Dolphins should have new coach by Friday

Todd Bowles, Joe Philbin and Mike McCoy will interview a second time for the Dolphins' vacant head coach job starting today and going through Thursday. Bowles and Philbin will be today and McCoy on Thursday.

If this goes according to plan, the Dolphins should have a new head coach by Friday afternoon.

I don't know who the leader is at this time. It frankly doesn't matter because I'm told this round of interviews truly will decide the winner.

Here are some of my thoughts on the subject:

1. Bowles has spent four years working for the Dolphins. He was the interim coach that went 2-1. He has the backing of Bill Parcells. He almost got the Detroit job a couple of years ago. He already interviewed for the Oakland job this year and is on the radar for the Indianapolis Colts' job if he doesn't land the one in Miami.

What exactly do the Dolphins have to find out about him that they don't already know?

One has to wonder if the fact Bowles is part of the old guard, under Tony Sparano, is a help or hinderance in that it's viewed as doing more of the same thing? Among fans the answer might be different than among the men who are actually deciding this hire.

If Bowles does not land the job, will he be be offered the defensive coordinator job because the other two candidates are offense-minded coaches? Do not dismiss this possibility.

2. McCoy is suddenly hot. He can thank Tim Tebow for that. The fact is McCoy's offense was terrible before Tim Tebow dropped the winner's annointing on the Broncos. The offense was putrid under Kyle Orton. And McCoy was no hero in Carolina, either. Fact is he got less out of Matt Moore in 2007 with the Panthers than the Dolphins did this year. That's fact.

But McCoy did get more out of Brandon Marshall than has been the norm in Miami. And he comes highly recommended as well. Dan Henning respected him. John Fox loves him. And he is a hot commodity around the NFL, as Tampa and Oakland are also interested in him.

You have to give McCoy major props for adjusting the Denver offense this year to suit Tebow's skill set. The ability to adapt is a trademark of a former Dolphins coach had. That coach's name was Don Shula.

McCoy is 39 years old. He kind of fits the young Don Shula quote from Stephen Ross.

3. Philbin is similarly impressive and comes with hopes he might bring some of the Green Bay success to the Dolphins -- as in tangibly. There is talk he might bring quarterback coach Tom Clements with him to Miami as the offensive coordinator. There is talk he might be able to recruit Matt Flynn, Green Bay's backup quarterback, to the Dolphins as well.

I suggest the Dolphins judge Philbin on his own merits. You don't hire a guy based on what else the guy might bring you. That's like a woman that marries a man mostly because he's got money. Rarely works out.

I asked a source close to Philbin what he emotional state is. You'll recall Philbin had a son who drowned last week. He stayed away from the Packers much of the time last week before coaching from the press box on Sunday.

I am told Philbin has assured the Dolphins through his agent and will do so again in person that he is willing, ready and eager to move on with his career and that he is emotionally fine.

Many of you want me to tell you who I believe should get the job. I cannot because I'm not going to pretend to know these guys intimately enough to gauge which is best. I am not in the interviews. I have not actually sat down with any of them.

Any journalist giving you an opinion on which candidate would be best ... run away from that idiot.

Follow me on twitter. I am not an idiot -- most of the time.

Comments

[TigerSam]

YG,
Excellent post. I've seen so much support for Flynn simply because he would come in as a "free" agent. Not true. If we tie up the kinda money is gonna take to sign him if he does not work out we will be stuck with him.

In fact with the new CBA if we move up to get RG3 and worst case scenario he does not pan out we could still get value for him b/c of his age, athleticism, etc, since his rookie contract will be significantly lower than Flynn's.

[dan]

Amid all the Dolphins gloom, tomorrow is the anniversary of a fun and memorable event for many of us (at least those who were around then)

January 19, 1977...the day it snowed in Miami. Unforgettable.

[Nick]

Chad Henne's favorite song....from The Wizard of Oz..."If I Only Had a Brain"!

