I have a great amount of respect for Bernie Kosar. He was a star the minute he stepped on the practice field at the University of Miami as a reshirt freshman. He carried that stardom to a national title, a great NFL career, and a Super Bowl ring.
I also have respect for former Dolphins fullback and current Saints running back Heath Evans. He's smart and tough and he's got a Super Bowl ring as well.
So it's jarring that two guys who usually view the game through a similar prism disagree so vehemently on their opinions of new Dolphins offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
Kosar knows Daboll from the offensive coordinator's last few years in Cleveland. Kosar was commissioned by Browns owner Randy Lerner to study the Cleveland offense and identify that which was right and wrong with the unit. Kosar came away convinced Daboll was among the things that was right with that offense.
"I know I've gotten a bit of a reputation for disliking and criticizing the way some offensive coaches have been doing their jobs lately, but I can honestly tell you Brian Daboll is not among those guys I would criticize too much," Kosar said during his regular Friday morning segment on my radio show, Armando and the Amigo, on 640-Sports in South Florida.
"Brian is a guy who knows the game as well as anyone. You can sit down with him, as I have, and talk about offensive football and strategy and come away pretty impressed with his ideas and his approach ... Brian's work with Colt McCoy was one of the reasons he played better and better as a rookie."
Well, that's reassuring, especially coming from a former quarterback who played in Cleveland, Dallas and Miami. It gives hope that if Daboll was a big reason the game didn't seem to big for McCoy, perhaps he can help Chad Henne climb out from under his struggles of the past two years.
But later in the afternoon on Friday, Evans went on ESPN 760 in Palm Beach and shared an opinion of Daboll that was nearly the polar opposite of the one Kosar shared.
"The Dolphins probably just got worse," said Evans, who played in New England from 2005-2008 thus was there while Daboll was a receivers coach for Bill Belichick. "... When he was in New England, he was never a guy I considered the brains of the operation.
"Now, listen, obviously there's been a lot of growth from his stint with [Eric] Mangini. He probably learned a lot under [Mike] Holmgren over the last year he's been there with Clevleand. As soon as I saw it, I second-guessed the decision. A franchise that is really just struggling for success, why do you take an unproven commodity? ... I second-guess it ... In the coaching realm, I'm not sure that was the right decision for an offense that already lacks a lot of the things that it needs."
And so we are left hanging for now. We are left, I suppose, waiting to see Daboll do his work to measure what the Dolphins new offensive coordinator has to offer. At that point, we'll see whether Kosar or Evans are correct.
Drama Queen!
Posted by: markeyh | January 22, 2011 at 12:48 AM
Only the man upstairs knows if he will be the guy to lead the offense, the rest of us don't know crap about it. Bill
Posted by: Bill | January 22, 2011 at 12:56 AM
Ok, we've got another plug for your radio show along with a quote from an interview from that show. And, then we've got a quote from an interview on ESPN.
Have you just gotten lazy, Mando? Or, has this become the non-official "Armando and Amigo" blog? Do your bosses at The Herald know? Just asking...
Posted by: Tracy474 | January 22, 2011 at 12:58 AM
I will take the Kosar comments more to heart he was a great NFL and um player I respect his deal alot more than Evans
Posted by: qbclub13 | January 22, 2011 at 01:06 AM
Not saying Daboll is going to work out, but whose opinion should we trust here. A all time collegiate/nfl great or a marginal perennial role player?
Posted by: uhusofree | January 22, 2011 at 01:10 AM
I don't put much stock into what a back-up fb, who already has a grudge against the Fins because we cut his butt six years ago, has to say.
Evans was even lucky to be involved in the offensive meetings.
Posted by: Eric | January 22, 2011 at 01:13 AM
I always liked Heath Evans
Posted by: Marc | January 22, 2011 at 01:26 AM
To quote a crap HC. "you are what your record days"
Posted by: popncaps551 | January 22, 2011 at 01:37 AM
T
Posted by: popncaps551 | January 22, 2011 at 01:37 AM
Record says
Posted by: popncaps551 | January 22, 2011 at 01:38 AM
You are
Posted by: popncaps551 | January 22, 2011 at 01:39 AM
The guy sucks. There's no need to sugarcoat it.
