Huizenga's handoff best wearing SB ring [update]

[MIDMORNING UPDATE: The Dolphins are practicing but linebacker Channing Crowder and cornerback Will Allen are not working today. Both are off to the side doing agility drills. Crowder is dealing with the knee problem that forced him to miss last week's game. He has a wrap over both knees. Allen's injury will be announced by the team later today. He looks like he might still be smarting from a tremendous pancake block delivered by former Dolphin Damion McIntosh on both Allen and safety Renaldo Hill. Allen was complaining about his hip after that hit. The injury today was reported as a groin injury.]

Depending on what happens with Sunday's game between the Dolphins and Jets, and assuming there is no financial apocalypse between today and that time, your beloved football franchise will be changing hands as early as next week.

The sale of the Dolphins and Dolphin Stadium from H. Wayne Huizenga to Stephen Ross is expected to be completed as early as late next week if the Dolphins lose. If the Dolphins win, the sale will come within a week to 10 days following Miami's elimination from the playoffs.

Under any scenario, the owner that has presided over the Dolphins since 1994 is expected to end his tenure in 2009.

And that leads me to this: Thank you, Mr. Huizenga for, what is ultimately, a job well done.

If you are long-time reader of this blog, you know that was not the sentiment on here last season. I railed angrily at all of Mr. Huizenga's missteps in leading this franchise.

I complained that Mr. Huizenga had allowed Jimmy Johnson to basically name his successor, something Don Shula was not allowed to do, even after Johnson failed at his attempt to return the Dolphins to the Super Bowl.

I complained he gave Dave Wannstedt an extension even as he demoted the coach in January 2004.

I complained he conducted a national search for a general manager at that time, and interviewing half-a-dozen excellent candidates, hired Rick Spielman from inside the organization. We all know how that turned out.

I complained about the Cam Cameron hiring. I complained Huizenga had not gone out and hired a proven NFL man to remake this organization and had long ago -- after the Dan Marino as president fiasco -- abandoned the idea of hiring a football man that would report to him only, a man who would report on how the coach and GM were doing.

Well, Mr. Huizenga has waged a terrific and amazing fourth-quarter rally before the end of his ownership tenure. He saw the train wreck that was 2007 and although he could do nothing to prevent it, he was trying to lure one Bill Parcells to his team even before the crash was complete.

So Mr. Huizenga deserves your appreciation for hiring Parcells.

Mr. Huizenga deserves your appreciation for sparing no expense to keep his team competitive.

Mr. Huizenga deserves your appreciation for spending his own money -- approximately $250 million, give or take a few million -- to upgrade Dolphin Stadium.

Mr. Huizenga deserves your appreciation for having the respect of his fellow owners even as his team could not always say the same of its opponents.

And there is one more thing Mr. Huizenga deserves: He deserves for the Dolphins to continue their improbable surge from NFL cellar to the league's heights. Wouldn't it be cool if Miami can win the Super Bowl before Mr. H goes?

What a script!

Anyway, the 15 years of Mr. Huizenga's ownership has been marked with highs and some terrible lows. But ultimately when he closes the sale -- again, assuming no financial collapse or surprises -- and hands over the keys, he should be proud of the product he's turning over.

Because, ultimately, the team Ross is about purchase is back where it belongs: Among the elite teams of the NFL.

[BLOG NOTE: I will be filing updates from camp today. Check back later for news.]

Comments

[C. Little]

I'll believe the transfer when it happens; Ross's money is from real estate.

[Kurt In St Pete]

That was appropriate and Worst to First would be cool. Lets just not over look the J E T S on the way to the champagne...

[Mark]

WH sure did a lot to try to make the Dolphins the best. His errors were out of effort and really the only one I blame him for is clinging on the Wannstedt for so long. The dude could coach but as he showed in Chicago, player personnel was extremely weak. Somehow though he has done an amazing job at Pitt. Go figure.

[Dat RoRo Kid]

I usually give you a lot of grief, Mando, but I gotta say that's a classy post about Mr. H. He may have not made perfectly great decisions every time but he certainly went out of his way to do everything he could to make this a top notch franchise and a winner. Hopefully Ross will carry that mantle.