[Clue]

dan, thats BS!

[wolfman13]

I have to 2nd NO on Tannehill. He simply does not have the requisite experience IMO. He's a converted WR that was thrust into playing QB due to injuries and has less than 2 full seasons at the QB position.

IMO, draft nicks are grading him on a serious curve, relative to his overall experience at the position. Relative to his experience, he's been exceptional, but that in no way guarantees he's going to continue to progress at the same rate.

No doubt someone will take a chance on him late in the 1st or in the 2nd and he undoubtedly has huge upside potential....he also has some serious bust potential. I know the Phins are desperate, but I hope they're not that desperate. I see Tannenhill possibly going to a team that doesn't really need a QB "right now"...and can afford to develop him over the course of the next few years. I don't think the Phins fit that bill.

[finsfan72]

Spiderman-
Tannehill is a converted WR! Of course he can run. He runs like the wind!

DOH!

[Mark in Toronto]

Europe, I'm not happy he's gone, I just don't think its that big a loss. The defense was in the pits against the pass. Who cares?

[AndyNJ]

Spiderman,

Exactly on Foles!

Nike Foles:

Pros: Big, strong, pocket style QB, strong arm

Cons: Stares down receivers, runs like he is on stilts, couldn't hit the ocean from the wet sand, and NO "it" factor!

[Nick]

Osweiler will make a better pro then RG3. And he'll go in the 2nd rd.

[sdobcane]

My choice out of these 3 is Philbin.If he can bring Qb coach Clements down here with Flynn , that would be our best option, he has developed Rogers and Flynn into fine Qbs maybe improve Moore. I dont see us going up to get RG3 in this draft, I say Blackmon if hes gone maybe trade down and pick up much needed picks . The 1st 2 rounds are loaded with great players. Maybe trade up next year For Barkley and we will have most of our pieces in place then.

[Mark in Toronto]

Of all the scenarios I heard, dropping back and getting extra picks and picking tannehill is not the worst if indeed he has a legit first round grade.

[finsfan72]

Tannehill may need 1 year behind Matt Moore, but he could burst out of the gates like Cam Newton.

Who knows?

Drafting a QB is not an exact science, but you HAVE to try. Giving up is NOT an option. Only 2 teams are going to get "Sure fire" QB's in this draft.

There will be a couple of pleasant surprises too. And a couple of shocking busts.

[finsfan72]

And Matt Flynn?

Could be Matt Shaub....could be AJ Feeley.

I'd rather take a flier on Tannehill.

[dusty bottoms]

tannehill isnt good period. guy has some games where he disappears. will be an int machine

[TigerSam]

Ok Mr. Celebrity owner:

Here's the plan. Trade 1st rd picks with Denver and get Tebow.

Once the Heat wins the NBA Finals, bring Tim' BFF LeBron as your TE, he will be unstoppable. LeBron's 3 good qtrs and Tebow's 4th will make this the hottest ticket ever, you will not bring Dolphins to LA as you may want, no sir you will bring Hollywood to South Beach. Booyah!!! LOL

[finsfan72]

Trading down for extra picks and Tannehill beats the hell out of another 1st round lineman!

[Spiderman]

oopsee.. finfan. I thought he was a white guy..

[dusty bottoms]

tebow,lol tebow is horrible

[dusty bottoms]

i disagree, at 9 we could get a stud still, maybe that corner from lsu

[finsfan72]

Tannehill last year on a SO-SO Texas A&M team-

12 games: 3415 yds, 28 TDS, 14 INTs

[Texas_Dolfan]

Well both Tannehill and Foles will be in the SR bowl next week so they should get a lot of press time.

[Spiderman]

dusty, who claiborne or maithu?

[dusty bottoms]

many have us taking that guard from stanford, dude is suppose to be awesome

[Texas_Dolfan]

Nick Foles on a terrible AZ team.

387 560 69.1% 4334yds 28tds 14ints

[#1 Dolphin Fan in Montreal]

dusty, his name is David DeCastro. He's the Mike Lupati of this draft...

