It's tough being a Dolphins fan these days.
The team is winless.
The team's home field no longer offers advantage.
Players say they are monsters but play like pussy cats. Others challenge reporters to strap on pads during interviews but cannot make tackles when they count. Others are upset they are being asked to "Suck for Luck," when, in fact, no one is asking them to do anything other be themselves -- which should take care of things just fine.
And, of course, a coaching staff about to be replaced inside of two months so far has no answers for turning the thing around.
But there is hope. No, we're not back talking about Suck for Luck. If you listen to coach Tony Sparano there is a bright side to these dark days. Sparano was asked Thursday what fans -- you folks -- can dig your fingernails into and hold on to as hope.
His answer:
"Well, the only thing I can say in that situation is the team is playing hard. These guys are playing hard and they practice hard. If you want hope, I mean, they’re playing hard, they’re practicing hard, there’s improvement in different areas, there really is.
"I can point to three phases in the special teams game right now that has improved tremendously. Now the phase that we’re not quite where we want to be right now, we’re not anywhere where we want to be right now, is in the kickoff return phase. We have to be better in that because that’s going to help us finish drives better offensively. Just field position, we’re not very good in that phase right at this particular time. We got to do a better job there. But that, the defense from a run standpoint right now has gotten themselves a little bit better. We’re starting to play better there.
"Offensively we’re running the ball better and doing some different things. You’re getting bigger plays, you’re getting chunk plays. That’s all I’ve heard from three years here is trying to get the ball down field. We’re one of the top teams in the league in getting the ball down the field right now. I’d be encouraged about those things. I’d be encouraged about the players that are out there playing right now, the (Charles) Clays, the (Daniel) Thomas’, the (Mike) Pounceys, the Jimmy Wilsons. You know, the list is long, talking about a lot of young, Reshad Jones. I mean these guys are all young players right now. For me, I think those things are all really positive.
"And I think the more those guys play, the better this football teams going to get. This team is just going to continue to get better and that’s what I really believe in my heart that this thing is going to turn. I know the attitude of the people in that locker room. I’ve coached four teams here now and I love this team. I just, for whatever reason, I don’t know what it is, they just come to work every day and they go to work. I don’t know if that gives them optimism. When you’re 0-5 I understand that there’s not a lot of it but in that locker room these guys come in here and they are trying to win every single game that we play."
There.
Did that work? Feeling more hopeful, Dolphins fans?
I'm glad we improved 3 aspects of our special teams.
Geez, I'm going to throw up .
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | October 21, 2011 at 09:28 AM
When you hear players peg conditioning and a lack of focus in practice and film sessions as the reasons for your team losing, you have a serious problem.
If your players question their own conditioning and preparation going into a game, then you have failed as a coach.
You have lost the game before it's begun.
Doubt & fatigue will slow you down and kick your arse everytime. We need a coach that won't allow either of those things to be a factor.
Posted by: Blog Fodder | October 21, 2011 at 09:28 AM
Sparano, you must take off those real dark glasses you always wear. They don't help you see the reality around you. The sooner you take them off the sooner you will realize the future you have with this team and why we fans are so disappointed in you and your team.
Posted by: Asogue | October 21, 2011 at 09:31 AM
We need Andrew Luck hands down. Sparano isn't that bad of a coach. did we forget he took us from a 1-15 team to winning the division the next year. what we need to do is get rid of all these overrated veterans. Jason Taylor should have retired the first time he left the team. We have given Henne a lot of chances to be good but he is too inconsistent. we have the weapons we just need the quarterback aka LUCK. a little better defensive play as well and we will be back at the top of our division.
Posted by: BIG BOY | October 21, 2011 at 09:51 AM
Reshad Jones, an improved player?
He's the worst tackler this side of Sean Smith. In fact, he's been tackling hot air for 6 weeks now (his missed tackle on the Holmes TD was almost funny).
But the worst part of it is that Clemons is not better than him: perhaps a better tackler but he always finds a way to be at least 5 feet away from the ball...
Posted by: Please Gibril come back | October 21, 2011 at 10:01 AM
We need a QB
Posted by: finfaneurope | October 21, 2011 at 10:09 AM
DC Dolfan..the fans who don't think we need a franchise QB aren't old enough to remember how Marino gave us a chance to win every game.
Then again, we did seem to get knocked out of the playoffs every year by the Bills. I found those years as frustrating as I do these losing years.
