Before I write a quick preview of the Fins first playoff game, I just wanted to write a quick comment on some news I just received. Mike Smith was named coach of the year by one vote over Tony Sparano.
Though I don't have time for extended comment right now, I am deeply disappointed by this award balloting. Mike Smith had a great year in turning around the Atlanta Falcons, but with all due respect, his year didn't come close to what Sparano did with Miami. It's not on the level of Favre ousting Chad for the Pro Bowl, but it's a clear mistake nonetheless.
Miami was 1-15 last year. This franchise had been in shambles for years, plagued by horrible decision makers. Yes, Parcells came in and helped right the lineup, but take a closer look. The key contributors this year: Ricky, Ronnie, Ginn, Crowder, Allen, Bell...these guys were all the same key ingredients that Cameron "did well with what he had." On top of that, what about Patrick Cobbs and Greg Camarillo? Who were they last year? They were here, but now they developed. Andre Goodman? They guy was terrible in everybody's opinion (including my own) until Sparano figured out how to use him. Joey Porter? Don't even go there...
Still don't believe that Sparano deserves it? Think it was Chad Pennington that led the turnaround? Remind me, exactly, who wanted the "weak-armed" Pennington when the Jets discarded him. This guy was washed up, finished. Yes, credit Parcells for picking him up, but Pennington having his best season now was as much a reflection on how he was used as it was on Chad stepping up and making the most of it. Not only would Chad not have had this type of season if a Mangini was his head man, he never even had a year like this with the brilliant Parcells calling the plays. Have I convinced you that Sparano's season wasn't merely a reflection on Parcells or Pennington yet?
Good, let's move back to what Sparano has done. This team was 0-2. It was bad. Then Sparano opened up his mind to what would become the biggest story in the NFL this year. The Wildcat changed things, and winning bred winning. Sparano gained credibility with his team, and rookies and veterans alike bought in. Every week there was a different wrinkle, a different way of finding the perfect plays. Roster shakeups were everywhere, and Sparano didn't rest until every unit was set, whether it was Renaldo Hill shoring up the secondary or Erik Walden cementing the coverage teams. Matt Roth changed positions and became a force. Greg Camarillo became Wes Welker, and then got injured, and then Devone Bess did. Both starting guards were lost for the year...Sparano found people. The Dolphin's won 9 out of 10 to finish the season, including the last five, four of which were on the road. Did I mention this team went from 1-15 to division champs?
Mike Smith did a lot of great things this year, but a lot of his team was in in place, having been built for years for a certain quarterback. He got a new quarterback this year, and a pretty good one. Though he plugged him in seamlessly, even the Vick-less Falcons were not 1-15 last year, and they did not win their division this year.
Tony Sparano deserved this award.
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