Commentary: More Say in Personnel Matters

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After a search for a new Phins head coach earlier this year, Stephen Ross settled with giving Tony Sparano a new three year deal. As a part of the new deal, Sparano was also given “more say” in personnel matters. Did you ever wonder what that “more say” thing really meant? It likely did NOT mean he was going to have “more say” in who was going to manage the water bottles and the first down markers — that should be well beneath a head coach. And, it likely did NOT mean he was going to have “more say” in the defensive personel matters – that has been well taken care of.

I thought that it meant the former offensive line coach of the Dallas Cowboys wanted and was given “more say” in the Phins offensive line personnel matters. Over the last two years, the Phins offensive line play has been dreadful with a revolving door of both young and old players. This must have been hard for Sparano to watch. It must have been hard for Sparano to determine, in the past offseason, that one of the weak links on his team was his specialty — AGAIN.

So, what happened in the offseason with the offensive line?

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Topics: Chad Henne, Dallas Cowboys, Gabe Carimi, Jake Long, Jeff Ireland, John Jerry, John Moffitt, Marc Colombo, Marlon Moore, Miami Dolphins, NFL, Offensive Line, Phillip Merling, Richie Incognito, Stephen Ross, Tony Sparano, Vernon Carey

ranadicus

“More say” just means he’s now in the room. It doesn’t mean he’s making the decisions.
LongtimeFishFan

The Dolphins need to stop looking for retreads and develop talent internally. For example, Matt Kopa likely would’ve been a 1st or 2nd round draft pick in 2009 if he had not broken his foot. He helped Toby Gerhart lead the NCAA in rushing, and anchored the offensive line for the top college QB in the country, Andrew Luck. He’s raw but has a huge upside. Moreover, he plays with a real nasty streak. Frankly, I really liked what I saw of him in the 2nd half against the Falcons and Panthers. At least, he was better than Columbo.
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Cornerss

seems more of hit piece on sparano then complaining about the o-line. Something tells me you arent an avid henne supporter either
MOU

Don’t get me wrong. I like Sparano and have given him every benefit of the doubt so far. I have to think that since Sparano was an OL coach, he was brought in to improve our OL first and foremost. Wouldn’t he already have FULL say over this area? Of course, these are just pre season games. Possibly the OL will be ok as we start the regular season and/or Sparano is able to get this group to continually improve over the course of the season. I am not a knee jerk reaction Fin fan and don’t want to predict gloom and doom. However I must state the obvious… It will be a crying shame if the rest of this team is ready to make the next step and Sparano still has not gotten this OL right this season. The defense was ranked 6th last season and with additions and experience looks to be very good. Of course we can kick field goals and punter is excellent. Henne is NOT the problem. Fins can win any game with him. Even the kickoff and kickoff return teams get a boost with the new kickoff rules. I predict less kickoff return TDS and we couldn’t do much worse on our returns anyhow – now it doesn’t have to be amplified by the fact that other teams get points from this area. Everything looks good to me. B Marshall is a stud, Bess is a stud and Hartline is capable or replacable. Leaving the OL and safeties as this teams glaring weaknesses.

Now say your the coach of this team at the end of last season. Out of the playoffs, you have 6 months or so to prepare. First you have to look at your competition – strengths and weaknesses. Jets are blitzing everyone on practically every play! What does this tell you? It tells me that if this OL is not right this year and good enough to keep the Jets out of the backfield that the coach has failed at his job. Furthermore, with the amount of free agent acquisitions that the Jets and Patriots were making in the off season – it should tell you as a coach of the Dolphins – If we are going to make a run at the division we will need to make some free agent pick ups as well UNLESS you are comfortable with what you have. That is a decision that makes or breaks you as an NFL coach. Sparano has made his decision. He thought his line would be ok. Lets hope he is right. If not its pretty poor coaching. Sorry.