As you ponder the why, the how, and the when the Miami Dolphins became such a sorry mess, look here for your answers. 2004 Miami Dolphins http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/26914/MIA_Gamebook.pdf 2007 Miami Dolphins http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/29204/WAS_Gamebook.pdf SHOCKING! Please someone tell me I'm wrong. I counted six players that were still on the roster from 2004. You remember 2004 don't you? We were in salary cap hell. We had just come off another 10-6 season and Dave's bad decision had finally come home to roost. We won 4 games in 2004 and the coaching carousel began. We were ready to kill Nick Saban for not winning in his second year. Although we continually saw evidence that he had to fix everything from the front office to the scouting department to the coaching staff to the practice field. We even got a new practice bubble out of the mix. Now we want Cam Cameron's head on a platter? If you want that after one year, I really don't see how you think you could have been paying attention.
Only the most radical among us want Cam's head. Most of us understand that he's not the football Messiah and that this mess needs to be rebuilt from the ground up. What I question is his having let go guys like Carter and McMike without having any viable alternatives to develop.
Before you read this, most of this only applies IF cam goes winless. If he wins vs buffalo or NE, than its a different story. With that said... No one, NO ONE goes 0-16 in this league. Some even say thats harder to do than go undefeated. If Cam tarnishes this teams image and history by doing that, I dont see any alternative. He's in over his head, Wayne made a mistake, now lets get rid of him. If he wins a couple games, thats fine. Keep him for next year, see how he does. But if he really goes winless all season, something countless other rookie HC's never did, and no one has ever done, then I don't see what else there is to do. I mean, what else would justify firing a coach after his first season other than the unthinkable winless season! The guy can't motivate his players. His team doesn't support him, they don't believe in him. We've got an intense draft coming up which will either make us or break us for years to come. Do we really want to put the reigns of building this team for the next decade in the hands of a man who's never won a game in his NFL head coaching career? Do we want our destiny in the control of someone who has yet to prove any decision he's made worthwhile? The best thing to do (ONLY IF WE GO 0-16) is to admit our mistake, fire Cam, bring on a veteran coach who knows how to build a team, Parcells, Cowher, Schotty, someone with a great record. Get Jimmy Johnson or Scott Pioli or someone who's good drafting to come in as advisor or GM, and use our 10-15 draft picks (figuring in trades with Jason Taylor, ZT and our first round pick) to build their team. Then they have to coach, which is something I have yet to see from Cam this season. Or at all in his Head Coaching career. Let's let Cam fail forward fast right out the front door.
so you are ready to throw Cam under the bus for Muellers personel moves, Sabans treachery, Wanstedts incompetence and H. Waynes glory-lust. this team has further to go before it really starts getting better.
For the nine thousand six hundred and ninety fourth time - this season is not Cameron's fault - he has not drafted the last six draft classes, he has only been an advisory participant in this year's free agency, and he inherited a team that a Messiah could not have transformed into a winner in ONE season. A lot of people need to grow up around here and realize that this has been coming for a long, long time - Since 1996 to be precise, and the downfall began to snowball the moment Dave Wannstedt became the Head Coach. Even Saban doesn't bear as much responsibility as Wannstedt. You want to throw someone under the bus, throw Wayne for not finding a real football mind to run the program for him. He thought that Johnson would be the answer, but absent the blockbuster Herschel Walker trade, Johnson is just an average GM at best. Then Wanye trusted Johnson's recommendation for Wannstedt, and that was his most egregious mistake, and what has led directly to this teams dire straits. Cameron and Mueller will need at least two, more than likely three years to correct the horrible situation on this team.
Someone tell me this, because I dont know. What is the difference from Sean Peyton coming into NO last year with the talent given to him, and Cam coming in with the talent given him? I dont recall NO having a much better team than we do when Cam took over. Could the turn around be just that -A good coach like Peyton? Seriously, help me out.
It's all in a roster my man. It's all in a roster. You could also throw in some well placed injuries that the Dolphins have suffered and the Saints did not. Drew Brees - Trent Green, Cleo Lemon, John Beck The largest issue is listed right there.....
Terrance Newman called it in the preseason on NFL radio. "The Saints were a one year wonder." He reminded them just yesterday on the same show.
I can say this, I would love to see Cam next year make noticeable improvemant. I would also love to see an experienced NFL coach come in here and right the ship. Either way, I just hope the Fins get some wins.
Cam is working on that already. That's why the vets are getting squirrelly. But that's exactly what most of us fans have been wanting since week 8. We just didn't think it was going to be so hard to watch.
