Like most assistant coaches on NFL staffs undergoing change, Dolphins special teams coach Darren Rizzi is trying to stay employed. Unlike many of his counterparts, he can present a solid, tangible case for keeping his job based on his unit's 2011 performance.
According to the annual study of the NFL's 32 special teams, done by Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News, the Dolphins staged the biggest one-season improvement on special teams from 2010 to 2011, vaulting from 24 a year ago all the way to second under Rizzi.
The Dolphins finished just behind the San Francisco 49'ers in the study that judges 22 elements of the kicking game -- with each element receiving votes from 1 to 32, with the lowest scoring unit accounting for the best score.
The Dolphins finished in the Top 10 in 14 categories and, like the 49ers, their kickers were a strength. Dan Carpenter was 13-of-16 in field goals from 40 yards and beyond and punter Brandon Fields had a net punting average of 41.1 yards.
Four division champions finished in the top 10 in special teams and one of them is headed for the Super Bowl. The AFC champion New England Patriots finished fifth this season in special teams, the New Orleans Saints eighth and the Denver Broncos 10. The NFC champion New York Giants finished 22nd in the kicking game.
Congratulations to Rizzi, Carpenter, Fields and the rest of the Miami special teams unit.
If Philbin gets the offense close to what GB's is then the only coverage special teams will have to worry about is kick-off. They won't be punting much or kicking FG's
Posted by: Turd Ferguson | January 27, 2012 at 05:22 AM
Sherman was, I believe, a very NEW teacher when he taught Philbin (I think in high school). So that is feasible.
As far as the staff goes, I think I like it. As far as I can tell and what I am reading, he is bringing in detail oriented, disciplined coaches. I don't know the full deal at Texas A&M, but their offense was good, ranked in the teens nationally. I also like the experience Sherman brings in. While most of the rest of the staff will be in expanded roles, Sherman has been there and done that. Aaron Rodgers just made another statement about the respect he has for Sherman. I'll tell you what; if Rodgers respects them, I respect them. Sherman not going to Tampa helped us a lot! I can imagine he and Philbin would have targeted some of the same guys for their staffs.
Posted by: TheOtherRick | January 27, 2012 at 05:45 AM
BRING BACK HENNE AND MOORE DRAFT AN O-LINE ONLY IF BLACKMON IS GONE
Posted by: JUSTIN CREDIBLE | January 27, 2012 at 05:46 AM
I stand corrected on a comment I made in an earlier post about teams not wanting to trade out of the top five.
Speilman said yesterday during Senior Bowl practice that the Vikings are "open for business."
I should have known, if there was anyone in that top five group who was going to look at the possibility of a trade, it would be Speilman.
Yep, should have seen that one coming but I didn't.
Posted by: Professor Lou | January 27, 2012 at 05:49 AM
The pieces are falling into place quite nicely for the FINS.....
NEW HC (with credibility)-CHECK
NEW OC (with credibility) CHECK
NEW DC (with credibility) to be determined)
Do you guys REMEMBER last years off season.....the one when Sporanus decide to play duck-duck goose with everyone's job....
You WERE the DB coach....NOW your the WR coach....
You WERE the DL coach....NOW your the QB coach....
you WERE the OL coach.....now your the LB coach....
and on and on and on.....ALMOST as if he was checking the block for other's resume's......but NOT doing what it takes to WIN in this league....
The result of that CHAOS....0-7.....then 6-10.......
Now we have a coach that understands how to utilize people for they're strengths....and not expose they're weakness to the rest of the NFL wolves.....
Soon to be coming.....new QB.......
Posted by: kris | January 27, 2012 at 05:55 AM
LOL @ Professor Lou.....funny post early in the morning.....
Posted by: kris | January 27, 2012 at 05:56 AM
Agree Kris.
Posted by: TheOtherRick | January 27, 2012 at 05:57 AM
...and I'm a cynic.
Posted by: Professor Lou | January 27, 2012 at 06:07 AM
SAW SOME OF THE DEBATE LAST NIGHT REPUBLICANS ARE DOWN RIGHT DISRESECTFUL TO OUR PRESIDENT.
THEY ALL SHOULD BE ASHAMED.
