And now it is time for the other shoe to drop.
With the Dolphins and their ownership turning their attention back to keeping Tony Sparano as the club's head coach,the idea now is to find peace within the ranks before presenting a calm, happy, united front before the media in a press conference that is planned for today but whose exact time has not yet been determined.
Well, to get that family portrait just right the Dolphins must make coach Tony Sparano a happy camper. And after a week in which ownership said some things and did others, kept Sparano employed but also sought ways to replace him, bringing the coach back to a state of joy is going to require some hard work.
And that is the work that is happening at this hour.
A source in the ownership group tells me the team is working on ways to soothe things over by, among other things, discussing the "adjustment of Sparano's contract."
I suppose in regular everyday English that means the Dolphins are going to talk with Sparano's agent Jimmy Sexton about some sort of contract extension or pay raise or some guarantees of some sort.
I also have been told some of the conversation in today's meetings are supposed to involve Sparano's coaching staff. I reported to you Thursday that offensive coordinator Dan Henning and the team have parted ways. So, obviously, names of possible replacements might be a topic as well as the job security of various other assistants.
All of Miami's assistants are under contract for 2011.
Another topic that would have to be broached is the relationship between Sparano and general manager Jeff Ireland. They were once joined at the hip. They were part of a trio, including Bill Parcells, that was supposed to turn the Dolphins into champions.
Well, Ireland disconnected from Sparano in recent weeks and found a way to find favor with ownership that Sparano did not. And Ireland was on that team that went to California to seek out Jim Harbaugh as a possible replacement for Sparano.
So there are some frayed feelings there. No, the relationship is not broken. But it definitely is different now. There are issues there now.
Those issues have to be addressed.
This is probably not going to be a one-sided conversation. So perhaps ownership will have items it also wants to vent about to Sparano.
I would be careful about venting too much, however. Otherwise, that happy family portrait the Dolphins are hoping to unveil later today might not look quite right ... or might not get unveiled at all.
All we can do is sit back and take it.
This will be an interesting year for sure.
Posted by: NHDolphan | January 07, 2011 at 05:28 PM
Why yes, Thank you!
I will have a Dry Mangini with 2 Olives...
Posted by: Martin | January 07, 2011 at 05:28 PM
Meeting cancelled has to mean Sparano not neing retained, right guys????? lol (More beer needed tonight)
Posted by: Mags | January 07, 2011 at 05:30 PM
really all we can do is laugh now. i beat everything in sight last night. im tired of always being pissed about this garbage. so i guess ill laugh and wonder how someone as dumb as ross has that much money
Posted by: bill_cnnrs@yahoo.com | January 07, 2011 at 05:31 PM
DB,
No, I wouldn't think that. I am a realist and really not an optimist.
However, I do have beliefs and am a pretty even keeled guy.
Posted by: JB | January 07, 2011 at 05:31 PM
Ok Tony!
I'm keepin you!
But I'm takin down the Goal Post!
No! No! Please I'll do anything! No Ross! ya can't take away my beautiful goal Post!
Tony! It's for your own good *sigh*
Posted by: Martin | January 07, 2011 at 05:31 PM
THE ONLY WAY ROSS CAN CURE THIS A LITTLE...IS GOING AFTER BIG NAME FREE AGENTS..THE DRAFT IS VERY OVERRATED ROOKIES DON'T DO CRAP IN THERE FIRST YEAR..
Posted by: BLACKCEROTE | January 07, 2011 at 05:31 PM
NOW
I'm going to scare the
C-R-A-P
out of ALL of you...
Sparano may have gotten fed up and bailed...
Nolan may have left to join Harbough and run the San Francisco's Defense.
And all that's left is Eric Mangini and NO OTHER Coaches!!!
Dying Breed you've finally gotten your wish.
.
.
AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!!
.
.
.
Posted by: Yazzi | January 07, 2011 at 05:31 PM
Now, look what Ross has done. He has forced IreAno to Win Fast Forward. Instead of thinking about what is best for the team in the long run, they are going to be forced to try to win at all costs in 2011 at the expense of the future of the franchise, but. Not even HAARP can make this a winning team in 2011. It only took Ross 5 days in charge of football operations to set the team back 5 years.
Posted by: 0x80 | January 07, 2011 at 05:32 PM
ROSS, IS TO LATE TO SIGN FREDDY KRUGER AS MINORITY OWNER? YOU CERTAINLY HAVE A NIGHTMARE HERE! LOL...........
Posted by: DyingBreed | January 07, 2011 at 05:32 PM
HOW YOU CONSULT MANGINI BEFORE YOU SECURE A HC ??????????
IT WAS FOR THE HC SPOT
Posted by: ALoco | January 07, 2011 at 05:33 PM
black we wont be trying to win next year, yes we need to draft good.
Posted by: bill_cnnrs@yahoo.com | January 07, 2011 at 05:33 PM
The only way he can cure this a little is by hiring Cowher and we all know that isn't happening. What good head coach or big time FA would want to come to this abortion of a franchise.
