Is “Suck for Luck” such a crazy idea?

Oct. 27 Opinion 11 comments ---Bill

For the last 3 weeks I’ve listened to all of the debate about the Miami Dolphins fans’ desire to Suck for Luck.  I’ve listened to ‘experts’ on the radio/TV argue whether or not the Dolphins (or any team) should Suck for Luck…… I’ve listened to Dolphins players lash out at fans that support the movement…..I’ve listened to Dolphins fans who are arguing with one another about how loyal of a fan they are.  The truth is, no matter which side of the argument you are on, the Dolphins futility is a direct result of the inadequacy of the QB position.

Think about it, the Dolphins have brought in big name types like Jimmy Johnson, Bill Parcels, and Nick Saban.  None of them have worked.  Since Dan Marino retired, the Dolphins have started 16 different quarterbacks because none of the big name, head honchos, have been able to identify a solid QB option.  The best quarterback (since Marino) to wear a Dolphins uniform was Chad Pennington in the magical season of 2008.  To be fair though, even that season was a bit misleading.  The Dolphins DID play a very weak schedule that year, even though they managed to win the AFC East.  So does it really matter if the Dolphins bring in Bill Cowher, Jon Gruden, or Jeff Fisher to run the team?  Only, if they are bringing a franchise QB with them.

This is the reason why so many Dolphins fans (over 60%) want the Dolphins to get a franchise QB (cough, Andrew Luck, cough).  Fans are tired of this franchise being mediocre…or in the case of ’07 and ’11, a laughing stock.  Seriously, fans are so disappointed that they are openly mocking the Dolphins organization.  While I find it very funny, it shows how bad things have gotten for the Miami Dolphins.

So is Suck for Luck such a crazy idea?  I don’t think so, not in the least.  No one expects Tony Sparano or any of the Dolphins players to intentionally tank games.  No one is asking them to….they’re doing a good enough job of losing on their own.  After all, Sparano and all of the players are playing for their livelihood…they’re playing to show other teams that they can add value to their organizations, if the next Dolphins regime doesn’t have a place for them moving forward.

Additionally, think about what happens in 2 of the other major sports in the USA.  In baseball, July 31st is the annual trade deadline.  Teams that are no longer in contention look to sell off their best assets with the hopes of getting prospects that can help them in the future.  That’s big picture thinking.  It’s sacrificing in the short term for a long term benefit.  The Mets, who were awful this season traded Carlos Beltran to the Giants for their top pitching prospect (Zach Wheeler).  Mets fans were giddy at the thought of trading for a kid that is still in the minor leagues.  Are they not real fans?

What about basketball?  Not only do you regularly have teams ‘resting’ their best players during the final games of the season, to enhance their chances in the draft lottery….but you have trades that make no “talent for talent” sense.  Teams that are bad look to unload bad contracts to clear cap space.  Again, sacrificing a better player now, for the potential to get a better player in the future.  Sacrificing more wins now, for a better tomorrow.

Does all of this sound familiar?  This is EXACTLY the same premise that the Suck for Luckers are basing their hopes and dreams on.  Losing in 2011 so that the Dolphins have a bright hope for the next 12-15 years at QB.  Look, I HATE seeing the Dolphins organization embarrass itself, it happens much more than I’d like.  I also find it extremely hard to root against the Dolphins.  After all, I’ve watched every game for the last 25 years, cheering for the Dolphins.  It’s certainly a different way of approaching things.  BUT, if I have to put up with one terrible season, knowing it will bring years of prosperity….where do I sign up?

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  • FZB

    Welcome on board, there is plenty of room left..I have been a fan since 1968 , I’ve seen the very best and now the worst…trust me , its way better to win ..But we need players and it starts with the QB….

    is better to suffer short term pain for long term gain.

  • kp

    ‎38 yrs since Super Bowl Champs
    26 yrs since Superbowl appearance
    18 yrs since AFC Championship game appearance (but less than the Bengals, Browns, Lions, & Redskins)
    10 yrs since a playoff victory.
    But who’s counting.

