Brian Flores Mastering “The Art of the Tank”
There’s no denying that Brian Flores has zero intentions of winning this season
Talk is cheap… and all the “no tanking” talk from Phins Head Coach Brian Flores is now worth a hill of beans.
Maya Angelou once said, “When someone shows you who they are believe them; the first time.”
Why the 2-point conversion was dubious
On the face of it, it’s not that the 2-point conversion was THE worst idea, but the implementation of it was.
Brian Flores said they practiced the play all week in response to questions on the wisdom of going for two. Okay… But the problem is Drake dropped it and they used Walton in practice on that play all week. Flores covered this trail up today by saying Walton was hurt on the play before. Still there is a disconnect in the logic here. Why was this the only play available and why run it when it was compromised with Walton’s injury? Either this was incompetence or competence depending on the Phins’ intention to win or lose the game.
Here some other problems with the wisdom of going for two… if victory was the objective:
The screenplay is, in essence, a trick play and is dependent on the Defensive Line getting fooled. Unfortunately, the D-line is the Redskins strength. The “Art of War” says never attack an enemy’s strength for the best chances of victory.
The Skins had another advantage. They didn’t need to stop the Phins to win. Worst case Washington goes into overtime. The worst-case for the Phins is they lose. This allows the Skins to play conservatively to allow an even defensive call… which works against the screen pass. The Dolphins on the otherhand compounded the negative of the situation by pigeonholing themselves against the enemy’s strongest unit with a limiting play call. Not wise… if you want to win.
Also, given that Miami essentially dominated the 4th Quarter, why not run a play with multiple options or kick for the tie? The Phins had all the momentum. I would have gone into overtime and had the game hang on a series of play rather than just one play given how well Miami was doing after the switch at quarterback. But, okay, one play was the call. Still, why rest that one chance on a ‘trick play’ with only one option?
All the negative factors attached to this 2-point conversion makes the call inept or a brilliantly designed loss.
Going forward, I can’t believe wholesale a word Brian Flores says regarding football. It’s not that he’s a liar, but rather as Tzu Sun once said, “All warfare is based on deception.”
Football is as close to war as it gets… and Brian Flores is after all fruit of the Belichick coaching tree… not Don Shula. From the injury reports to whatever he has to say about the team, Flores will create a fog of war (lie) on anything to get an edge. It works for Belichick. If Flores can create a winning franchise the ends justify the means…
… Ouch! That hurt my idyllic nature.
The reality is this isn’t a beauty pageant; production is all that matters. Since Free Agency was instituted, the business side of the NFL has come to full bloom.
Idealism is a hindrance if winning is the ultimate goal. Pragmatism is always better than emotion when making a business decision. Ross, Grier, Flores have embraced this philosophy with both hands. Sun Tzu’s “Art of War” is an essential reading in every business school. It is also essential reading with Belichick. Fans should read it to understand this regime. I have but I foolishly didn’t believe all that I read applied to Flores. It does.
Ross is always visibly hurt when the Dolphins lose. He has never been willing to take a step back for two steps forward. That step back pained him too much. Say what you want about him, while he does own the team, he is a fan of the team. And Ross has run this team as a fan… and that has earned up mediocrity. I can’t fault him… I have written for Phisnews as a fan, and that’s why I bought into Flores’ spiel hook, line, and sinker. As Ross said, ‘repeating the same plan over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity’.
This team-building process is cold-blooded “Art of War”.
BUT…
The time of Shula and the “Perfect Season” is as Arthur and Camelot
Growing up there were two types of cowboys to watch on T.V.: John Wanye (good guy) and Clint Eastwood (antihero).
As a kid, I loved Clint’s ‘man with no name’ character. But, I learned in life that that type of character is like a pet snake: always one step away from biting you. Don Shula was like John Wayne: High principles were a core factor in his decision-making. Oddly, this type of character trait too can come back to bite you in the hindquarters. Look no farther than Shula’s insistence on keeping Defensive Coordinator Tom Olivadotti based on loyalty instead of production… even at the cost of his job. The difference is, even in this defeat, Shula earned your respect.
