The passing of Jim Johnson, the Eagles defensive coordinator who succumbed to cancer at age 68 Tuesday, will bring a blitz of tears and condolences the next couple of days.
It should also beg the question why the NFL Hall of Fame doesn't have a wing for great assistants coaches or general managers.
Johnson, a man who believed in attacking, confusing defense, would be forever enshrined in that wing were it to exist. And that leads me to this on a Dolphins blog:
What current or former Dolphins assistant coach or general manager type would be worthy of being enshrined in that wing?
Off the top of my head I will give you two names and let you add others at your discretion. I think Joe Thomas would be in that wing for having put together the NFL's only perfect team, the 1972-73 Dolphins, and then the better-than-perfect team of 1973-74 that followed. (Yeah, I think the '73-'74 Dolphins were better than the team from the year before.)
Anyway, I think we should all agree Bill Arnsparger, who coached Miami defenders through much of the 1970s and into the early 1980s would also qualify for that HOF wing. Arnsparger was the innovator of the famed 53-defense. He was the man who turned a group of no-names into one of the most dominant units of its day. He was simply a genius for his work with defenders.
Now it's your turn. Give me names of Miami assistants or GM types that would belong in the Hall of Fame.
On another matter, at least one local columnist has written it would have been a good idea to have Michael Vick sign with the Dolphins. Um, wrong.
As I wrote on May 23 (check the blog archives) it wasn't going to happen because Vick represents everything the Dolphins are not. They are not about the circus atmosphere. They are not about drama. They are not about doing crazy, irresponsible, desperate things.
Signing Vick would have been all about those negative things. So not signing Vick was the smart and correct call. Period.
[Blog note: Remember there is a live chat on this blog at 3 p.m. Wednesday. We'll go as long as there are questions. If you cannot be here during the chat, leave your questions in the comments section and I'll answer them in order they appear. We did an hourlong chat on twitter.com Tuesday. You missed it if you aren't following me. So follow me, I implore you, at twitter.com/armandosalguero.]
cubano es un hijo de poota
Posted by: eyesnido | July 29, 2009 at 11:38 PM
eyesnido es un hijo de poota grande
Posted by: ocolza | July 29, 2009 at 11:39 PM
Aloco
I like to drink while I post too.
But DAM dude get a grip!
Posted by: odinseye | July 29, 2009 at 11:46 PM
Felony charges dropped against starks. I wonder what that F'n moron Roy thinks about that. I told you they would be dropped you f'n idiot.
Posted by: Mr bunglito | July 29, 2009 at 11:53 PM
Sammo
Madden hated Shula and the Dolphins because of all the A$% whippings we gave them in the 70's. They always rip us on our ratings. 77? Please.
Kraft and Goodell are buddies. I wouldn't be surprised if there was some collusion involved with Vick's re-instatement.
I hope he does ends up in Patsy-Land. Bill got caught cheating, and Vick's a washed up lying dog killer. They deserve each other.
Posted by: odinseye | July 30, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Mr. Bunglito
If the cops in South Beach are anything like the scums in Hollywood, they should drop all the charges!
Posted by: odinseye | July 30, 2009 at 12:02 AM
Charges dropped against Starks. I wonder what AFC EAST thinks of that. I bet he is happy. Wonder where he has been.
Posted by: Ace | July 30, 2009 at 12:20 AM
Ace
What do you think of Starks?
He'll be trying to beat out Merling for the LDE spot.
Who do you think will get it?
Posted by: odinseye | July 30, 2009 at 12:28 AM
I would like to see Merling get it because he went over top. It would be a good return in our investment.
Posted by: Ace | July 30, 2009 at 12:30 AM
I would like to see Merling and Langford become perennial Pro Bowlers.
What do you mean by over the top?
Posted by: odinseye | July 30, 2009 at 12:33 AM
I put him in I.C.U.
Posted by: uncle sam | July 30, 2009 at 12:34 AM
Odinseye,
I meant that Merling would exceed expectations and flat out win over Starks.
Posted by: Ace | July 30, 2009 at 12:44 AM
Uncle Sam, Is that really you?
Posted by: Ace | July 30, 2009 at 12:45 AM
Ace
I'll buy that. I think Merling and Langford will dominate.
Thanks to Parcell's and Co, it's nice to know Starks and McDaniels will be right there waiting.
Posted by: odinseye | July 30, 2009 at 12:50 AM
I am waiting uncle sam.
Posted by: Ace | July 30, 2009 at 12:52 AM
Odinseye,
I am checking out, hang in there.
Posted by: Ace | July 30, 2009 at 12:58 AM
yes it is, the one and only.
Posted by: uncle sam | July 30, 2009 at 01:00 AM
uncle sam prove it. What was the name of the little baztard in Fat Albert and how did he talk.
Posted by: Ace | July 30, 2009 at 01:02 AM
Mushmouth. Daba duba ! daba duba ! got crack daba duba.
Posted by: uncle sam | July 30, 2009 at 01:06 AM
That was good. You have been gone for awhile. What's up?
Posted by: Ace | July 30, 2009 at 01:09 AM
ACE. Nothing much then afc east chump/mushmouth still being a big mouth punk. I was posting on this blog today. I use my real screenname when talking serious dolphin talk. I haer you about testing me with you know who around. Aloco , cm, gopats ,jets fan , carlito or whatever name he uses for the day.
Posted by: uncle sam | July 30, 2009 at 01:17 AM
New blog up about penny.
Posted by: uncle sam | July 30, 2009 at 01:18 AM
uncle sam,
I'll talk to you later. Sorry I had to verify you. I won't ask what your real screen name is,but it is good idea.
Posted by: Ace | July 30, 2009 at 01:20 AM
the devil went to sleep and all his 9 names at the same time
Posted by: afc | July 30, 2009 at 08:22 AM