Would your tune change if he fired a majority of the offensive coaching staff and someone was brought in to right the ship, like Mike Nolan on defense? Or do you just think he's lost? One thing to keep in mind is that while Sparano has flaws, you can't deny his passion and his love for his players, and it's quite obvious the players believe in him and love to play for him. I mean, we can argue all day and night who's too blame for a mediocre season, but how much is truly on Sparano? Personally, I'd keep him and make sure he understands major changes need to be made on offense, and like he did with Paul Pasqualoni last year, I think he'll make those changes.
A fair amount does fall on Sparano RR, the Oline has been a wreck, the ST is just not an asset in all phases, and they badly misevaluated the talent on offense. That said, and this I really do believe, a Good Head Coach finds ways to win even when one of their units are terrible, a poor HC blames the unit in question, or injuries or what have you for losses. The phrase that pays in the NFL is "we all got problems, now how are you going to overcome them"?
I'm not saying he doesn't deserve blame. He most certainly does. But I wouldn't be upset at all if he stays because there's a lot of good with him too. However, the offense needs to be fixed this offseason.
As the Head Coach, he had every opportunity to override Henning's playcalling......say what you want, but anybody who's watched Henne his entire NFL career knows he's very streaky. He'll go through an entire drive or 2 being on fire and I remember he was on a roll and then they call a Wildcat??? And seriously, someone please tell me what good has ever come from Ronnie taking the direct snap without Ricky running in motion? The whole idea behind the success of the Wildcat was Ricky was going in motion in one way and Ronnie went the other way. Someone is bound to bite on Ricky and that means one less person to block/tackle Ronnie and vice versa. And I'll never forget the last game against the Bills. Everyone who was in South Florida that day knows it was extremely windy. Why on earth on 4th and a short 2 would you not go for it against the Bills and instead kick a 48 yarder in those very windy conditions?
he needs to go. i was really hesitant about the whole thing because of the nolan factor. but i think the D is young enough and talented enough to be fine with competent leadership. tony's entire approach is off
Depends entirely on who he's being replaced with. The team obviously respects him, they NEVER quit or lay down for anyone. Not the team, not even individual players. There are very few coaches who command Sparano's level of respect, even Super Bowl coaches like Coughlin and '' Shanahan have their teams quit, multiple times. Root for us to get rid of him if you want, but it'll be tough to replace him with anyone better.
I think Sparano is a good character coach but a bad X's & O's coach. So, it's a tough call. His game management has often been lacking. He's not an evil genius type (ala Belichick) by any means. But, if he got another top quality coordinator involved on the offensive side and was able to retain Nolan as the DC then I would not begrudge his return. But, will he replace Henning with another Henning type or with an OC who is cutting edge NFL? The fact is, the league with it's rules has created an environment (in an attempt to have an exciting product) that requires explosive offensive football to win games - along with good defense. Putting up 17 points and controlling the clock for 35 minutes does not win football games. The downside of retaining Sparano is the limited window he would have. If Ross brings him back and he revamps the offense, then are the pieces there at QB, RB, interior OL, & Special Teams for Miami to be successful next year and the following years? You see, the problem is, a coach going into his 4th year with two throw away seasons already, has to win that year to have a chance at returning. Another 8-8, 7-9, 9-7 season? Even 10-6 might not get you in the playoffs. And, even if next year is a 10-6 with a season like this one as far as on the field product (and this season easily could have been 10-6; give us the Steeler game and take away Henne's INT's against Detroit and it's potentially there - yet, it's still often been an unwatchable product) - Ross is going to lose big $$$. So, somehow one has to believe Sparano can turn around one of the 2-3 worst offenses in the NFL in one season - and continue to improve on the defensive side ... if he is going to be a long term solution. That's a risky and difficult call.
He would have to give up his ability to call timeouts since he hasn't improved on clock management since day 1. Also fire whoever is in the booth giving him ideas on challenging calls on the field.
Personally, I've seen enough. I wanted to believe, I really did. But, Sparano's got some serious in game flaws. Honestly, I believe he and he alone has cost us games. Those flaws outweigh any positive attributes he has IMO. Sorry Tony, you're a likable guy and all that, but... (see sig below)
Firing Henning and bringing in a COMPETENT offensive coaching staff would make me feel better about Tony finishing up his contract. I could get behind him and cheer for the man. But he also better clean up that mess he made on our offensive line.
I think DA nailed it...and it's something I have been saying. Tony's a lameduck next season... you only keep him if u know he is the long term answer.
If we gut the entire offensive staff, that means that under sparano in just 2 years we will have had 2 OC's, 3 offensive line coaches, and two of everything else. We also have had 2 DC's and are on our way to our 3rd ST coach. We are the antithesis of stability.
I want a HC that isn't obsessed with FGs and knows how to properly utilize timeouts. I still have nightmares about the timeout before halftime of the New Orleans game.