I DON'T WANT TO START AN ARGUMENT BUT REGARDLESS HOW YOU FEEL ONE WAY OR THE OTHER HE WAS ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE AND SHOULD BE GIVING THE RESPECT AS THE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD.
YOU CAN BLAME HIM OR BUSH FOR WHAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH AS A NATION BUT FACTS ARE THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT ANY OF YOU ANY MORE THAN THEY CARE ABOUT ANY BODY IN IRAQ.
HAS THERE EVER BEEN A PRESIDENT THAT WAS SHOT?
WHY ARE THEY ALL DEMS.
BECAUSE THE RICH ARE WHAT THEY ARE.
HEARTLESS COWARDS THAT NEVER DO ANYTHING RIGHT BUT PROTECT THIER MONEY.
THAT'S THE REASON THE KILLED THEMSELVES WHEN THE MARKET CRASHED.
Posted by: JUSTIN CREDIBLE | January 27, 2012 at 06:14 AM
HOW CAN YOU TELL THAT THE PERSON IN THE CAR COMING FROM BEHIND YOU IS A REPUBLICAN?
Posted by: JUSTIN CREDIBLE | January 27, 2012 at 06:15 AM
TURN YOUR BLINKER ON.
AND WATCH HIM SPEED UP.
Posted by: JUSTIN CREDIBLE | January 27, 2012 at 06:16 AM
OSCAR... THAT WAS FAKE ALoco @ 5;19 am ...
about luck ,he will be HAPPY WITH IND DRAFTING HIM.HE CAN'T DO BETTER ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Posted by: ALoco | January 27, 2012 at 07:18 AM
I went to URI and lived in the same dorm as Rizzi. Was always a really good guy. I personally would like to see him stay. The Special Teams rebound last year should be plenty of reason for them to keep him. This seems like a seasoned unit of coaches coming together. It could be a good group for Rizzi to learn from. It might do his career well to stay with them.
Posted by: JPAO | January 27, 2012 at 08:01 AM
JUSTIN INCREDIBLE...
Good post...and I agree with 99% of it...the only thing I would add is that DEMS and REPUPS are both RICH....and they are 2 sides of the same coin....
NEITHER GIVE A DAM ABOUT YOU OR I.....
Its all a show....its WWE....the good guys and the bad guys....Its all entertainment to make you THINK they are working for one side or the other....
THEY ALL have the same both.....
and it AINT YOU OR ME.....
Posted by: Kris | January 27, 2012 at 08:16 AM
Politics yuck!
Let's keep this blog about the Miami Dolphins. There are plenty of political blogs in MSNBC!
Posted by: DolphinsOnly | January 27, 2012 at 08:20 AM
DolphinsOnly.....
Thats probably good advice....my apologies....
Posted by: Kris | January 27, 2012 at 08:23 AM
Morning guys
Will we have a new OC today?
Kris,
I agree that this off season feels more legit than previous ones. Everyone might not agree with some of the people chosen, but I think they are doing it right this year.
Posted by: Ohio Dolfan | January 27, 2012 at 08:31 AM
Ohio,
your right....fans may not agree with the choices....but its hard to argue against the process....
It seems very methodical and deliberate...
It almost feel like an NFL qualified FO going about its buisness....
Posted by: Kris | January 27, 2012 at 08:40 AM
9/11 hit the nail on the head. It's time to stop the maddening cycle of ignoring the most important position on the team. If you are happy looking for a FRANCHISE QB, like a needle in a haystack, in the later rounds I pity you. If you think the ritual of bargain shopping, searching for "acorns", and signing other teams' trash is the way to go, you can hit the door with Ireland. It hasn't worked in over a decade. It's time to get serious and do what it takes to get back to winning...period. You have to do what it takes to get the coveted QB first, livd with the cost, and fill all the other holes later. It hasn't worked any other way!
Posted by: dmooreiii | January 27, 2012 at 08:42 AM
I know there is a long way to go.....but this just feels like a situation like the Saints or Packers when they revamped their staff and went in new directions.
I have to give you props Kris for pretty much standing alone on this point during the Fisher hunt
Posted by: Ohio Dolfan | January 27, 2012 at 08:45 AM
I PREDICTED THAT PHILBIN WILL BE HIRED WHEN EVERY ONE WAS TALIKG THE FISHER CRAP ............