[my stock is rising]

Good Riddence Garbage Patch Wayne, You Started In Garbage , Hopefully Youll End Up In Garbage.

[GJN]

Thanks for keeping our beloved Dolphins home!!!

[Stephen]

I thought Huzienga gave Parcells his assurance he would be majority owner before Parcells would come on board. Will Parcells stay if Huzienga sells out completely?

[cRUZ]

Yea guys it couldve been worse we could have had AL Davis as our owner.

[my stock is rising]

Mark, Dont Forget His Bringing Nick Satan, And Lets Not Forget The Biggest Loser Of All His Sorry Calls Was Cam(cant Win)camron The Biggest Idiot Of Many Blunders.

[my stock is rising]

Dont Sit Here And Praise This Numbnut, Just Throw A Shoe At Him. I Hate Wayne H.

[my stock is rising]

I Remember When I Was Young My Sister Got A "cabbage Patch Kid" And His Name Was Cabbage Patch Millionaire Wayne. It Looked Just Like Him.

[Marc]

Seriously man...Get a freakin' life...Buy a hooker. Something

[Marc]

If you're ever in Orlando
www.rawdoggirls.com

[Marc]

I wouldn't look past the Jets or Ravens or anyone else for that matter. What the team has accomplished has been tremendous, but, I'm still not sold...

[Matt in NC]

Mr H's results weren't what any of us had hoped for, but he did do his damn best and spared no expense as to what he thought he needed.

Matt

[cRUZ]

Merry Christmas... Lets Go Dolphins...

[Mrs. McNabb]

Mr. Armando Salguero,
Mama was sitting here in her kitchen reading your blog, and almost choked on her Campbell's® Chunky™ Sirloin Burger with Country Vegetables Soup (A good source of protein and a full serving of vegetables), blowing soup out my nose.

You done wrote "If the Dolphins win, it will come within a week to 10 days following Miami's elimination from the playoffs."
Let me tell you young man, nothing of the sort gonna happen. I don't like the tone of that sentence no way at all, no sir. It taste as dag nasty bad as a bowl of New England Clam Chowder.

[marcs star is rising]

Thanks marc, you the man. you and your family have a merry chrismas.

[The Bra1n]

Mando, it would be nice to get an interview with Mr. Huizenga to hear his thoughts on this season and some of the highlights and lowlights during his tenure as owner. Amazingly, I haven't seen much mention of him in the media this year. He must be sitting on Cloud 9 these days after the disaster of last year.

[SteFin]

Way to man-up Armando! great post

[Account Deleted]

Great write up Armando. Merry Christmas to everyone.

[John Madden]

Pinch a loaf.

[mike]

Mondo
Two points:
1 you and our fans need to go to newsday.com and look for the Jets link. they are trashing Mangini bad, they hate the Pats worse than us. They feel JINXed that the can't ever win a 4:15PM game...and they yesterday on the talk show posed this question (althougth no takers answered. "Jets fans, of the two QBS playhing today who would you rather have guiding your team, Chad or Bret?" GREAT QUESTION.
Point nunmber 2.
THIS game is going to be the biggest for the Dolphins this year...........no this decade....no this CENTURY....
Win and we're in (IT worked for OJ, if it dont fit you must aquit)
Miami 27
Jets 13

[dolfanSF]

why the hell does he want to leave the dolphins now?? this is the most promising dolphin team we've had since early marino era. he finally has the team he always wanted.

[dolfanSF]

merry christmas every one.

Go FINNSS!!!!!

[Chris Berman]

I just dropped a floater.

[Lips]

What is Parcells' stance on the ownership change? I thought he wanted some ownership stability? Did he warm to Ross? Or might we see him bolt next year?

[Vern Den Herder]

You done wrote "If the Dolphins win, it will come within a week to 10 days following Miami's elimination from the playoffs."
Let me tell you young man, nothing of the sort gonna happen. I don't like the tone of that sentence no way at all, no sir. It taste as dag nasty bad as a bowl of New England Clam Chowder.

The "it" was referring to the sale of the team. Not elimination from the playoffs.