  • http://www.phinnation.com Bill

    KP – you are preaching to the choir…We need a full rebuilding of the front office and the roster

  • jtruth

    “No one expects Tony Sparano or any of the Dolphins players to intentionally tank games. No one is asking them to”

    Sorry but anyone on the Suck for Luck bullshit campaign is all about haveing the team lose games people who support this crap wish the team would just sit everyone so we lose all our games and end up with the number one pick to me this is absolutely ridiculous.

    You’re right we do need a franchise QB, but do yall really just want to watch your team lose in the hopes that this kid is not the next Ryan Leaf? To me it’s just not worth it none of yall can see into the future none of yall are professional scouts and yet yall have already dubbed this kid the next best thing since sliced bread. What happens if we do ‘Suck for Luck’ (what an absolutely dumb idea and disrespectful thing to do to the franchise yall supposedly are ‘fans’ of) and he is the next Ryan Leaf would it have been worth it to you? Should we then tank every game next season to get another ‘franchise’ signal caller?

    Also baseball is a ridiculous example because it is such a different game and different strategy, its a much more individual sport rather than a whole team sport like football.

  • MiamiMike

    Sorry Jtruth, but we’re just going to agree to disagree. First, it’s HIGHLY UNLIKELY that Andrew Luck is going to be the next Ryan Leaf. He’s been compared to Peyton Manning and John Elway, in terms of prospects coming out of college. Leaf wasn’t a top prospect, he just happened to be taken too high in the draft.

    I think the baseball analogy is a good one. Yes, they are different sports but it’s a good analogy to show how fans react to the promise of hope for a better team ‘next year’.

  • IrelandSucks

    It is more fun rooting for this team to lose. Trust me, you will sleep better!

  • Tony

    I don’t agree with the “Suck for Luck” concept either. I’d like to think most players really want to play a good game, win, lose or draw. Consistently losing will dampen ever the most enthusiastic players, in time.
    Seems the last coach Miami had that valued the quarterback position was Don Shula. He was always bringing in quarterbacks to groom as back ups to the likes of Greise, Marino and even Woodley. Been a fan since their first year and have seen them through the good, the bad and the plum unfortunate looking. Will still be a fan and root for their eventual rise to the top too.
    It appears they have drafted everything else in the early rounds after Shula retired. Maybe it’s time to try getting a real first round quarterback prospect. If it happens via the draft or because they just wind up being one of the worst teams this season, so be it. If they had placed more of a value in acquiring a field general over the last 11 or so years, this “Suck for Luck” chant wouldn’t have STUCK!

  • http://www.twitter.com/phinnationbk Brandon

    Bill, you are exactly right! Both baseball and basketball have these types of things happen ALL the time. People just are too greedy in the NFL because of how small the season is. Football is a win now sport with only the best of the best making the playoffs. Some may try and argue the Seattle Seahawks at 7-9 last year were not the best of the best, but they won a playoff game, they belonged there. The NBA and MLB have 16 teams making the playoffs so you can be mediocre and still appease your fans because when you can say Team X made the playoffs you feel they are having success (even if they were 8 games under .500 like the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference of the NBA always is.) We as loyal Dolphins fans have dealt with mediocrity the past decade we need a player to revitalize this team and it’s fan base. Andrew Luck is that guy.

  • Chris

    Hold that thought. First lets see how Luck does against USC (6-1) this Saturday. Maybe Barkley is the reason the Dolphins should suck.

  • Bradley

    Getting Luck is no better than getting Elway. It took John 16-years to win a super bowl. Even if Dolphins get #1 pick they may not reach Super Bowl until 2020 or beyond. Yeas, they will probably win a few more games but (1) player doesn’t put a rinig on your finger. Remember, the only reason Patton Maaning won a Super Bowl was Belecheck win for it on 4th down. If Patriots had punted the ball Tom would have 4-rings.