The expectations of a “good” Miami season likely differs from fan to fan.
It’s been awhile since fans felt they had a “good” Miami season.
All Fin Fans want the Dolphins to be successful, but what is a “good” Miami season?
First, the operative word “good” is subjective.
Some Fin Fans saw the Perfect Season. So, for them, a “good” season might be a Super Bowl win.
Some have had maybe one or two playoff appearances – ever, and not even a single post-season win. So, for them, starved for post-season play, a “good” season might be “playoffs or bust”.
Some, like me, saw a couple of Super Bowl losses and the Dolphins being an AFCE powerhouse for most of their early fandom. So, a “good” season might be a return to respectability and to be a perennial factor in the league.
I get all perspectives and expectations. But, there is only one avenue where all Fin Fans hopes can be met, whether that be sooner or later: competent management, top to bottom.
As an example, last year, simply changing coaches allowed Suh to go from average effectiveness to top 5 at his position. Same player, different leaders.
This is why I don’t go to crazy over win counts (within reason of course) and even players being here or getting let go. Because if Miami builds it right in it’s coaching and front office, they ( a “good” Miami season) will come.
It might not be this year or next, but it will come with the right leaders.
Adam Gase’s and Co’s performance will be THE key to the Fins having a “good” Miami season.
Tannehill might show he is the man, or he might not. The offensive line might round into shape this year, or not. Reshad Jones might hold out, or he might not. Ajayi might turn into an epic late round steal, or he might not…and on and on it goes.
But, if Gase and Co, and Tannenbaum and Co are for real, then Fin Fans will be in business.
This to me is why the “tough” 2016 schedule is a good thing – especially since it’s hard early.
Carroll and Bellichick in the first two weeks will be the perfect litmus test for Gase to show what he is made of and what the long term prognosis of this regime will be.
Gase’s performance against two of the top coaches in the NFL will be even more important than the win or loss – although a “W” would be a nice cherry on top! Cheap wins and flukes come, drops happen, and bad calls have wrecked many a comeback, but if leadership is cool, makes adjustments, plays smart situational football, has the demeanor of the team aggressive, and comes to play for 4Qts…then, Miami will eventually get the “W’s” they need to return to glory.
I think this year we will see Hickey’s 2015 draft begin to blossom, so the Fins have done fairly well recently with their drafting. Tannenbaum must of course continue (and hopefully improve) on that trend. But, it’s at the coaching level, specifically at the highest levels of Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, and Defensive Coordinator that Miami has been held back the most with queasy H.C.’s, timid D.C.’s, and an O.C. that spoon fed franchise QB’s. Year after year, it would be a tough bet by even the best sportsbooks that Miami would even have one competent coach.
I remember Tom Olivadotti and how his coaching killed Miami every year by screwing up just one phase of the game. His ineptitude dragged down the whole team which was led by the greats of Marino and Shula. That’s why it must been 3 out of 3. And despite the Meatloaf song, 2 out of 3 will be bad.
But, Fin Fans if we get that magic 3 out of 3, whether it’s post season or not, we will have our expectations met. Go Fins!!!
WOW!!!! Jones must have read Lemmus’ and my posts. LOL 🙂
BREAKING NEWS: Jones will report to Miami mini camp today (Wednesday). Now that is more good news for this team/coaches/players. The arrow is quietly pointing up for this team. A “Good” season may well be in the near future for the new Miami Dolphins 🙂 🙂 🙂
As long as Miami is competitive in all games and they look as though they have a game plan, that to me is a big start for this staff. This team has received nothing but good news the entire 2016 off season, until Jones’ bad choice.
I personally like Miami’s chances to have a decent year. Each year we win the off-season championship, only to fail during the regular season. Until last year, this team was in the playoff hunt until the end of the season. In 2013 all this team had to do is win 1 of the last 2 games to get in the playoffs, but coaching failed this team and organization. 2014, all this team had to do is win 2 of the last 4 to get in, NOT, lost 3 of last 4, again to me it came down to coaching, and again that staff failed this team and organization. Yet, we kept them and went into 2015 as a dissaster waiting to happen = it happened.
Like Cookie said, for me also, it comes down to coaching. I feel that there is enough talent on this team to get to or at least be fighting for a playoff berth in weeks 16-17, and if that happens and we fall short and there was progress, that would be a good season. Then again, the last 3 games are division foes, and this staff was brought in to beat their division opponents. I won’t say “only a playoff berth is a good season”, only due to a first year staff and FO, a one year pass, but they can’t tank and have another 6 or less win season.