To flesh it out, in Wayne’s last movie the Shootist he was told by the director Don Seagal to shoot a villain in the back.
Wayne said in horror, “I just shoot him?”
“Yeah, you got four other guys to deal with!”
Wayne responded, “I don’t shoot anyone in the back!”
Conversely, Clint Eastwood said of his style of ‘cowboy’ that shot first, “Why would you wait for someone to draw their gun first? It doesn’t make any sense.
Pragmatic verse idealist. The problem is there is only one way to win with pragmatism: production. With idealism, there’s two: production and respect for virtue.
We have a totally new style of team building in Miami… let’s see what the results are
Flores is earning my respect, but mostly due to uncompromising adherence to the plan. Sticking with this ‘tank’ despite the intense pressure takes will, fortitude, and vision. The difference is if he doesn’t build a winner he will have lost two fronts with me and many old school fans. But, if he does indeed build a winner, even the most conscientious fan will praise his work.
There is no sense in fans evaluating the staff… other than how players develop. The core of coaching evaluation is they are trying to win. Without that anchor, evaluating the gameplan, calls, and adjustments is a waste of time. That type of evaluation will have to wait till next year when the staff decides to try and win… or maybe longer depending on how long this tank goes. Not even the pay per head sportsbook sites know when that will be. Go Phins!!!
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We need an offensive line. We need a pass rush. Let me repeat!
We need an offensive line. We need a pass rush.
Tua is not going to be the savior without an offensive line.
Let’s stop going on about tanking for Tua. This team does not have enough talent to win at the moment. The Dolphins are NOT trying to tank on purpose. The Dolphins cannot win because we do not have talent on the OL and we do not have talent at DE.
Nuff said.
There’s no denying the O-line and pass rush are seriously underpowered… BUT, I have rejected the tank in theory and that Flores and Co had embraced it… and I did that all game… until that last play. I view a winning coach treats every game as if it were the Super Bowl… with that much desperation to win it. Shula would have kicked it and played the 5th Quarter because it gives the best chance to win… especially when you are home and dominated the 4th quarter. Okay, you go for it… but then you call a play with one option that has a foundation of a ruse? This is such a low chance to succeed it’s mindblowing. I would rather believe they are tanking that beleive that’s the best that they have. I’m not saying I’m right… but I was appalled at the play call. I remember 2007 and how desperate Cam was to win every game… not once did I think they weren’t giving it their all. This team has been sooo sloppy and they are more talented than the 2007 team. I’m just so disappointed… I haven’t gotten emotional over a loss like this in such a long time. Miami is the Perfect Season team… if they go 0-16 that Perfect Season will always be followed by the Perfect loss as well… it will diminish the past and that sucks even if it’s just from the haters and has zero real bearings on that awesome era… IF this were a superbowl would you agree with those decisions over the last call? Sorry to offend you, Fritz… trust me I understand as I was offended when anyone mentioned it…
“I have rejected the tank in theory and that Flores and Co had embraced it… and I did that all game… until that last play.”
I appreciate your honest input and the excellent articles you churn out. I take no offense by your disagreement. Lots of your opinions I agree with, but I am not convinced that the players and coaches are trying to tank. I agreed with going for the two but I scratched my head over the actual play that was called.
After giving it some further thought, and after reading a few articles on the web, I have to wonder. Did Flores even have much input on what play to run or was it all Chad O’Shea? I have my doubts. Beyond making the decision to go for the two, I just have a hard time believing he would fully endorse that play. I think Flores just went with it.
Behind the podium he is going to publicly support his staff. I would want it no other way.
As a Dolphins fan, I’m with you in wanting Flores and Co to succeed in the most desperate way.
Thanks for what you do. Go Dolphins, get a win!
Hello Admin
Another reason why I ranked Taylor in the top 5 players n the country and needs to be a Dolphins.
Johnathan Taylor has the speed to threaten the outside edge and to press the zone run front.
Has the vision to quickly diagnosis best gaps to hit.
Has the power to break tackle on the second level.
Has that break away speed.
Defensive would have to seriously respect Miami Dolphins Run Game.