THAT WAS CHEAP......
Posted by: ALoco | January 27, 2012 at 08:51 AM
Thanks Ohio....but there is still plenty of time for me to eat crow...lol....
but if anybody is hoping for that....then they are rooting for failure...and why would any fan want our organization to fail....
I even tho I would have fet Fisher was the wrong choice....I would have gotten behind him...I am just glad it never came to that...
I REALLY did not want him to be our HC....and I am pleased with the way we are moving forward...
Posted by: Kris | January 27, 2012 at 08:52 AM
fet=felt
Posted by: Kris | January 27, 2012 at 08:53 AM
Aloco...you were on the Philbin bus as well...
and NCW made a great case for Philbin....I believe he was among the first to start talking him up....
Posted by: Kris | January 27, 2012 at 08:55 AM
Morning one and all.
Do you guys ever talk to vets? If so, have them describe their first tour of duty. Their emotions, the wonder, excitement/fear. Then ask (if applicable) their later tours (2nd/3rd), and how they felt differently (through experience).
That's me, I'm a vet of new regimes. This is how you feel at the beginning of EVERY new regime. I'm not saying you're wrong to feel this way. All I'm saying is give them time to mess it up. History has proven sooner or later, they all do.
We can hope this is different, but that's still to be seen. Philbin may be legit, his staff may be, but there's still Ireland and the rest of the organization that's there, and in four years they've proven to be abject failures.
So, my feeling is, TBD!!!
Posted by: DC Dolfan | January 27, 2012 at 09:06 AM
The most important piece of this puzzle is who our QB will be. That's the single biggest factor that will determine how successful Philbin is with this team (just like all the other HC's).
Hopefully he won't tie himself to another Chad Henne. I'll be watching.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | January 27, 2012 at 09:09 AM
Aloco,
No hard feelings man. I know there were others that didn't want Fisher, but Kris was just the loudest so I guess that's why I remembered him pushing hard for someone else. :)
DC is right though, all of the hard work getting coaches is worthless without progress at the QB position.....Ireland's work has just begun
Posted by: Ohio Dolfan | January 27, 2012 at 09:17 AM
DC, it took them 4 years with henne to figure out he wasnt the one. philbin will be a big improvement over sparano. our problem is ireland who is a "wannabe" scout/talent eval.
Posted by: greg z. | January 27, 2012 at 09:22 AM
OHIO/KRIS......
THANKS ......WE STILL NOT OUT OF THE CELLAR YET BUT I PREDICT WE WILL GO DEEP IN THE PLAYOFFS SINCE THE PIZZA COACHES WILL BE GONE IN FEW DAYS AND THE HARD ,AND SMART WORK STARTS IN TRAINING CAMP.......... PHILBIN WILL PAN THE RAP MUSIC LIKE THE HC IN NY ,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Posted by: ALoco | January 27, 2012 at 09:25 AM
GREG Z......... OUR GARAGE MANGER WILL NOT BE THE ONE WHO CALLS THE SHOTS...PHILBIN IS ......PHILBIN WILL NOT ALLOW ANY ONE TO SABOTAGE HIS FIRST SHOT AS A HC LIKE NOLAN THE FRAUD IN SF .........
Posted by: ALoco | January 27, 2012 at 09:27 AM
IN THE LAST 2 YEARS WE WERE 4-14 @ HOME ...........
CELLAR NUMBERS................
Posted by: ALoco | January 27, 2012 at 09:28 AM
4-12
Posted by: ALoco | January 27, 2012 at 09:29 AM
DC...
With the staff the Phinbin is putting together....Ireland will be in watch and learn mode...
No longer he be subject to just one way of doing things (the parcells way)....
You used a military analogy....and I will give you another....
Think of Ireland as a young LT....and while in Dallas he was in training (WEST POINT)....
His Instructor was COL. Parcells....and he learned all he could from Parcells...staight A student....
Instructor Parcells leaves Wset Point...and likes this LT SO MUCH...he brings him along to his next assignment (MIAMI).....
