Miami Dolphins Decade: A Franchise State of Emergency

Ladies and gentlemen of the Unites States of America, I have called this blogger-press conference to address a problem that lies in the southern most portion of the continental United States: Miami, Florida.

The Miami Dolphins, one of the NFL's oldest and most prestigious franchises, is in a state of emergency.

While problems like this are prevalent in Buffalo and Detroit, none are more pressing than in South Beach.

December 30, 2010 will mark the 10 year anniversary of the last time the beloved folks of Miami celebrated a postseason win for their hometown team.

On December 30, 2000 the Miami Dolphins beat the Indianapolis Colts by a 23-17 count on Lamar Smith's 17 yard scamper in overtime—a blacked out game may I remind you.

They advanced to the AFC Divisional game, in which they lost in Oakland, 27-0.

Since that time, the Miami Dolphins have reached the postseason just twice, losing both times to the Ravens and having virtually no chance to win in either game as they were outscored in both contests 47-12.

Since 2000, the Dolphins have been 75-84 (.471) including the postseason.

They have been through five coaches, four stadium name changes, three seasons with double-digit loses, two playoff appearances and a partridge in a pair tree.

From 2001 to 2007, the Dolphins first-round draft picks have been the likes of Jamar Fletcher (traded after three seasons with the team), Vernon Carey (who is considered an average right tackle in the league), Ronnie Brown (who can't seem to surpass 1000 rushing yards in a season), Jason Allen (cut after four plus seasons) and Tedd Ginn Jr. (traded after three unproductive seasons).

In between 2001 and 2009, Miami has used second round picks on Chris Chambers, Eddie Moore, Matt Roth, John Beck, Samson Satele, Philip Merling, Chad Henne, Pat White and Sean Smith. None of the second rounders before 2008 remain with the team and the only second round selection of the Dolphins that lasted longer than four years with the team was Chambers.

Also since 2001, 15 different quarterbacks have tried to fill the shoes of Dan Marino and Miami has spent exactly zero first round selections at that position.

At present time, it can be argued that Miami has the worst quarterback in their own division, a head coach and general manager under a microscope desperate to save their own jobs, six players who would start on the team on the IR list and a 1-5 record at home in front of their own fans.

Since Tony Sparano's tenure started as the Miami Dolphins head coach, it is almost as if the team takes one step forward and two steps backwards.

After its acquisition of two of the best free agents on the market in Brandon Marshall and Karlos Dansby, the Miami rushing game went from averaging 4.4 yards a carry and eighth best rushing offense in the league to now being ranked as the 28th rushing offense averaging 3.7 yards per carry.

One has to ask themselves this question: How would the Tony Sparano, Bill Parcells and Jeff Ireland project be viewed had Chad Pennington not fallen into their laps in the 2008 preseason? Let it not be forgotten that going into the preseason, the Miami Dolphins had Josh McCown tabbed as their Week 1 starter.

In the last two weeks, Miami has scored a combined 20 points and luckily split those decisions with the Browns and Jets. Arguably the game MVP in the Browns game was Dan Carpenter, after his 60 yard field goal and the game MVP from the Jets game was Brandon Fields, who punted a combined 564 yards with a long of 69 yards.

So to recap that last statement, our past two game-MVPs have been special team members.

It is safe to say that this has been a decade to forget for the Miami Dolphins, especially since the franchise is in little better shape than it was years ago; there are still questions at the quarterback position, uncertainty at the head coaching and general manager helms and fans quickly losing interest in its football team, especially with the success of its basketball team.

Every loss this season has come with a sense of numbness as fans are growing used to the feeling of disappointment in every form, and sometimes even a win leaves the team with more question marks than a loss—just think back to last week's 10-6 victory over the Jets.

So I say to you, fellow Dolphans, let us stand in union as one fan base, tired of dull and uninteresting offense, always left with six days to lament the previous weeks shortcomings and fear what embarrassment lies ahead.

Have hope that whoever charges ahead, with the team's decision selects a star player with next year's first round draft pick and starts to fill the holes in free agency, instead of create new ones.

Continue to wear jerseys of players who used to fill our hearts with joy and promise such as Dan Marino, Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor, until new players help this team sustain success in the league.

Maybe someday soon our days of hurt and shame from the Dolphins will turn to reward and victory.

Please comment and share your feeling as the healing process begins with communication.

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