DOLPHINS: Peterson for Parcells rumors

Mark L. Diana mdiana at tulane.edu
Mon Nov 30 00:07:05 GMT 2009 

Danny's point is well taken, but when you consider how hard it is to people
who play QB all the time to do that, you're asking an awful lot of a running
back when you put him in that situation. I don't consider the WC a "trick"
formation, but I do consider passing from the running back a trick play, and
fundamentally, I just feel like resorting to trick plays is generally a bad
thing.

To your larger point, I can't tell any more than you can, other than what my
eyes tell me and the sense I get from the game. Fundamentally, I'm trying to
make the point that calling this a "trap" game does not cover up the
problems we still have, and the implication of calling it a trap game is
that we are really better than they are. I'm not so sure we are.


On 11/29/09 5:57 PM, "Kristoffer Shields" <kms223 at hotmail.com> wrote:

> 
> 
> How can you tell, though, if a team loses because it "assumed it would win"?
> I don't necessarily think the Fins lost today because they took anything for
> granted---they played a pretty physical game.  I don't think lack of intensity
> caused the inane Ricky play (Danny makes a good point there---I'm sure they
> told him a million times, if it's not perfect, we'll get it on 2nd down), etc.
> And I definitely don't think you can make the case that it happens to this
> team a lot---this is actually the first game since Sparano took over that the
> Fins have lost to what I would deem a clearly inferior team.  So I don't think
> there's a trend here of the Fins taking teams lightly---they just made a bunch
> of mistakes today and didn't play well enough.  I'm not sure how to determine
> whether they assumed they'd win or not, though, or whether the Steelers
> assumed they'd win last week, etc.
> 
> 
>> Date: Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:20:40 -0600
>> From: mdiana at tulane.edu
>> To: dolphins-disc at phins.com
>> Subject: Re: DOLPHINS: Peterson for Parcells rumors
>> 
>> The point is that good teams know there is no such thing as an easy win.
>> Yes, sometimes good teams lose to teams they should beat, but that is not
>> necessarily the definition of a trap game. A trap game is when the team that
>> should win assumes it will win, and doesn't play the game as it should or
>> could. By definition, in my mind, good teams do not do that, even though
>> they may lose games they should win.
>> 
>> Certainly you can argue by my definition some good teams still lose in trap
>> games. I'll concede that point up front. But, it happens much less
>> frequently to good teams. And, at least you could argue that a good team has
>> reason to think it should win and get trapped, but a 5 - 5 team has
>> absolutely no reason to go there, regardless of how bad the opponent is.
>> 
>> On 11/29/09 4:06 PM, "Kristoffer Shields" <kms223 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Good teams do on occasion.  Great teams almost never do.  But this is
>>> obviously not a great team.  Like Josh said, it's still borderline whether
>>> the
>>> Dolphins are "good."  I would say they are, but it depends on how you define
>>> good.  The Steelers lost to the Chiefs last week---they are at least good,
>>> probably great (defending SB champ, after all).  It happens every year---but
>>> the issue isn't so much that the Fins lost to the Bills (as depressing as
>>> that
>>> is), it's what can we learn about the team from it?  Probably nothing we
>>> didn't already know ultimately, I guess.
>>> 
>>>> Date: Sun, 29 Nov 2009 15:44:39 -0600
>>>> From: mdiana at tulane.edu
>>>> To: dolphins-disc at phins.com
>>>> Subject: Re: DOLPHINS: Peterson for Parcells rumors
>>>> 
>>>> Good teams don't lose "trap" games.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> On 11/29/09 3:37 PM, "ldouglas" <ldouglas at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>> this had trap game  written all over it. new coaches are always a
>>>>> wildcard. Remember Haslet last year with the Rams - win 2 of their
>>>>> first 3. Or Jim Bates with us in 2004. These are the teams that are
>>>>> dangerous this time of year.
>>>>> 
>>>>> On 11/29/09, Mark L. Diana <mdiana at tulane.edu> wrote:
>>>>>> In general I agree with you. The only thing I'm waiting to see from
>>>>>> Sparano
>>>>>> is how long he sticks with mistakes. Henning getting too cute can be put
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> a stop if Sparano wants to. How much different would the game have been
>>>>>> had
>>>>>> we scored that first TD instead of throwing an INT? We'll never know, but
>>>>>> we
>>>>>> do know that was a horrible call, and Sparano had the veto power, but
>>>>>> didn't
>>>>>> use it.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Clearly the defense is the bigger problem. Will Pasqualoni survive, a la
>>>>>> Olividatti, or will we see some consequences? That will tell me a lot.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Regardless, three hours ago we were in the playoff hunt, largely due to
>>>>>> luck. Now, we are out, and that in itself doesn't surprise me as much as
>>>>>> when and how it happened.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> On 11/29/09 2:59 PM, "Kristoffer Shields" <kms223 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> You just can't let divisional opponents stay in the game at home, no
