't win Super Bowls with any kind of weaknesses on any part of their teams. They can't compete if they lose any starters during the season. I think I've covered most of the excuses for this franchise's constant underachieving.
     
  21. Southbeach

    Southbeach Banned

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    To be fair, our DC was not getting it done last year, and was replaced with Nolan, GOOD MOVE! Our ST coach was not getting it done this year, and was replaced. GOOD MOVE. Our team does get rid of mistakes in coaches and players.

    I believe that our HC & OC did pretty well the first two seasons. This year, there are a lot of questions. Why? Did the suddenly forget how to coach in the NFL or, were there other issues?

    Coming into camp, we were expecting a physical running game and Henne would improve, being brought along without having to win a lot of games with his arm. Sounds like a VG plan. What happened?

    Our OL was ripped to shreds due to injury. Grove, Smiley cut because of them, and Gardner out until next year. That put the O between a rock and a hard place, can't run and Henne is not ready to be a "One Man Gang." Add in Polite being a shadow of himself from last year, Marshall fitting in, Hartline still developing, and Carey having some problems. That's a whole lot for any coach to overcome.

    As you said, youth should be considered, as should the hand dealt to our coaches. You give me a "healthy" Grove, Smiley, and Gardner to replace our current interior "blockers." We are an entirely different team, have probably another two wins, and the coaching is not a problem.

    Just a little food for thought.
     
  22. Southbeach

    Southbeach Banned

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    Howsabout trying to rebuild an expansion team from 2007? You get to start with Bell, Crowder, Carey, R&R, and a good punter in Fields. Lots Of Luck.
     
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  23. the 23rd

    the 23rd a.k.a. Rio

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    reality: we need to rebuild not re-tool our offense. it will take @ least another free-agency & draft to achieve, maybe two. we are dead in the water for 2010... it's over. can't make chicken soap out of chicken ****
     
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  24. muscle979

    muscle979 Season Ticket Holder

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    More excuses, teams rebuild all the time. You forgot to mention they got to come onboard with some great draft picks to work with as well. Having number one overall and number 33 sure doesn't hurt anything. Your point might be valid if they wouldn't have done just what you described and won the division the next season. Easy schedule or not you have to do more than just walk onto the field to win any division. Especially when there was another 11 win team there. The other teams had that easy schedule too. We're not talking about Miami and a bunch of 8 win and worse teams. The fact is they made the team respectable [average or so] very quickly and have proceeded to tread water the next two seasons while the competition has gotten better. And nobody's saying they should have won 11 games again, or 12. The product on the field is not getting better. Their ability to compete with top tier teams has not improved one bit from 08. The offense has regressed. I wonder how long 2007 can continue to be the excuse for failure? Two more years? Three?
     
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  25. GunnerDog

    GunnerDog New Member

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    On the Ball? so you think were only going to win 2 more games? way to be postive for gods sake. 2 out of 6. ill give us at least 3 matbe 4
     
  26. muscle979

    muscle979 Season Ticket Holder

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    It's hard to determine right now but if we can't beat Oakland tomorrow it does not look good. 7-9 could be very realistic. That would basically have us coming out on top against probably Buffalo and Detroit. Cleveland is far from a pushover and our odds of taking down the Pats or Jets on the road are not looking wonderful right now. Detroit is pretty terrible on the road so we should be good with that game at least.
     
  27. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    What is your take on a proper plane of progression for an expansion team?..

    Your kind of expectations is the worst kind, it gives no fundamental reasoning for a proper plane of progression from a specific starting point....you want results and you dont care....

    imo, your take is a pure fans perspective that doesn't care, or want to understand the process...

    completely illogical...and in a small way, very damaging to a franchise.
     
  28. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Our fan base is so beaten down that we not only accept this mediocrity but embrace it and love it. The mere notion that Chad Henne is going to come back as some superstar is laughable. Our fans need to read their Nietzsche. We're slave mentality personified
     
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  29. the 23rd

    the 23rd a.k.a. Rio

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    wins over the bills & lions would be a nice way to go out, my expectations may even embrace the Raiders as a Miami win & then what? likely as not we lose all three games. its a 50/50 proposition @ best
    we are tied @ 31st in offense. think about it. what difference would it make @ this point in time? we need to rebuild not re-tool the offense in the up-coming draft & free-agency.