Posted by: Steve | October 21, 2011 at 10:12 AM
Ross is going to be interviewed on CNBC right now.
Posted by: DevilsAdvocate | October 21, 2011 at 10:12 AM
DC, did'nt you hear? We got a QB, Sage is back. They just need to fatten him up a little, get him some reps..we realy love that guy..he has allready shown lots of promise.
Posted by: finfaneurope | October 21, 2011 at 10:17 AM
Sparano told Ireland that he didn't want to draft a QB. Instead,he put all of his 'eggs' in the Henne basket and didn't want to have any competition at that position.(thus cutting Thigpen and Brandstater) There is a good QB on the practice team that they could bring into the game but Sparano says 'NO'. Sparano does NOT want to improve this team. Mr. Ross needs to CLEAN HOUSE! These 'Dallas Rejects' have RUINED this team.
Posted by: Ray | October 21, 2011 at 10:19 AM
Anybody ever watch Charlie Brown, I can't rememeber the character name but this is how I hear Tony Sparano.
Whhoommp wooooommp woooomp wwhooommp whatwoomppp wooomp.
Tony your outta here!
Posted by: Spiderman | October 21, 2011 at 10:20 AM
I foresee the stadium that bore my name. It is empty with the exception of a group of pretenders in familiar uniforms. I see a man clapping and fist-pumping on the sidelines, but the seats are unfilled and all I hear are crickets chirping.
Sincerely and respectfully,
Joe Robbie's corpse
P.S. I find it difficult to read some of the comments on this blog due to the use of extremely poor grammar and spelling.
Posted by: Joe Robbie's corpse | October 21, 2011 at 10:21 AM
Justin Credible that people feel the need to display their opinions in the form of ALL CAPS. Get a grip and not on the SHIFT key. Press that CAPS LOCK one more time bro and I may feel more inclined to read what insignificant opinion is.
JUSTIN CREDIBLE.....FAIL
Posted by: Tee | October 21, 2011 at 10:22 AM
Did anybody watch Nick Foles play last night? Did he look any good?
Posted by: DKM | October 21, 2011 at 10:23 AM
No
Posted by: owl1958 | October 21, 2011 at 10:25 AM
Funny europe. Though I have a soft spot for Sage, I remember that one game he came in after, oh, I can't remember, I think Ferotte got hurt, and lit it up. Of course, next game he was horrible and we lost bad. But that one quarter or 2, he was lights out.
But if we need to rely on a guy who's coming off a blood disease, then we don't even know the depths of trouble we're in.
Poor Tony, really. The guy can't catch a break. You guys see that Moore hit Monday, almost looked like he was gonna be knocked out of the game? If Miami didn't have bad luck, we wouldn't have any luck at all.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | October 21, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Anyone else remember the Sage Rosenfels experience? Where you could hire him to come to your office party or kids birthday party?
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | October 21, 2011 at 10:36 AM
How about they quit playing so hard and start playing better? They might be running through walls for you Tony, but perhaps it's more effecient to run around them? Might try that.
Posted by: Bill Hozie | October 21, 2011 at 10:36 AM
Everybody here is a stupid moron except for me and Mando.
Posted by: D;LKJA | October 21, 2011 at 10:37 AM
Andrew Luck = Jeff George
Posted by: D;LKJA | October 21, 2011 at 10:38 AM
Moore will get pummeled at some point, probably won't make it out of the Giants game.
I think they should have both Sage & Devlin on the sidelines for that one.
Posted by: Blog Fodder | October 21, 2011 at 10:42 AM
Sparano is a nice guy but did he really graduate from college?
Posted by: Captain Obvious | October 21, 2011 at 10:48 AM
Gibril would let guys run through him...With Jones he is usually so far out of position that he is unable to even make a play.
Posted by: Captain Obvious | October 21, 2011 at 10:50 AM
DC
MARK IN TORONTO
BOTH ON FIRE TODAY
Posted by: ALoco | October 21, 2011 at 10:55 AM
The next time Marshall drops a TD pass he should be benched!
Posted by: Ray | October 21, 2011 at 11:04 AM
Tony no longer has any credibility. Dead man walking!
Posted by: Dead Fish | October 21, 2011 at 11:09 AM
SHRIMP MAC AND CHEESE S MY LUNCH WITH FISH AND CHIPS W/ONION RINGS .