>>>>>>> matter
>>>>>>> how bad they are.  There's too much history, too much emotion, etc.  If
>>>>>>> you
>>>>>>> let them hang around, they will do something like hit a 56 yard FG.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> As for the coaching, I have no problem with Sparano.  He has made some
>>>>>>> decisions in games that I would call bad, but I think a coach's most
>>>>>>> important
>>>>>>> job is to have his team ready to play, know what buttons to push to
>>>>>>> motivate
>>>>>>> his players, etc.  I think Sparano is generally really good about that.
>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>> think he has the respect and attention of the team and is a good team
>>>>>>> manager---today sucked, but this is really the first time since he took
>>>>>>> over
>>>>>>> that we have lost to a clearly inferior team (Houston last year is
>>>>>>> arguable,
>>>>>>> but I'd say those were fairly evenly matched teams).
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Offensively, I have mixed feelings about Henning.  I think he does some
>>>>>>> good
>>>>>>> things and his experience is really valuable, but he also just gets way
>>>>>>> too
>>>>>>> cute sometimes.  I'm not out for his head or anything, but I can't say
>>>>>>> I'd
>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>> devastated if he decided to retire and Lee moved to OC.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> But it's defense where I think a change has to be made.  This defense
>>>>>>> just
>>>>>>> always seems to be frantically trying to adjust to what the offense is
>>>>>>> doing.
>>>>>>> We very rarely force the action, there are almost no big plays.  It's
>>>>>>> completely predictable and never forces the action at all.  And the way
>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>> has
>>>>>>> consistently broken down in the 4th quarter this year is almost
>>>>>>> unfathomable.
>>>>>>> Meanwhile, it's not like Pasqualoni has done anything particularly
>>>>>>> impressive
>>>>>>> anywhere else.  I just would like to see a different attitude on D and I
>>>>>>> think
>>>>>>> that starts with the DC.  That's where I'd like to see a change.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Date: Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:45:02 -0600
>>>>>>>> From: mdiana at tulane.edu
>>>>>>>> To: dolphins-disc at phins.com
>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: DOLPHINS: Peterson for Parcells rumors
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> So, you really called it. Our defense is no better than it was in the
>>>>>>>> first
>>>>>>>> game of the season. I mean, we got steamrolled by a second and third
>>>>>>>> string
>>>>>>>> offensive line and a no-name QB. Our offense wasn't great, and I think
>>>>>>>> we
>>>>>>>> would have had a different game had Henning not been getting too cute,
>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>> this is on the defense all the way. Our season is over, and I'm
>>>>>>>> starting
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>> question the coaching.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On 11/29/09 2:20 PM, "Kristoffer Shields" <kms223 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> This defense is just completely incapable of putting a game away.  I
>>>>>>>>> don't
>>>>>>>>> know what it is.  But every time the offense does something, the
>>>>>>>>> defense
>>>>>>>>> immediately gives it right back.  I know part of the problem is lack
>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>> playmakers and that has to be addressed.  But some of it is
>>>>>>>>> scheme---I'm
>>>>>>>>> just
>>>>>>>>> not sold on Pasqualoni.  Someone has to be accountable for the way
>>>>>>>>> this
>>>>>>>>> defense always lets down when it matters most.
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Date: Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:12:38 -0600
>>>>>>>>>> From: mdiana at tulane.edu
>>>>>>>>>> To: dolphins-disc at phins.com
>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: DOLPHINS: Peterson for Parcells rumors
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> It would be nice, but it doesn't appear to be in the cards.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> On 11/29/09 1:55 PM, "Kristoffer Shields" <kms223 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> They might as well just cut and paste this story to use every year
>>>>>>>>>>> until
>>>>>>>>>>> Parcells decides to retire.  It's obviously going to keep coming up,
>>>>>>>>>>> no
>>>>>>>>>>> matter
>>>>>>>>>>> how little sense it makes.  I just can't fathom any reason he would
>>>>>>>>>>> leave
>>>>>>>>>>> Miami, a town he obviously loves, working with people he is
>>>>>>>>>>> completely
>>>>>>>>>>> comfortable with, in a job that is clearly not done [see today] to
>>>>>>>>>>> move to
>>>>>>>>>>> Cleveland (and I was born in Cleveland).  Anything can happen,
>>>>>>>>>>> obviously,
>>>>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>>>>> it doesn't make sense to me.
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> Really nice drive to start the second half.  Now, wouldn't it be
>>>>>>>>>>> nice
