I am watching the Philly game and there are roughly 40 seconds left. Joe Buck said that this is Parcells 4th year and the best team he's had. I am certain Dallas overachieved in Tuna's 1st season and tanked the next year. Bill took over a legendary franchise who had a recent history of underachieving and totally revamped their philosophy and modus operandi. What an eerie parallel.
Rather than start a new thread, let me just say I can't believe how many phins fans (@ another site) who want to run more, go back to the old D, Fire Mularkey etc... What's next; rehire old what's his name? Many Dolphins fans at the aforementioned other site thought when Saban was hired that Miami would be the Steelers south. Nick IMO wants a Power running team capable of the big play i.e. Jacksonville during the Coughlin/Brunnell era. He wants a versatile/flexible D like the Pats. If it were up to me, The phins would resemble The Redskins during Gibbs' 1st tenure & the Ravens D over the last 7 or so years (not counting Baltimore's less than spectacular attempt to convert to a 3-4).
Trying to establish a balanced offense & defense is almost impossible in today's NFL. In order to do so, you'll find it very difficult to resign highly valued star players. Expect a lot of player turnover each offseason as seen in New England. The personel department has to be held to a very high standard obviously & it starts with the draft.
I agree that there are certainly some parallels to Dallas. Here's the bad news. In the limited time that I have watched Miami this year (which probably doesn't really qualify me to make a statement), I think their OL needs some major work. The sad thing is that they have one of the league's most respected line coaches in Hudson Houck. Unfortunately, for Miami, this is something to monitor since Houck couldn't fix the line woes at Dallas in his previous stint. I don't think OL evaluation is one of the strengths of Parcells, so did he ignore any input from Houck or did he only use Houck's evaluation, proving that Houck can coach better than evaluate? Who knows. Hopefully it will turn out better in Miami.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cowboy71)</div><div class='quotemain'>In the limited time that I have watched Miami this year (which probably doesn't really qualify me to make a statement), I think their OL needs some major work.</div> You are spot on. I did not think it would be this bad but some improvments are being made or it may be Harrington is a better fit @ QB. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cowboy71)</div><div class='quotemain'>The sad thing is that they have one of the league's most respected line coaches in Hudson Houck. Unfortunately, for Miami, this is something to monitor since Houck couldn't fix the line woes at Dallas in his previous stint.</div> Coming into last yr, everyone thought Houck was a miracle worker or at least he was in San Diego. The OL improved last yr but this yr other than Hadnot (Center) the personnel sucks.
Is it Houck's fault or are the Dolphins asking him to make chicken soup from chicken poop? I would like to see Saban make more of an effort to bring in some quality linemen. At this point, I'm not sure how anyone can make an accurate assessment of Culpepper, Harrington or Ronnie Brown.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DolfanDale)</div><div class='quotemain'>Is it Houck's fault or are the Dolphins asking him to make chicken soup from chicken poop? I would like to see Saban make more of an effort to bring in some quality linemen. At this point, I'm not sure how anyone can make an accurate assessment of Culpepper, Harrington or Ronnie Brown.</div> Its not Houck's fault IMO. He can only do so much. Miami should have drafted (Auburn OT) Marcus McNeill with their 1st pick this past April. Its a shame Toledo who was drafted in April got injured. Appearantly, he was going to be the starting RG. Its time to put Alabi drafted in '05 in @ LT. Granted, he is a more athletic type. He & D. Ferguson (w/ the jets) IMO could be anchors at that position for years. Ronnie IMO is doing well given the circumstances. The crappy OL and Miami only running 38.6% percent of the time...roughly 3 runs for every 5 pass attempts. Chambers is suffering though. I never bought into the theory that CC could be or is an elite WR like Harrison, Holt, etc... 2nd tier c& occasional pro bowler certainly. The phins #1 option @ WR absolutely.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (blackadder)</div><div class='quotemain'>I did not think it would be this bad but some improvments are being made or it may be Harrington is a better fit @ QB.</div> Which makes me wonder how the Cowboys would look with Romo behind center.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cowboy71)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (blackadder)</div><div class='quotemain'>I did not think it would be this bad but some improvments are being made or it may be Harrington is a better fit @ QB.</div> Which makes me wonder how the Cowboys would look with Romo behind center.</div> At least, Parcells was smart enough to realize that the Ol was deficient and switched to a 2 TE/2WR/1 RB scheme. I wonder how long Joe Gibbs laughed when he learned this?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cowboy71)</div><div class='quotemain'>The sad thing is that they have one of the league's most respected line coaches in Hudson Houck. Unfortunately, for Miami, this is something to monitor since Houck couldn't fix the line woes at Dallas in his previous stint.</div> I thought Houck was in Big D w/ Jimmy and the vanilla one. If so, bA senses a conspiracy.
Bottom line; it takes any new coach time to get their pieces in place. Nick spent last year and the 1st part of this year eliminating Wanny's mistakes. and slowly getting . I'd bet by the draft & FA next year that he has a great majority of his type of personnel. If he can upgrade the OL big time and then get that group to execute then the sky is the limit. Saban IMO has done a decent job thus far.