[dusty bottoms]

28 and 14 is mediocre in collge, int machine in nfl claiborne

[finsfan72]

Tiger-

Get Tebow and bring back the wildcat? That's thinking outside the box! If we're going to be 8-8 anyway, might as well have some fun with Tebowmania.

Leave Lebron alone though. He's busy with the Heat, building a NBA dynasty.

[Texas_Dolfan]

Decastro is a beast Montreal.

[Mike]

Bowels did nothing. The players were on Auto-Pilot. Coached D-backs.

McCoy worked with Tebo. Sure and what did he tell Timmy. "Don't throw the ball just run for your life". 3 of 17 for 26 yards in a half. Great Coaching.

Philbin, winning team, not the play caller and will not call playes in Miami either. Will be ok if he finds the right supporting cast of coaches.

[finsfan72]

Spiderman-

he IS a white guy, still fast, LOL!

[#1 Dolphin Fan in Montreal]

Stanford also has Jonathan Martin, an awesome OT. Those 2 + Luck will go in the first round. Pretty impressive. Jim Harbaugh built quite a football program over there.

[Texas_Dolfan]

Dusty did I say he played on an awful team? And plus Marino threw 22 ints his sr year. And only 17 TDs.

[Spiderman]

finsfan72, white guy and fast is usually never in the same sentence lol

[Mark in Toronto]

72, I agree with your logic 100%

[finsfan72]

WELL, at least this year we get a whole offseason.

Picking a HC this week, Free Agency soon, Draft in April.

Not feeling very optimistic, though.

Lost out on Andrew Luck, Jeff Fisher...
Everybody clowning us for our idiot owner and GM.

The only thing that could cheer me up is a miraculous trade up for RG3, or a miraculous acquisition of a healthy Peyton Manning.

[qbclub13]

Does it really matter what coach we hire? He will be gone in no more than 4 years and we will search again

[finsfan72]

Thanks Mark. Great minds think alike. LOL

[Texas_Dolfan]

Finsfan72, I am not going to hold my breath on the trade up for RGIII. If RGIII slips to 8 or 9 I would still be scared that Ireland wouldn't pick him.

[dusty bottoms]

sign flynn, take best player at 9

[qbclub13]

Trading up should not be done, no qb in this draft is worth giving up what it will take. I don't see us adding a qb through the draft this year

[Derek]

Spiderman-
Tannehill is a converted WR! Of course he can run. He runs like the wind!

DOH!

Posted by: finsfan72 | January 18, 2012 at 03:42 PM
------------------------------------

Finsfan72...

That is an incorrect statement.... Tannehill is a QB who was asked to play WR... and while doing so he attended every single QB meeting, every QB install, every QB Film Study... You name it... He was there.

Tannehill began in High School as a QB, and was given a scholarship based on his QB performance and expected to play in the T A&M QB rotation... But, as a Freshman, the team sorely lacked WR talent and Tannehill took one for the team and moved OUT of his NORMAL position of QB... and to WR for the team... But... as I said above... he remained in complete unison with the QB situation and earned his way back to Starting QB in training.

This guy may not be the most experienced or most talented... but no one can rip him for not being a leader or a team player..

By the way.... Great report, Armando...

Beats the hell out of the Baby Dolphins Bashing you and yours have been guilty of as of late...

Your final remark about Media guys not having a clue who Miami should hire or who is best is right on the mark.... glad you see that... hope you believe it!

[dusty bottoms]

get off the tannehill and foles thing, both are mediocre qbs. no thanks, for once make a splash

[dusty bottoms]

plus tannehill will be there with our 2nd rd pick, but no way on him,. id take weedon over him and i dont want either

[Spiderman]

ill take weed before I take weedon.

[dusty bottoms]

i think u would take weed before most anything spider

[White Boy Be Knowing]

Spiderman-

he IS a white guy, still fast, LOL!