While there....COL. Parcells continues to mentor Ireland...AND to ensure he will get no push back....he hires a yes man NCO....enter Sporanus...an inept SFC....Who isn't meant to challenge the way of thinking...but just GO ALONG with the same mindset....
NOW....enter PHILBIN...a seasoned VET...who has been there and done that...and while Ireland has been promoted (by keeping his job)....PHILBIN can show te youn Captain other avenues of appraoch....differnt ways to deal with problems...and other stratagies foe building a winning football team...
and Ireland can now have more thao ONE source of information to chose from...when he is making personnel decisions...
Posted by: Kris | January 27, 2012 at 09:33 AM
IRELAND CAN'T AFFORD THAT PHILBIN FAILS EVEN IF HE WAS AGAINST HIM AND PRO MACCOY ...........
IRELAND HAS A CHANCE TO REBUILD HIS NAME ON PHILBIN'S SHOULDERS ............
Posted by: ALoco | January 27, 2012 at 09:35 AM
last post full of typos...hopefully it doesn't detract from my point....
Posted by: Kris | January 27, 2012 at 09:35 AM
KRIS,
YOUR ENGLISH IS VERY GOOD ............ I HOPE YG/DB AND ODIN ARE A SLEEP TO ALLOW US, THE EDUCATED TO TALK TO EACH OTHER .
Posted by: ALoco | January 27, 2012 at 09:37 AM
Thanks Aloco...I got to run out for a bit....
Posted by: Kris | January 27, 2012 at 09:39 AM
WHY ARMANO DEVOTE ENTIRE POST TO RIZZI THE PIZZA MAN COACH ......
I NOTICE ARMANDO IS PRO CRAPY COACHES AND CRAPPY PLAYERS......
WHY IS THAT ?
A...... MYBE B/C THEY R HIS MOLE INSIDE THE DOLPHINS .
Posted by: ALoco | January 27, 2012 at 09:40 AM
TIME TO GO TO WORK .........
Posted by: ALoco | January 27, 2012 at 09:41 AM
This is only conjecture on my part, but it is probable that Joe Paterno knew he had cancer and would die soon and before it happened wanted to take that whole child molestation ring with him. My opinion.
Posted by: oscar canosa | January 27, 2012 at 09:42 AM
I rather finish last in special teams and first in offense.
Posted by: Spiderman | January 27, 2012 at 09:44 AM
oscar canosa = moron
Posted by: Cubano | January 27, 2012 at 09:45 AM
oscar, Joe died because he quit doing what he loved. That guy wouldnt quit until he'd have a heart attack on the sidelines.
Posted by: Spiderman | January 27, 2012 at 09:46 AM
Justin Creditable
What most people don't know is that BILL CLINTON is the one to blame for jobs going overseas when he signed the Nafta treaty. Which started our down fall.
Posted by: cashman08 | January 27, 2012 at 09:56 AM
kris, I understood the point. And, in a perfect world, that's how it will play out. I just hope Ireland's arrogance allows him to take constructive criticism from Philbin. The way Ross laid it out, it's Philbin who answers to Ireland. It takes a big man to accept information coming from an underling.
Guys, I really, really want this to work out. I want to be hopeful. I'm just jaded (for good reason). Since I (we) don't control the team's future, all we can do is wait and see if they come through this time.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | January 27, 2012 at 09:59 AM
I'd like to chime in on the Ireland/Parcels/Sparano/Henning issue.
One word comes to mind on why the Fins failed the last two years:
GROUP THINK
It happens in every institution where no one wants to question anyone else for fear of retribution.
Politics, business, sports, camp...you name it, group think happens.
I like that Ross hired Philbin because it forced Ireland out of his comfort zone...which is a very good thing.
We are headed in a completely different direction with Philbin at the helm, one in which Ireland will be hiring players who the coach wants, not the other way around.
Posted by: NHFINSFAN | January 27, 2012 at 10:02 AM
Spiderman, ask San Diego about that. Happened to them a few years ago and they did nothing. Special teams is important. I'd say more important than a running game for example.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 27, 2012 at 10:07 AM
Mark, good example.. Our special teams would prob be number 1 if we didnt trade Ted Ginn for 4th
Posted by: Spiderman | January 27, 2012 at 10:11 AM
Rizzi could get Rutgers job.