>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>> see
>>>>>>>>>>> the defense clamp down and try to put this one away?
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>> Date: Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:45:24 -0500
>>>>>>>>>>>> From: ldouglas at gmail.com
>>>>>>>>>>>> To: dolphins-disc at phins.com
>>>>>>>>>>>> Subject: DOLPHINS: Peterson for Parcells rumors
>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>> http://is.gd/571MO
>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>> On "NFL GameDay Morning," NFL Network insider Jason LaCanfora
>>>>>>>>>>>> acknowledged the rumors swirling around Bill Parcells and a
>>>>>>>>>>>> potential
>>>>>>>>>>>> departure from the Miami Dolphins' front office after the season.
>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>> LaCanfora's report:
>>>>>>>>>>>> There are a lot of people who believe Dolphins [vice president of
>>>>>>>>>>>> football operations] Bill Parcells will explore his options after
>>>>>>>>>>>> this
>>>>>>>>>>>> year. He can get out of his contract if he likes, and we¹ve already
>>>>>>>>>>>> seen Cleveland talking about looking for a football czar as well as
>>>>>>>>>>>> four or five other teams looking to change people atop their
>>>>>>>>>>>> management paradigm. If he were to leave Miami, Carl Peterson is a
>>>>>>>>>>>> name to keep an eye on. Long-time runner of the Kansas City Chiefs,
>>>>>>>>>>>> Peterson could go to Miami. He has a strong relationship with
>>>>>>>>>>>> Dolphins
>>>>>>>>>>>> owner Stephen Ross, and [Dolphins general manager] Jeff Ireland
>>>>>>>>>>>> used
>>>>>>>>>>>> to work with Peterson in Kansas City. So that would be a natural
>>>>>>>>>>>> transition.
>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>>> Dolphins-disc mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>>> Dolphins-disc at phins.com
>>>>>>>>>>>> https://www.phins.com/mailman/listinfo/dolphins-disc
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> _________________________________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>> Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection.
>>>>>>>>>>> http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/
>>>>>>>>>>> http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/
>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>> Dolphins-disc mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>> Dolphins-disc at phins.com
>>>>>>>>>>> https://www.phins.com/mailman/listinfo/dolphins-disc
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> Dolphins-disc mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> Dolphins-disc at phins.com
>>>>>>>>>> https://www.phins.com/mailman/listinfo/dolphins-disc
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> _________________________________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection.
>>>>>>>>> http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> Dolphins-disc mailing list
>>>>>>>>> Dolphins-disc at phins.com
>>>>>>>>> https://www.phins.com/mailman/listinfo/dolphins-disc
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> Dolphins-disc mailing list
>>>>>>>> Dolphins-disc at phins.com
>>>>>>>> https://www.phins.com/mailman/listinfo/dolphins-disc
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> _________________________________________________________________
>>>>>>> Windows 7: I wanted simpler, now it's simpler. I'm a rock star.
>>>>>>> http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?h=myidea?ocid=PI
>>>>>>> D2
>>>>>>> 47
>>>>>>> 27
>>>>>>> ::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_myidea:112009
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> Dolphins-disc mailing list
>>>>>>> Dolphins-disc at phins.com
>>>>>>> https://www.phins.com/mailman/listinfo/dolphins-disc
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> Dolphins-disc mailing list
>>>>>> Dolphins-disc at phins.com
>>>>>> https://www.phins.com/mailman/listinfo/dolphins-disc
>>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Dolphins-disc mailing list
>>>>> Dolphins-disc at phins.com
>>>>> https://www.phins.com/mailman/listinfo/dolphins-disc
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Dolphins-disc mailing list
>>>> Dolphins-disc at phins.com
>>>> https://www.phins.com/mailman/listinfo/dolphins-disc
>>>  
>>> _________________________________________________________________
>>> Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection.
>>> http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/
>>> http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Dolphins-disc mailing list
>>> Dolphins-disc at phins.com
>>> https://www.phins.com/mailman/listinfo/dolphins-disc
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Dolphins-disc mailing list
>> Dolphins-disc at phins.com
>> https://www.phins.com/mailman/listinfo/dolphins-disc
>  
> _________________________________________________________________
> Windows 7: It works the way you want. Learn more.
> http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTA
> GL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen:112009v2
> _______________________________________________
> Dolphins-disc mailing list
> Dolphins-disc at phins.com
> https://www.phins.com/mailman/listinfo/dolphins-disc

More information about the Dolphins-disc mailing list