Suppose for a second that the worst happens. Suppose Jeff Fisher picks the Rams over the Dolphins. What next?
Obviously, the Dolphins will move on. They'll continue to search for the 10th head coach in their storied history among a list of candidates little-known to the common fan.
No, that doesn't sound like a great Plan B.
But take heart because at least the Dolphins search for a star head coach also seemingly has identified the right people out of the list of so-called lesser lights. Consider that today the Cincinnati Bengals granted permission to the Tampa Bay Bucs to interview defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
Well, Zimmer is on the Dolphins radar. He interviewed this week. The Dolphins had Mike Mularkey on their radar but he was hired as the Jacksonville Jaguars head coach. The Dolphins interviewed Todd Bowles and he is on the Oakland Raiders radar. Obviously the Dolphins want Fisher and so do the Rams.
The Dolphins may eventually show interest in Mike Sherman and he has already interviewed in Tampa.
The point is the Dolphins aren't operating completely off the reservation here. Their search has identified candidates that have also been identified by other teams. I grant you Miami's search has also included a couple of guys that have drawn no interest elsewhere -- Chicago special teams coach Dave Toub and Green Bay offensive coordinator Joe Philbin. (There were reports the Chiefs wanted to interview Philbin but I have not been able to confirm the interview ever happened.)
And yes, the Dolphins have looked away from a couple of guys -- most notably Carolina's Rob Chudzinki, Green Bay's Dom Capers and Winston Moss -- who have drawn interest elsewhere.
But my expectation is if Fisher goes to St. Louis, Miami's list will expand and could include Chudzinski, who has interviewed in Jacksonville, St. Louis and will talk to Tampa Bay.
So I have a comfort level that thinking other teams know something the Dolphins do not is not an accurate representation of what is happening.
If the Dolphins miss out on Fisher, I hope Miami's wide net gets wider still. I hope Moss gets a loook because, as someone told me recently, he seems to be made of the same kind of stuff that Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin is made of.
Meanwhile, I feel comfortable the Dolphins are generally on the right track.
Generally.
First ?
Yeah! ok ?
Soiled :)
Posted by: SoiledBottom | January 13, 2012 at 11:50 AM
Need to give Fisher a deadline to gauge his interest on being here
Posted by: brad | January 13, 2012 at 11:56 AM
Sparano hasn't botched a single call yet and Namath is already giving him grief.
Welcome to NY Tony...
Posted by: Blog Fodder | January 13, 2012 at 12:00 PM
Meanwhile, the Dolphins are in standyby waiting to hear from Fisher, who apparently is NOT playing leveraging games. All the waiting is going to do is prevent the 'wide net' from pulling in the most qualified candidates because they will all be hired on somewhere else...potentially.
Posted by: skopos | January 13, 2012 at 12:01 PM
No offense to Bowles but, he's on everyones radar. To satisfy the Rooney rule, not for serious consideration. He was the interim, logical choice to satisfy everyone's obligations.
If Fisher aint the guy, we'll have an acorn coach for our acorn roster. Ireland wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
Posted by: SEARCH THIS!!! | January 13, 2012 at 12:02 PM
sorry, I meant standby, not standyby.
Posted by: skopos | January 13, 2012 at 12:02 PM
I hope Moss gets a loook because, as someone told me recently, he seems to be made of the same kind of stuff that Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin is made of.
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Why? Cause they're both black? Nice racist comment Armando!
Posted by: IrelandSucks | January 13, 2012 at 12:04 PM
BTW, Miami ALWAYS identifies the right players and coaches. This has NEVER been an issue. The problem is they ALWAYS pass on them when they are in perfect position to get them!
Mike Tomlin
Sean Payton
Randy Moss
Drew Brees
Dez Bryant
Jimmy Graham
just to name a few...
Posted by: IrelandSucks | January 13, 2012 at 12:07 PM
One word. Chudzinki
Posted by: cocoajoe | January 13, 2012 at 12:09 PM
I don't care if we "get" Fisher. Truth is one of these other coaching candidates will end up being a better head coach then Fisher. Problem is we need to get rid of Ireland (or reduce his power), and the only way to ensure that at this point is to hire Fisher.
Posted by: IrelandSucks | January 13, 2012 at 12:11 PM
Inaccurate reporting. The Chiefs, Raiders, and Dolphins all had interest in the Packers Philbin to name just a few. He was interviewed by the Chiefs first.
I am more amazed by the pack mentality Armando promotes. This team is interested in a some guy so Armando says that is the guy to interview? Its a job interview not a popularity contest.
Posted by: New Coach Wanted | January 13, 2012 at 12:12 PM
IrelandSucks,
Yea what a comparison? Moss and Tomlin made of the same stuff.
