Both among players and coaches: Fresh Perspective: Dolphins downfall is lack of veteran leadership – Five Reasons Sports Network
Its not an easy problem to solve. You certainly hope that some of your young players develop into leaders as they get older and more experienced, but you can't force it. It's also difficult to bring in veteran players from other teams and thrust them into that role either. Its really organic, and its there or its not. Its always been my view that the coaching staff sets the tone, and it goes from there. Nick Saban had luck brining in guys as free agents like Kevin Carter, Vonnie Holliday, Keith Traylor, and Renaldo Hill to compliment the already great group that we had on that side of the ball. But the team has generally swung and missed at trying to do that every since.
I blame Grier and FLO we had plenty of opportunity to get veterans and keep some but we decided to jettison them in favor of youth and prayers… therr is no scape-goating they created this mess
I think that getting rid of the guys that they did this past offseason was the right move. They weren't performing well, and Van Noy in particular seems to have a really negative attitude. But they haven't brought in any solutions, either. Fuller is notorious for being a bad-attitude guy, and he's barely even been around the team so far as it is anyways.
Xavien Howard would be worth 20 million a year if he had the leadership of a Sam Madison.. there aint no captains on that defense
Get them? We just had to keep the ones that were already signed! We absolutely had the talent already in the building and sent them walking.
I didn't think it was a good idea to get rid of the veteran players that we did. Obviously I support the team no matter what, but those were questionable calls that proved to be rather detrimental to our season. Like someone else said, IT IS a rather easy fix, but even with that, there's no real superstar player on this team. Xavien Howard if and when he's healthy is the closest thing. But we have no real truly amazing game breaker on this team. Tua is supposed to be that guy and maybe we can grow with him and get better, but I don't know. I do think we need to go back to the drawing board this offseason and spend some money in free agency. Once again the draft is going to be huge for us in terms of the future. We really need to find a star player, whether it's a defensive tackle, running back, etc. We need a player that can help carry this team. I'm in the minority here when I say that I like this roster, I just don't see any leaders or players that set a tone for the entire team. Christian Wilkins and Ogbah seem to be the closest things to alphas on defense. On offense, Tua has IT, he just needs to stay healthy, and he needs some better playcalling and support around him. I think it would be incredibly stupid to make knee jerk panic moves with Tua, Flores, and some of the pieces in place. I've had a day to calm down about all of this and think it through. Despite the loss, I still feel like we just need to remain patient, keep developing the young guys we have, and move through this season in a positive manner. Firing everyone and relocating to Saskatchewan territory isn't the answer. I do feel like Chris Grier needs to be evaluated, but Flores should keep his job for now. Let next season be the determining factor. We lost Tua for four games and I think that took the wind out of our sails. Tua himself is still being evaluated, there's been rumbling of Deshaun Watson, it's all been a big distraction. If we finish this season and Tua just flat out sucks the rest of the year, then we can talk Watson or new QB. For now, it should be about developing players. Take the Ls, embrace it for the time being. In the end this team goes nowhere without a franchise quarterback. We need to be absolutely sure on Tua before making that call. If you personally are already sold on him not being the guy, then great....Congrats...but I'm not going to spend a minute arguing with anyone about it. I follow this team no matter what. If Cleo Lemon is under center for us then I'm going to root for him to succeed.
The decision to get rid of Flowers, Karras and Van Noy border on moronic. It also makes me wonder how much Fitzmagics leadership meant to this team last year. There’s been a lot of debate around how it was handled and how that impacted Gailey, Tua, Fitz and the locker room. I agree with @KeyFin that change for the sake of change doesn’t do anyone any good and sets a horrible precedent for any future GM’s and coaches. I think the big debate comes down to what percent of the blame goes where. I’m in the 70% Grier 30% Flo camp. I’m willing to give Flo another year but think we need to find a competent GM. I’m willing to give Flo the benefit of the doubt since he’s still an inexperienced coach but outperformed the first 2 seasons. He’s certainly made his share of mistakes but I think he was dealt a crappy hand. I know that will be highly debated.
Saw it with Hollins yesterday. Guy is clowning and joking in a game. Tua even had to grab him by the neck once. And he still continued to grin. I would have benched him and seriously considered cutting him
I agree with that. This team is just a bunch of young inexperienced guys with nobody to show them the right way. I assumed last year that was why we had guys like KVN and such here. Then we quickly cut them all. No doubt in my mind that the OL could really benefit from one, or two established, good, capable starting veteran lineman.
LOL, I hate Saban and have rooted against him ever since. But he did a better job of that one thing than anyone on the Fins since then.
Ever since I learned that Saban wanted Brees and not Culpepper, my attitude toward Saban softened. Think about it. You hire me as your HC. I have the opportunity for one of 2 QBs. I want Brees. You override me and tell me I’m getting the guy I don’t want. What does that tell me? STFU and do as you’re told. Wait a second, you came to me…I didn’t come to you. Eff this and eff you. He’ll, some of this sounds awfully familiar
Personnel decisions lie with the GM…bottom line. Cutting veterans that provided leadership all fall on Grier. Either Grier cut them on his own or overrode Flores and cut them against Flores’ wishes. Either way, Grier is ultimately responsible for the roster. He’s either ignorant or incompetent
I'm all for remaining patient with most of this situation. Grier....has got to go though in my opinion.
I have thought about it for years. Still hate him with the passion of 1,000 suns. He quit because he couldn't cut it.
I get the ire…and I too had it but with the dumpster fire our front office has been for years, if I’m the head coach you begged for…and you give me the one finger salute for not giving me what I wanted (remember, you came to me…help me obi wan kenobi, you’re my only hope…then you showed NO loyalty to me…I’m supposed to bend the knee and submit to you? Bunk that! Go find another sucker…and suckers indeed…Cameron, Sparano, Philbin; Speilman, Ireland, Grier. How’s that worked out for us thus far?
I don't trust a word out of that guy's face. I don't believe he was overruled that hard and if he really wanted Brees he would have gotten Brees. He is just using that as an excuse because he is a lying liar who lies and cheats. I do respect people like him who do not take responsibility. He could not handle the NFL. He has to work with people who cannot question his authority.
July 29th “I really hope lack of leadership doesn’t rear it’s head this year” Fear came true.. Mos def part of this mess we’re seeing
The way they botched both qbs last season is the result of ownership forcing their hands to Play Tua and bench Fitz. OR, If that didn’t happen they we have a bunch of clowns coaching our team
Hollins has been one of Miami's more consistent performers in the past two years and is beloved amongst his teammates.
Yet he was reasonably successful, hauling in 4 passes for 61 yards. I liked the cut of his jib. There's players I'd bench well before Hollins for giggling.
Yeah 1-5 and you're clowning on the field. Causing so much of a distraction your QB has to lay hands on you. Wonder why they are 1-5...
Definitely not because of Hollins. Besides Gisecki, he's the only consistent pass-catcher we have. I don't see why someone would be mad at him for celebrating a big catch and some smack talk afterwards. If anything, we need more of that...not less.
Bench him then. Get Albert 'Run Backwards' Wilson on in his place. Hey, he might have ended the day with minus yards but at least he was stern faced about it.
Wilson did have one clutch catch last week late in the game (was a 3rd and long), and Wilson absolutely celebrated it as well. It may have been easy to miss though since it's the only real play he's made this season. So we'd have to bench him too.
Grier makes me miss Fireland and Speilmann.. i dont think either one of them two would have consistently swung and missed on all the draft picks like Grier has..
It was terrible when they lost Caldwell. He would have really helped with his experience. I thought it was really bad for the staff and the team when he had to back out. The team can really use someone like that now.