SoFlaJets Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 Dolphins' Starts a Reversal of Shula Era DAVIE, Fla. (AP) - Beginning late in Don Shula's coaching career, the Miami Dolphins developed a tendency to start fast and fade at the finish, repeatedly spoiling seasons that seemed so promising in October. They've shaken that habit. A late-season collapse is now the least of the Dolphins' worries, because a 1-5 record leaves them nowhere to go but up. Miami is last in the AFC East and tied for the most losses in the NFL, humbling for a team once touted as a potential Super Bowl contender. ``We've got a lot of guys around here who have won a lot of games,'' cornerback Travis Daniels said Monday. ``I don't think we're the worst team in the NFL by a long shot.'' Maybe not, but for the third year in a row, the Dolphins are off to a dismal start. A 1-8 record in 2004 prompted coach Dave Wannstedt to resign, and Miami finished 4-12. Last year the Dolphins started 3-7 under new coach Nick Saban before staging a turnaround and winning their final six games - but they still failed to make the playoffs. A 20-17 loss Sunday to the New York Jets was the Dolphins' third in a row, making it likely they'll sit out the postseason for the fifth consecutive year. ``It's too early to say this season is down the drain,'' tackle Damion McIntosh said. ``There are many more games to play.'' McIntosh is tough to argue with, in part because he weighs 320 pounds. But this season is rapidly reducing Saban's rebuilding project to rubble. The latest loss prompted middle linebacker Zach Thomas to wonder if the Dolphins should try playing a neighboring high school. Instead they're home Sunday against Green Bay (1-4). The schedule isn't at fault, anyway - Miami has faced only one team that has a winning record. The Dolphins' problem is that when they show improvement in one area, they backslide in another. A shaky offensive line played its best game of the year against the Jets, allowing no sacks, committing no penalties and giving Ronnie Brown room to run for a season-high 127 yards. But receivers dropped six passes, three on third down, with one deflection intercepted. And blocking breakdowns doomed running plays in third-and-2 and fourth-and-1 situations. ``Executing almost perfectly every time is what we're trying to do,'' McIntosh said. ``It doesn't seem like that right now, because we've made too many mistakes.'' On defense, busted coverage in an injury-plagued secondary remains the most persistent problem. Reserve cornerback Eddie Jackson was burned for a 58-yard touchdown pass against New York, and the Dolphins, who have only three interceptions all season, failed to force a turnover. ``We're taking turns not being in the right position,'' cornerback Andre Goodman said. ``On every play it's somebody not being in the right gap or not covering the right man, and it comes back to haunt you. ``If you don't eliminate giving up big plays, it's hard to win games. And we're not getting turnovers - that's a bad combination.'' Though depth is thin in the secondary, first-round draftee Jason Allen has been unable to break into the lineup. He did see action at safety for the first time against the Jets when Miami went with six defensive backs. ``He's playing a new position, and he's learning,'' Saban said. Joey Harrington won praise from Saban while making his second start at quarterback as Daunte Culpepper focuses on rehabilitating his surgically repaired knee. Harrington threw for 266 yards and led two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter as Miami tried to rally from a 20-3 deficit. But Saban said the Dolphins need more than occasional spurts of productivity. ``You should be playing to win for 60 minutes, not just when you're behind and have to catch up and your back is against the wall,'' he said. ``Every game we've played, we have had an opportunity to win coming down the stretch, and we have not gotten over the hump.'' Saban was asked how he's reacting to his team's knack for critical mistakes. Does he want to throw things? Does he have trouble sleeping? The coach broke into a grin, a rare sight at the team complex these days. ``All of the above,'' he said. Then the smile quickly faded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DW10 Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 oh will you chill out and read my sig. Take THAT to the bank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 oh will you chill out and read my sig. Take THAT to the bank. cool stuff dw.got yer tickets yet? where are ya sittin? should be a real nailbiter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BleedinGreenNC Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 oh will you chill out and read my sig. Take THAT to the bank. Sperm bank? Great to be optimistic!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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