Tommyguns, This isn't meant to be a jab or an insult but how long have you followed the Dolphins through internet resources? I ask because those of us that have discussed the Dolphins for a period of years were all saying the same thing at the conclusion of the Wannstedt era. It was time for him to go. It was time for a change. We came to the realization that we had seen the same demise for three years straight. His formula would not work. He had everything he wanted. He had a 50 million dollar defense. He had a quarterback that would protect the ball. He had a 2000 yard running back. We lost. We didn't even make it to the playoffs. The point of this thread was to show the difference in the roster just "three short years" ago. They won. They won just like Jacksonville or Tampa Bay won this year. They won with defense. But when it came down to playing on a championship level - they caved. They caved in just like Jacksonville or Tampa will cave. There was nothing dynamic about them. You could see that no championship was in their future. So the question became "why bother?" The first thing this team had to do was change where the money was going. Saban started that process. He let the 8 million dollar per year cornerbacks walk. He let the veteran safeties walk. He let everybody walk that wanted more money (and rightfully so). The problem with Saban is gave away money to stay competitive. What I am saying is that he gave money to stay average. I didn't like average then and I don't want average now. Tear the team down and start over. I didn't realize that the tear down increased in momentum this year. I wasn't aware of that fact until I looked at the roster in week 4 or 5. I was too busy before that point. But I looked over the roster and all I saw was "rookie" or "2" or "3" for how many years experience our players had. It is then that it become clear to me. The transition is in full effect. We might set a historical mark in doing this but I no longer care. This fan was tired of average. I refuse to hold a first year coach accountable for this mess. I saw it all in the making. I'm glad it's here. 2003 was more misery than this season for me. It was like monotony. I knew what was going to happen. I had hope but deep down I knew what was going to happen with this team in 2003. It happened. At least this year I can see a future. I don't know what that future will be but I know I'm looking at parts of it. It's more fun to watch than a 50 million dollar defense lose in the snow of New England too. At least I know why this team is losing.
This is gold right here folks. Read Zod's post, then read it again. Cam may have lost us a game or two with some poor clock management, but in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter one wit if we win a game. He is a rookie coach, the same that Beck is a rookie QB. Some mistakes will be made. However, better they be made THIS year when we were never going to make the playoffs, or even make a difference, then next when maybe we can begin to compete. 87
I want to use this as my signature but I think it may be just a little to long:laugh: The says how I feel about this whole thing perfectly.
Hey wait a minute!! I've been a part of a Finheaven's Finest. Do you mean that we might have a "Drunken Puppies finest" here? :laugh:
I dont take things as jabs, I may not make sites like these an every day staple, but as a fan since 1971, when I wore my first Dolphins baby t-shirt, yes I was 1 year old, I dont have to be certified dolphin web prognosticator. These sites are for opinion, right or wrong. Not one of us outside of the front office knows what's going to happen, but it is fun to guess. Of course. Id like to mention that in my last post, I did say whichever of the two situations happen, I would back it. That goes for my mention of Cam coming back and continuing his depiction of the team. If this year's draft class of our players is any indication of what 08's draftees will be, then that's a pretty darn good thing to be excited about. More power to Mueller trading down...slightly, for more picks.
That's the reason why I asked the question. I didn't know how much you had discussed the topic. Believe me that my opinions were not all of my own making. Finheaven had a slogan of "go deeper". We all felt that slogan fit best not because of one or two opinions but because of many, many opinions that helps one form their own. I made note of the time you may have discussed the topic "Dolphins" more of a covering all angles approach. Placing the the topic in written word and defensing your motives only helps one solidify where they are on an issue. And that's the point. If you follow the trail, all signs are that something is actually taking place in the front office. We tried like hell to defend the actions of our front office in the past. Hey! We are fanatics first and foremost. But hindsight (and a little foresight) always told us that they had no clue. I've said it for most of this year - things will get worse before they get better. I'm just a voice in the computer trying to get some to see it.
Yeah, the truth hurts and will probably into next season. There are things to be excited about, the draft for one. That could be the turning point depending on how many draftees actually play from the start. I think most everyone hear is hopeful, it's just the venting that needs to be done before we all get on the, "This is our year, I can feel it" wagon.
one of the things i can't seem to wrap my mind around is that some of us want to "blow things up" next year and start all over. that is just strange because, to me, it is clear that the blow up process has already started. to have to go through this again next year because it is too uncomfortable to go through it this year is just silly to me. there isn't anyone that is gonna come in here and instantly make this team competative just because they are who they are. "I'm Bill Cowher, and it took me 10 years to win a Super Bowl. So hire me to instantly make your team respectable."
