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.
Fischer to the RAMS!!! Damn that FIns Front Office!!!! Great move keeping Ireland!
Posted by: Jim T | January 13, 2012 at 02:08 PM
Is this real?
Posted by: Blog Fodder | January 13, 2012 at 02:09 PM
yes and now we can move on to a real coach
Posted by: ctphins | January 13, 2012 at 02:09 PM
Bring in Chudzinski. Maybe Nolan & Daboll stay & they keep some continuity. I didn't like Fisher's choices of coordinators anyway.
Posted by: Turd Ferguson | January 13, 2012 at 02:09 PM
Another F-ing "source"
Whatever.
I give up on this forum. At least for now.
Posted by: JS in LA | January 13, 2012 at 02:09 PM
It's on espn breaking fisher to rams
Posted by: ltcdolphin | January 13, 2012 at 02:09 PM
The rams were always the obvious choice. Gives him more options. Finally, move on and hire some acorn.
God, this team is pathetic! LOL
Posted by: SEARCH THIS!!! | January 13, 2012 at 02:09 PM
herald should break it in a few hours
Posted by: ctphins | January 13, 2012 at 02:09 PM
sun has it.
Posted by: ctphins | January 13, 2012 at 02:10 PM
Fisher goes to the rams , i new it, thats ok i would rather have philbin and flynn
Posted by: Anthony | January 13, 2012 at 02:10 PM
HERE COMES ERIC MANGINI! WITH THIS ORGANIZATION ITS ALMOST ALWAYS THE BLOW THAT MOST NEVER SEEN COMING.
IM NOT RULING OUT MANGINI UNTIL ANOTHER HC'S NAME IS ALREADY UNDER CONTRACT. ONE THING IVE LEARNED TO EXPECT IS THE UNEXPECTED IN THIS WRETCHED DOLPHINS ERA.
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | January 13, 2012 at 02:11 PM
Wow, another low blow.
Posted by: Tom | January 13, 2012 at 02:11 PM
Fu** Fisher. He's overrated anyway. All you Fisher lovers, cry us a river now. LOL!!
Posted by: #1 Dolphin Fan in Montreal | January 13, 2012 at 02:11 PM
F*ck!!....
Well this will make some guys happy....it's what they wanted.
I'd look at Zimmer as the next guy but Moss and Chudzinksi are worth exploring...
Posted by: Craig M | January 13, 2012 at 02:11 PM
R people seriously upset that we are NOT paying 8 million dollars to a average coach? and millions more to subpar coordinators?
Posted by: ctphins | January 13, 2012 at 02:11 PM
Next!
Posted by: Blog Fodder | January 13, 2012 at 02:12 PM
finally the jinx of this team is over... a young coach is the way to go.
Posted by: ctphins | January 13, 2012 at 02:12 PM
Fisher to the Rams!!!! OH well!!! let's move on then.... another black eye for the Miami Dolphins!!!!
Posted by: crazyfin | January 13, 2012 at 02:13 PM
Just heard on Nfl network 2:25pm Fischer going to the Rams Done deal and once again we cant get a top notch coach and we will linger in hell until Ross and Ireland are gone.
Posted by: Fan since 71 | January 13, 2012 at 02:13 PM
NO philbin or flynn. maybe they can convince cowher next year!
Posted by: dolphin 77 | January 13, 2012 at 02:14 PM
old news people
Posted by: ctphins | January 13, 2012 at 02:14 PM
WELL, GUESS WHAT? WITH THE LESSER NAMED CANDIDATES JEFF IRELAND STILL CALLS THE FINAL SHOTS.
NOTHING REALLY CHANGES WHEN NOTHING REALLY CHANGES. GET USED TO IT DOLFANS.
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | January 13, 2012 at 02:15 PM
Id go with Todd Bowles if Fisher goes to Rams which ESPN reports he will be going as of right now.
Posted by: Flipper13 | January 13, 2012 at 02:15 PM
We'll be right back here in 2-3 years doing this all over again. Anti-FIsher guys rejoice. Now let's see one of your assistants come in and turn this around.
Posted by: Craig M | January 13, 2012 at 02:15 PM
If you thought Ireland hate was strong already...
Posted by: Tom | January 13, 2012 at 02:15 PM
I happen to have found the Fisher discussion amusing today. As if Fisher by himself was the answer to all our problems (sound familiar to anyone: Parcells, Sabon).
