If one image symbolized the Dolphins' futility in 2010, it was that of head coach Tony Sparano's emphatic fist pump after the Dolphins settled for yet another field goal.

The Dolphins rebuilt their team following a disastrous 1-15 season in 2007 in the mold of their former team president Bill Parcells, with an emphasis on defense and a strong running game.

That process yielded a surprise division title in 2008, but has brought Dolfans little joy since then, as Miami's two-headed rushing attack of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams was no match for the aerial attacks of division rivals New England and New York.

But head coach Tony Sparano has turned over a new leaf, as evidenced by an interview with Yahoo! Sports this week. Sparano, knowing he is on the hot seat after nearly being replaced by Jim Harbaugh last winter, vowed to be less conservative and embrace the passing game.

Too bad Sparano did not realize this in time for the Dolphins to pick a quarterback in the first round of April's NFL Draft, and not an offensive lineman.

"The people that I worked for before, [low-risk play-calling is] how they approached it," Sparano told Yahoo. Problem is, that led to Miami scoring the third fewest points in the NFL last season.

"If you don't score points in our division, you're going to have a hard time winning football games," Sparano continued, channeling master-of-the-obvious former coach and broadcaster John Madden.

In past years, the Dolphins were content to wear out opponents with their running game and depend on the defense to keep the score close. Sparano hopes new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll will reverse that trend.

"I feel like Brian’s style is more aggressive," Sparano noted, adding, "We couldn’t crawl down the field anymore."

With speedster Clyde Gates and pass-catching running back Reggie Bush joining a receiving corps that already features former All-Pro Brandon Marshall and shifty Davone Bess, Daboll and quarterback chad Henne seemingly have all the tools to craft an effective passing game.

"I know what has to be done around here and we're going to do it," Sparano concluded.

Hopefully Sparano's new outlook will lead to more fist-pumps of the touchdown variety in 2011.