Posted by: mike | January 07, 2011 at 05:34 PM
When I suggested here that the Dolphins would be better served by strong lesbian leadership at the management level, many sneered and laughed.
WELL?? My point is PROVEN.
Posted by: Mrs. Agnes Wilson | January 07, 2011 at 05:34 PM
Chances miami goes over/under 5 wins next year???
my instinct says we still have a Carpenter chance in hell over 5 victories
but my ego says we have a real FIST PUMP of a chance at finishing lower than that...just sayin
Posted by: superPHIN | January 07, 2011 at 05:34 PM
STEPHEN ROSS IS A CCCCLLLOOOWWWWWNNNNNNNN. ERIC MANGINI?!!?!!?!? I'm in a nightmare.
Posted by: Cosmo Kramer | January 07, 2011 at 05:35 PM
Just promote Nolan at this point.
Posted by: mike | January 07, 2011 at 05:35 PM
looooooooool "strong lesbian leadership"
Posted by: bill_cnnrs@yahoo.com | January 07, 2011 at 05:35 PM
WHILE ROSS WAS AWAY WAS SPARANO MAKING A FEW JOB CALLS OF HIS OWN? THERE'S SOMETHING VERY STRANGE WITH PRESS CXL. MAYBE NOW THEY'RE TRYING TO CONVINCE TONY TO STAY! LOL..........
Posted by: DyingBreed | January 07, 2011 at 05:35 PM
I PREDICT;;;;;;
NOLAN IS OUT
SPARANO IS
TALKS BETWEEN THE DOLPHINS AND TONY SPARANO'S AGENT HIT A WALL.THIS IS A GOLDEN CHANCE FOR SPARANO TO GET HIS 3 MILLION , GET A NEW JOB AFTER THAT DECEIT BY FINS.
TO BE
OR
NOT TO BE
Posted by: ALoco | January 07, 2011 at 05:36 PM
play the nfc east next year. we wont win over 5 but we need to go 0-16 and draft luck
Posted by: bill_cnnrs@yahoo.com | January 07, 2011 at 05:36 PM
how hilarious would that be dying.
Posted by: bill_cnnrs@yahoo.com | January 07, 2011 at 05:37 PM
YEAH GUYS ..THIS FEELS LIKE A BAD DREAM...COULD IT BE THE END OF DAYS...
Posted by: BLACKCEROTE | January 07, 2011 at 05:37 PM
How much for a Feild Goal?
Posted by: Gatorfaninga | January 07, 2011 at 05:38 PM
CARL PETERSON
IRELAND.............ALI BABA AND THE 40 THIEFS .
Posted by: ALoco | January 07, 2011 at 05:38 PM
What was the FO thinking here? Hummm, lets see, lets see, Mangini has been fired from two teams in a row now after very short stints, hmmm, he's available, get him in here, lets talk to him for advice!
WhaDaFuh!
Posted by: 0x80 | January 07, 2011 at 05:39 PM
ROSS: TONY WE'RE KEEPING YOU!
TS: MR ROSS I'M LEAVING...MADE FEW PH CALLS WHILE YOU WERE AWAY.
ROSS: WTF!.........................
LOL.....................
Posted by: DyingBreed | January 07, 2011 at 05:39 PM
where did everyone hear this mangini thing
Posted by: bill_cnnrs@yahoo.com | January 07, 2011 at 05:39 PM
If Nolan leaves....Miami will have the first NFL draft pick
Posted by: Cosmo Kramer | January 07, 2011 at 05:40 PM
Hmm.......
Sparano has always struck me as a high character guy. After FO trying to remove the knife from his back he may have told them to shove it.
Why walk away from 3Mill? Speculating here, he saves face as the one who didn't want the Dolphins and if I recall Uconn has a job opening?
Posted by: JB | January 07, 2011 at 05:40 PM
nolan isnt anything special
Posted by: bill_cnnrs@yahoo.com | January 07, 2011 at 05:41 PM
Viva "Strong (Hot) Lesbians!
.
.
Posted by: Yazzi | January 07, 2011 at 05:41 PM
I PREDICT ;;;
NOLAN WILL LEAVE
SPARANO WILL LEAVE
Posted by: ALoco | January 07, 2011 at 05:41 PM
hope they do
Posted by: bill_cnnrs@yahoo.com | January 07, 2011 at 05:42 PM
How much for a Feild Goal?
Posted by: Gatorfaninga | January 07, 2011 at 05:38 PM
the same price as season tickets will be next year*lol* Have Fun and enjoy , we promise excitement and fist pumps all around the south beach area.....maybe j-lo will do a free concert to all attending fans, all 25 to 30 screaming immigrants*lol*
Posted by: MADsuperPHIN | January 07, 2011 at 05:42 PM
With all the nonsense said during the last few days, I can only think that all the gossip has been made up by the media. How come Harbaugh accept a 5 mil a year job at SF, when he could accept a 7 mil a year job at MIA? And on the other hand Mando, intead of investigating, I believe he is talking only by the gut.
All this situation is just plain stupid.
Alex,
Posted by: Alex | January 07, 2011 at 05:42 PM
Is it bad if I decide to just root for whatever team Ricky ends up on next year?
