Wannstedt's unchanging approach finally a plus for Miami

Earlier this year I shared with you how Dave Wannstedt, former Dolphins coach and current Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator, had not changed a lot with age.

His scheme is still the 4-3.

He still wants his cornerbacks to press.

He still believes in playing a very unsophisticated system that doesn't do much in the way of disguises or blitzes or, well, changing from game to game.

This approach, which worked great at the University of Miami in the 1980s and with the Dallas Cowboys in the early 1990s, is probably a good way to go when it's backed up by superior talent. Ultimately, talent trumps everything.

You got it, you got it.

You don't, you beter figure something else out.

Well, as you know Wannstedt didn't have it to the degree he believed during his time with the Miami Dolphins. He certainly doesn't have it with the Bills.

And yet, his philosophy has. Not. Changed.

So much for adapting or evolving.

This philosophy was fine for a while with the Dolphins but as with most things in the NFL, somebody eventually studies the problem and solves it. The Dolphins' defense got solved eventually.

That's why Wannstedt won the AFC East his first season and advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs. They made the playoffs again his second year and then they missed the playoffs three consecutive years, eventually falling to 4-12 in 2004 and quitting before the season ended as he was going to be fired anyway.

Folks figured out the Dolphins defense. Players complained about it. I wrote about it extensively at the time. And Wannstedt did very little to correct the issue.

The most obvious proof this was happening? The Dolphins typically started fast but swooned as the seasons closed. Why? It wasn't the change in weather. It was the lack of change and in a defense that was apparently too easy to figure out.

Nowhere was this more obvious than in AFC East play. As the teams played each other twice, it gave opponents a second chance to figure Miami's defense out. And they did.

The Dolphins had a 10-7 record in first annual meetings against AFC East opponents during Wannstedt's time. They had a 6-9 record in the second annual meetings against those same opponents. (Wannsted left in October of 2004 which accounts for the 17 games on the first end but only 15 on the rematches).

So why is this history important?

Well, Wannstedt is basically the same coach only older in Buffalo. Earlier this year, the Bills didn't blitz, didn't change or disguise things on defense. They basically played their defense game after game and Wannstedt expected it to work.

When he was asked why he wasn't blitzing early on, he answered, "The front four has to get there."

And that brings me to this:

After all those years of being victimized by Wannstedt's unchanging approach, this week the Dolphins can benefit from that same stone age, unchanging approach.

Yes, the Bills beat Miami in the first meeting between the teams. But this week offers the Miami coaching staff, particularly the offensive coaches, another crack at the same looks, same scheme, same approach, for the second time.

This game is an opportunity for the Miami staff to show itself able to absorb information and solve the problem.

And they can do it with a degree of certainty that the Bills are not changing the variables as they prepare for the game because that's not how Wannstedt works.

What can I say? SMH.

Follow Armando Salguero on twitter.

Comments

[Monte]

No doubt we'd be 10-4 with Matt Moore and Brandon Marshall.

[As much sense]

We'd be 14-0 with a Unicorn as the HC.

[mattybfromnc]

lol As much and thank you

[Vazman]

Brandon Marshall was implicated in a bar incident in late April. Ireland panicked and mistakenly thought he'd be suspended for the season. Ireland traded him the next day. Shortly after the trade Marshall was cleared of all charges.

[mattybfromnc]

I guess this is the same Matt Moore that Brandon Marshall threw under the bus in the offseason... teh sme Brandon Marshall that dropped more TD's than caught..

[KingShula]

Ireland is trying to have a team that resemble choir boys instead of the criminal element Jimmy Johnson liked to have on the team.

[mattybfromnc]

Or maybe its holding athletes accountable, Philbins style is that..

[KingShula]

If you dont believe me check out the mugs on the top three choices Tanny,Martin and Eggnew they would never be mistaken for gangsters like Marshall could if you saw him on the street.

[oscar canosa]

We like it here neither Saints nor Devils, like Shula had them for those SBs.

[Ireland's a MORON]

Ireland had no clue in the world that there could be off field problems when he traded for Brandon Marshall.... or when he signed OchoCinco?? ARE U F'N KIDDING ME? WTF??

[Monte]

If the Dolphins wabt choir boys they're in the wrong business. Maybe Ireland and Philbin can start a church!! LOL

[KingShula]

Monte I think I used the wrong terminology because it is kind of funny to take the monotony out of discussing the same subject(excuse my spelling)BTW Marshall was already problematic when he was aquired from the Broncos thats why he was traded DITTO for Chad Johnson,Ireland took the risk and he was BURNED.