Most of all Taylor would put the Dolphins back on prime time TV simply because people would want to watch him play and would earned the face of the dolphins along with other key players. Most likely the Dolphins will sleep on this player and the Raven will draft him after he just demolished Jim Michigan Wolverines over the weekend passed and he has expressed his talent to his brother the Raven Coach John Harbaugh.
https://youtu.be/xOThQiXEGnk
Admin
Here is where we were 2016! We started out with the Best offensive line 2016 in the NFL maybe.
Four of the five starter were former 1st round picks 2016
15th picked: Brandon Albert 13th Jeremy Tunsel 15th Mike Pouncey –125th jermon Bushron 19th Juan James
2x Pro Bowl Brandon Albert
2x Pro Bowl Bush Ron from the New Orleans Saints
3x Pro Bowl Mike Pounce
James and Tunsel former 1st round picks
We had 5 offensive linemen in which 4 of them were former 1st round picks and one was picked 125th but a two time Pro Bowler from the New Orleans Saints.
Bushrod and James were the only two to stay healthy that season.
Jay Ajayi rushed
6,7,9, 10 96 carry, yards 508 yard 4 tds ypg 152 offensive line was healthy
2,3,13,14,15,16,17, 18, (4 or 5 were healthy 127 carry 500 yards per game 63 missing mike pouncey the center but the four played.
And when 3 of the 5 starting linemen were out his rushing decreased even more.
2016 The Bottom line during that season we lacked zero debt in offensive linemen.
Now here we are in 2019
PFF ranks the Miami Dolphins 2019 offensive line dead last
Fansided | July 10, 2019
Many Fans are surprised that we are losing/tanking but for a number one picked I believed who ever that player maybe?
It’s more than the line… looks how Fitz managed it compared to Rosen… I’m losing faith in Rosen. I don’t expect him to be awesome with this O-line, but his leadership is too calm and introspective. Also, he wilts under pressure. I compare him to the Jags rookie QB… totally different. Jags O-line isn’t very good either… Rosen will have to show a ton to get me back in his corner… leadership demands a certain type of personality…
Admin
I’m with you on This. NFL draft 2020 Chase Young has been my favorite for the Dolphins 1st number one picked.
This season with the Dolphins is perfect to truly evaluate Rosen. But here’s the scary part about Josh evaluation, Two NFL teams appear to have missed read his performance including me. He was Arizona 1st round pick and the Dolphins second round etc.
Admin
I clearly under that the number one picked does not guarantee success but I do believed the Dolphins and Fans have had hope for success in all of the wrong places and over two decades have invested much hope in that facade.
Tua has a weaker arm and is 56th ish in tight-window throws… don’t like that… I think chase Young is their target with their 1st Round pick…
Good call!!!!!!!!!!!!!Practice makes us all better.
Daniel… 🙂 I wanted that win so bad I could taste it!!!
I agree why the 2 point? Why not spread the defense out? Tank is obvious, Ross has demanded the first pick in the draft! If they are going for a rebuild do it all the way! Grier and FO brass better get this one right!As it stands we basically can’t compete. All appreciable personnel have been eliminated!
Parker, Williams and Gessicki are all 6’5” plus… I do think Chase Young is their target with their #1… some things about Tua concern me, Stephen. That loss with that play was like a dagger in the back!!! Hey, I never use FB but checked it by accident and saw your message. What day in dec were you born… I’m the 26th… screwed out from birth 🙂
Hello Admin
Tua is the front runner (Tua has the best talent around him also and it has to account for a lot of his success)?
Hurst I really favored him But I saw Hurst not handling the pressure while playing Texas, that game should have been blown away by Oklahoma but some costly fumbles intersection kept the long horn around. Final 27-34 score
Joe Burrow and Hurst I had in the second round but after Joe B. performance against Florida. I thought moved him ahead of Justin Herbert. November 9, 2019 Joe Burrow biggest test will be against Alabama, if Joe keeps his poise and have a good game it would solidify him being in the 1st round. Not looking for LSU to beat Bama because Bama has two many weapon but just play well keeping the game close.
