Crunked
05-13-2006, 09:33 AM
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Miami Goes Hollywood, then Vegas, then Freakshow, then powerhouse?
http://www.miami-florida.com/artdeco3.jpg Lets talk about Americas favorite get away of the east. Known more for palm trees, pink and coral colored stucco homes and the 20's-30's art deco architecture of south beach, recently this haven of the sun has re-vamped another icon, added yet another layer to its ongoing facade, its pro football team.
In an almost Parcells-like way the flashy and snappy dressing Nick Saban has changed how we come to view the Miami football Dolphins. The methodology for Sabans restructure of a team that has had talent unrealized for so many years before his tenure began with one "Ricky Williams". noted for his bouts of bizarre and on and off the field drug habits, Ricky unceremoniously unretired and returned to the Dolphins apparently by Sabans bidding. Although Ricky may be on the outs for good, given his current failed test by the league and all of the talk about Ricky going to Canada to ply his wholistic approach to the canuck-ians, it should be noted that he did perform without incident for a team he left like a jilted bride at the alter of the 2004 season, when he offered up his retirement right before training camp was to start.
Ricky of course proved to be only the first in a line of bizarre trials by the former LSU coach to bring success back to Miami, one only need look at his next acquistion of the bizarre. http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/nfl/players/3/4659.jpg
Daunte Culpepper. Daunte is a proven commodity on the field (when healthy), but as Captain at least in stature of the Love Boat scandal in Minnesota, his acting as his own agent, and his obvious demise before he suffered the devastating knee injury, one must ask, what is the coach thinking? Looking back at Daunte's career to date, one that spans 8 NFL seasons, the injury bug is a legit concern for Dolphin fans, as Daunte has played in all 16 games in only three of those years. The good news is, if you believe in patterns, to continue the pattern Daunte will play in all 16 this year. http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/nfl/players/2/5889.jpg
The latest acquistion from the twilight zone, would be the inclusion of Joey Harrington. Joeys checkered past as the #3 pick for the Detroit Millen-ites has been chronicled far and wide, was it a good talent in a bad situation well until Pepp gets hurt Miami will never know for sure. Understand I don't view these moves as good or bad, only that they are happening in Miami, not necessarily known for the bizarre between the hashes, at least until now.
http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/3/9/1/Dophins150_thumb.jpg Looking forward Saban continues his pattern with the likes of Marcus Vick and Kyle Turley. Turley would not be a reach for an offensive lineman, but as a Tight end???? Well there is no guarantee he will even make the team let alone see the field if he does, but it does point to the ongoing trend at south beach. Turley released by the Rams in 2004 set out the 05 campaign with ongoing back problems, problems serious enough to cause him to shift gears in his career, at 29 Turley the oft volitile persona still has the ability to play in the league if healthy, but the biggest question mark is health. Obviously unable to contribute as a lineman he has attempted to re-invent himself as a tight end I am not sure how that eleviates the three point stance and the taking on of high motor atheletes in terms of his back problems, but he seems to think it will be less taxing, after all its his back right? Marcus Vick, now here is another story entirely, pegged as the all Lawerence Phillips wild card of Saban's off season. Vick most likely wont even make the practice squad more so for his personality not his ability. Obviously the potential in Vick is there and un-tapped, his ego is far more prevelant than his ability to succeed. However it is the principle of Saban giving him a shot that is more important.
http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/3/9/1/MIABAN.jpg
I , for one, applaud the Coaches brazen approach to the NFL's mundane mantra of right and wrong, but I do question his methodology, why seek out these quirky characters of the NFL? Fine, you give one a shot here or there, you are seen as a noble man trying to right the wrongs of an individual. Repeatly seeking out the odd balls though points to a man who feels character, good, bad, or ugly is a staple of the NFL environment a man who is desperately trying to be seen as a saviour of sorts to the wayward sons of the NFL.
The question remains who will be next to make a splash in the Saban freak show? Mark Gastineau? Tony Mandarich? I know, I know, Neon Deion will walk away from Maryland to play slot reciever.........or maybe, just maybe Barry Sanders, LB!....there is a Detriot connection now, why not. Hey if Nick can even strike gold with one of these social experiments he will be hailed as a genius. I for one will enjoy the ride and the effort, its like juggling monkeys on the backs of a circus clown, good times, good times...next up the leotard clad ladies spinning china ware on a stick for your pleasure.
Miami reinassance capital of the palms or cast off haven for the Miami Dolphins? Tour guides everywhere will be busy reclassifying what they thought they knew about Miami.
In closing, much more is and will be made about these moves than the solid off season picks that dont make the Enquirer-esque type headlines. Mike Pearson OT, Deke Cooper S, Fred Beasley FB, Will Allen CB, Justin Peelle TE, Renaldo Hill CB, Sedrick Hodge LB, and Andre Goodman CB, Saban is working to build a champion and although moves like Culpepper, Harrington, Turley, and Vick may be suspect in the bigger picture, talent is being assembled in Dolphin land, and ultimately that is all that matters. For over a decade, all the Miami squad lacked was a good coach and a cohesive approach to building a winner, they have both in Nick Saban.
http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/7/CosmicGelDm6.gif
Miami Goes Hollywood, then Vegas, then Freakshow, then powerhouse?
http://www.miami-florida.com/artdeco3.jpg Lets talk about Americas favorite get away of the east. Known more for palm trees, pink and coral colored stucco homes and the 20's-30's art deco architecture of south beach, recently this haven of the sun has re-vamped another icon, added yet another layer to its ongoing facade, its pro football team.