I agree, Cam needs to stay. He is building a foundation and needs another free agent period and draft to continue. I think in 5 years when we look back at the 2007 draft class we will be relatively pleased. If he can have success in this years draft we will be pretty competitive next year. Yeah, I want it fixed now. Thats the sign of the times and this generation. Instant gratification. Realistically we are 2 - 3 years away from being a contender.
I kneel before ZOD, i agree with every sentiment and just wish more fans would understand our predicament. We must stick with Cam for at least another year.
ZOD... Man I don't even know how to respond to this... What the hell are you thinking!!! This post will NEVER fly out here because it makes TOO MUCH SENSE!!! Great post bro!!!
Tommy... We all love to vent about our frustrations bro... I do it all the time!!! But the one thing that you MUST consider doing after those vents is the fact that you STILL love this team and no matter what they do... YOU WILL ALWAYS support them...
Winless or not, you have to give Cam more then one year. There's been too much bad luck this year for the franchise and most of its not his fault.
Bro... I support your arguement 1000%!!! The last thing we need is yet another major change in coaching and players... We have been through 12 QBs, 5 Head Coaches and a 99% change in personnel since 2000... It has to STOP!!! I really don't care if we win a game this year... I know for a fact that next year, when we have all our starters healthy again, the 2nd and 3rd string fill-ins are better rehearsed and able to step into a real game. Continuity is 80% of the successful playoff and superbowl winners!!! Look back into the history books... As much as I hate to say it, it is the reason for Bellicheck's success in NE... IF you don't believe me, look at his roster over the past 6 years. You will never see a 40% change in personnel in 1 year, let alone a combined 2 years... That is what we have averaged over the past 4 years and maybe more... Good post bro!!!
The facts are that this season was a disaster that has been looming for a while now due to poor personnel decisions in the past. This is something that many of us were thinking would eventually happen. Maybe not this bad, but this team was simply a personnel disaster. Offensively, this regime inherited a group with one blue chip player in Ronnie Brown. Defensively, they inherited a group of aging defenders mixed in with a group of unproven young players. The team Nick Saban inherited was a very bad team for much the same reasons. Nick Saban was able to put band aides on the defense though with some veteran acquisitions and his coaching, but ultimately, Nick was too insecure in himself to go through the rebuilding process that he should have started. Unfortunately, that task has fallen upon the feet of Randy Mueller and Cam Cameron. It's obvious that the rebuilding has finally started though, and it can be seen by the reaction of some of the veteran players on the team that will likely no longer be with the team at the end of the season. I'm not saying that Cam should get a free ride for this season. Everyone should be evaluated at the end of the season whether this team goes 0-16 or 3-13. The blame for this season cannot be put solely on Cam Cameron though. He's made his share of coaching mistakes, but he has also done some good things. Up until the Jets game, a large part of the improvements the defense had made can be credited to Cam becoming more involved in the defense than he was early on. The restructuring of the offensive line can be partly credited to Cam Cameron as well. Without his ultimatum that the linemen get their rear ends in shape, we probably don't get career years out of Rex Hadnot and LJ Shelton. Not only do you have to evaluate what Cam has done, but you have to evaluate the coaches you would be looking at to replace him if you choose to do that. I said before we hired Cam last year that there weren't very many promising head coaches out there. Miami hired one of the best offensive coordinators in the league though. It's not that different this year. A lot of the same names you heard last year will be popping up again this year. The biggest question the Dolphins have to answer, IMO, is whether they have a strong enough personnel department to lead this rebuilding effort. That's what this is going to come down to. The early signs are mixed with a promising draft but a couple of head scratching free agency acquisitions.
It's nothing short of bizarre how quick, and drastically perspectives can change. I'm not denying the above claims, of when and where the trouble first began, infact it sounds about right to me, but rather scanning the desolation that currently exists. Its like a dead zone finding logical reason for losing as many games consecutively as we have. It's driven us back to exhume our effigy's of Wanny's past crimes committed against Findom, perhaps in the hope that dousing with oil, and torching all over again, might yet divert this catastrophic outcome, and if nothing else, help sooth the pain of it. Wasn't it only last year, at the start of the season, when Dave W. was nothing but a faint memory? When only months earlier, we had finished out our schedule winning five straight under Saban, closing out the season, only to be considered by many, the most promising team on the move, and by some distinguished notables even Superbowl bound? Wasn't it only then, when the majority of us had this team pegged, for anything other than the demise, that eventually would come? How far the misconceptions have fallen.
Its been boiling over for some time now...so your right the state of the franchise should come as no surprise to anyone......BUT.......I still dont think anyone thought it would be this bad.
yes, and that, i think, is the basis for many of the decisions made during this past off season. no one believed the the D was as far gone as it is. and no one foresaw all the injuries.
