Commentary: Miami Dolphins' best bet might be to 'Suck for Luck' (go 0-16 draft Luck)

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Commentary: Miami Dolphins' best bet might be to 'Suck for Luck' (go 0-16 and then draft the Stanford quarterback)




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Commentary: Miami Dolphins' best bet might be to 'Suck for Luck' (go 0-16 and then draft the Stanford quarterback)
By ETHAN J. SKOLNICK
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Updated: 5:18*p.m.*Monday,*Oct.*3,*2011
Posted: 4:05*p.m.*Monday,*Oct.*3,*2011
Movements take time.

Non-believers must be convinced that the old approaches are futile, that the only path forward is change.

So, take me, Lucksters, I'm yours.

I've seen the light and the Dolphins' darkness.

I'm standing with a fan base that has lost all hope, and been left to hope for losses - and the chance to qualify for the No. 1 draft pick, and the right to select Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck.

But first, I'm kneeling to ask your forgiveness. Just two weeks back, I was among the many mocking you. How silly did you seem, targeting the 2012 draft with your "Suck for Luck" slogan, just moments after the 2011 season had opened its eyes?

What sort of Dolphins supporters were you? And, further, didn't you understand the odds against Miami?

Hadn't you noticed the Chiefs losing three of their four top players to season-ending injuries?

Didn't you realize that the Bengals, Panthers and Jaguars would be starting rookie quarterbacks, and the 49ers would be starting Alex Smith?

Didn't you recognize the brilliance of running Reggie Bush between the tackles, or throwing fades to Brian Hartline, or signing Dallas discards? Didn't you know that Brandon Marshall, for all he makes, couldn't possibly drop passes squarely striking his hands?

There was no chance the Dolphins could finish with the NFL's worst record, and get a chance to draft the premier quarterback prospect since John Elway in 1983 and Peyton Manning in '98.

That was then.

This is wow.

Apparently, all of you weren't on something.

You were onto something.

Monday morning, the Dolphins were one of four winless teams, along with St. Louis, Minnesota and Indianapolis (the Colts played Tampa Bay late Monday). This utter imperfection is remarkable if you consider that the Seahawks, Chiefs and Jaguars all have worse point differentials than Miami, yet each has stumbled into a victory.

The Dolphins have managed to do just enough to lose and, thus, in the eyes of the "Suck for Luck" crowd, not lose their way.

After the dull defeat against the Chargers, FinsNation.com declared it a "Luck-tory Monday!" with a photo of the Stanford quarterback celebrating. On the Finheaven.com message boards, Luck threads kept sprouting, with one titled, "Tanking the Season/Happy for Loses."

I think the author meant "Happy for Losses."

He forgot an "S."

Just like Jeff Ireland, when constructing his secondary.

Anyway, the first post included this: "I can honestly say that I am more interested and excited for a loss for my Fins this year than any other. I hate saying that as a fan but I'm having a long term perspective of this season. I was throwing things, kicking my dog and punching walls for NE & Houston, Now all I can do is chuckle and clap."

An admission like that once got you bashed, if not banned.

Instead, cheers.

Another contribution: "I don't want the players to intentionally lose games, but I'm fine with them losing and playing uninspired football - who could blame them?!"

And really, who could blame any Dolphins fan for feeling that way? This franchise hasn't made the AFC Championship Game since January 1993, has started 14 quarterbacks since Dan Marino retired, and hasn't even timed its terrible years right.

The Dolphins picked second in 2005, when Aaron Rodgers was available. But the Dolphins, like most of the NFL, didn't realize what he would become (he was chosen 24th), so they took Ronnie Brown, who distinguished himself as an Eagle on Sunday by throwing the ball backwards at the opposing 1.

In 2008, Miami could have taken Matt Ryan over Jake Long, but Ryan didn't look like a lock like Luck.

Luck is the perfect prospect - smart, strong, committed, accurate - and the Dolphins are in perfect position to get him. They play with little energy and less poise. They don't appear to communicate with each other, or hear their coaches. They have a home-field disadvantage.

No reasonable person expects players and coaches, whose future paychecks are based on performance, to fail on purpose. Yet, for this team, it's an unintended consequence of overall incompetence.

So if you're Steve Ross, why mess with a good losing streak? Why wake anyone up? Why not sit tight? Why not wait until the end of the season to change course?

If the Dolphins earn the No. 1 pick, Ross should have his pick of prospective team-builders.

Maybe he'll choose one who, unlike those in the current regime, wouldn't pick a right guard.

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Commentary: Miami Dolphins' best bet might be to 'Suck for Luck' (go 0-16 and then draft the Stanford quarterback)

[Dr. Jack]

Somehow the Dolphins will screw this up. That being said, I am sporting a SUCK for LUCK t-shirt!

[aztriman]

I love how Sparano gets really excited when his team kicks a friggin field goal, then loses by 10.

[Chris46139]

Originally Posted by Dr. Jack

Somehow the Dolphins will screw this up. That being said, I am sporting a SUCK for LUCK t-shirt!

Is way better than my old, "we're all right, so we can draft Pat White" t-shirt

[ghoopin]

Key game my be at Kansas City. If we can lose that game, that will be a key tie breaker. lol

Realistically, if we make it to week 12 winless, very good shot at 0-16.