The other day I heard a little commentary on sports radio about the value of a team in sports and how it translates into championships. You look at the sports world and you see teams that keep turning over their team by signing high priced free agents or trading away draft picks to win NOW!
Then you see teams that have a system and a culture of how they do things. Only players who buy into it remain and they only acquire players they feel fit their team. There are many examples of teams who keep going for the gold but never build the foundation of leadership and winning. It's like too many chefs in the kitchen. Everyone wants the ball or to be the man instead of letting it play out and allowing the talent and leadership to rise to the top.
A lot of teams that just muddle about don't have that. Look at the Dallas Cowboys. Lots of talent but they can't get over the hump and this year they didn't even get to the hump.
The 1990-00 New York Yankees championship teams were built through their own farm system and then they added the final pieces in free agency. Players like Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Andy Petite, Jorge Posada and of course Mariano Rivera. Core players built right up the middle who would be there for the long haul groomed their way. You need that core and every great team has their core. Since then they've gone the free agency route ala Washington Redskins and they try to buy a championship. Doing it that way doesn't have a great track record.
Look at the Patriots teams that Belichick built. They have a culture (cheating, LOL) and a core group of players year after year, not complete turnover. The Colts under Dungy had the same thing. The Steelers have drafted linemen on both sides of the ball and LBs for decades and they're playing in their 7th Super Bowl this year. Their 3rd since the 90s and 2nd in 4 years.
Let's focus on the 2008 Miami Dolphins shall we. How did they go from a dismal 1-15 2007 season to an 11-5 division title and playoff berth in 2008? They didn't have an immense amount of elite talent. Maybe there are only a few players we could even argue have elite talent. They didn't overwhelm their opponents.
It started with Bill Parcells and his method of what makes a good football team. He brought in people he believes in (yes Tin, Parcells believes in stuff, LOL) and they share a similar philosophy. The first thing they did was set a standard for conditioning and accountability. Then the coaches went to work with what they had and found the best players to do what they thought would help them win games.
A lot of fans believe it's all about great talent , QBs with rocket arms and just adding big names. But that's not it. It's about team play. The organization sets a standard, the players buy into it, the coaches enforce it and the GM evaluates it. Creating a winning philosophy is more important than talent. Of course you need talent. I'm not saying fill your team with nothing but scrubs, but a clear level of leadership and focus towards ultimate goals goes along way.
The new coaching staff lead by Tony Sparano set the tone with tough practices and a no non-sense atmosphere. Players were afraid to screw up and get called out, demoted, benched and embarrassed in front of their teammates. There was accountability. If you didn't show it, you're either gone or not part of the core group.
Look at Wilford, Soliai and Crocker for different reasons. They were also tough on John Beck. He was demoted. It was either because they don't see much upside in him and he was an okay #3 QB, or they do see upside in him and they're challenging him. One thing is clear, this regime enforces the rules and sends messages to players.
The Dolphins won in 2008 because they were well conditioned, coached and prepared. They didn't make a lot of mistakes; penalties and turnovers. Not because they were lucky and had an easy schedule like a lot of pundits like to say. Without most of the above this team could have easily gone 6-10 or 7-9 and still most of us would have been happy with that turn around.
Most of us didn't think we had the talent to even pull this season off. At 6-5 the word came out that if we win out, we win the division. What did we do? We won the last 5 games and won the division. To me that is bigger than a draft slot or how much cap money we have to buy free agents.
We went way beyond that because we became a team and built a winning mentality. We didn't approach the season like losers trying to gain some props for trying harder and winning a few more games than 1. Sparano had no intention on being a losing team. Very impressive.
After Don Shula, Jimmy Johnson had the right idea sans his relationship with Marino. He couldn't duplicate what he did in Dallas. Okay fine! He built a nucleus to work with. Then JJ retired and recommended promoting Dave Wannstedt to Huizenga and he takes the bait. Wanny was in over his head as a full control head coach. He would have been better off with a proven GM, not Rick Spielman, his handpicked personnel guy who eventually replaced him. LOL
Nick Saban treated veteran players without adult respect and that did not go over well. That's why he's back in college and that's all I have to say about that.
Cam Cameron brought a laid back San Deigo attitude with him to Miami. He was arrogant in a polite way. He liked to confuse you so you wouldn't ask the question he didn't answer the first time, again. The first sign was when he decided not to coach the last preseason game and allow Capers to be the head coach just incase. WTF? Bad move!
Tony Sparano is the best, most well respected coach we've had in Miami since Shula, and his rookie coaching debut season was nothing short of amazing. I truly can't see him all of sudden struggling from here on out. I just can't! He's the head coach, not the 'everything man'. When the Tuna leaves Ireland is the man. Is anyone ready for that? Do you trust the Tuna and his ability to promote from within? I do.
