The Dolphins helicopter, becoming so increasingly famous it needs a name, has landed on the team's practice field again this morning.
And, sure enough, another coach candidate stepped off. A source tells me it's Chicago Bears special teams coach Dave Toub.
Look, I didn't understand the facination with Toub. I am not an expert so I'm not going to act like I know Toub from Adam. But I'm told by a Dolphins source that Toub is excellent and it makes sense to talk to him.
The source says the Dolphins are intrigued by Toub's great special teams work but also with the model that has turned the Baltimore Ravens into a fine team. Baltimore coach John Harbaugh was the special coach in Philadelphia before he went to Baltimore.
Um, please name the Dolphins helicopter.
It doesn't matter. Until we have a kick@ss QB.
This team aint winning a SB.
TRADE UP FOR LUCK MIAMI!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: phinsfan78 | January 04, 2012 at 01:12 PM
Craig, you make a good point about not just going through the usual suspects here. However, harbaugh came from a coaching family. Toub?? Not sure.
Point is, I like to see some assemblance of a coaching pedigree. Has he been in charge before, is there an indication that he won't be overwhelmed.
Then again, something to be said for hiring the worst coach in the world too. Ifthe it helps us tank properly and get the number 1 pick next year, then that's OK too.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 04, 2012 at 01:14 PM
Mark,
Good theory. I like it.
I know nothing about Toub, other than what he does right now. You've obviously researched him a bit and found nothing, right?
Who knows.....maybe it's an information session for them to at some point help their special teams. Who knows why teams sometimes do what they do.
Posted by: Craig M | January 04, 2012 at 01:18 PM
Philbin's Skybus
I'd choose Philbin since Green Bay has an explosive offense. Philbin has had a role in that. He's seen how a team builds through the draft and doesn't waste picks or get clobbered in free agency. Fisher is probably gone to St Louis. Billick i like as well although he had a game manager QB and great defense.
GET Philbin and sign Matt Flynn. Change offense to Green Bay's that way QB coming in is set then Draft RT, RG SS FS OLB maybe a few free agents and be competitive at start of next season.
Posted by: mike d | January 04, 2012 at 01:23 PM
Von Crap:
You are a credit to our people. Thank you.
Posted by: Dumb Germans | January 04, 2012 at 01:25 PM
Name for the chopper - HOW ABOUT THE STUPID-CRAFT. Because Ross has NO CLUE OF RUNNING A TEAM.
Posted by: vaustn | January 04, 2012 at 01:27 PM
Air Ross 1
Posted by: Matt | January 04, 2012 at 01:29 PM
I've been bitten so hard by hope and expectations when it comes to the Fins, I'm going to try and be realistic here. There are a few coaches that come with known winning pedigrees, even though they had some down years. Fisher, Cowher, Billick, Gruden. The other former HC candidates have either mediocre, or losing tendencies that were only briefly shaken. So if we go with a former HC, the top 4 here seem reasonable enough, from an outside point of view. So feel free and justified to complain if we hire a Mangini, or similar.
As far as coordinator/college-coach HC candidate types go. we really have no clue until the man steps into the role and shows his colors. We could be just as dead wrong about a supposedly great prospect as we could about a supposedly not-ready prospect. I don't personally want to take that chance right now, but I can't argue with certain successes in the NFL elsewhere. We've struck out lately, but we did hire the "hot" guys, and we did try this avenue. We just got bit. others got lucky. So all this amounts to ... who the heck knows? I can't get bent out of shape for any of these hires based on statistics or opinion.
What I can get PO'd about is if we go after known mediocrity. So I'll stay away from bad-mouthing Gruden, or Cowher, or Toub, or Bowles, or whoever as long as the reasonable concerns are met.
On this team, that may be the only way to keep your sanity.
So that said, I guess the Fins are doing it correctly so far (coaching search I mean).
Posted by: JS in LA | January 04, 2012 at 01:33 PM
BTW, I kind of liked Air Fins 1, whoever said it earlier.
Posted by: JS in LA | January 04, 2012 at 01:35 PM
How about the we name the chopper "The Nat Moore Experience" in honor of the legendary helicopter catch? Best name out there and you know it.
