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.
Marty Schottenheimer and keeping the coaching staff makes sense. Get it done Ross!!
Posted by: Dan | January 13, 2012 at 02:48 PM
according to espn.com fisher will sign with the rams!
Posted by: finfanabroad | January 13, 2012 at 02:50 PM
just heard fisher picked the rams because he wanted his own general manager and ross wanted to keep ireland i know fisher isnt a great coach but ireland sucks as a general manager nobody in that organazation knows what the hell thier doing get ready for another losing season with these idiots running the show
Posted by: sebastian1 | January 13, 2012 at 02:51 PM
WOW! IM JUST SO HAPPY I WAS BORN EARLY ENOUGH TO WITNESS WHEN THE DOLPHINS WERE A TRULY GREAT TEAM.
I JUST REGRET DOLFANS NOT AROUND IN THAT ERA ARE NOW RELEGATED TO THIS. BELIEVE IT OR NOT GUYS, WE WERE ONCE A VERY GREAT FRANCHISE.
TOO BAD, "YESTERDAY'S GONE" AND THE FORMER DOLPHIN GREATS ARE NOW A "DYINGBREED". LOL
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | January 13, 2012 at 02:54 PM
5 Years under "Parcellian" guidance and this still isnt a perrenial wildcard playoff team.
Ross, under the 4yr rebuilding plan we're supposed to be SB contenders, not still struggling to become a wildcard playoff team. Why are you the only person in the nfl that cant see Ireland's part of the problem, not the answer?
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | January 13, 2012 at 02:58 PM
We should be looking at Jim Tomsula who is coaching the 49ers defensive line!!! He would be a great fit in Miami.
Posted by: Stinky | January 13, 2012 at 03:07 PM
You have a comfort level that obviously many fans here do not share.
Posted by: jokyla | January 13, 2012 at 03:20 PM
I hope that the Fins get their act together soon. If we want to get a good coach we need to get more quality players.
Posted by: MdAmor | January 13, 2012 at 03:26 PM
See the Dolphins have no intention of being a Superbowl team. They can't even make a gutsy move like caning Ireland and hirring a quality coach. It's sad to see things this way. I miss the good times when Marino and Shula were there. Looks like they are going to screw up this years draft too.........draft another lineman! If they trust this GM so much then count on a shity draft. I hate this crap!
Posted by: calidolphinfan | January 13, 2012 at 03:55 PM
They need to get the guy from Green Bay....cause if they are going to screw up this draft....at least if they got him, they can make a play at Matt Flynn......That would make sense.....But that is just it.....If it makes sense then they won't do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Posted by: calidolphinfan | January 13, 2012 at 04:03 PM
I do like Winston Moss. Why anyone would name their kid Winston is a mystery to me. Maybe on the lines of Winston Churchill. "Chud", Moss, Zimmer, take a pick. And again, thank God and Greyhound, that King Fisher(Mr 8-8)is over, may he rest in the Rams. Aaawwwwaa right Miami.
Posted by: Dragonfly34 | January 13, 2012 at 04:10 PM
Gizz, Ireland, Ross, you both suck in the worst possible way !
Keep Bowles and stop making the fool yourselves.
Ross, sell this team to a real Dolfan and buy some Wendy's franchise or Taco Bell, and hire Ireland as a Manager there.
As football connaiseurs you're null, zero.
You don't deserve this team. We fans are revolted by your management and ownership. You're an embarrasament, a joke !
Posted by: marchcool | January 13, 2012 at 06:00 PM
Do YOU not read what your readers blog???!!! It is actually a blessing to many of us fans that Fisher turned the Fins down!!
Fisher has proven himself to be a LOSER. "You are what your record says you are"... Jeff Fisher is a LOSER!!!
Thank you Fisher for saving us from YOU!!
This is a happy day!!
NOW, let's find the next YOUNG Don Shula!!!
Posted by: Steve G | January 13, 2012 at 08:33 PM
Why are you still talking? Our team is effed until ROSS SELLS THE TEAM!!! Or dies. I wouldnt mind if he died.
Posted by: DolphinsRuleAll | January 13, 2012 at 11:05 PM