Justin Field as you know did not beat out Georgia Jake Fromm nor did Eason was injured and never earned his job back from Fromm. Eason is with Washington huskies now doing well there. Fromm kept that job from pass performance record and Mainly because of coaching preferences etc.
Over the weekend Fromm who lost to un ranked South Carolina’s stunning double-overtime victory over #3 Georgia and including Jake Fromm’s first multi-interception game in nearly a year. I thought should keep Fromm in the 2nd to 3rd round.
Justin Field 1st season with Ohio State is rising up the charts but its hard to read Ohio State QB’s even though they win the big games. They say he is the real deal I don’t know.
There are more QB’s who would be in this conversation but over this season I have not seen them step up in the big games more less choked.
I’m really believing that Chase is their target… he looks the far better prospect. Burrow is the only one I’m kinda’ excited about… but, not sure if he is worth that high of a pick…
Admin
Grier has to get this right for this team during the Draft.
Over the weekend the Top runner-ups for the Heisman has shifted tremendously:
This season thus far 2019:
1. Tua–29TD–(17yards rushing) pass for 2011 yards
2. Husrt-25TD–(630 yard rushing) Pass for 1758 yards
3. Joe Burrow–27TD-(105 rushing yards) leading passing yards 2157
4. Justin Field–26TD–(283 yards rushing) passed for 1298 yards
The Hiesman most likely will be determined by the 4 above Taylor is ranked 5th currently.
5. Johathan Taylor 15TD–(Rush for 745 yards, 7.2 per carry) projected 12 games 2,061 and 38 TD’s
I’m not good a evaling college QBs, but intelligence, leadership, anticipation, accuracy are my prime reqs
Admin
The college world is paying to watched this player:
This is that culture that needs to change with the Dolphins. We will have the opportunity to draft (Johnathan Taylor).
Only five games into the season, college football’s undisputed top tailback has rushed for 745 yards, averaging 7.2 per carry. Sixteen touchdowns would constitute a tremendous twelve game season, Taylor has already reached that milestone on the first weekend of October. Stretched over the Badgers’ twelve game schedule, Taylor’s stat line projects to be 2,061 scrimmage yards and, of course, thirty-eight touchdowns.
Hey, please let me know when Burrow plays a real team so I can watch…
Hello Admin
Have you ever watched this movie The Program (1993 film)? It reminds me how imperfect we really are!”But” some how, with the right leader a team can still pulled a victory.
The Dolphins and Skins game wasn’t given a rating. We are to closed now to having the number one picked in the draft and we need to stop crying.
I would say the #1 isn’t a determiner of success. It can be… it can also be a pipedream. What isn’t pipe dream is people spending tons of money and investing a ton of time on a facade. Now, I always tanked in my 1st year of Madden with my friends and even in that league it was frowned upon and players would have to pretend to try and win. I’m fine with the tank, but I expended my time and energy and personal cred to defend Flores. So my investment could have been saved with the truth. Still, I don’t begrudge Flore or Grier making the move, but don’t fool yourself it doesn’t assure much. Washington got a killing in picks a few years ago and not one player made an impact. If this team can pull a JJ and make a dynasty… cool. If not they will have wasted several season and the better part of a decade. Plenty of fans will move on from the team and maybe football if this happens. Now, if they pull it off… GREAT! If not they will be reviled by Phins fans and likely disliked more than any regime in history. As an example, Wilkens was drafted 13th and is pretty solid so far, 4 picks later D lawrence was picked and is playing Top 10 at the position. While it’s early if this trend continues Miami will be better than the past teams of the last 20 years, but it won’t bring a SB. ATM if you look at the 2019 Draft it has been a poor one. Plenty of time of course, but nothing in the season or draft so far scream high quality except the accumulation of picks…
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams acquired star cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Jacksonville Jaguars on Tuesday night in exchange for two first-round picks and a fourth-rounder.
Jacksonville gets first-round picks from the Rams in 2020 and 2021, and a fourth-round pick in 2021.
Question Admin!
Will this trade get the Rams a win in the Superbowl? Or is this a problem in the makings?
Maybe, but not win one… their QB is very overrated. BTW … I did see the program years ago….