[KingShula]

Inotherwords Ireland would rather field a team of T-Hills instead of a team of Dez Bryants.

[KingShula]

I think in his mind Ireland in the long term thinks T-Hill will be more productive than Dez Bryant just because of their disimilar charater traits.

[KingShula]

In the world outside of sports Ireland would probably be right in other jobs because of non conformist attitudes,but in the world of sports as long as you produce more on the field than any off-field promblems that you cause, they will ALWAYS keep you around.

[oscar canosa]

Give me all the T-hills, you want, the JMartins, the Reggies and you can keep all your Dez's, Brandon Marshalls

[KingShula]

When the balance shifts in the other direction more problems off the field than on field production that player will constantly be tradeduntil retirement.Im sure you can think of at least a couple of players that have been on a lot of different teams because of their personality.

[oscar canosa]

We use all these low class People for business, of course, but we despise them.

[oscar canosa]

What if all the Farmers and Ranchers obtained each their Masters degrees in Agronomics. Who would take care of the Fields? Them, Others? Hell of a question.

[ENRIQUE]

WHO LOVES WANDSENSHIT?? LOSERS! HE NAME FIEDLER STARTING QB AND KICK MARINOS BUTT¡ REMEMBER THAT? THATS WHY MINNESOTA LOOKING FOR MARINO AND CULPEPPER GO TO BENCH TO LEARN HIM,COACH DENNIS SAY THAT...BRAINERS!!

[Fin 77]

We could use a Dez Bryant right now.

[ENRIQUE]

SALGUERO.. YOUR HERO DAVE WANDSESHIT PICK THE QB FA WITH JAGUARS BECAUSE..WHEN HES DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR AND THE BACKUP QB LOOKS GREAT AND MAKE EVERY PLAY IN F..DEFENSE IN 99 PLAYOFFS...LATER JJ RETIRE AND THE NEW COACH MAKE RETIRE MARINO..A DOLPHIN NOT A VIKING..REMEMBER MANDO..

[Fin 77]

I could use a rear door pounding, anything is better than watching this team.

[frijole brain]

ENRIQUE I HOPE YOUR SPANISH IS BETTER THAN YOUR SPANGLISH.

[dusty bottoms]

go finssssssss

[KingShula]

Enrique el problema con los pescados es que se dehan pescad del el lago porque wayne huizinga era un singado

[POLLSTER]

OK FINFANS

READY FOR THE POLL OF THE DAY?

WHICH IS MORE EXCITING?

A) DOLPHINS VS BILLS

B) GOING TO THE DENTIST

C) WATCHING PAINT DRY

[tacito]

king shula= mariiiicon obviamente

[promichael]

Armando,

Wannstedt is a stone age coach. However he is facing many players who were recruited by a dinosaur coach who became the Dolphins VP of Operations. Then what the VP Parcells did was recruit a guy named Ireland who does not know how to recruit skill position players on offense. Bill Parcells taught Ireland how to ignore quick elusive wide receivers in the draft and then load up on lineman that get released. Wow what a match up!

[Phins78]

Armando, awesome story. It was a great read that unfortunately brought back some bad memories. Hope we can take advantage and get a win.

[Dashi]

So FYI Disappears!!

Talk All The M I E L D A!! You Want!! That Dashi Is Long Winded and Incoherent!! Dashi Speaks The Truth!! NOT JUST SOCIOPATHIC HATE!!

And It's Not About Wanting Choir Boys!! Philbin Wants Guys That Football Is The First and Last Priority!! Guys That Live And Breathe Football!! Plus Have Skill!!

Marsha Isn't The Smartest WR(More Than Likely The DUMBEST)!! He Like To Make His Own Routes!! And Will Throw A Fit!! If You Don't Give Him The Ball!! How Is This Helpful For A Rookie Qb??

And Thanks For Showing How Ignorant You Are!! Commenting On Moore!! When Anyone With Half A Brain!! Knows Moore Is A Backup!! At Best!! And Is A NON FACTOR THIS SEASON!! OR FOR THE FUTURE FOR THE FINS!!

MOORE IS NOT THE STARTER!! NEVER WILL BE!! He Is More D.Huard! Than J.Fiedler!

The Fins Will Have To Deflate The Balls IF MOORE WAS THE STARTER! FACT!!

[KingShula]

Tacito uste esta chiflado viejo

[Dashi]

OK!!

SOCIOPATH!!

Look Up The Word, All This Grammar Police!! Is Just That!! You Being A Controlling SOCIOPATH!!

That is Not Healthy!!

Dashi Is Being Serious!! Check Yourself!!