Posted by: ALoco | October 21, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Sparano's swan song Sunday.. S-S-S-S!
Posted by: Ray | October 21, 2011 at 11:18 AM
RAY,,, DO YOU MEAN SPARAno the HC OR HIS SON JR THE QUALITY COACH ?
Posted by: ALoco | October 21, 2011 at 11:20 AM
The man has the IQ of a goldfish.
Posted by: Art | October 21, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Of course, I don;t know coach Sparano personally but there seems to be more than a few people saying he is a good man so I’ll buy it. Even if he wasn’t, I hate to see anyone have their job/career in jeopardy unless they’ve done something evil/illegal. Ditto for the staff and everyone else involved. And if this were his 1st or 2nd season, I’d agree that these are reasons for hope. But he and his staff have been here too long to be looking at special teams and rookies as reasons for hope. It’s like the presidential candidates keep asking…”Are you better off now than you were four years ago?”
Posted by: JAM | October 21, 2011 at 11:30 AM
ALoco, BOTH!
Posted by: Ray | October 21, 2011 at 11:51 AM
"Now the phase that we’re not quite where we want to be right now, we’re not anywhere where we want to be right now, is in the kickoff return phase. We have to be better in that because that’s going to help us finish drives better offensively. Just field position, we’re not very good in that phase right at this particular time. We got to do a better job there..."
Here's some free advise Sporano...if you have Gates take a knee when he catches a kickoff in the back of the endzone, I guarantee you will improve your starting field position by at least 10 yds. The new kickoff rule sucks,but it pretty much gives you a 20 yd line 'gimme'and you can't even get that right.It boggles my mind that you, the head coach, let this continue to happen EVERY FRICKIN GAME... YOU MORON! NFL average starting field position: 20 yd line - Miami Dolphins average starting field position: 10 yd line.
Posted by: Kiick '72 | October 21, 2011 at 11:54 AM
I think Cowher and Ditka and even ryan are @holes, but they get the job done.
Posted by: Ray | October 21, 2011 at 12:01 PM
Oops! I had a comment pulled. Sorry.
Posted by: Ray | October 21, 2011 at 12:05 PM
WHY EVERY TIME WE GET INSIDE THE 15 AND HAVE THE CHANCE TO PUT TEAMS AWAY FOR GOOD,INSTEAD OF A TD WE GET AN INT FOR A 100 YRD. Or EVERY TIME WE PIN A TEAM AT THE ONE AND HAVE A CHANCE FOR A SAFETY ON 3TH DOWN ,THEY MAKE A 1ST DOWN OR RUN FOR 100 YDS FOR A TD...? IN THE LAST 10 YEARS I HAVE SEEN THAT A MILLION TIMES. THAT'S OUR LUCK...
Posted by: first down | October 21, 2011 at 12:36 PM
Hey sjbytes, not to defend Saban, but it was the Dolphins Medical Staff that advised Saban of Brees'injury being more severe and more difficult to recover from than Culpeppers knee. He should of took that chance for sure though, because there has been enough talent on this team over the past 3 years to be a top AFC team if we only had the QB.
Posted by: MTPHINFAN | October 21, 2011 at 12:39 PM
So TS,enough about the players,how about the coaching staff?Punting on 4th and inches---taking a knee to run-out the clock when your team is trailing?WTF!?You coach like someone who wants to be fired.
Posted by: Finsfan Ralph | October 21, 2011 at 01:00 PM
"You suck Yeah!
Posted by: nyfinfan.
Leave Yeah alone nyfinfan.
He or she has a good premonition for our team next season.
We will be numero uno. Yeah Baby!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Dolgirl Crying | October 21, 2011 at 01:09 PM
Good bye Sparano, Ireland, Daboll.
Posted by: Ray | October 21, 2011 at 01:10 PM
If you all are going to cry at least cry about the #1 real problem.
Yes our pass defense sucks. Our run defense could be better but it is not bad. We are running the ball fairly well. We are moving the ball efficiently up and down the field. Our kicking units are decent.Our offensive line sucks in pass coverage, but good on run blocking. Chad H. was playing well if not great when he had time to throw.
So what is the #1 problem? BRANDON MARSHAL makes every catch you want a great pass catcher to make, but then drops the ball in the end zone or falls O.B. in what would have been an easy touchdown. It is time to bench B.M. in favor of our younger players. B.M. cost us some games this year, not just C.H. and not just the coach.