Posted by: kronikhedaik | January 07, 2011 at 05:42 PM
The good thing is we're all in this together. I wish I could pick another team to root for but I just can't. We have to take this with a grain of salt. hey at least we can root for whoever is playing the jets next year.
Posted by: BoulderFinFan | January 07, 2011 at 05:42 PM
It's time to call in the Russian Mafia. Have them buy the team. They'll straighten things out in no time. At least they have the computer hackers required to download our opponents game plan each week.
Posted by: 0x80 | January 07, 2011 at 05:43 PM
Hope Buffalo left the cellar door open for us.
Posted by: Cosmo Kramer | January 07, 2011 at 05:43 PM
If Sparono had a ounce of pride he'd have made calls the last 2 days and took another job, even if it was for the 49ers being Ted(Sideline)Ginn's chauffeur for him and his family...
Posted by: Cuban Menace | January 07, 2011 at 05:44 PM
NOLAN LEAVES ..SO WHAT! STILL WAITING FOR THE EXOTIC BLITZING THEY SAID HE WAS BRINGING!
Posted by: BLACKCEROTE | January 07, 2011 at 05:44 PM
JB,
HARBAUGH WALKED AWAY FROM $2.5 MILLION MORE PER YEAR! SPARANO MAY HAVE BEEN DOING SOME JOB RECRUITING OF HIS OWN WHILE ROSS WAS AWAY. WOULDNT BE IRONIC IF HE ALSO SPURNS ROSS FOR LESS MONEY, POSSIBLY MOVING ON SOMEWHERE ELSE HAS A POSITION COACH.
WE'LL BE EVEN BIGGER LAUGHINGSTOCKS THAN WE ARE NOW! LOL.................
Posted by: DyingBreed | January 07, 2011 at 05:44 PM
THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN RIGHR EVERY NOW.... THE TUNA, NO ONE ELSE
Posted by: ALoco | January 07, 2011 at 05:45 PM
Which mean that....
NO ONE WANTS TO WORK FOR ROSS !!!!
Posted by: Yazzi | January 07, 2011 at 05:45 PM
What really sucks - its one thing to chant fire the OC or fire the HC or trade for a FA, but once you are chanting to fire the owner, gee there is just no place else to go.
Looks like we have to hope Sun Death stadium is completely empty next year and Ross sells the team.
Posted by: 0x80 | January 07, 2011 at 05:46 PM
THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN RIGHT EVERY THING NOW IS THE................. TUNA
Posted by: ALoco | January 07, 2011 at 05:46 PM
CUBAN,
HOW IRONIC WOULD IT BE IF SPARANO IS ANNOUNCED AS NEW 49ERS OLINE COACH! LOL...........
Posted by: DyingBreed | January 07, 2011 at 05:47 PM
Cut the ties now before ross looks worse than al davis already does, and fire Ireland and get cohwer.....offer tony a chance at calling Fins games on WQAM and this will all be a bad dream for nuaght!!!!
Posted by: MADsuperPHIN | January 07, 2011 at 05:47 PM
THE TUNA PLEASE, FOR THE SAKE OF OUR TEAM
Posted by: ALoco | January 07, 2011 at 05:47 PM
And the hits keep on coming!!!!
Posted by: cocoajoe | January 07, 2011 at 05:48 PM
Never thought that ROSS would become LESS POPULAR than
Rex Ryan...LOL
.
.
Posted by: Yazzi | January 07, 2011 at 05:48 PM
I keep waiting for someone to peel the mask of of Ross' head and for us to discover that Al Davis has secretly bought the Dolphins.
Posted by: TJH | January 07, 2011 at 05:49 PM
Aloco, Your all over the place with your views(BTW, You need glasses), Please stick to one position and stick with it........Put down that tube....
Posted by: Cuban Menace | January 07, 2011 at 05:49 PM
DB,
Yeah thats kind of what I was thinking with the Uconn job and NO it wouldn't be funny I amm still a Phin Phan.
Cuban,
Sparano is a very proud man, you can tell by his demeanor. Revenge is best served cold not fast.
Posted by: JB | January 07, 2011 at 05:49 PM
"off of" that is
Posted by: TJH | January 07, 2011 at 05:50 PM
WHATS WORSE IS WITH THE PRESSER CXL, THERE MAYBE EVEN MORE BAD NEWS WAITING TO COME OUT! LOL..............
Posted by: DyingBreed | January 07, 2011 at 05:50 PM
ross is basically done. he will have a hard ass time getting any support back. guy is mentally challenged. he had cowher and didnt take it.
Posted by: bill_cnnrs@yahoo.com | January 07, 2011 at 05:50 PM
Exotic blitzes please, Sparano is so conservative he probably held Nolan back like he has Henne. Mr. Ross' new theme song... Insane in the membrane Insane got no brain...freakin clown posse running the show down there.
Posted by: mike | January 07, 2011 at 05:51 PM
Yazzi,
That could never happen in my world.
Posted by: JB | January 07, 2011 at 05:51 PM