It's like saying every white WR who is half way decent is a Wes Welker type!
Posted by: AndyNJ | January 13, 2012 at 12:12 PM
Mike Sherman, fired from green bay and a texas college team, yup, good choice. Tampa bay is to be followed ? This blog is just silly.
Posted by: Mitch | January 13, 2012 at 12:12 PM
Search this, to be fair to Bowles, Oakland is also interviewing Winston moss and Darren Perry. Both of whom would also satisfy the Rooney rule. Don't mean to nit pick but Bowles is addressing attention for more than the colour of his skin.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 13, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Cocoajoe, haha, nice one!
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 13, 2012 at 12:14 PM
If Fisher says no, and maybe even if he says yes- I would love to see Chudzinski hired.
He would bring our offense into the 21st century-FINALLY!
Posted by: finsfan72 | January 13, 2012 at 12:14 PM
Mando-
Any idea why no interest in Chud so far?
Posted by: finsfan72 | January 13, 2012 at 12:15 PM
I got excited over Saban. I got excited over Cameron. I got excited over Sparano. I'm not getting excited over anyone this time until I see winning at home, and neither should any of you. Let's not forget, Fisher was just fired for being too mediocre.
Posted by: FourFifths | January 13, 2012 at 12:16 PM
Um,
Maybe folks should look up the word racism or racist and understand its definition before its thrown around.
Even if the comparison between Moss and Tomlin was because they are black, it wouldn't be racist or racism.
Posted by: New Coach Wanted | January 13, 2012 at 12:16 PM
The last HC I actually got excited over was Jimmy Johnson. A couple trips to playoffs with a washed up Marino was the glory days compared to this nightmare of football times in Miami.
Posted by: AndyNJ | January 13, 2012 at 12:20 PM
One word. Chudzinki
Posted by: cocoajoe
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I can't understand why Miami has not interviewed him. I am by no means a "Canes" fan, but when you got a guy in your backyard (whether a player or a coach) and you have an perceivable advantage yet you don't even consider them is just stupid. Jimmy Graham and Willis McGahee (a Rosenhaus client no less!) are the last two to come to mind.
Posted by: IrelandSucks | January 13, 2012 at 12:20 PM
Mark in Toronto, Perry & Moss are both from the Packers orginazation(not 100% sure on Perry). They are the hot ticket. Not Parcells guys. 2 of them got fired the same week (Haley/Sparano)
Rams also asked for permission to interview Bowles very early on. Not sure if it was granted. He's been 1 of the first interviewed in a couple places to get the Rooney rule satisfied. That's how it looks, that's what I'll go with.
I really meant no offense but I'll stand by it & go a step further. Unless Miami strikes out w/everyone & we make him coach, Bowles won't get a HC job.
Posted by: SEARCH THIS!!! | January 13, 2012 at 12:20 PM
Sparano hasn't botched a single call yet and Namath is already giving him grief.
Welcome to NY Tony...
Posted by: Blog Fodder | January 13, 2012 at 12:00 PM
Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2012/01/dolphins-coach-search-is-generally-on-right-track.html#storylink=cpy
LOL ... now thats funny right there!
Posted by: Al Bundy | January 13, 2012 at 12:20 PM
I agree Moss would be the guy. I'm starting to like Fisher less, especially since I heard he wants former Jets oc Schottenheimer for his new oc. No thank you!
Posted by: fins4ever | January 13, 2012 at 12:22 PM
Yes to interviewing Chud and Moss.
Posted by: cosmodo | January 13, 2012 at 12:23 PM
BTW, Miami ALWAYS identifies the right players and coaches. This has NEVER been an issue. The problem is they ALWAYS pass on them when they are in perfect position to get them!
Mike Tomlin
Sean Payton
Randy Moss
Drew Brees
Dez Bryant
Jimmy Graham
just to name a few...
Posted by: IrelandSucks | January 13, 2012 at 12:07 PM
Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2012/01/dolphins-coach-search-is-generally-on-right-track.html#storylink=cpy
Ross nor Ireland were around when the first 4 on your list happened. You cant blame a man for the sins of his father.
Posted by: Al Bundy | January 13, 2012 at 12:25 PM
Why not compare Moss to a John Harbaugh? Oh wait, you can't cause he is not black. And I love the way Armando says "someone told me recently" so it isn't Armando who is making the comparison. It is the mysterious "someone". LOL.
Posted by: IrelandSucks | January 13, 2012 at 12:25 PM
Was excited about Fisher until I read he wanted Gregg Williams and Brian Shitinhire for coordinators!! How are they better than Nolan and Daboll??