Posted by: Mattomatic | January 04, 2012 at 01:37 PM
Top coach preferences:
Former HC's:
1. Fisher
2. Billick
3. Cowher
4. Gruden
Coordinator/college types:
1. No frickin clue.
Side note - the reason I like Billick over Cowher is that he seems to want the job. Cowher I think would pull a Parcells. Billick might hang on a while.
Posted by: JS in LA | January 04, 2012 at 01:38 PM
Reality is that other than Fisher and Billick there are no other "name" coaches available. In any case Fisher and Billick at one time were also no names. I would keep Bowles.
Posted by: albert | January 04, 2012 at 01:49 PM
Name the copter ROSSLOSS
Posted by: smartalec | January 04, 2012 at 01:50 PM
all of you who want fisher.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ms-silver_nfl_playoff_rankings_jeff_fisher_dolphins_010412
Posted by: BoulderFinFan | January 04, 2012 at 01:58 PM
Bowles fans, consider this before jumping in feet first. The Fins were winning pretty much the same percentage and manner under Sparano near the end as they were under Bowles. No philosophy changed, or playbook, or players. That say to me that the lockerroom leaders finally managed to corral all those egos and get them to play playoff football to save their jobs and save face. Kudos to them.
However, I doubt it was either coach that did it. Likely Taylor, Long and crew did that.
that said, Bowles may indeed be the man. But I'd want to hear a whole lot more from him in an interview beside "play hard, practice hard, try hard". If he has a plan, philosophy, manner to get players buying-in that would build a super-bowl foundation - THEN we have something. I'd be curious as to what he siad to Ross.
Posted by: JS in LA | January 04, 2012 at 02:10 PM
the Flipper Clipper II
The Team Plane becomes The Flipper Clipper I
Posted by: RLZ | January 04, 2012 at 02:13 PM
on second thought, drop "The" just "Flipper Clipper"
Posted by: RLZ | January 04, 2012 at 02:19 PM
FinsHearse
Posted by: Fred | January 04, 2012 at 03:19 PM
Fish Flying Coffin
Posted by: Fred | January 04, 2012 at 03:20 PM
Not sure if I read this or not, but here it goes for the helicopter naming thingy,,,
1. The Rossbatross
2. The Turkey Vulture - all they get is the leftover crap and the Fins have two turkeys in control (Ireland and Ross).
Posted by: BirdHunter | January 04, 2012 at 03:23 PM
There's only one famous helicopter in Miami Dolphins history
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csbgSBiXOgU
Posted by: Nick Marchese | January 04, 2012 at 03:31 PM
HAHA!, ROSSLOSS(T).
Posted by: oscar canosa | January 04, 2012 at 04:07 PM
Idiot Force 13
Posted by: MUSTACHE MAN | January 04, 2012 at 04:14 PM
I'd bend J Lo over in a heartbeat.
Posted by: MUSTACHE MAN | January 04, 2012 at 04:15 PM
Air Fin One
Posted by: C63-AMG | January 04, 2012 at 04:38 PM
Air-Fin One
Posted by: C63-AMG | January 04, 2012 at 04:40 PM
Awe crap, did someone already say that?
Posted by: C63-AMG | January 04, 2012 at 04:42 PM
How about "Air Farce One?"
Posted by: pcolby | January 04, 2012 at 05:14 PM
I like that one too lol
Posted by: C63-AMG | January 04, 2012 at 05:57 PM
Air-Head One
Posted by: C63-AMG | January 04, 2012 at 05:58 PM
Flipper 1 should be the name.
Posted by: Juan R Escar | January 04, 2012 at 07:27 PM
Fist pumper one
Posted by: dengell | January 04, 2012 at 08:57 PM
The 99% that don't listen to Armando in the morning.
Posted by: ltcdolphin | January 04, 2012 at 11:14 PM
Helicopter names:
Phinfetcher
Flying Orange Carpet Treatment
Airshark (Take off of Landshark Stadium)
Pelican Briefer
Air Bling
U.C.S (Unfinished Coaching Searcher) "What can Orange do for you?"
King Fisher
The Billick Bullet
The Boss Ross Ring Toss
"XXX" as in fi"X" ailing franchise, ti"X" sales go up, fins in SB mi"X".
Ireland's Roto Rescue
and I'm spent.... Cheers!
Posted by: Rob in OC | January 06, 2012 at 06:56 PM