In an almost Parcells-like way the flashy and snappy dressing Nick Saban has changed how we come to view the Miami football Dolphins. The methodology for Sabans restructure of a team that has had talent unrealized for so many years before his tenure began with one "Ricky Williams". noted for his bouts of bizarre and on and off the field drug habits, Ricky unceremoniously unretired and returned to the Dolphins apparently by Sabans bidding. Although Ricky may be on the outs for good, given his current failed test by the league and all of the talk about Ricky going to Canada to ply his wholistic approach to the canuck-ians, it should be noted that he did perform without incident for a team he left like a jilted bride at the alter of the 2004 season, when he offered up his retirement right before training camp was to start.
Ricky of course proved to be only the first in a line of bizarre trials by the former LSU coach to bring success back to Miami, one only need look at his next acquistion of the bizarre. http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/nfl/players/3/4659.jpg
Daunte Culpepper. Daunte is a proven commodity on the field (when healthy), but as Captain at least in stature of the Love Boat scandal in Minnesota, his acting as his own agent, and his obvious demise before he suffered the devastating knee injury, one must ask, what is the coach thinking? Looking back at Daunte's career to date, one that spans 8 NFL seasons, the injury bug is a legit concern for Dolphin fans, as Daunte has played in all 16 games in only three of those years. The good news is, if you believe in patterns, to continue the pattern Daunte will play in all 16 this year. http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/nfl/players/2/5889.jpg
The latest acquistion from the twilight zone, would be the inclusion of Joey Harrington. Joeys checkered past as the #3 pick for the Detroit Millen-ites has been chronicled far and wide, was it a good talent in a bad situation well until Pepp gets hurt Miami will never know for sure. Understand I don't view these moves as good or bad, only that they are happening in Miami, not necessarily known for the bizarre between the hashes, at least until now.
http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/3/9/1/Dophins150_thumb.jpg Looking forward Saban continues his pattern with the likes of Marcus Vick and Kyle Turley. Turley would not be a reach for an offensive lineman, but as a Tight end???? Well there is no guarantee he will even make the team let alone see the field if he does, but it does point to the ongoing trend at south beach. Turley released by the Rams in 2004 set out the 05 campaign with ongoing back problems, problems serious enough to cause him to shift gears in his career, at 29 Turley the oft volitile persona still has the ability to play in the league if healthy, but the biggest question mark is health. Obviously unable to contribute as a lineman he has attempted to re-invent himself as a tight end I am not sure how that eleviates the three point stance and the taking on of high motor atheletes in terms of his back problems, but he seems to think it will be less taxing, after all its his back right? Marcus Vick, now here is another story entirely, pegged as the all Lawerence Phillips wild card of Saban's off season. Vick most likely wont even make the practice squad more so for his personality not his ability. Obviously the potential in Vick is there and un-tapped, his ego is far more prevelant than his ability to succeed. However it is the principle of Saban giving him a shot that is more important.
http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/3/9/1/MIABAN.jpg
I , for one, applaud the Coaches brazen approach to the NFL's mundane mantra of right and wrong, but I do question his methodology, why seek out these quirky characters of the NFL? Fine, you give one a shot here or there, you are seen as a noble man trying to right the wrongs of an individual. Repeatly seeking out the odd balls though points to a man who feels character, good, bad, or ugly is a staple of the NFL environment a man who is desperately trying to be seen as a saviour of sorts to the wayward sons of the NFL.
The question remains who will be next to make a splash in the Saban freak show? Mark Gastineau? Tony Mandarich? I know, I know, Neon Deion will walk away from Maryland to play slot reciever.........or maybe, just maybe Barry Sanders, LB!....there is a Detriot connection now, why not. Hey if Nick can even strike gold with one of these social experiments he will be hailed as a genius. I for one will enjoy the ride and the effort, its like juggling monkeys on the backs of a circus clown, good times, good times...next up the leotard clad ladies spinning china ware on a stick for your pleasure.
Miami reinassance capital of the palms or cast off haven for the Miami Dolphins? Tour guides everywhere will be busy reclassifying what they thought they knew about Miami.
In closing, much more is and will be made about these moves than the solid off season picks that dont make the Enquirer-esque type headlines. Mike Pearson OT, Deke Cooper S, Fred Beasley FB, Will Allen CB, Justin Peelle TE, Renaldo Hill CB, Sedrick Hodge LB, and Andre Goodman CB, Saban is working to build a champion and although moves like Culpepper, Harrington, Turley, and Vick may be suspect in the bigger picture, talent is being assembled in Dolphin land, and ultimately that is all that matters. For over a decade, all the Miami squad lacked was a good coach and a cohesive approach to building a winner, they have both in Nick Saban.