Posted by: finsfan72 | January 18, 2012 at 03:59 PM

He mussa growed up in da hood.

Dat make da white boy fass.............

[Spiderman]

ummmmm true. :)

[dusty bottoms]

and foles will go in the 4th or 5th rd

[finsfan72]

Wow, Derek-

Thanks for the inside scoop on Tannehill. I did not know that. I've heard several reports that said he was a "new" QB after converting from WR.

I often wondered how a converted WR played so effectively at QB on the D1 level.

This convinces me even more that I'd take a flier on him in the late 1st round. He's not a WR who learned to play QB. He's a QB who's athletic enough to play WR.

[Clue]

Gaurav informed me I needed to update the termination TP. He said... In Termination Tets plan we need scenarios to test various different termination benefit status like T (normal termination), X (Cobra), R (Retiree) etc.

[dusty bottoms]

fins u can have him in the 2nd rd, but trust me,living in big 12 country ive seen him many times,. guy just isnt very good

[NY "G"]

**** A LESSON FOR YOU TO LEARN BY ****

History repeats itself. Therefore history is predictable. If history is predictable, then it's preventable - and if it's preventable, then it cannot be an accident.

"Dolphins should have new coach by Friday"

Armando wrote > Bowles has spent four years working for the Dolphins. He was the interim coach that went 2-1. He has the backing of Bill Parcells. <

Did you truly believe it when you watched Ross and Jeff "THE SCOUT" Ireland in those pressers when they looked into your eyes and said that they will hire "A STAR" head coach? Come on, you know YOU did, or at least all you Scout and Ross lovers did. I didnt.

Doesn't THAT also remind you when they looked into your eyes and Ross and "THE SCOUT" said they need to address the QB position and promissed that they will go all out to get "A STAR QB"? Come on... You know you believed them. I didnt.

Once again...

History repeats itself. Therefore history is predictable. If history is predictable, then it's preventable - and if it's preventable, then it cannot be an accident.

Todd Bowles is more of the same. ANY connection in the form of a STAFF, assts, conditioning, etc from Sparano, Tuna and Ireland are just THAT. NO STAR...Nothing NEW, more of the SAME. The thinking is the SAME, the players will REMAIN familure as it will "be the SAME" Sparano crap comming from another mouth and mind.

I base the above on my view and observation. I will NEVER support Mediocracy...

So.. will history repeat itself this Friday when apparantly a new HC will be chossen? Only time will tell.

[dusty bottoms]

A converted wide receiver, he needs a lot of schooling before starting at the NFL level. His arm strength is good, but not great. Tannehill throws an accurate short to medium ball, but struggles on the deep throws. He is very athletic, but should be considered a project.

[finsfan72]

Spiderman- it's 4:20

[nor]

McCOY HC / PHILBIN OC /BOWLES DC

[dusty bottoms]

uh no thanks nor, 3 mediocre coaches??? ill just take one and hire 2 qualified coaches instead. maybe philbin can make up for his garbage coaching by bringing flynn here

[Professor Lou]

Why is there an assumption that Philbin would want to bring Flynn with him and not want to work with Moore?

[Spiderman]

finfan, it's not 4:20 yet. 3 monthe and 2 days too early

[NY "G"]

Forget about drafting a QB UNLESS, you go all out for Andrew Luck. Otherwise, the best option that we can walk away with would be to see where Blackmon (WR) is sitting and if needed, move up and grab the kid. Get that kid before the Pats, Jets, etc trade way up and take him.

Blackmon is by far one of the best WR that I seen in a very, VERY long time whom possesses the skills and hands to make unbelievable catches, all day long.

With a crappy QB at the Dolphin helm, even Blackmon will make him look like a HOF QB.

Justin Blackmon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_97kBZqj270

[dusty bottoms]

lou come on man, moore is a backup qb with no exp running his offense. flynn is a guy who knows the offense well and philbin should know all his weak and strong points