YG, you were even fantasizing a Patriots with Fisher as HC.
I'll continue to believe the only real truth: that the only way to truly solve our problems is to find a franchise QB. Good luck Miami on the HC search.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | January 13, 2012 at 02:15 PM
My biggest concern right now is that if he goes to the Rams, the media will paint us once again as having egg on our face. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. :) Oh how we suck, blah, blah, blah...
Posted by: TheOtherRick | January 13, 2012 at 02:15 PM
One has to wonder if Jeff Fisher would already be here if Ireland was out of the picture. Let the speculation begin!
He said he respected his work. Apparently not enough to work with him. Only my opinion but, I can't see this franchise going anywhere until the Parcells/Ireland stain is completely gone.
Posted by: SEARCH THIS!!! | January 13, 2012 at 02:16 PM
You just know something's wrong when someone prefers the St.Louis Rams over our Dolphins. That's what we've become. Thank you Dave Wannstedt, Nick Saban, Cam Cameron and Bill Parcells for making our Dolphins the biggest joke in the NFL. And we paid you millions to do this. What a joke. Hey Ross, make sure you keep that clown Ireland on board. LOL!
Posted by: #1 Dolphin Fan in Montreal | January 13, 2012 at 02:16 PM
I dont care who calls the shots in the FO I want to see the team start like they finished and put a few more start quality players on the team not coaches.
Posted by: ctphins | January 13, 2012 at 02:16 PM
chud or winston moss!
Posted by: dolphin 77 | January 13, 2012 at 02:16 PM
Well, there it is.
D@mn it.
Posted by: TheOtherRick | January 13, 2012 at 02:16 PM
ireland has to be fired first so we can get a respectable coach. no coach wants to work under that idiot/sniper.
Posted by: greg z. | January 13, 2012 at 02:17 PM
This was the guy to get. The Dolphins can go hire a Guatemalan maid to coach them now for all I care.
At least I won't have to read the dopey crap on this board any longer.
Done worrying about this damn team. I mean it.
Posted by: ray | January 13, 2012 at 02:17 PM
NO MATTER WHO THE NEXT HC IS, QB P[OSITION HAS TO BE THE TOP PRIORITY MORE THAN EVER NOW.
A TOP QB IS THE ONLY THING THAT WILL SAVE THIS FRANCHISE NOW. MISS AND WE BECOME THE THE OLD LIONS OR AINTS.
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | January 13, 2012 at 02:18 PM
Ireland knows Zimmer from his days in Dallas. Any bets he'll be the next Miami HC? Wouldn't surprise me one bit.
Posted by: #1 Dolphin Fan in Montreal | January 13, 2012 at 02:18 PM
glad we did not get the average overly paid NFL vet, been there done that. No I look foward to the rest of the YEAR!!
Posted by: ctphins | January 13, 2012 at 02:18 PM
Bottom five pick in 2012. Maybe then we'll get that first round QB.
Good luck in St. Louis, Jeff. You've got a TON of work ahead of you.
Posted by: Craig M | January 13, 2012 at 02:19 PM
Right Craig, cause you were so right about Henne, Ireland, Sparano, Parcells. The list just keeps growing. Your guy didn't get chosen, and that means there's no right answer.
For an optimistic guy, you should have more faith. Who knows, maybe the Rams do d*ck with Fisher and he becomes available in 2 years, right when you say we'll be back here.
But I agree with you on one thing, we'll be back changing HC's every few years until we get a franchise QB. Doesn't matter WHO the HC is.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | January 13, 2012 at 02:19 PM
At this point, hire any Packer assitant. If we can't create our own success, copy cat somebody elses! Sad state of affairs in Miami!
Posted by: SEARCH THIS!!! | January 13, 2012 at 02:19 PM
All the Fisherinas will be sitting here next year crying because the Dolphins went 9-7 or 10-6 without him.
The Dolphins can pick any coach they like (or not pick one) and this team will do better than 8-8.
Posted by: New Coach Wanted | January 13, 2012 at 02:19 PM
If they weren't already (and they were), the Dudphins are now officially the biggest embarrassment laughingstock in all of sports. Any sport, any level, anywhere in the world.
This wouldn't have changed had Fisher decided to come to Miami, but this makes it even more so.
What an embarrassment.
Just hire Rich Kotite and get it over with.
Disband.
