Season Summary: Miami Dolphins
Posted: Mar 07, 2008Quick Summary: The Dolphins are one of the NFL's proudest franchises, but the 2007 season became its collective undoing. Within this one season, the Dolphins were only a Patriots Super Bowl win from losing all their records of distinction.
Brett Favre took over almost all of Dan Marino's records including yardage and TD passes. The Patriots did start 17-0, which is one better than the 1972 Dolphins. (The Patriots did fall short in the Super Bowl, however.) The Dolphins also came dangerously close to finishing without a win, something no team has done since the NFL went to a 16 game regular season.
This led to fairly massive changes. First, owner Wayne Huizenga floated the idea that he would sell the Dolphins in frustration. Then, he pulled back and hired Bill Parcells to run the franchise. Parcells immediately cleaned house from the roster to the coaching staff to the front office.
Later, it was quietly announced that Huizenga sold 50% to developer Stephen Ross with the intention of selling his remaining interest to Ross within 4 years.
Considering the Dolphins also hold the #1 pick in April's draft, no team can boast "clean slate" more than the Dolphins.
Signs of Hope: That name is Bill Parcells. His Super Bowl magic hasn't been clicking for a while, but Parcells knows how to build competent, winning organizations - something the Fins haven't been since Jimmy Johnson was running the show.
Parcells brought in people he knew from Dallas to help him in this new effort from Jeff Ireland as his GM to Tony Sparano as his head coach. Parcells thinks the world of both guys and probably wouldn't have left the broadcast booth if he didn't have these two in his back pocket.
SPF called the incompetence of Cam Cameron and Randy Mueller from the season's inception. Parcells wasted no time in brooming them. That alone is a good sign from a franchise that has over valued loyalty in the past. (Hello, Dave Wannstedt!)
So far the free agent signings have been a mixed bag, but this is how Parcells builds teams. He doesn't need to land a splashy name. He is the spashly name. Parcells and his team will find players that can play and play his way.
Reality Check: The Dolphins have a long way to go. The reason Parcells is an inspired hire is that he is great at both immediately changing a culture and finding long term building blocks.
The biggest issue remains the QB position which has vexed this franchise since Dan Marino's retirement. No position on the football field means more to a franchise in terms of wins and fan support. The Dolphins haven't had a big name since they had Duante Culpepper, but his one season as a Dolphins was marred by injuries.
SPF doesn't expect the Dolphins to pick a QB in the first round, because we believe the consensus #1 QB, Matt Ryan, to be overrated. SPF doesn't need to tell that to Parcells and his team either. They know how devastating it is to invest in a QB with first round money when the QB isn't a first round talent.
The Parcells team will have to make good on their #1 choice which could net them a top OT (Jake Long) or a premier DT (Glenn Dorsey). They might want to trade down, but that option looks unlikely.
In the meantime, the nearing end of the Huizenga era is a blessing for this team and its fans. Huizenga's time was one of transition losing Don Shula then Marino. Huizenga made his money as a "jack of all trades" dabbling in real estate, sports, entertainment, etc after making his money in the garbage business. However, the Dolphins required more focus than he gave them.
Stephen Ross might be a Dolphin fan, but make no mistake, he bought the team for the real estate. The stadium and surrounding property combined with the Dolphins resonance throughout south Florida makes this purchase a no brainer for Ross and his group. Regardless of when they take control from Huizenga, it will be in Ross's interest that the return to their winning ways.
If any owner can put the Dolphins back up among the NFL's elite like the Cowboys and Redskins, it is these men. Expect the Dolphins to be back in the playoff hunt by 2009, maybe sooner if Parcells and Co can dig up a starting QB later in the draft.
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