Sparano was a good guy, and Saban a punk, both failed after a successful first season.
Saban had zero social skills, Sparano lost his QB after 1 season.
Even the dastardly Nick Saban went 9-7, only to subsequently fold like a cheap lawn-chair. Tony Sparano was a good guy who was loved by his players; he went 11-5 and made the playoffs, but he too sunk like a stone after his first season.
Saban covered up his multitude of failings as a human and coach with a decent start. Sparano covered up the fact there wasn’t a quality, long term solution at QB in Miami with a fragile Chad Pennington.
In both cases, the Dolphins seemed to be on the rise. Yet, in the end, both regimes turned out to be a failure.
So, here we are again, Adam Gase has Miami at 9-5 with a good inaugural season for a rookie Head Coach. He could end up 9-7, 10-6, even 11-5, but does that mean doodly-squat for the future? It didn’t for either Sparano or Saban.
Saban and Sparano had long term problems that were covered up by early success.
First, no one can see the future — I’ll refrain from throwing out a wife joke at this juncture, mostly because she can read minds and will know I dun’ wrong.
But, beyond prognostication, we can see that the two main anchors that held Sparano and Saban back are in no shape attached to Gase.
That’s a very good sign, because being able to deal with adults and having a quality QB is essential to success in the NFL as any pay per head expert in football gambling knows.
And here’s the great news, Gase and the Dolphins have both in spades.
Gase is loved by his team like Sparano. The team fights like heck for him and even celebrates with him. Did you see that high-five between Stills and Gase?
And, as we saw last week, Gase is in possession of two quality QB’s. Now, neither QB’s are Dan Marino, but 95% of the franchises in the NFL would sell their souls to have what Miami has in talent and depth.
Saban had no character and Sparano no QB.
Tannehill has been spared a devastating knee injury and will be back on time next year, and Matt Moore is signed through 2017.
Add cap space, young talent and a pretty good staff, and if I could see the future (like my wife) — sorry baby, I’d see that Miami is in the best situation it’s been in in ages.
Now, it might not ever mean a Super Bowl — even the great Don Shula struggled to win one after the 70’s. But, Miami will compete, and that’s all you can ask of anyone. But, in my think big mindset, here’s to hoping we go 11-5 and win the Super Bowl in 2016! Go Fins!!!