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Monday Morning Nuggets

Sunday was an interesting day. It showed yet again that anything can happen in the playoffs, as two road underdogs won playoff games and advanced to their respective conference championship games. But here we sit as Dolphin fans, unable to even reach the playoffs in what feels like an eternity. Oh well. No use talking about the past. So let's turn our attention to the future.

DOLPHINS SET FOR AN INTERESTING WEEK
We're all well aware that Jim Schwartz is scheduled to interview for the head coaching job on later on today. We also have heard reports that Mike Tice will be in for an interview as well, though there's still been no reports about this from the Florida media. Prior to yesterday's NFC divisional game, FOX Sports' Jay Glazer confirmed that Schwartz would be in today for an interview, but did not mention anything about Mike Tice. However, he also said that he expected Tony Sparano to be in for a 2nd interview if the Cowboys were to lsoe to the Giants. And behold, the Cowboys indeed lost to the Giants. So now this upcoming week certainly will be an interesting one for the Miami Dolphins. And according to Glazer, this 2nd interview is to be with owner Wayne Huizenga, among others. And if this is accurate, it's a sign that the team is very close to offering Sparano the job. There would be no need for Bill Parcells and Jeff Ireland to waste Huizenga's time if Sparano wasn't the clubhouse leader for the job.

Of course, after today's tough loss, Sparano wasn't quite ready to start thinking about his future, whether it's in Dalls, Miami, or anywhere else. Here's some of what he said:

"I can't speak on anything right now" Sparano said, bristling at attempts to learn more about his upcoming career plans. "I'm part of the Dallas Cowboys. That's what I am.

"I mean, I suffered this loss just like they did. I'm not speaking about any of those things."


"I have no idea," Sparano said of whether he had coached his last game for Dallas. "We just lost the game. This is the only thing I'm worried about right now is the fact we just lost the game."

His players, though, are certainly aware that this might be Sparano's last game in Dallas, and here's what Leonard Davis said of Sparano:

"It'll be a loss," Davis said. "It'll be a big loss.

"I'll miss him. I like his demeanor and how he goes about his approach to the games. You can't knock that in a coach."

"He knows how to push buttons," Davis said. "Some coaches I've had, they really didn't know how to push guys' buttons to make them play at a higher level. He knows how to do that."

"He's got a passion. Everything we do, it doesn't matter how big or small it is, he wants his guys to come out on top. It doesn't matter if it's some sort of walkthrough drill. He wants his guys to execute and to be a winner. He'll accept nothing less."

And so begins Sparano Watch 2008! I just hope this process gets wrapped up a lot quicker than it did last year, when it seemed to drag on for too long.

POTENTIAL OFFSEASON TARGETS
It was pointed out in the diaries, but I thought it deserved some front page discussion. The Miami Herald had a good article on Sunday about some potential targets the Dolphins may look in to. I'll highlight some of the more interesting.

Many expect defensive tackle to be a position that will get upgraded this offseason. However, the top free agent, Albert Haynesworth, is expected by many to get franchise tagged by the Titans. But there are two names to keep an eye on according to the article:

Two names Dolfans should watch for: Green Bay's Corey Williams (6-4, 313 pounds) and 49ers backup Isaac Sopoaga (6-2, 334).

This isn't the first time I've heard mention of Sopoaga's name. He's a guy who many think highly of and who won't be too hard on Miami's wallet. Williams, I'm told, is definitely wanted back by Green Bay for the right price. But nobody really knows that price is. Personally, I feel like Sopoaga has a good chance to land in Miami. He's not a big name, but he's a big man who has a ton of upside.

Cornerback is also a very high priority. Will Allen played well this year, but he is much more suited to be a team's #2 corner. In my opinion, this is the one position that the Dolphins should be willing to break the bank on. Landing one of the top free agents (who are all young) will go a long way towards rebuilding this franchise. The Herald article states that Marcus Trufant would like to re-sign with Seattle. However, the News Tribune of Washington reports that Trufant is not likely to give the Seahawks a home team discount:

Meanwhile, this also might have been the last game as a Seahawk for cornerback Marcus Trufant and wide receiver D.J. Hackett, both unrestricted free agents in the offseason.

Trufant became a Pro Bowl player this season, recognized as a shutdown corner who had seven regular-season interceptions.

He is in line to make an estimated $9 million a season in a multiyear contract. The Tacoma native suggested he is not willing to give the Seahawks a home-town discount if they are not willing to pay him market value.

"You always want things to go perfect and go the way they are supposed to," Trufant said. "But this game is a business, so you never know exactly what's going to happen. I'm just going to keep my eyes open and see what's going to happen."

Call me crazy, but if I'm the Dolphins, I offer Trufant $10 million per year and I get this guy down to Miami. He's worth every single penny and will still come cheaper than the other top cornerback, Asante Samuel. Nnamdi Asomugha, one of the most underrated corners in the NFL, is also a free agent but it's expected he'll either sign a long-term deal with Oakland or the Raiders will slap him with the franchise tag.