Put the blame where it really belongs.
There is plenty of blame to go around but if we had won some of those games that we could have won maybe the players would be playing with more passion.
Posted by: J Alan | October 21, 2011 at 01:17 PM
"We're one of the top teams in the league now in getting the ball down field right now".Hey Tony,punting is not considered part of the offense.
Posted by: old fan | October 21, 2011 at 01:54 PM
They need to catch passes. 3 or 4 dropped TD's is a joke! The DB's need to make interceptions. It seems no one on that team knows how to catch a football. I say fire the WR coach! Maybe some Pop Warner coach can teach this team some catching and tackling fundamentals.
Posted by: Dolphins Forever! | October 21, 2011 at 02:53 PM
This debate about what we need more between a Coach and a Quarterback is ridiculous.
WE NEED BOTH!!!!!!!
Posted by: Winston | October 21, 2011 at 03:22 PM
Sparano sucks....Mike leach or Cowher
Posted by: Pissed off | October 21, 2011 at 03:36 PM
I AM SORRY. HOW MANY OF YOU PEOPLE WRINTING REALY KNOW FOOTBALL. I ASK BECAUSE MARSHALL JUST 3YRS AGO WAS TOP FIVE WITH JAY CUTLER AND ORTON. BEING DC MAIN TREAT TO STOP WITH A RUNNING GM TO HELP HIN NN DENVER ALWAYS DOUBLE OR TRIPLE TEAM STILL MAKIN PLAYS. IT HARD TO BELIEVE IT POSSIBLE TO TAKE A STEP BACK IN TALENT FROM CUTLER & ORTON BUT HE DID COMMING TO PHINS. HOW IN THE WORLD DID HE GET A 1000 YDS LAST YR I DONT KNOE KNOW. HENNE SUCKS COACHING SUCKS YET HE STILL GIT REPECTIBLE NUMBERS. YES MARSHALL DROP SO PASS. HE HUMAN. BUT GIVE AND QB THAT CAN THROW SOME WHAT ACCURATE IN THE REDZONE MARSHALL TD NUMBERS WOULD GO UP. HE DESTROYED REVIS LAST WEEK. . OK DUMB PLAY GOING OUT BOUNCE OF 46YD BOMB AND HE SHOULD HAVE CUAGHT THE BAD PASS THAT WENT THRU IS HIS HANDS IN THE ENDZONE. TE PIC FOR A TD WAS NOT HIS FAULT NOR WAS BATTED DWN PASS BY REVIS WAS THROWN SO BAD IT GAVE REVIS THE CHANCE TO GET HIS HANDS IN THERE. PLUS THE REVIS INT FOR A TD SHOULD HAVE BEEN CALLED A ILL TOUCHING THE WR DWN FIELD OR PIT. WHAT I AM SAYING MARSHALL PLAY IS NOT THE REASON THE PHINS ARE LOSING.. PICKING OF MARSHALL IS LEAVING ROON COACHES AND GM TO IT ONLY ONE THING TAHT NEED TO CHANGE.
WHY?
GATES IS OUR RETURN MAN. SPEED DONT MEAN ONE CAN KR OR PR
MOORE RUNS A 4.41 & HE KR & PR IN COLLEGE ( COACHES ERROR)
MOORE KNOW OFFENSE BIG PLAY POTIENTAL ( COACH ERROR
# 55 CANNT PASSRUCH IF HIS LIFE DEPENDENTED ONIT COACHES ERROR
BETTER DLINE PLAYERS THAN LBS ON TEAM WHY NOT GO BACK TO 4-3 DEFENSE TO PROTECT WEAK LBS AND STOP DA RUN. COACHES ERROR
Posted by: JRBLAK | October 21, 2011 at 04:26 PM
Oy vey
Posted by: dgordon | October 21, 2011 at 04:56 PM
Sparano sucks....Mike leach or Cowher.
Posted by: Pissed off | October 21, 2011 at 05:43 PM
Sounds like a coach WHO has no ANSWERS to me!!!