The Difference for 2009:
It starts at the top with the owner Ross, the football VP Parcells, the GM Ireland, the head coach Sparano and his staff, all the way down to the 53rd man on the roster. You know, the guy busting his butt just to stay on the team. That's what kept this thing going. The 53rd guy is watching the top tier and how they go about their business. Even the practice squad players are doing that.
For the first time in a long while, this team will head into the next season with the same culture, head coach, systems in place and starting QB. Ahh the QB! How important is that? Chad Pennington became a leader the first day he arrived. He earned the respect of his coaches and teammates from day one. He not only worked hard himself, he worked with his receivers and O-linemen overtime to develop chemistry. He created a new culture and professionalism that everyone else followed.
Think about the value of that. Leadership and respect goes a long way. Guys will fight for a guy and a team that has that. He educates with what he's seen taking thousands of snaps in his career. A team with no direction doesn't always play up to it's potential.
In 2009 we will probably have 30-35 players that were here last year. A lot of core players. Sure we need upgrades and depth, and we'll lose a few free agents, but we will address those upgrades and replacements in free agency and the draft. This organization will look for players who fit their philosophy and the ones who don't won't even get a sniff. That's how it works. It's about team and the philosophy is the Trifecta likes players who are smart, passionate about football and big guys who can run.
They also like to build areas of the team simultaneously. Like Pennington, Henne and Beck at QB; Ronnie, Ricky and Cobbs at RB, Long, Smiley, Satele, Thomas and Carey on the OL; Ginn, Camarillo, Bess and London (Wilford's replacement) at WR: Starks, Merling and Langford at DE. 16 of those 18 players have 5 years or less experience and 6 were rookies. It has begun.
The trifecta doesn't like to rebuild every position every year but they had to do some of that this season out of need. Give Jeff Ireland some props. He really worked that scouting department during the season.
The players who were part of 2008 will set the tone for the new players. Their belief in what they're doing was earned because of the 2008 success. They know it works. They can sell that to the new guys because they lived it. If they had a 7-9 season it might not be that way.
Some of the players we acquire this offseason may not rock our world but know that they fit what we're looking for. At least most of them, some will fall by the wayside. Winning changes everything and that's the culture that was brought to Miami in 2008. We are building a culture that wins, not filling our team with just big names, dumb trades and big price tags who don't fit the mold. Those days are over. Finally!
Think about the way this team started the 2008 season and how they finished. It only makes sense that in September 09 they'll be ahead of where they were last September.
Here! here! Mr. Bungle!
ReplyDeleteAbout half way through I was thinking this should have some Stevel Sabol narration and music behind it!
A perfect summary of how we got to where we are.
You wrote: "The trifecta doesn't like to rebuild every position every year but they had to do some of that this season out of need."
I agree with this and even suggested a couple of weeks ago that the Dolphins should focus on one or two needs and focus on that for the time being. It's been my contention that with the exception of the question marks along the offensive line, our biggest need was/is to shore up the linebacking core with starter-caliber players and also to euthanize, er, I mean youth-enize the secondary. We got Wake and thats a start, but I still think we need to draft or sign 2 more LBs and 2 more DBs (at least) before camp begins. I really think these need to be our big ticket items. There will be o-line talent on the second day. The last thing in the world we need is to have the two highest paid linemen in the league. We have Long, so why do we need Gross (as the masses cry out)?
Why pay extra money for one good player when we can get two for the same price?
Bungle,
ReplyDeleteExcellent piece - don't know why you were worried it would be too long, I could have read more? A few comments:
When you mentioned building by position, I was thinking that now we have acquired Wake, this could be the year of the LB .... I got to the comments section and Tin beat me to the punch!
I wholeheartedly agree about the concept of team and getting the right players to fit the system (you mentioned the Pats, Colts and Steelers as examples of franchises which buy into this). I fully appreciate also, that successful teams lose more players through free agency, but I was gob-smacked to hear the other day that only 22 of the last Steelers SB winning team are still on the current roster. That's not a very big core - the churning goes on at the highest level and that is also the Pats secret to keeping themselves in contention year after year.
You also mentioned Pennington's study habits and OL/WR meetings. Don't get me wrong, I love this and think it makes a team stronger, but I read the other day that he also did this at the Jets and it didn't get them over the hump. It's one part of the jigsaw and without all the pieces, you don't get the full picture.
You used the team analogy to illustrate this point of getting the right players to make a team. I think of it as trying to build a car for a coast-to-coast race across the US (with a spares vehicle in convoy). Some want lots of cool steering wheels (Gruden), some want 4 of the best road wheels money can buy (Detroit) and others want all the best parts they can get their hands on but forget to bring a driver because they think they can drive themselves (Cowboys). The fact is, the car that wins the race is probably the one that has a complete set of good, serviceable parts on it, with good spares to hand, doesn't break down much and is driven well. (I don't really get baseball, so my small brain understands this better).
