Sparano's Dolphins: What Luck? Take The Risk and Reap The Rewards

Coach Tony Sparano proved to be just what the Dolphins needed in a head coach. Under the leadership of Sparano and his staff, we saw Miami make a 10 win improvement over the previous season (one of the best one season turnarounds in NFL history –tied with the 1999 Indianapolis Colts).

Miami Dolphins’ offensive coordinator, Dan Henning, came out of retirement to help bring Miami’s offense to life. Henning is a 28-year NFL veteran coach and believes in running the ball and creative play-calling. In the 2008 season, no other team ran the Wildcat offense as successfully as the Dolphins. The Dolphins also set an NFL record for the fewest turnovers in a season. With just 13 turnovers they share this record with the 2008 NY Giants.

The Dolphins defense improved under the coordination of Paul Pasqualoni. The 2008 Dolphins did not allow a touchdown in three straight games.  "To be a top echelon defense you've got to be dominant all the time. You can't be dominant sometimes, and that's what we do," said outside linebacker Joey Porter in a Sun Sentinel interview.

It is each player’s individual responsibility to report to the field game ready, but there are other factors that can contribute to the outcome of the game. These factors may include coaching, bad weather, injuries, turnovers, and poor calls from the refs. Taken from the rules out of the Survivor handbook, a playmaker must be able to out play, out last and out wit his opponent.

Ultimately, each team on the field is there for one definitive purpose, to get that opportunity of being excellent enough not only to make it to, but to win the Superbowl.

Last season, the Dolphins had nothing to lose, but everything to prove.  Some may see the Dolphins 2008 season as a stroke of luck, but one play at a time, I am sure we will see the Phins on top of the AFC East again this year.