Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
On right path
Dolphins can learn a lot from Final Four.
Even by Conference Championship standards, Sunday is not just another day at the NFL office. Not with these teams. Not with the historical pedigree of three of them offer and the hand-out of hope the fourth, Atlanta, affords improving teams like the Dolphins. The Dolphins are closer to this day. But still not that close. They filled some glaring holes from a year ago. But have plenty to fill in the year ahead. So let’s talk with a NFL team’s scout, veteran and anonymous, about what lessons these four surviving teams offer.
“We don’t have to talk about the quarterbacks, do we?” the scout said. “It’s obvious all four of these guys might be in the Hall of Fame someday. Well, (Atlanta’s Matt) Ryan could be. The others are a given.
“I know people always bring up Trent Dilfer winning the Super Bowl in Baltimore as a sign you don’t need a great quarterback. That’s crazy. He’s the exception. I’d guess these four guys stack up against any four ever on this weekend.”
The Dolphins’ Ryan Tannehill isn’t in this class. But he made a big stride this year. The scout had a bigger point to make than just the quarterback, though.
“The NFL is like the college game out there some times now,” he said. “It kills me to say it. I love old-school defense of the ’70s and ’80s. But you’ve got to have young legs and speed and be able to put up points on offense like the best college teams now.
“Don’t get me wrong. Defense matters. But look at the stats and you’ll see why all of people inside the game hope New England’s style wins.”
New England ranks first in defensive points allowed. Pittsburgh ranks 10th, Green 21st and Atlanta 27th. The offenses reflect
“The NFL is like the college game out there some times now.” NFL scout
what the scout says: Atlanta (1st), New England (3rd), Green Bay (fourth) and Pittsburgh (10th) tell where the game is.
So how do the Dolphins get from here to there? Especially when their defense needs the most work?
The scout chuckled. “The short-cut to winning more is scoring more points,” he said. “So, yes, get defense if that’s what you need. But don’t forget the offense in the process.”
The to-do list keeps getting longer. This is the second, full off-season for this Dolphins brain trust with coach Adam Gase, vice president of football operations Mike Tannenbaum and general manager Chris Grier. Atlanta made it to this point in coach Dan Quinn’s second year. They’re the outlier, though.
“It seems the Dolphins finally reached the point they’re not firing a coach or GM every year,” the scout said. “That’s important. Look at these teams in the championship games.”
Bill Belichick is in his 17th year running New England. Green Bay’s coach Mike McCarthy and Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin have been there since 2007, and their personnel heads even longer.
“Continuity matters,’’ the scout said.
Cincinnati has continuity with Marvin Lewis. The Rams had continuity with Jeff Fisher until he was fired this season. They went nowhere.
“OK, continuity with the right people,” he said. “That’s not all on coaches. The personnel people with these teams are finding some gems – some great players – but also enough good, inexpensive kids to clear out expensive contracts. And they’re bold enough to clear them out no matter what anyone outside thinks.”
New England’s latest move like this was dealing veteran linebacker Jamie Collins to Cleveland in mid-season. Green Bay’ cut veteran guard Josh Sitton, who signed with rival Chicago. Pittsburgh, like the others, has let go big names like Mike Wallace and Joey Porter through the year.
“The thing these teams do best is build a full roster,” the scout said. “One through 53 matters. And they’re proof of the football line you can’t have enough cornerbacks and tackles.”
New England lost right tackle Sebastian Vollmer (and tight end Rob Gronkowski). Green Bay has lots a couple cornerbacks (and its top two wide receivers by last weekend). Pittsburgh starts two rookies in its secondary (and lost defense end Cameron Hayward). Atlanta has been fairly healthy.
“These teams all got better as the year went on, too,” he said. “Belichick is a master at this. Green Bay and Pittsburgh – did they even lose near the end?”
From December, these four teams went 19-1 to close the regular season. Atlanta had the only loss, to Kansas City by one point. The Dolphins went 3-2 to end the season. But their losses were by 32 and 21 points. Something else to think about.
This Sunday, for football aficionados, is better than the Super Bowl. Two big games. Four successful teams. And, for onlookers like the Dolphins, lessons on how to get there next season.