Posted by: robbyhernz | January 13, 2012 at 12:26 PM
Rather a coach keep coordinators and instill a winning attitude!! So we can stop expecting things to go bad in 4th qtr....
Posted by: robbyhernz | January 13, 2012 at 12:28 PM
Clearly, Ireland isnt thrilled about joining the Dolphins, not that I blame him. Ireland/Ross is a horror show.
Posted by: Alan | January 13, 2012 at 12:28 PM
Dude Fisher wants to out Nolan and Daboll... The hell with Fisher. Nolan's better than Greg Williams and while Im not sold on Daboll yet his Offense was fun to watch when they let it rip.
Posted by: Al Bundy | January 13, 2012 at 12:28 PM
I meant Fisher isnt thrilled...LOL
Posted by: Alan | January 13, 2012 at 12:29 PM
why you writting this crap jeff fisher is going to be the next coach of the miami dolphins end of story
Posted by: bryan in ohio | January 13, 2012 at 12:30 PM
Breian Schottenheimer is far better then Daboll.
Posted by: Gregg | January 13, 2012 at 12:30 PM
Ross nor Ireland were around when the first 4 on your list happened. You cant blame a man for the sins of his father.
Posted by: Al Bundy
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I'm not blaming Ross or Ireland for all of this, I am just making a general statement. Over the past decade the Miami Dolphins organization has identified the right players and coaches and "passed" on them multiple times. This has been an ongoing issue...
Posted by: IrelandSucks | January 13, 2012 at 12:30 PM
Mark and IrelandSucks, ignoring young up and coming coaches is severely limiting our options.
Yes, it's a gamble but isn't? Chud will be a good if not great coach in the NFL.
Posted by: cocoajoe | January 13, 2012 at 12:31 PM
Yes to interviewing Chud and Moss.
Posted by: cosmodo
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Yes, agree 100%!!!
Posted by: IrelandSucks | January 13, 2012 at 12:31 PM
Why would anyone want to keep Daboll and Nolan? All they've done is lose.
Posted by: TGH | January 13, 2012 at 12:32 PM
Perhaps its because the qualities he is saying are similar aren't the same qualities shared by Harbaugh.
Armando certainly didn't say or imply that because Moss was black, he was a superior prospect as a coach.
In reality, the only one who brought up the comparison as being due to race was yourself.
Posted by: New Coach Wanted | January 13, 2012 at 12:32 PM
Mark and IrelandSucks, ignoring young up and coming coaches is severely limiting our options.
Yes, it's a gamble but isn't? Chud will be a good if not great coach in the NFL.
Posted by: cocoajoe
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I am not for ignoring younger coaches. I think one of these "younger" coaches will be much better then Fisher. I would like to interview Chud and Moss. Having said that, I want IRELAND GONE more then ANYTHING. So, I am for the Dolphins hiring Fisher if it means Ireland will lose power or be GONE.
Because a STUD YOUNG COACH is NOT going to be successful with Ireland controlling the roster!!
Posted by: IrelandSucks | January 13, 2012 at 12:33 PM
So what happened to 'Yeah!'? He was my one reliable constant I could depend on each day in the midst of chaos known as my life. I miss him.
Posted by: cosmodo | January 13, 2012 at 12:34 PM
I really hope Fisher goes to St. Louis!!
Immediately sign Todd B!!! Be done with it!
Posted by: TODD B'S CLIP BOARD | January 13, 2012 at 12:37 PM
So what happened to 'Yeah!'? He was my one reliable constant I could depend on each day in the midst of chaos known as my life. I miss him.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I think the server that was running his program went down or to other uses. There was a post a while back about how this guy had created a program to scan the blog every minute for a new entry and then to post the first comment to the discussion.
Posted by: TheOtherRick | January 13, 2012 at 12:39 PM
Yes we need a black coach and a black QB so we can go 4-12 just like Tampa Bay did. I could make a list but whats the point.
Posted by: Phin4Life | January 13, 2012 at 12:40 PM
I really like fisher, he knows what he is doing. He Got Fired, cause he didn't agree with the owner about picking Vince Young & had Vince pushed onto him, this was the fallout of The Vince young debactle... Which was a bud adams power move superceding Fisher, Coaches can't win a battle with owner's, even when they are right they get fired as Fisher was right about VY, but he still got fired & just maybe he wanted out because of the whole VY Debactle & didn't want to work for Mr. Adams anymore.
Posted by: Canada Phil | January 13, 2012 at 12:40 PM
It's time to give Fisher a deadline. 6:00PM Today. If not move on. I would not be upset if the Dolphins chose from these four men. Todd Bowles, Winston Moss, Mike Zimmer or Rob Chudzinski. Let's go!