Posted by: mrmikejohnson | January 22, 2011 at 01:54 AM
Yep, some want to dream that Daboll will work magic...it ain't happening people
Posted by: cowkilla | January 22, 2011 at 01:55 AM
Well I'm a life long dolphin fan and I will support them until the end. I think we will be much improved next season. We have a lot of people that will be coaching and playing for their jobs
Posted by: qbclub13 | January 22, 2011 at 01:56 AM
The whole FO will be fired after next year..mark it down boys and girls. I'm not being Mr. Negative either...I'm being realistic folks....
Posted by: cowkilla | January 22, 2011 at 01:57 AM
Club...That isn't going to change the way we play, we need playmakers man, until that happens we will be the same. Too many holes to fill at this point for you to even think we will be good next year man.
Posted by: cowkilla | January 22, 2011 at 01:58 AM
Will I watch...yes because the fins have been and always will be my team...but get real people that think we will be good next year..
Posted by: cowkilla | January 22, 2011 at 01:59 AM
Cow I should have stated I fell we will be improved and that does not mean we we will be good. We were the worst offense that I have seen from this team and I was born in 1974 s
Posted by: qbclub13 | January 22, 2011 at 02:17 AM
did you ask heath evans what it felt like to lose to a 7-9 team in the playoffs? maybe that's what he should be concerned with, not a team he played for 7 years ago. f him.
Posted by: finsup | January 22, 2011 at 02:18 AM
Well said finsup, well said
Posted by: dishpan | January 22, 2011 at 02:21 AM
Evans has clearly taken one too many hits to the head--ineloquent fuc ker
Posted by: dishpan | January 22, 2011 at 02:22 AM
Well said finsup
Posted by: qbclub13 | January 22, 2011 at 02:23 AM
I got you Club, true that. And finsup ...well said
Posted by: cowkilla | January 22, 2011 at 03:06 AM
Does anyone know if Daboll is coaching the QB's too?
Posted by: cowkilla | January 22, 2011 at 03:07 AM
Club, I'm '76 so you have me by two years
Posted by: cowkilla | January 22, 2011 at 03:08 AM
If we get a good qb we'll be good, if we don't we won't!
Posted by: Trev | January 22, 2011 at 03:10 AM
Heath Evans? Really?
On the one hand, Kosar likes him. Pennington loves him. Sparano and Ireland hired him.
On the other hand, we have Heath Evans.
In other news, the number of Armando articles I've read with no falsehoods (resets to 0 every time he makes something up) is now up to 1, as I'm giving him a pass on saying Evans is a running back (he's not, still a fullback). Are you thinking about making the move into non-fiction?
Posted by: Matt | January 22, 2011 at 03:29 AM
Evans or Kosar, Evans or Kosar, Evans or Kosar? Kosar!!!! Evans can Go Suck My Magic Stick!!!!!!!!
Posted by: killerdolphin | January 22, 2011 at 03:42 AM
Like from the bottom to the top!!!
LOL!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: killerdolphin | January 22, 2011 at 03:43 AM
Lick lol
Posted by: killerdolphin | January 22, 2011 at 03:44 AM
Oh well you get it lol!!!!!!
Posted by: killerdolphin | January 22, 2011 at 03:45 AM
At least Salguero FINALLY fixed his ridiculous errors in the previous blog.
As for this stuff, agreed with others. There isn't a coach on Earth with a magic wand and it doesn't matter if their name is Daboll or freakin' Vince Lombardi.
You win with players. Period. The actual "strategy" stuff is about 10% (if that) of the equation. No scheme overcomes a talent deficiency.
If Miami solves the problem at QB, Daboll will look great. If not, he'll be quickly forgotten just like 100 other guys who didn't have enough talent on the field to make their "schemes" work.
There is NO other way to get it done. You find me even ONE team that won a title without either (a) a great quarterback or (b) a totally dominant defense that controlled the game and I'll buy you dinner at the most expensive restaurant in America.