[JRod]

We will not beat the Jets on Sunday if both Allen and Crowder are out... That would be a major blow to our chances

[Ramsterone]

Just one more thing, he let Jimmy Johnson ruin Dan Marion's last couple of years. And then he let Wanny force Dan Marion out and not even let him in camp. And this guy is Dan's friend ? I guess, if you say so.

[CALEB]

Why do you have to put " following Miami's elimination from the playoffs??? Come on guy!! And all that I this and me that you put in the article?? Your blog is usually one of the worst I read. Im suprised of the props you got on this one.

[Nick]

Damn... all i want for Christmas is a healthy team.

Keep working on Crowder and Allen!

[Miriam Webster]

You eatin that N.E. Chowda too? Mama McNabb is right.

'It' bein the sale of the team not be the matter in question. The Dolphins elimination from the playoffs is in question. Case in point, they win the Super Bowl, they are not eliminated.

Eliminate: transitive verb
1
a: to put an end to or get rid of : remove , eradicate
b: to remove from consideration c: to remove from further competition by defeating

2: to expel (as waste) from the living body

3: to cause (as an unknown) to disappear by combining two or more mathematical equations

[Trent Green]

Hi guys. I just woke up. Jeez, what hit me?

[Huizinga]

Thank you Armando for the nice compliments.

I wanted to address my fans and say that I did my best as the owner. My homosexual drive for locker-room experiences led to the fall of my beloved team. We are now on top again and I am happy and still horney!!!

[What?]

MANDO, How can you even consider praising Wayne????

Thanks to his ignorance, the Dolphins have been consistantly lousy for the past 10 years. He stated himself that he did not know much about footbal operations. Could you imagine if he ran his waste business in the same manner? He would be bankrupt. Good intentions are not enough. Just ask CAMERON. -- Think for a moment of how much BETTER Miami would have been through the years with an owner who had a pair of balls and football common sense to replace coaches and personel when urged by everone. --- was he realy a homosexual? Your readers need a life.

[JDove,Dolphin Defender]

Thanks Wayne for getting rid of the trash(Cam Cameron)and bringing Bill Parcells,Jeff Ireland, and Tony S, real football men who knows how to build a 'TEAM' without all of the BS! I feel great that Miami's future is bright! I can see SB soon,maybe 09, def 10! Go Dolphins!

[oscar_g]

W.H. critics are full of Sh*t.

W.H. has done a lot for this city(bring baseball and hockey) and because of that our city enjoyed 2 World Series.

And he really cares for the Dolphins.

Be careful what you wish for.

He just had a bad streak of decisions concerning the Fins from not being a football guy.

But the passion was there. And that's what you want from an owner.

Would like for him to change his mind and stay in control of the team so he can enjoy the success of a winning organization.

[Teddy]

The last 2 decisions he made are right getting bill parcels and then stepping down..any moron can make 2 right choices in a 15 year span

[LOL]

Wayne didn't spend $250 mill of his own money.

He rose the ticket prices even though we have been terrible the past few years to fund it.

[albert1]

For all of the idiots who belittle Mr Huizinga, Get a life. I dont remember seeing any of your names on the checks that kept the Fins going. A big thanks Mr. Huizinga, you have my thanks and respect.
R.H.

[Aqua1]

To my stock is rising: What is your problem?!!
Why so much hate?!! Wayne Huizenga's heart was always in the right place. He wanted the best for his organization and the fans. As for his moves, although not always correct, they were well intentioned. Not only that...he is an honest, self made multimillionaire, with an emphasis on honest. A true American success story who kept his values in tact to this day. Why don't you tell us about your accomplishments in life thus far. I'm sure we'd all like to hear about your inspiring 9 to 5 job and your miserable wordly outlook!!

I think Mr. H's intentions have always been great, he may not have always had success but who does?? I wonder what all you H haters would say if we had an Idiot like JJones over in Dallas, If he had let Jimmy Johnson continue to do what he did that team would have won at least 3 more tittles, no Mr H. did it right, he tried to hire people who knew what they were doing and got out of the way...thanks...Wayne..