Team identity is a critical component of NFL success. Systems that provide clearly defined roles, expectations and prototypes allow for little margin of error in any company or program — and NFL teams are no exception. That has ultimately served as one of the great stumbling blocks for the Miami Dolphins organization over the course of the last two decades. The Dolphins had their most sustained success in the immediate aftermath of Dan Marino’s retirement when they were a ground and pound team.
And then, somewhere around 2007, Miami decided their next action should be finding the next Dan Marino. The team hires of Cam Cameron, Joe Philbin and Adam Gase over the following 10 years as head coaches overlooked any quality other than a pedigree or background around a high flying offense. And the Dolphins paid the price dearly — Cameron went 1-15 and was dismissed after a single season, Joe Philbin could hardly gather himself to look players in the eye when reprimanding them and Adam Gase continuously alienated players in an effort to find the perfect locker room harmony. And by the end of it all, Gase’s entire locker room quit on him after a December win against the Patriots to move the team to 7-6 on the season.
Things are a bit different now, thanks to the presence of a young head coach in Brian Flores and a creative general manager in Chris Grier. The Dolphins are no longer chasing the ghost of Dan Marino and, ironically enough, have stumbled onto the biggest star they’ve had since Marino as a result in Tua Tagovailoa. The rookie quarterback must of course prove himself at the pro level — but is it not telling that the moment the Dolphins’ identity becomes centered around physical trench play and strong defense instead of chasing after a sexy passing offense, suddenly a viable quarterback enters the frame?
Miami’s ultimate quest of replacing Dan Marino found its best chance of success the moment they stopped trying so hard to make it happen. And in the process, the Dolphins have opened up an exciting new chapter that will be rooted in physical play on both sides of the ball and defensive prowess.
The franchise quarterback now gets to be the cherry on top as compared to the foundation of the operation.