There's one final player I wanted to quickly touch on that isn't mentioned in the Miami Herald article. And that player is Roy Williams (the Lions' WR, not the Cowboys' overrated safety). MLive.com, a reliable Michigan website, reports that Williams could very well be made available in a trade this offseason:

I believe Williams is going to be used as trade bait leading up to the draft because he'll likely bolt when he becomes a free agent in 2009. Johnson should have a standout season because he'll no longer be dealing with the pain in his back and that pain in his neck, Detroit's complicated offense, also will be gone.

I know what you are all thinking: he's going to cost way too much. Well, not according to the fine people at Rotoworld, who believe Williams can be had for a 2nd round pick. And I'll tell you one thing. I would gladly give up our 2nd round pick (the 32nd overall) for a 26 year old receiver who has all the tools and talent needed to become elite. And that's what Williams will become. I'd make this deal in a heartbeat if it was possible. But don't get your hopes up. The Lions haven't even officially said Williams is available. This could all just be speculation by a sports writer. But it's fun to dream, isn't it? Imagine Roy Williams and Ted Ginn lining up opposite each other. How sweet that would be.

0 recs  |  Comment 5 comments

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Lol
I demand credit, I wrote the diary! Messing man.

I really hope Sparano is the guy if he indeed gets the job. I am so tired of getting these bust coaches. I really think the poll should have coach as an option but it would ruin the stats cause everyone would pick it.

Let this season BE GINN!

by JPenedo on Jan 14, 2008 1:37 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

I demand credit too!!
Lol...I wrote a diary over a week ago about Roy Williams.  Happy it was mentioned though. I agree with you about giving up a 2nd on him.  He is nasty and we need a big time receiver for Beck or whoever will be our QB.  But from what I read, the Lions are looking for a veteran defensive player in return.

http://thephinsider.com/story/2008/1/4/93118/59307

by TheSeaMammals on Jan 14, 2008 3:09 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Armando Salguero
Say what ya will about the guy, but lately he has been right own:

Pieces fall into place for Dolphins hiring of coach

The Dolphins should have their new head coach by the end of this week barring a MAJOR upsetting of the apple cart in the next few days.

With the Dallas Cowboys surprising loss to the New York Giants Sunday, coaching search frontrunner and man everyone including me have anointed Miami's next coach Tony Sparano is free to be hired by any of the three teams he has already interviewed with.

I still believe it will be the Dolphins.

And that is the reason Sparano will clean up some loose ends in Dallas today and be in South Florida by either Tuesday or Wednesday for his second and deal sealing interview with the Dolphins.

Understand that Sparano's initial interview with the Dolphins was unlike any other interview the Dolphins have conducted or will conduct during this search. While Leslie Frazier and Rex Ryan flew to South Florida for their interviews last week, and Tennessee's Jim Schwartz is flying in today for a similar meeting, Sparano had his interview in Dallas two weekends ago.

While Ryan, Frazier and Schwartz all met or are scheduled to meet with the entire Dolphins brass -- including owner Wayne Huizenga -- Sparano met only with GM Jeff Ireland. So Sparano will come in sometime in the next few days to meet with the club's higher ups, shake hands with Mr. Huizenga, and then his agent will go about the business of opening negotiations with the Dolphins.

Simple?

It probably will be. Sparano, I am told, is about 95 percent assured of landing the Dolphins head coaching job. The other five percent is left for the possibility Schwartz, the brilliant Titans defensive coordinator, simply blows everyone away on his interview or perhaps Sparano comes to his second interview somehow unprepared or disinterested. The first can happen, the second isn't reality.

There's also the tiny chance another team such as Baltimore or Atlanta make a run at Sparano. Just covering all the bases for you here, but let's face facts, Sparano's agent Jimmy Sexton, also happens to be Bill Parcells' agent and he isn't going to steer Sparano anywhere but Miami while Huizenga isn't likely to lose a bidding war to anybody.

--------------Oh, almost forgot, there is an internet report saying Mike Tice is also likely to interview for this job. Although Tice fancies Parcells as something of a godfather and I have been told Parcells wanted to give Tice an interview, I have not been able to independently confirm that interview has been solidified. But even if Tice does come for a round of talks Monday or Tuesday, HIS CHANCE OF GETTING THE JOB IS SLIM.------------------

So to recap: Sparano, assuming everything goes according to plan, should be in South Florida sometime in the next few days primarily to meet Wayne Huizenga. And the Dolphins will likely have a head coach by week's end.

Wonder who that will be? HMMM. This one is really hard.

by Neo on Jan 14, 2008 9:30 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Cornerback
Kansas stud cornerback Aqib Talib is projected as a late first round/early second round prospect. Being a Jayhawks fan and watching nearly every game this year and the years past, I can say he is a manbeast.

I wouldn't be surprised if he landed in the Dolphins lap. In fact, I would go as far to say that he is a future pro-bowler in the NFL. He is a physical specimen and no real injury problems (which for the Dolphins is a good start).

Either way, we do need help in our seconday. I think Talib would be a solid addition there.

by scoutnj19 on Jan 14, 2008 9:43 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

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