Dolphins must erase stepping-stone reputation

By Hugo Guzman  |   Sunday, January 20, 2008  |  Comments( 8 )

Miami Dolphins
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Miami was fairly well-represented in both Sunday conference championship games, with all four participants fielding a starter or regular contributor who used to play for the Dolphins. The most prominent ex-Dolphins were wideouts Wes Welker and Chris Chambers, but Packers' tight end Donald Lee and Giants' cornerback Sam Madison also pitched in. In addition, New England had another former Dolphin, fullback Heath Evans, starting and employed a special teamer in Larry Izzo, who was once Miami's property.

Oh, and the Patriots have some guy by the name of Junior Seau playing linebacker.

Fans have been quick to point out that most of these players have either maintained their level of play or have vastly improved since leaving their South Florida confines, making some wonder if letting them get away is part of the reason why the Dolphins are now so bereft of talent. However, it's very likely that the reason these and other Miami castaways have done so well in their new locations has more to do with the overall ineptitude of the Dolphins than with the departed players' own intrinsic talents.

In layman's terms, guys like Chambers and Welker are talented, but their newfound success has more to do with the talent around them than anything else.

Consider that Chambers was already a productive wide receiver in Miami, notching one Pro Bowl berth prior to being traded to San Diego in October. Now he's playing with a vastly superior quarterback and an array of offensive talent around him the likes of which he never came close to enjoying in Miami. And even more importantly, perhaps the reason that Chambers is showcasing his playoff prowess so much this season is because he has already played double the amount of postseason games that he did as a member of the Dolphins.

Welker was a gritty and productive player in Miami, but he also had just one career touchdown reception in three seasons before joining the offensive juggernaut in New England.

Lee was known more for his fumbling than his pass-catching abilities, but now that he has a Hall of Famer throwing him the football, he's suddenly a legitimate offensive weapon.

Finally, Seau was a marginal and injury-prone starting linebacker with Miami; however, now that he's a role player surrounded by talent, he's back to being a playmaker.

The list goes on and on from there.

Again, it's not to say these ex-Dolphins aren't intrinsically talented or that their success is solely attributed to the players who surrounds them. Instead, it's Miami's lack of overall talent and continuity which are glaring, and it's the main reason that the Dolphins are considered to be little more than a stepping stone to future NFL success.

And until Bill Parcells & Co. create a true foundation of personnel and progress, this most embarrassing perception will continue to persist.
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About Hugo Guzman

Co-founder of RealFootball365.com. Born in Argentina, of Dominican descent, living in Hoboken, but from Miami through and ...
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CommentsComments: 8  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Pig		02:54 AM
01/21/2008
It is all because of bad management.Ever since the don left we have had no body who could evaulate talent so let's hope Da tuna ...
No.2
Hank		06:26 AM
01/21/2008
I remember a guy by the name of Jimmy Johnson that made really good draft choices. The Don wasn't the only good talent ...
No.3
dave		08:55 AM
01/21/2008
It's definitely the product of the recent string of bad coaching, from Wanny to this last knucklehead. None of the coaches post ...
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