I saw your comments about Montana on the SS and you are bang on the money there too. All this talk of rocket arms and monster WRs is bs. How many teams win it all doing that? No turnovers are more important than 2 or 3 big plays in most games. I'm happy with Pennington playing at the 08 season level and building a team around that, but we need more YACS and the 49er teams had better down-field blocking than we do. They also had veteran receivers and we have youngsters who will hopefully improve this part of their game - perhaps not to the Steelers level though?
One area of "team" concern to me before the coaching merry-go-round played out was keeping our coaching staff intact. So far, we have dodged a bullet in only replacing the ones we wanted to do. The more success we have, the less easy this will become (add in retirement too). That's another part of building long-term success - succession planning in the coaching staff (again, the Pats do it without blinking). Denver showed how not to do it under Shanahan - I think they've had 6 defensive co-ordinators up there and the results speak for themselves.
I share lots of people's warm feelings about what is going on in Miami now. A foundation for success is being built, and if it's anything like Shula did, I'll be a happy man. But speaking of the exalted one, do you remember the year he brought all those free agents in. It illustrates your team concept perfectly. They weren't a team, they were a group of names and stars and the product on the field looked and played more like a Pro-Bowl team than a SuperBowl team. QED.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeletedamn, my impersonator/stalker is all over the place. i sure hope he starts paying some of my bills.
ReplyDeletebungle, that wasnt me posting that comment, here is what i have to say about your article....
'That's why he's back in college and that's all I have to say about that.' didnt i see you in a movie....run forest ruuuunnnnn
The Simon articles on Dave Hyde's blog are ten times as long as Mr Bungle's!! Ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteWell done Mr. Bungle!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeletetin,
ReplyDeletethanks for removing the fraud.
bungle,
i should of said in my first post, great job. seems you NT growing gnomes know a thing or two about 'team'.
Well this is the 3rd or 4th time I'm trying to reply to this blog. All other attempts have failed for some reason though I commented on the Trade Beck blog no problem.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the props guys. I know the article is long but I had so much to say. LOL
uk, there is always turnover because of free agency and aging. But look at the Steelers, they release Joey Porter and James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley are ready to step in. They don't wait until they lose a guy and try to replace them, they have a plan ahead of time. They develop young players so when it's time, they know the system and the culture and they step right in. That's what I'm talking about.
How does the fraud Anonymous have time to post on blogs when he's always 69ing with a mule? Things that make you go hmmm.
Bungle,
ReplyDeleteOne day we'll be able to release pro-bowlers and not miss a beat too. I feel it.
Guys, sorry for any comment issues, they might've occurred during the span of me switching the moderation on and off so please try again. Also, if you ever get a red error message, just click 'post comment' a second time and it works with no problem. I sometimes get the message too, it's nothing to do with this blog specifically but with the overload of comments on the host system itself. like I said, it won't double post or anything so just hit the post button again.
ReplyDeleteGreat Blog Tin and great job Bungle!! Now we don´t have to wait for days to post or hear something interesting!!
ReplyDeleteTin, the 50% knockout white on black is brutal on the eyes. Black text on a light background is much better.
ReplyDeleteMr. Bungle: Good work
ReplyDelete"Tin, the 50% knockout white on black is brutal on the eyes. Black text on a light background is much better"
ReplyDeleteI respectfully disagree with you on that one as I find it much easier on the eyes this way. But nothing is set in stone. You should be happy I didn't stick with the original layout which was all orange and teal with dolphins logos and stadiums as a backdrop, lol.
Phins fan from out of town, thanks for the feedback and welcome. As long as there is news to report, analysis to be done, light-hearted commentary to be made, and a little extra fatty tissue in Brian Cushing's chest, I'll be here!
ReplyDeletetin,
ReplyDeletei have a good survey, how about you take a vote on what mob member should be your next guest to write a blog. i think the members to pick from should be and in no particular order
tony - he is a banker, he has nothing to do all day but stamp applications DENIED
walker - he is a teacher on his students stash. that ought to be good for some laughs
uk - he is a brit, we can watch him use and z and insead of an s and whatever hell else they do over there
jahn - wait nevermind, they already wrote the bible. just kidding jahn, i think you should be in on it too
and finally
herdfan - but only if she post after pics with her article
Tin:
ReplyDeleteI had the same question as UK, how does we get a compensatory pick by signing C. Wake??
Here´s the article
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/116531-miami-dolphins-offseason-task-no-i-who-to-re-sign-and-who-to-cut
I just don't think body copy should be knocked out. Headlines and big titles, fine, but not the body copy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the complements everyone.
tin,
ReplyDeletei hate to agree with a gnome, but the black on white background is easier on the eyes. this is more like gray on black
"Yeremiah Bell has been the best safety of Miami the last couple of seasons, but he is no more than backup material. The Dolphins should keep him as that, he could be a third-down safety and help the team until they find more talent at the position."