We’ve really had some terrible coaching over the years, and especially some lousy play calling. How many times in the last ten years have you turned to a fellow Fin Fan and said WTF was that call? That’s been my beef. A good team, to me, is one that is always in the game until the last minute. Our coaches are responsible for keeping the team’s head there those entire 60 minutes. We suffered some horrendous frustrating blowouts, mostly due – as far as I’m concerned – from inept coaching. Hopefully Gase and his crew are the answer. He seems like an intelligent guy that understands the game. Every year we Fin Fans get our hopes up, especially the ones that remember the glory years, and every year our hearts are torn to shreds. The tough schedule ahead will be the barometer for future years. And the coaching will be the key to future success . . . or continued humiliation. Go Fins.
Yeah, Cookie I agree. We were something under Shula. He was a great coach, one of the all time greatest, that was hot and cold as a GM that was too loyal to a couple of bad coaches that sunk his twilight – but he was so good that he compensated for his two failings. If we can get all three phases this time (H.C., G.M., and under coaches) we could go back to the heights of the 70’s (minus the Perfect Season) and that’s what its all about. If these leaders are for real, then it will be a good season even if we don’t have PO’s. Jones’ hold-out is really putting undue stress on this new regime and if they overcome all these early hurdles, then I think we are on our way!!!! Go Fins, Cookie!!!
We all need to Bow Down to Lemmus on another great move. First he pulls off the Tunsil pick, now he gets to Jones. That is how its done. Ha Ha Ha
WOW!!!! Jones must have read Lemmus’ and my posts. LOL 🙂
BREAKING NEWS: Jones will report to Miami mini camp today (Wednesday). Now that is more good news for this team/coaches/players. The arrow is quietly pointing up for this team. A “Good” season may well be in the near future for the new Miami Dolphins 🙂 🙂 🙂
As long as Miami is competitive in all games and they look as though they have a game plan, that to me is a big start for this staff. This team has received nothing but good news the entire 2016 off season, until Jones’ bad choice.
I personally like Miami’s chances to have a decent year. Each year we win the off-season championship, only to fail during the regular season. Until last year, this team was in the playoff hunt until the end of the season. In 2013 all this team had to do is win 1 of the last 2 games to get in the playoffs, but coaching failed this team and organization. 2014, all this team had to do is win 2 of the last 4 to get in, NOT, lost 3 of last 4, again to me it came down to coaching, and again that staff failed this team and organization. Yet, we kept them and went into 2015 as a dissaster waiting to happen = it happened.
Like Cookie said, for me also, it comes down to coaching. I feel that there is enough talent on this team to get to or at least be fighting for a playoff berth in weeks 16-17, and if that happens and we fall short and there was progress, that would be a good season. Then again, the last 3 games are division foes, and this staff was brought in to beat their division opponents. I won’t say “only a playoff berth is a good season”, only due to a first year staff and FO, a one year pass, but they can’t tank and have another 6 or less win season.
We’ve really had some terrible coaching over the years, and especially some lousy play calling. How many times in the last ten years have you turned to a fellow Fin Fan and said WTF was that call? That’s been my beef.
A good team, to me, is one that is always in the game until the last minute. Our coaches are responsible for keeping the team’s head there those entire 60 minutes. We suffered some horrendous frustrating blowouts, mostly due – as far as I’m concerned – from inept coaching. Hopefully Gase and his crew are the answer. He seems like an intelligent guy that understands the game. Every year we Fin Fans get our hopes up, especially the ones that remember the glory years, and every year our hearts are torn to shreds.
The tough schedule ahead will be the barometer for future years. And the coaching will be the key to future success . . . or continued humiliation. Go Fins.
Yeah, Cookie I agree. We were something under Shula. He was a great coach, one of the all time greatest, that was hot and cold as a GM that was too loyal to a couple of bad coaches that sunk his twilight – but he was so good that he compensated for his two failings. If we can get all three phases this time (H.C., G.M., and under coaches) we could go back to the heights of the 70’s (minus the Perfect Season) and that’s what its all about. If these leaders are for real, then it will be a good season even if we don’t have PO’s. Jones’ hold-out is really putting undue stress on this new regime and if they overcome all these early hurdles, then I think we are on our way!!!! Go Fins, Cookie!!!