With the Miami Dolphins off to an 0-5 start, the Tony Sparano watch has begun. The only question that remains is when will Sparano be fired as the team’s coach.
If ever there were defining moments in a coach’s tenure with his team, it came in the first half on Monday night when the Dolphins played the New York Jets.
The Dolphins were faced with a fourth and one from the Jets’ 41 during their first possession of the game, but Sparano chose to punt.
At the post game press conference, Sparano said he chose to kick the ball away because “field position was critical.”
Trailing 14-6 with 1:14 remaining before halftime and one timeout left, Miami took over on its 20.
The Dolphins ran two running plays that netted 12 yards and never attempted to use their timeout, allowing the clock to run out.
One minute and 14 seconds is an eternity in the NFL. Add the luxury of being able to stop the clock once and that’s clearly enough time to move the ball into field goal range.
If Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees had that much time left on the clock and one timeout to work with, you can bet they would make every effort to give their team a chance to score.
But Sparano was content to let the clock run out and gave away a chance to put more points on the board.
For a team that hasn’t won a game this season, you’d think Sparano would be desperate for a victory.
When an opportunity presents itself to add three points and give your team some momentum heading into the locker room, it’s a no-brainer decision for any coach, especially one on the hot seat.
But not Sparano.
After the game Sparano tried to put the blame on Matt Moore, saying the Dolphins’ quarterback had the option to call a run or pass in that situation.
Deflecting responsibility for a poor decision isn’t the act of a leader.
Sparano’s lack of aggressiveness would have been unacceptable for a good team, but for an 0-5 team there’s no excuse to do everything you can to get a win.
It was a sterling example of a coach that has given up and conceded his tenure with the Dolphins is about to end.
There were many Dolphins’ fans calling for Sparano’s termination prior to Monday’s game. It comes as a bit of a surprise that he wasn’t canned following Miami’s listless performance against the Jets.
But according to the Miami Herald, Sparano’s time with the Dolphins is on life support.
Miami owner Stephen Ross decided not to make a coaching change after the loss to the Jets.
A close associate of Ross said that the owner remains “very frustrated” and Sparano’s status would again be subject to re-evaluation if the Dolphins lose at home Sunday to 1-4 Denver.
Frankly, there’s nothing left to evaluate. Sparano has packed it in and there’s no reason why Ross should continue prolonging the inevitable.