The whole "coordinator" debate is virtually meaningless, as is BOTH Kosar's and Evans' comments.
Posted by: Abraham Lincoln | January 22, 2011 at 04:00 AM
?!?
Posted by: killerdolphin | January 22, 2011 at 04:12 AM
Gaints won with Who @ QB in the 90's
Ravens Won with who @ QB
Washington Won with Who in the late 80's and early 90's Hmm who were those Great QB's hmmm oh yeah it was Gret coaching duh!!!!!
Posted by: killerdolphin | January 22, 2011 at 04:18 AM
ABE didn't you get SHOOT!!!!!!! LOL
Posted by: killerdolphin | January 22, 2011 at 04:20 AM
Just having fun playing devil's advocate I agree with you for the most part ABE
Posted by: killerdolphin | January 22, 2011 at 04:22 AM
Another Cleveland source.
There was recently a quote from an ex Cleveland coach now radio commentator who stated that Daboll was one of the worse coaches ever in Cleveland and was qualified to maybe coach in high school and not even as a head coach.
Armando, you should look it up. This is another source that has followed the Browns as his assignment for the past 2 years.
The tri-dummies have been pretty clueless so far. Therefor, I tend to believe Daboll is a mistake. From quoting one of the tri-dummies, "you are only as good as your record".
Posted by: Shula knows | January 22, 2011 at 04:33 AM
Didn't Washington use a slouch named Doug Williams to win a SB??
Posted by: cowkilla | January 22, 2011 at 04:42 AM
still searching
Posted by: diogenes | January 22, 2011 at 04:43 AM
Mando, what Shula said...see if you can dig up anything on that story...would be a nice piece to write about..
Posted by: cowkilla | January 22, 2011 at 04:45 AM
If we had a good offensive line this team probably would have been 10-6. My reasoning is it would have made a difference in the Pitt, Lions and Browns game. True, we need a QB but this team can be good just by improving the OL and great with a good QB.
Posted by: Ripp | January 22, 2011 at 04:55 AM
Sorry, I put more stock in Kosars opinion as well as Chad Pennington over a player that Miami got rid of besides Daboll was just a recievers coach when Evans was at New England!!
Posted by: dollabill | January 22, 2011 at 05:39 AM
Kosar >>>> Evans
Posted by: Sclazo | January 22, 2011 at 06:43 AM
The worst part about this entry is that all the goofballs from both sides are going to use it a proof of their position. Either it will be doom, and gloom from the crowd that wants to trash the team, from the owner, to the ball boys every two years, or it will be bubble headed rah rah crap from the crowd that can't ever see any move the team makes as a mistake.
Those of us who fall somewhere in the middle are going to have a hard time finding some common sense here in the comments.
Posted by: Tree2691 | January 22, 2011 at 06:46 AM
another idiotic move by TS! Kosar needs to pay his bills!
Posted by: el coach | January 22, 2011 at 07:02 AM
Let's face it. The coaches that have left New England have failed in about every attempt. The personnel people that have left have flourished. That's all you need to know right there.
Posted by: turd ferguson | January 22, 2011 at 07:07 AM
Heath Evans Mando...really? Mando I wouldn't be plugging your boys over at the TMZ of sports too often most true sports fans do not at all respect them. Matter of fact you should probably get a job over at the espn you would fit right in...oh wait mike and mike already have a radio show I guess your out of luck. Mando instead of writing a blog just sent the link to your radio show and call it a day. Heath Evans for christ sake so glad that the differing opinions came from the same football pedigree. Great journalism once again Mando but hey at least its better then your last blog about ET.