Posted by: albert | January 13, 2012 at 12:42 PM
Daboll and Nolan have terrible records as coaches with multiple teams. Get rid of all of them.
Posted by: TGH | January 13, 2012 at 12:44 PM
Fisher has to be an idiot to join this garbage franchise.
Posted by: Stewart | January 13, 2012 at 12:46 PM
Yes we need a black coach and a black QB so we can go 4-12 just like Tampa Bay did. I could make a list but whats the point.
Posted by: Phin4Life | January 13, 2012 at 12:40 PM
Wow.
Posted by: New Coach Wanted | January 13, 2012 at 12:46 PM
IrelandSucks, if Ross/Ireland continues to refuse (and it looks like the will) interview new blood then I'm on board with Fisher. But only if he insist that Ireland goes. Or at least gets demoted.
BTW, PFT had a funny comment regarding the Bucs interviewing Chud and Zimmer......"Their latest two interviews show they aren’t sold on hiring someone that attended the latest Fired Football Coaches Association convention in Tampa". Fired Football Coaches Association....you got to love that!
Posted by: cocoajoe | January 13, 2012 at 12:48 PM
Wow the irony!
Sparano goes to the jets and Brian Schottenheimer to Miami.
I have nothing against Schottenheimer coming to Miami as the OC. I just didn't want him as a HC. Just my opinion I feel he was the scapegoat all season for the teams struggles. Think about the dysfuntional atmosphere he was in with Santonio, Plaxico and from what is becoming to be a known thing is Sanchez doesn't put any work in.
I don't know guys but don't have an issue with it. He has gotten as much out of that turnover machine Sanchez as anyone could have.
And Greg Williams has a reputation as being overly aggressive and although the Saints D stinks this year they do create turnovers going back to their Super Bowl season.
Daboll did a nice job at times but he is replaceable. Nolan solid D that doesn't produce turnovers.
Posted by: AndyNJ | January 13, 2012 at 12:49 PM
Armando
I will air mail you real $$$ if you can go one article without mentioning jeff fishers name in it....
Do a Zach Thomas tribute or something!!*LOL*
Posted by: superPHIN | January 13, 2012 at 12:51 PM
I'm in complete agreement with Armando on this one. We seem to be doing the right stuff in looking for our coaches. Fisher is the monkey wrench, but the rest is book solid.
I have no idea if Moss is anyone worth interest though. I'll take other folks word on that.
And Mularkey I thought was a reach, so I'm glad he's elsewhere.
Posted by: JS in LA | January 13, 2012 at 12:53 PM
I dont know, when I saw Shottenheimers name listed as part of Fischers (probable) coaching staff, it pretty much put me right where I needed to be..GO TO THE RAMS!! he was not my first choice anyway.
Posted by: finfaneurope | January 13, 2012 at 12:57 PM
...Funny thing about Mularkey...
Radio talk this morning considered the idea that Mularkey was hired in order to fail and give the excuse for the team to move to Los Angeles.
Sounds like fan banter, so I was surprised to hear that from a professional.
Posted by: JS in LA | January 13, 2012 at 12:57 PM
I dont give a flying #h&t if fisher comes here or not, Im starting to think that maybe hes waiting for another team to come calling at this point, Ross who has no football sense really needs to make the decision to kill this deal right now, fisher is way too OVERRATED as a coach to have miami begging for him to come here....
Bring on Chud or Moss at this point...we need this crap taken care of so we can look forward to FA and the draft.....
Posted by: superPHIN | January 13, 2012 at 01:00 PM
I haven't heard about a probable Jeff Fisher coaching wish list. Who was all on this list or was it just Schottenheimer and Williams?
Posted by: AndyNJ | January 13, 2012 at 01:00 PM
Don't trust the ROSS/IRELAND combo to do anything right. Imagine if FISHER says no this will be the second year in a row that ROSS/IRELAND can't deliver. The 800 pound gorilla in the room has to be Ireland. What a freaking circus act the Dolphins have become.
Posted by: octavio de armas | January 13, 2012 at 01:00 PM
AndyNJ,
This defense not getting its fair share of turnovers cant be blamed on Nolan and schemme. That's a personnel issue. Nolan didnt bring in his personnel, Ireland did.
However, the D did do a better job in the turnover dept this season. The turnovers just arent coming in the secondary dept, where we all know personnel issues exist.
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | January 13, 2012 at 01:02 PM
The Schotty/Fisher connection seems plausible given that Schotty just decided to leave the Jets - without a job offer somewhere else or termination.
Posted by: cosmodo | January 13, 2012 at 01:03 PM