To the Whiners with the Tape Recorders and Notepads

Wednesday, January 14, 2004
Robert Henderson
MDBW Staff Writer

Dan Marino is back and all seems to be well amongst the fans, but for some reason isn't in the media. Cut the speculation. It's obvious what has been done here, and although it looks like minor change, trust me, this is major: Wannstedt is still Head Coach, but Spielman has the power, while Dan Marino sits at his mahogany desk under the watch of signed jerseys and helmets of his in glass cases, drinking a cup of coffee and indulged into a book of "How to Work in an NFL Front Office for Dummies."

Marino is God, God is Marino. There is no disputing that, certainly not in Miami, but do you honestly think Huizenga is an idiot? Hello? Marino isn't going to be making the decisions here, you've even said it in your articles. Rick Spielman is in charge of personnel and Marino will be learning. He is good for an offensive mind and suggestions, but he's not going to be in charge of this offseason!

So will you guys dig your knickers out of your butt-cracks? Dan Marino is home, but it is NOT the same as Michael Jordan running the Wizards, or Isaiah Thomas coaching the Knicks. Marino is simply just here.

Now, as for the swap of power between Wannstedt and Spielman. Yes, these are the same names who have been in the office for the last four "digressing" seasons, but power does play a huge role. If this were the case last off season, Anquon Boldin would be representing the Dolphins in the Pro Bowl, Jay Fiedler might not have been the number 1 quarterback, and Mark Dixon and Jaime Nails certainly wouldn't have been so heavily counted on to be 100% healthy for the whole season. These are all HUGE differences which CAN be made by one simple switch of power, at least in this organization.

Dave Wannstedt coached the number one rated Cowboys defense during their Championship years under Jimmy Johnson, and in one of those Super Bowls, his defense actually forced a Super Bowl record nine turnovers. Wow! Guess what? He was just in charge of coaching, he was given the players to coach, and look what happened.

This is the same situation as now. Although he is the head coach, he is just in charge of being the head coach, not who he coaches. The same goes for Norv Turner who ran one of the best executed offenses in NFL History on that same Dallas team. He might actually have an offensive line to work with next season, or at least one that stays healthy.

The fact is that Dave Wannstedt couldn't get it done as a Coach and a General Manager. He proved that in Chicago and he has proved that thus far in Miami. Jamar Fletcher? Eddie Moore? Why? Well, we won't need to ask those questions anymore because Rick can now say shut up Dave, I'm drafting Boldin.

So, you geniuses in the media who are idiotic enough to ask the owner himself whether Marino was hired as a "figurehead" and expect Huizenga to say "yes", stop the whiney columns and report some football please.

Robert Henderson can be reached by e-mailing webmaster@miamidolphinsbahamas.com. Or you can talk about this story and more on the MDBW Forums message board!