Posted by: mike | January 22, 2011 at 07:20 AM
ALL THIS NEGATIVE TALK ON ROSS IS STUPID...I WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE A OWNER LIKE THE CARDINALS DO..BIDWELL I THINK IS HIS NAME..THIS GUY DOESN;T GIVE A RAT'S A@# WHAT THE FANS WANT...ROSS LISTENS TOO THE FANS AND IF WHAT HE DOES LIKE KEEPING MORANO DOESN'T WORK THEN HE WILL GET RID OF HIS A@#.ID HENNE DOESN'T IMPROVE THAN HE'LL GET RID OF HIS A@@3..IF Daboll DOEN'T DO A GOOD JOB THAN HE'S GONE WITH MORANO AND ON TO THE NEXT COACH..GOTTA LOVE STEPHEN ROSS..AS A TRUE DOLPHIN FAN...
Posted by: BLACKCEROTE | January 22, 2011 at 07:33 AM
HEATH EVANS IS STILL MAD AT THE DOLPHINS FOR CUTTING HIM,,,REMEMBER WHEN HE RUSHED FOR 129YARDS VS. THE FINS WITH THE PATS...YOU GOT YOUR SUPERBOWL RING HEATH..NOW GO RETIRE AND SHUTUP ..TRYING TO BRING BAD VIBES TO THE FINS..
Posted by: BLACKCEROTE | January 22, 2011 at 07:37 AM
this year sparano can blame henning;next year he can blame daboll. either way the front office is gonna be gone after next year.
Posted by: greg z. | January 22, 2011 at 07:42 AM
i'd take kosar's opinion over evans any day of the week!
Posted by: bryan in ohio | January 22, 2011 at 07:48 AM
Different people have differing opinions. They all can say what they want. Bottom line is, that the offseason has been more of a disaster than the regular season. This franchise is a joke. They have a joke for a coach, a joke for a GM and now a joke of an OC. I can't take it anymore. Any coach worth his"salt" would have quit after what Ross pulled on Sparano. Joke, joke, joke!! Good thing is that we should have a shot at the Stanford kid after the 3-13 season we are about to endure.
Posted by: jrljr2 | January 22, 2011 at 07:51 AM
Really a fullback? They're a dime a dozen. What a joke! Go ask Mike Alstot Mando. He was a good fullback and has credibility.
Posted by: Dbmfins | January 22, 2011 at 07:55 AM
Why didnt Cleveland keep Daboll if he's such a hot comodity ?
Posted by: WileyDolphin | January 22, 2011 at 08:05 AM
i really think sparano would feel threatened with job security if he hired a coordinator like billick,mangini,childress or any other former nfl coach. this is on the job, "learn as you go" for ireland/sparano. won't last more than 1 season;its inevitable. in the nfl the pretenders are found out. it became very evident when opposing players voiced their contentions that our offense was easy to defend. even with that,sparano was clueless.
Posted by: greg z. | January 22, 2011 at 08:06 AM
I think they recognize what their main needs are on O, o-line, TE, speed at WR and RB, and upgrade in QB play, whether Henne improves or a vet beats him out. In that order and the Fins will win a couple of more games and become a playoff team. With the young and talented defense they have it will make them dangerous in the playoffs..... What they actually do in FA and the draft will tell us if they are competent!
Posted by: CanesRUs | January 22, 2011 at 08:14 AM
So with all the NFL insiders, players and experts out there, We're going with Heath Evans as the counterpoint to a Kosar opinion??
Great insight ....
Posted by: gcon72 | January 22, 2011 at 08:25 AM
heath eVANS WAS CUT BY THE DOLPHINS EARLY AND HE DOESN'T ANY THING ABOUT COACHING .SORRY BUT I PASS ON THIS ONE .
Posted by: ALoco | January 22, 2011 at 08:26 AM
you guys can keep beating this thing till it is senseless. We are gonna have to just wait and see. I remember some guy named Belichek that sorta sucked at his first turn or two in the barrel coaching Cleveland and the stinkin' Jets.
Posted by: FWE | January 22, 2011 at 08:30 AM
I love Kosar, but the facts are as follows:
- Mike Holgren knows Offense, and he got rid of him and said not so nice things.
- No young QB's were developed in NY under his guidance.
- Only Colt M played OK, and we really don't know how much was the OC or just Colt.
Posted by: Peter | January 22, 2011 at 08:37 AM