The feeling of dread before the start of Phin camp last year was as thick as the humidity from a July thunder storm. In the previous months leading up to the 2004 camp, Phin fans witnessed one bizarre event after another.
The beginning of the end of the 2004 season actually occurred in December of 2003 with the 2- year contract extension for Head Coach Dave Wannstedt. In the previous two seasons, the Wannstedt led Dolphins compiled a win/loss record of 19 and 13 and failed to reach the playoffs in both seasons. The December meltdowns had taken its toll on even the most loyal Dolphin fans and the rumble to fire Dave was at its loudest.
But Dave had more lives than an Abyssinian Cat. Mr. H. liked his boy Dave and wasn’t particularly inclined to listen to the Barbarians at the Gate (the fans) who wanted to throw Dave into the gator infested mote. No, H. Wayne Huizenga wanted to prove to the folks who buy his six dollar beers that he was right and they were wrong.
The one positive that came out of the debacle was that Dave was no longer the General Manager of the team. Too bad that positive soon became a negative.
Would the front office look for an experienced guy who had a successful record of picking talent and guiding a team to success? Would it be Phil Savage of the Ravens, or former New Orleans general manager Randy Mueller, or New York Giants director of player personnel Jerry Reese?
Not! What soon became clear was that failure at Miami Dolphins headquarters was a prescription for promotion and that was proven when Wayne hired Dave’s sidekick, Rick Spielman to be the new GM. After that, the Barbarians at the Gate, (the fans) were making headway and the gate protecting Wayne’s world was starting to come down.
What to do?! How do we stop them!?
Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling……..I wrote back then that Wayne’s PR stunt of hiring Dan Marino for Senior VP of Player Operations made P.T Barnum spin in his grave. P.T spun for about three weeks until Danny up and quit. Looking back on that episode, I believe the stunt worked quite nicely because after Wayne hired Danny, most of the gullible Barbarians went home content with the fact that Danny would save the world. He He.
And so began the 2004 season. The above clusterfu@k is enough for one season but that ain’t nothing compared with what was about to come.
Joel Collier exhausted, inexperienced Chris Foerster promoted. Todd Wade to Houston, Damion McIntosh fails his physical. Future draft choices traded, players acquired provide limited impact. Jay Fiedler still on the team, Jay Fiedler still starting.
I think that about covers it. No more earth shattering events for this Phins of 2004.
Uhh Bob… Bob…. BOB!!!!!!
What about Ricky!
Oh yeah…. Ricky, aka, Jeff Spicoli. Now I could write another 1000 words about Ricky, the way he quit, the way Wanny used him up, his flirtation with Kangaroos and the Dali Lama, but not in this piece. I will say this though…. Ricky was not why the Phins failed in 2004. nuff said on that….
2005.
Dave Wannstedt was given a two-year extension to be the Head Coach of the Miami Dolphins on December 29, 2004.
Nick Saban was hired as the new Head Coach of the Miami Dolphins on December 25, 2005.
So much for contract extensions.
What transpired since St. Nick was hired is nothing short of a miracle.
First and foremost… FINALLY, OH THANK YOU LORD! No more Jay Fiedler!
Second: Randy Mueller compared to Rick Spielman. No comment necessary.
Third: Offensive Coordinator: Scott Linehan
During his tenure in Minnesota, his offense rated fourth (in 2004), first (2003) and second (2002) statistically. Compare that to Wanny’s choice of Chris Foerster, who before being promoted had never been an Offensive Coordinator.
Fourth:
Now most would say that the 2004 Phins offensive line was the worst in Phin history. I agree. So what does St. Nick do? He goes out and nabs Hudson Houck who is considered by many as the finest Offensive Line coach in the NFL.
In my mind, the coaching and GM acquisitions up above are brilliant and they clearly show that Nick Saban instantly understood what the Phins needs were to be competitive in 2005. Throw in the draft choice of the speedy Ronnie Brown and the return of Ricky Williams and what you have is a run game that will be as good as any in the league.
When asked if Nick Saban will succeed with the Miami Dolphins, it’s easy to say, who knows. I am not taking the easy way out with that question. I bet the bank Nick will succeed, because I can clearly see his masterpiece unfold before my very eyes.
Dolphins running back Lorenzo Booker runs after catching a pass in the 2007 season finale against Cincinnati. Booker has since been traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.