Posted by: CEO Joe Bailey | January 13, 2012 at 02:20 PM
Armando as always, last on the news.
Posted by: sheesh | January 13, 2012 at 02:20 PM
It'll be interesting to see if the fin's have a press conference to address their failed attempt to hire star power, and to see who leads it.
Posted by: Blog Fodder | January 13, 2012 at 02:20 PM
Get the chopper ready to bring in Chud and Moss, please!
Posted by: cosmodo | January 13, 2012 at 02:20 PM
Fan since 71 - what the hell are you blathering about? Saban wasnt a hot coach? Parcells wasnt a hot hire? JJ wasnt a hot hire? Even Cameron was a hot coordinator? Have you been paying attention since 71
Posted by: getAclue | January 13, 2012 at 02:20 PM
DONT WORRY GUYS, MANGINI'S TO THE RESCUE! LOL
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | January 13, 2012 at 02:21 PM
garbage. miami will draft another ol with the 8 or 9 pick, then take a garbage qb in the 2nd like foles. keenum should be their pick. actually they neeed to trade up and get rg3, but they will blow it once again!
Posted by: dolphin 77 | January 13, 2012 at 02:21 PM
Did you really think Salguero would break this story?? He's a nice guy who trie hard but hardly a "big fish." He gets tips and breaking news after the big boys do.
Posted by: tj | January 13, 2012 at 02:21 PM
So, Fisher to the Rams... Good... Hire Zimmer...
Posted by: sheehanje | January 13, 2012 at 02:21 PM
Has anyone else noticed that the entire NFL seems to be mired with the "revolving-door-syndrome"?
Fired head coaches are demoted to assistant coaches. Assistant coaches transfer to other teams (or follow their leader; etc.).
When the hall of fame cast retires, they further their careers commentating in the televised sector.
It's a buddy/buddy system that keeps many teams in the red for decades.
Fisher is simply another in this vast pool of quagmire.
However, he may be our best possible candidate to carry us to the playoffs.
Posted by: GulfDolphin | January 13, 2012 at 02:22 PM
WHY on EARTH are we not trying to Land the Saints OC as our HC??? Anyone know the answer to this? LOL.
That's who I would want as our next HC, was ok with fisher if we got him, but I expected him to go to ST. Louis anyway. Fisher isn't a total loss like some want to believe yes would've been nice but now the key is a quality coordinator give me one off a high octane offensive team like the Saints.
Zimmer I am not sold on either, but he's most likely who we hire due to familiarity with Ireland in Dallas JOY.
Posted by: dishpan | January 13, 2012 at 02:22 PM
More empty seats next year.
Posted by: #1 Dolphin Fan in Montreal | January 13, 2012 at 02:22 PM
If all you people believe that Jeff wants to ruin this team, I think otherwise, I think Ross will have a short leash. I don't like the man, but we are stuck with him, unless a big name pops up. I live in New England, let me tell u if the pats lose to the Broncos, you may see BB available in the next year or so.... .
Posted by: ctphins | January 13, 2012 at 02:22 PM
When did we turn into Detroit - South? I'm bummed. I hope we get after Zimmer now.
Posted by: TheOtherRick | January 13, 2012 at 02:23 PM
For all of you fans that think Maimi is such a joke. Go buy you some gold and blue and GTFO of the fins page. If you are disappointed about things thats fine and its fine to voie your displeasure but if you honestly think the Fins are that awful then go the heck on somewhere. DEWSH!!!!!
Posted by: getAclue | January 13, 2012 at 02:24 PM
Right Craig, cause you were so right about Henne, Ireland, Sparano, Parcells. The list just keeps growing.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | January 13, 2012 at 02:19 PM
what dont you get? when hes right, hes right. when hes wrong, hes still right.
Posted by: what a blow hard | January 13, 2012 at 02:24 PM
bellicheat never in miami!
Posted by: dolphin 77 | January 13, 2012 at 02:24 PM
I believe that Fisher is going to go to the Rams. They have a QB and their defense needs work and that is what he is good at. I think we need someone like Philin, an offensive minded coach.Our D is not bad, and Philbin will probably keep Nolan.
Posted by: dinksMarino | January 13, 2012 at 02:24 PM
DC,
I keep hearing you talking about 'franchise QB'. That's great. And how you suggest they do that? Whos' the guy?
Posted by: Craig M | January 13, 2012 at 02:24 PM