Hope=Nope
Suck=Luck
Just Sayin
Posted by: superPHIN | October 21, 2011 at 05:51 PM
I think Henne was playing well enough to be a very good QB... but that's only IF the REST of the team didn't TANK it! Who saw Wake, Dansby, our (best) Corners (in the NFL), the entire O-line severely underperforming? And don't get me started on Marshall! OK... I've started... aside from his idiotic behavior... the guy can't catch a cold. He drops (at least) 1 "TD pass" PER GAME! Not "Pass"... "TD!" It's astounding! There's so much "I never saw THAT comin' " on this team, you don't know where to start. Everything effects everything else - making it impossible for the average fan to see what's the chicken and what's the egg! Go Buffalo! Certain things you expect... like, the GOOD parts of last year's team being at least a little bit better. But virtually EVERY thing was had going for us last year has underperformed this year. I think Sporano is not long for this town - but I don't know if you can tag THAT on him. Players gotta show up and make plays. And they AIN'T doin' that!
Posted by: CanadianFinsFan | October 21, 2011 at 05:57 PM
Same ole Sparano mumbo jumbo
Posted by: C63-AMG | October 21, 2011 at 06:59 PM
Hey Tony - you say you want to improve field position, here's a quick suggestion: How about you or one of your genius colleagues actually tell Clyde Gates to stop bringing the ball out from 8 yards deep on kickoff returns. Just a thought.
Posted by: Darrin | October 21, 2011 at 07:00 PM
SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS PRE SEASON HE FAILED TO MENTION THESE GUYS BUST THEIR BUTS BUT I CAN'T MANAGE THE GAME
Posted by: longtimefan70s | October 21, 2011 at 07:36 PM
"WHAT WE HAVE HERE... IS...A FAILURE... TO COMMUNICATE". Somebody is missing the whole point. We don't care how hard you guys try and work. We care about how many games you win.We don't appreciate anybody making us feel guilty because we don't realize how hard you are trying. We care about how many games you win. When you got into football as a player or as a coach, you went for the big bucks. You should have realized that the need to win games goes with the territory. "Winning is the ONLY thing". If you can't win games, you should not be in football. Simple as that. Don't try to make me feel guilty. You are wasting your time. Hope? For what? About what? You are selling a product which includes winning. People pay good money for that. It's not a matter of hope. It's a matter of winning games. Simple as that. Am I beeing an S O B? Yes, I am, but you should have known that we fans are not better. Winning is what we pay for. Can't pay a lot of money just to give you A for effort. Simple as that.
Posted by: xerxesblack | October 21, 2011 at 07:46 PM
Tebow is going to be HOT on sunday look for a big Denver win and watch the Monster drop more balls.
Posted by: blindref | October 21, 2011 at 08:23 PM
worried we may win sunday..lmfao
Posted by: pmeadows | October 21, 2011 at 08:44 PM
Which of the 3 improved ST phases is successful FG conversion? Missed and blocked FGs haven't hurt us at all this year.
Posted by: Scott | October 22, 2011 at 01:47 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtoJDtU3UDs
It is what it is. Flush for Luck...
Posted by: bootris | October 22, 2011 at 02:10 AM
I don't want the Dolphins to lose on Sundays it just works out that way because they are not very good.The players are upset with the fans because of Suck For Luck well as fans we have nothing to believe in with this team they offer no hope. We went through this in 2007 and now 4 years later it is happening again.The only hope is to land a franshcise QB
in the draft and build around him. What bothers me about this team the most is they don't play smart which leads me to believe that the coach is not very smart it goes hand in hand. Get rid of the coach and GM and hire a proven HC then maybe the fans will belive again.
Posted by: robert | October 22, 2011 at 08:54 AM
DC Dolfan and Phinfan
I appreciate your responses, however I am not arguing that getting an upgrade at qb is not important...I am saying that Marino was a quirk. He came into the league and started what? Second season? And Shula, knowing what he had, changed the system to fit Dan. Finding a qb capable of that immediate success is partial genius and a good bit of luck. Andrew Luck is great, but no one knows if he can play in NFL...just like critics say Tebow is not that great.
I am a firm believer that the system must absorb the talent...but then the system must adapt to that talent. Miami's current system is not calling on individual player's strengths; it doesn't seem to have the ability to adapt. I argue that under the current group, success is based on the system alone, not the talent. IE: You get Bush, but seem to rarely throw to him. You bring Taylor back as rush specialist, but most of the time he drops back in coverage. If that makes sense?
Posted by: ajdczar | October 22, 2011 at 10:10 AM