STOP ACTING LIKE A SOCIOPATH!!

[KingShula]

promichael using that logic of prehistoric times where does that put the Ireland fins at the moment if you ask me it puts them in the wastebasket

[Compensate]

Dasho, did you ever ask your mom why she didn't breast feed you?

[Compensate]

Dasho, did you ever ask your mom why she didn't breast feed you?

[KingShula]

lets take a count of how many screen names are active vs how many ip addresses are in the blog,if you ask me its like spy vs spy and good luck on that trail

[KingShula]

The Dolphins should win barring bonehead plays on any part of the field even if the clock is stopped and the ref is having a smoke and a cappicino under the black sheet of instant replay

[mike]

Wanny took us to the playoffs almost every year. In hindsight firing hm was a mistake we've been worse ever since.

[El Gran Maestro Dashi]

Good Game This Sunday!!

T-Hill And Nothing!! Vs The Bills!!

You Guys Wanted Rookies!! You Guys Are Getting Rookies!!

T-Hill Will Be Throwing To No Names This Weekend!!

Talk About A Challenge!!(Good Thing T-Hill Didn't have A DIVA WR!! WHO DEMANDED THE BALL EVERY PLAY!! T-Hill Spreads The Ball Around!!)

You Hartline Fans Better Watch Out!! If Binns Catches 1 TD!! He Would Have More TD's Than Flatline This Year!!(Bye-Bye Hartline!!)

Sunday Is A Must Watch!! For Fans Of The Dolphins And Their Future!!

As Long As The Game Is Competitive and T-Hill Doesn't Make Mistakes Dashi Will Be Happy!!

27-21!! Fins!!

[benz]

still cant figure out why so many here continue to pump the fire Ireland routine......dudes, like Ireland or not, none of us get to decide that......Ross does--if you think he's all that worried about what 25 dissatisfied fans on some blog think about Ireland, you're kidding yourself--its a waste of a conversation......yet it continues......and continues.....and

[Jay]

benz,

1. Ross is feeling the Ireland boycott in his wallet. Just look at the empty stadium every sunday.

2. The team will never improve until we have a new GM. The fans know this.

3. The fire Ireland calls will continue until he's fired.

[benz]

Jay--the calls might continue, but if they win more games, which could certainly happen with or without Ireland (could/should be 8-6 or 7-7 at least.....Carpenter missed the FGs, not Ireland) then fans will come back--not saying he shouldnt be fired, just saying that its a pointless conversation, on these boards.

[benz]

Jay......put another/near term way.....what happens if the very unlikely happens and we make the playoffs this year--do you not think the stadium will be full, or almost full?

[Jay]

Customers of the Dolphin business are voicing their displeasure. Its 4 consecutive losing seasons and 15 years since a playoff win. I dont want a classless incompetent as GM of my team. Whats so hard to understand?

[benz]

you dont get to decide, obviously......so why so much discussion of it on these boards?--if he cared that much about what a relatively small number of fans on this board thought, he wouldve fired him before the season started......but he didnt--is THAT hard to understand?

[Jay]

I mean even the Jests have like 6-7 playoff wins since our last playoff win. GEEZ!

[benz]

and again, if we somehow, miraculously make the playoffs......IF we had a home playoff game (we wont), do you not think the stands would be full, or almost, for that game?--yes or no?

[Jay]

Ross is in a coma.

[benz]

home playoff game, this year......are the stands full, or almost full?--yes.....or no? (hint......pick yes).

[Jay]

I dont think we'll ever have a home playoff game with Ireland as GM.

[benz]

ok.....then I give you permission to fire him first thing tomorrow--let us know who you replace him with.

[MJ]

HOME PLAYOFF GAME??? HECK, IF THESE JOKERS EVER GO 8-8 THEY'LL THROW A PARADE!! LMAO!!

[MJ]

A BLIND MONKEY THROWING DARTS AT A DRAFT BOARD WOULD BE A HUGE IMPROVEMENT OVER IRESCUM!!

[oscar canosa]

Now no Hartline either for next Sunday. What else?

[dusty bottoms]

go finssssssss

[( . ) ( . ) Magee]

Wanny took us to the playoffs almost every year. In hindsight firing hm was a mistake we've been worse ever since.
Posted by: mike | December 20, 2012 at 10:18 PM

Mike, Sorry brother, But this has got to be the dumbest post of the day.

[P.a yuengs-n-wings]

I agree boobie magee

[P.a yuengs-n-wings]

Way to go b,o,o,b,i,e magee

[P.a yuengs-n-wings]

yep