    this season is over. thank you coach Sparano
     
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  30. Southbeach

    Southbeach Banned

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    Many people now a days want a Burger King or Pizza Hut for dinner. They see no "excuse" for waiting on a different type dinner to be prepared, as it takes too much time. I am not among them. :)
     
  31. muscle979

    muscle979 Season Ticket Holder

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    Where does wasting money on free agent busts fall into the process? Where does signing and starting Dallas castoffs fall into the process? Where does getting worse every season on offense fall into the process? The inability to adopt a true offensive identity after three years, is that part of the process? Where does changing our starting center and guards every season fall into the process? Please don't insult my intelligence by insinuating that I'm missing some magical process that is taking place right in front of our very eyes. They have picked up some good young players and even managed to add a couple of vets who have actually not been a waste of money. Despite that the product on the field is not improving. Who's fault is that? Is that part of the process too?

    Mike Smith took over an Atlanta team that was in shambles in the wake of the Michael Vick situation. Look at what he has done. His 'down' season was 9-7. How about Sean Peyton in New Orleans? The Ravens were also bad in 07. People want to act like John Harbaugh was just gifted with some great team. They were the one in our 1-15. Some great team. All that guy does is win and add good players. The Jets have managed to stay competitive while adding some good young players over the last couple of seasons or so. The NFL is built to facilitate quick turnarounds. It isn't MLB. I'm amazed more people don't see that.
     
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  32. muscle979

    muscle979 Season Ticket Holder

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    You're making the assumption that the dinner is actually coming. I see a team that is getting worse, aside from the defense.
     
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  33. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Perfectly said. I'd be happy to continue with these guys if there was any evidence that we were actually about ready to contend. There is no such evidence
     
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  34. muscle979

    muscle979 Season Ticket Holder

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    This is ridiculous, especially given you gave no defense whatsoever for the FO's plan of action other than imply there's some magical process going on. The blueprint for success is not that hard. The key is that you need good talent evaluators and good coaches to implement these steps. But the first thing you should always do is get your QB. I love Jake Long but you just have to find your QB immediately. Look at the Dolphins over the past decade, they always think they can cheat. They'll use their first round picks on other players and grab that gem somewhere that other teams passed on. That's worked out well.
     
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  35. Southbeach

    Southbeach Banned

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    And you are making the assumption that it is not. Here's a couple of fair questions:

    Which players and/or positions are worse than they were a year ago, specifically the young guys? Which "available" players would you have brought in that we did not?

    Which team/teams have done better than our team in acquiring talent over the past three off seasons through FA, draft, and trades?
     
  36. Southbeach

    Southbeach Banned

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    So, which QB would you have signed or drafted? Long vs Ryan is debatable. Who else?
     
  37. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Jets, pats, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, TB even Detroit.
     
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  38. muscle979

    muscle979 Season Ticket Holder

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    Players... I'm looking at production. Our units appear to be underachieving. You have an outstanding slot receiver, a top five WR, two pro bowl running backs, a pretty good FB, and a future HOFer at left tackle and you're the lowest scoring offense in the league? Why is that? The offense has no identity. Last year they were a run first team. So why did they do nothing at RB? Knowing Ronnie might get hurt and Ricky was old. Why did nothing happen? They didn't draft anyone, didn't even give LT a look. If the guys we have go down I guess Patrick Cobbs has it under control. Of course it's hard to go down only carrying the ball 5 or 6 times a game. You can count the entire offense as a unit that is for whatever reason worse than last year. With more talent at the skill positions. Getting better players and producing LESS is an indictment, not a defense.

    Just off the top of my head:

    Atlanta
    Baltimore
    New Orleans
    NY Jets

    All teams that were bad not that long ago and have done a better job acquiring talent and GETTING RESULTS with that talent on the field.
     
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  39. muscle979

    muscle979 Season Ticket Holder

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    In 2008 Ryan and Flacco were the top rated guys unless I'm missing somebody. Since we had the top pick I would have taken one of those guys. I think they're both pretty good QBs. Guys you can build your offense around. The Jets traded up in 09 to get their guy. When you're starting from scratch you do whatever it takes to get your guy.
     
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  40. Southbeach

    Southbeach Banned

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    Over the last 3 years? You're gonna have to prove that to me.

    We were ranked #1 last off season by everyone, even Kiper. LOL Our 08 draft, including Bess and Carpenter was recently ranked at the top. Add in Davis, Smith, Fasano, Polite, Starks, Smith, Hartline, and a man called Wake.

    You got a ways to go to convince me.
     

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