Posted by: Mr. Ireland and Co | January 27, 2012 at 10:16 AM
To Justin Credible:A confussion is largely responsible, for the way in which we are drifting into things that some people want, this must be clean up this country is going the wrong way. when the abolition of private enterprise and private owernship is replaced by a central planning body where would you go to collect you food stamp Justin.
Posted by: SEPTUM | January 27, 2012 at 10:17 AM
Dolphins Blog = Football talk
CNN Blog = Politics talk
Sincerely,
Jon (Ohio)
Posted by: Ohio Dolfan | January 27, 2012 at 10:24 AM
You guys watch to many movies.
Sandusky is in PC(protective custody), with young gay inmates and others convicted of CSC(criminal sexual conduct)crimes.
While retribution does occur on these PODS, it's very rare because the only other place you can be housed is in Solitary Confinement(6 months on your first write up, 12 months thereafter). It's psychological torture, most prisoners will do ANYTHING too avoid it.
90% of the sex that takes place on the PC PODS is consenual.
Posted by: odinseye | January 25, 2012 at 01:34 AM
HOW ODIN KNOW HOW THESE HOUSE THEY PEOPLE?,ODIN WHAT SAY YOU?
BUFFET OF KNOWLEDGE)
Posted by: ALoco | January 27, 2012 at 10:29 AM
My bad guys, some people just get me going a la J.C
Posted by: SEPTUM | January 27, 2012 at 10:36 AM
Aloco, where have you been, eveeryone knows odinseye a** hole has be torn over and over and over again. He's the man when it comes to prison sex.
Posted by: Clue | January 27, 2012 at 10:38 AM
Spiderman, I agree 100%. I don't understand why our fans chase decent players away like ginn. No he wasn't a star and not worth the 9th pick but that's not his fault. He was a threat to take the ball to the house everytime. And he almost singlehandedly beat the jets three times. You'd think that would buy him some goodwill.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 27, 2012 at 10:40 AM
No problem septum, I know you were just responding to the book he wrote earlier in this post
Posted by: Ohio Dolfan | January 27, 2012 at 10:41 AM
Mark,
i think some of what our fans did was connect Ginn with Cameron from that horrible season, wrongfully doing so.
The whole Ginn thing became a joke Fins nation when Cam said he drafted the "Ginn Family"
I agree though, we lost a threat on special teams when we lost him
Posted by: Ohio Dolfan | January 27, 2012 at 10:44 AM
The most important piece of this puzzle is who our QB will be.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | January 27, 2012 at 09:09 AM
DC you have been saying this same thing for 19 years now. Do you get high saying it? Does it make you feel like you are adding something to the blog?
Posted by: DC Stroker | January 27, 2012 at 10:46 AM
Ohio, Also lost a guy that fell into a fetal position anytime a defender was within a few feet of him, Also lost a great Side line receiver, Ted Ginn never met a side line he did'nt like.LOL
Posted by: FP4FGs. | January 27, 2012 at 10:48 AM
Good morning gents, Happy Friday,
On Philbin I am very optimistic and that's say a lot coming from me. Not saying I know it all or am right about Philbin just saying I am a pescimist with everything and especially with our Miami Dolphins.
What's not to like about Philbin so far? He is clearly a smart guy, well organized, was part of a Super Bowl winning team and a top NFL offense. It's not that Sparano wasn't a football guy or wasn't detail oriented with his plus and minus crap but he failed to develop players and had no direction. Sparano went from ground and pound whcih I have no problem with but if that's what you are stick to it because the second you want more balance or spread it out to pass if that's not who you are it won't work!
Philbin knows who he is and has a direction. Although he said he "doesn't know what a West Coast offense is" anyone with a brain and a clue knows he was implying there are so many variations of it that it's not as simple to classify the offense as one thing. That being said his link to hiring Mike Sherman who is also a WC guy. Philbin has a vision and he is sticking to it. Give Philbin a chance. Have patience and give him a chance to put a staff together. Also give him/Ireland the offseason and wait and see what they do about the QB position.
Posted by: AndyNJ | January 27, 2012 at 10:49 AM