Dolphins nab Lazor as next OC

According to multiple sources, including ESPN's Chris Mortenson and NFL Network's Jeff Darlington, the Miami Dolphins have hired Eagles QB coach Bill Lazor as their next offensive coordinator.

These reports are coming off the heels of yesterday's reports, saying Lazor was bound for Detroit.

Jeff Darlington also tweeted this just moments ago:

"Text from member of Miami's staff on Lazor: Good coach. Smart family man who works well with others. Been with great mentors. We're excited."

More to come.

Ireland OUT as Dolphins GM; List Of Candidates Growing

Obviously, this is no longer breaking news like it was last night.  I wanted to wait a bit before I posted something so I could give you something other than just the fact that Jeff Ireland would no longer be with the Miami Dolphins.

Well, today I've got something for you.  A list.  A list of possible replacements for Ireland.

These names have been circulating around the internet all morning, and have been put out there by respected Dolphin beat writers, so I trust that it is accurate.

The leading name on the list right now is Tom Gamble, the vice president of player personnel for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Before re-joing the Eagles this season, Gamble spent the previous 8 years with the 49ers, most recently as the team’s director of player personnel. Gamble began his NFL career in the Eagles front office, where he worked in several different capacities during his seven-year stint with the team from 1988-94.

Gamble is a good talent evaluator, respected around the league, and, during his time in the league, has helped produce 11 playoff teams, including five with Indianapolis, four with Philadelphia and two with San Francisco.

Gamble has worked closely at both the college and pro level over his career.

Right now, this is the big name for the Miami Dolphins.  

However, there are others.  Including:

-Alonzo Highsmith:  Green Bay senior personnel executive

-Scott Pioli: Former Chiefs GM

-Mike Tannenbaum:  Former Jets GM

-Eliot Wolf:  Green Bay director of pro personnel

-Brian Gaine:  Dolphins assistant GM

-Omar Khan:  Pittsburgh director of football administration

-Carl Peterson:  Former Chiefs GM

-Eric Mangini:  San Franciso offensive senior consultant

-Bill Polian:  Former Colts GM


Don't look for anything big to happen today.  Stephen Ross will take his time with this decision.

One more hold up for the Miami Dolphins, and it's a big one, will be what this new GM will be walking in to.

He will NOT have the power to hire his own head coach.  Joe Philbin is SAFE this season.  He will return in 2014.  So when the Dolphins interview a possible replacement, and he wants to hire his own coach, then the interview will end right there.

That could cut this list down considerably.

Stay posted.

BREAKING: Dolphins fire OC Mike Sherman

Did I plan to be back this early? No.

But, the Miami Dolphins collapsed. That means dominos HAD to fall.

The first one has.

Earlier this hour, news broke that OC Mike Sherman was fired. The Dolphins offense finished 27th in the NFL this season, and my guess is owner Stephen Ross told Joe Philbin he was to either fire Sherman, or leave himself.

Philbin obviously chose the former.

Moments ago, he released the following statement:

“I would like to thank Mike for his contributions to the Miami Dolphins. Mike has been a mentor to me throughout my coaching career, dating back to 1979. He is a man of great integrity, dedicated to his family, his team, his players and his profession. On behalf of the entire Miami Dolphins organization I want to wish Mike and his family the very best in the future.”

I believe this move HAD to happen. You don't finish near the bottom of the league offensively and only put up 7 points in the final two games and survive. You just don't.

Whether or not this is the only domino to fall is still up in the air. Obviously the situation is ongoing.

As for the blog, I have a couple things in the works right now, and will have them up soon. But, this is the beginning of the offseason, so the activity will slow down for the next few months.

We'll keep you posted.

Dolphins choke away playoff birth, lose to Jets 20-7

As I wrote in my column yesterday, a loss today simply meant the Miami Dolphins just weren't very good.

20-7.

Season over. Playoffs gone. And a disastrous beginning to the offseason.

Everything that had to happen, did.

Baltimore lost. Miami had a 7-0 lead against Geno Smith, at home, in a must win game.

And then they were out scored 20-0.

With everything on the line, the Miami Dolphins had a melt down of epic proportions.

Ryan Tannehill threw 3 INT's. He wasn't good enough.

The Dolphin defense was gashed on the ground.

They weren't good enough.

The play calling was an abomination.

Mike Sherman wasn't good enough.

When they established a run game, they passed. When the pass was working, they ran.

On 4th and inches, Sherman ran Charles Clay, instead of just running a sneak.

On third and three, after a sleu of big time runs, Sherman called a screen to Mike Wallace.

It was simply horrific.

Tannehill overthrew a Mike Wallace TD.

Wallace dropped a TD.

Rishard Matthews dropped a third down pass.

Geno Smith was barely touched.

Point the finger wherever you want, the bottom line is this:

In control of their own destiny, the Miami Dolphins lost back to back games to Thad Lewis, and Geno Smith.

They were not good enough this season.

And now, it's over.

Jets lead Dolphins 14-7 after third quarter

A Ryan Tannehill INT. A failed 4th down.

Just a disaster.

The Jets have the ball inside Miami territory. Cincinnati and Baltimore are tied.

It's not looking good.

Final quarter.

Bengals doing their part, but Fins trail Jets 14-7 at halftime

Well, Cincinnati is doing their part. They currently lead the Ravens 17-6 at halftime.

The Dolphins? Not so much.

A Rishard Matthews dropped third down pass led to a Miami punt.

11 plays later, Geno Smith ran it in with 3 seconds left to put the Jets up 14-7.

Defensively, Miami just can't seem to stop Smith. There has been little to no pressure on him, and he's found wide open receivers the entire game.

Offensively, Miami is killing themselves.

Charles Clay had a key drop. Matthews had the big one. Tannehill overthrew a wide open Mike Wallace.

It's been a struggle.

The lone TD on the day was a 5 yard pass to Wallace.

Brian Hartline left the game with a knee injury. His return is questionable.

Two quarters left.

To the third.

Dolphins, Jets scoreless; Ravens trail 7-6

Not a bad first quarter despite the score.

Miami has moved the football, mostly through the air, the problem has been sustaining drives, as they've stalled twice at midfield.

Brian Hartline had a big catch and run, but limped off the field. It looks like a knee injury. 

Defensively, the Dolphins have stopped the run and put pressure on Geno Smith.

Baltimore currently trails Cincinnati 7-6.

To the second.