ReplyDeleteDumb comment.
"and they will probably get a high compensation pick after the signing of Cameron Wake."
That makes no sense. I would stop reading this site.
Last time I checked you got compensatory picks by LOSING free agents, not by SIGNING them.
ReplyDeleteThe author of that article is wrong on many levels including calling Bell and Goodman backups at best.
Thanks guys - you confirmed my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteTin - can you post details of how to log in on here. When I try typekey (even though I'm logged in as typepad on SS and this superceded typekey it says) your blogspoit won't recognise me. Any ideas?
Mr. Bungle:
ReplyDeleteLove it!! This is my favorite part. No surprise there, I'm sure. But it does put into words why I am a fan of this guy, and now this team.
"Ahh the QB! How important is that? Chad Pennington became a leader the first day he arrived. He earned the respect of his coaches and teammates from day one. He not only worked hard himself, he worked with his receivers and O-linemen overtime to develop chemistry. He created a new culture and professionalism that everyone else followed."
herdfan, that's why we went 11-5 winning our last 5 to clinch the division. It doesn't happen without Pennington.
ReplyDeleteHow many games would we have won with Marino?
ReplyDelete"How many games would we have won with Marino?"
ReplyDeleteIt isn't easy to answer this because there wouldn't be much Wildcat with Marino. He would not be into it. The Wildcat sparked our offense when it wasn't doing much.
Yeah but when Marino was around we spent all our money on offensive linemen and receivers. We didn't have the problem of our offense not "doing much".
ReplyDeleteThat's why all of this what if we had Marino stuff is tough to imagine. If we had him how did we get him? Would Parcells and Sparano be here? Would Saban have ever been hired? What other players would we have drafted and signed?
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about the comment the author of that site said about Bell, being a backup at best or whatever. If you polled the league I'd bet you he'd finish top 10 at SS.
ReplyDeleteI've been critical of Bell for not getting enough picks (only 1 in his career), but to be fair he didn't become a starter until midseason 2006 in his 4th season. He ruptured his achilles in the first game of 2007. So 2008 was a comeback and a breakout year as a starter. He did lead the team in tackles and he is always around the ball. He's also a good blitzer. I don't see greatness in him but he's good and I could see him having a career year over the next two seasons with us or another team.
Sometimes with DBs you see a guy has 1 or 2 career INTs in 4 seasons and then all of sudden he gets 5 one year. I could see that from Bell. In 2009 I could see the game slowing down for Bell. A lot of the time interceptions happen because the defensive call was right and everything they thought could happen did and it's being in the right place at the right time. Bell is that kind of under the radar player.
Bell knows he'll be 31 in March. He's not a young prospect anymore and he doesn't have an extensive body of work. So what can he realistically ask for?
We really should re-sign Bell. I'd offer him 4 years $15 million with $4 million guaranteed, with the 4th year being an option. He's never sniffed that kind of money and the Dolphins have stuck with him through all his injuries since 2003 his rookie season. We gave him a chance at a career when it wasn't looking good for him. Sometimes that plays a role in it that we don't often hear or know about. Loyalty! The grass is not always greener on the other side. Ask JT and Zach.
Bell is a leader and an active player on our defense. How do we replace him and with who? I'd like to re-sign him and develop a young guy to eventually replace him. Bell was a 6th round pick, they're out there.
One more thing, we can't lose both Crowder and Bell. It sounds as if Crowder feels he'll get more money elsewhere. Good for him. He's been a 4 year starter since his rookie season and he's played every LB position in the 4-3 and the Mike and the Will in the 3-4.
ReplyDeleteCrowder has 379 career tackles in 4 seasons playing 58 out of a possible 64 games. That's a 6.5 tackles per game average. He called our defense in 2008. Yet he only has 12 passes defended, 1.5 sacks, 3 FF and 0 INT in his career. Not a big time playmaker. He's good but not impossible to replace. But with who?
We can't lose both Bell and Crowder. It's a deep draft for LBs and there are a few in free agency. We'll probably add at least 3 new legit LBs this offseason. Oh wait! We already started with Cameron Wake. Next up is ILB. Bart Scott, Brian Cushing, Clint Sintim, Clay Matthews?
Bungle,
ReplyDeleteThoroughly agree with Bell. The three players we must retain, imo, are Bell, Goodman and Carey. They are all good, solid, productive contributors and won't need the teaching a replacement would need.
uk, I think Bell and Carey will be re-signed. The only way we don't re-sign Goodman is if we sign another free agent corner to replace him.
ReplyDeletethere's a new blog up with a link to PFT questioning Harvey's integrity.
ReplyDeleteHarvey has integrity?
ReplyDelete