Glazer: Dolphins assume they won’t get Fisher, move on

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The Jeff Fisher Leverage Game may not ultimately yield the maximum financial package for Jeff Fisher, after all.

Jay Glazer of FOX reports that the Dolphins, sensing Fisher will pick the Rams, are now moving on to other candidates.  Per Glazer, the candidates include Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey (pictured), Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, and Packers offensive coorinator Joe Philbin.

Of course, this could simply be the next level of the Jeff Fisher Leverage Game, with the Dolphins finally figuring out that Fisher is simply trying to squeeze as much money as possible onto the table, either to get a sweeter deal from the Rams or to perhaps take the money and run to the AFC East.

And if Fisher would call Stephen Ross or Carl Peterson or Jeff Ireland or Don Shula or whoever is truly running the show in Miami and express a desire to take the job, the Dolphins would immediately hire him.

60 responses to “Glazer: Dolphins assume they won’t get Fisher, move on

  1. The Phins were played like a fiddle.

    He was never going there with that management structure that includes, but not limited to, King Carl.

  2. it’s too bad there isn’t another marquee name to compete with Fisher…

    the Phins definitely need an established coach as the last 100 coaches have all been coordinators, and we see where that’s gotten them…

  3. A pity that Dean Spanos has the IQ of a hazelnut. AJ Smith & Norv Turner don’t deserve their positions, and Jeff Fisher would be great as the Chargers’ HC.

    Besides, haven’t the San Diego fans suffered enough?

  4. Good move Dolphins. I pass on him anyway just for the attitude he is displaying.
    A career mediocre coach trying to drive up the price and dictate to teams that its his choice whether to bless their teams with his presence??

    I tell him to Eff off and go ahead and go to the other team, st. Louis should also. See how long it takes him to decide whether to accept another job offer, IF another ever comes along.

    That being said, Mike Zimmer deserves a shot at a head coaching job. Give him a chance

  5. Since they like having celeb owners, Maybe they’ll hire some idiot know it all from Hollywood, like the brain dead Brad Pitt or equally stupid George Clooney.

  6. When are they going to start interviewing real HC candidates like Wade Phillips, Brad Childress and Mike Sherman?

  7. From what I’ve read from fans in the AJC – they’ll pay for Mularkey’s moving costs.

  8. Never thought Fisher was going to end up in Miami unless the Rams got cheap on their contract offer. And Fisher’s agent is the father of the Rams COO, I figured Rams wouldn’t be in the mix unless they knew the asking price.

    I would like to see a guy like Chudzinski get his shot, or even Tom Clements the QB coach from GB. Don’t know why it’s only Philbin’s name out there. Andy Reid was “only” a QB coach when he went to Philadelphia, and that worked out ok. What I like about Clements is that he was the QB of a college championship, and went on to the CFL and be a winner there as well. You don’t have that much success as a QB if you don’t know how to lead football players.

    I think Mike Zimmer is the front runner, given his Dallas days and Ireland already knowing him, unless, of course, Ireland and Zimmer don’t care for each other. Also if Zimmer and Sparano are friends, I could see Zimmer pass because of the way his friend was treated by Ireland.

  9. This is great news for the Fins. If all that Fisher wants is money, I would have to question his dedication to the job. I’m sure after 16 years of coaching Fisher is not hurting for money.

  10. From a Fin fan point of view, this is no surprise. I don’t blame Fisher for wanting to go to St.Louis over Miami. Even though the talent level favors Miami, coaching for Ireland, Petersen, and Ross is definitely not worth it. No matter how much money they throw at him

  11. Why the big deal about “The Jeff Fisher Leverage Game”?

    Does this really deserve it’s own moniker?

    Doesn’t everyone negotiating in a position like that do the exact same thing?

  12. “joetoronto says: The Phins were played like a fiddle.”
    ______________________________

    I’m not big fan of Ross, but how exactly were they “played like a fiddle”? They had interest in a candidate; they interviewed that candidate; now they are moving on.

    Is there ANOTHER way to hire a coach? That is, I guess, fiddleless?

    Regardless of what you think about Fisher, or Ross for that matter, I don’t see where Miami was “played.” If Fisher never had interest in Miami, than he is being two-faced, and St. Louis (if he was planning on that all along) is the one being played….

  13. Fisher would be a good fit for the Fins. Get rid of Ireland and Peterson, and let Fisher make personnel decisions as well. Most of the talent is in place. Just don’t turn this into a bidding war, or more of a circus than its already been.

  14. Wouldn’t GETTING PLAYED require them falsely thinking they were going to get him, getting forced into overpaying, and/or losing out on any other candidates that they like? None of which is indicated.

    Or do you define GETTING PLAYED as: interviewed but chose some other organization.

  15. I’m glad Zimmer is getting a look and glad that the owner has some sense…enough to at least move on from Fisher.

    It’s a good sign that he’s taking his time making a decision and not rushing into a decision.

  16. “joetoronto” yer a joke – nothing you eveer write makes sense – you have no knowledge of football – the game was played like everyone plays it – go root for your wannabe football up der in canada eh?

    Malarkay has already failed and i want nothing to do with any bengal

    Philbin intrigues me in that me has success and may help bring in Flynn which gives us 2 quality QBs – we are not getting any future QB in this draft – we have to get something in FA.

  17. Please give Billick a look. Yes, he can be an arrogant prick but that is essentially no different than Ireland. I don’t know about Philbin since McCarthy calls the plays most of the time. I don’t see much difference between him and the OC for the saints. Take a look at chudzinski as well. Regardless of who they get, they need to ensure it is the right guy for the football team rather than ticket sales

  18. Jeff Fisher is meeting with Sam Bradford at Rams park right now. Welcome aboard coach Fisher???

  19. Good! Fisher is a good coach but he is a defensive minded coach who likes the 4-3 and his offensive philosophies are the same as Tony Sporano’s. I would be happiest with Mularky cuz he will not wanna change the D and I don’t think he should have ever left Miami in the first place.

  20. I’ve always been in the minority and liked ol’ Jeff. But after following this whole squeeze every flipping penny game I’m thinking he’s a bit for the britches. I mean really, how much $$ does he need? It’s simple: NFC Worst vs AFC Battleground. Go with the Rams, you’ll look like a hero with 6 wins.

  21. Just cuz joetoronto is a clown doesn’t mean you have to dis Canadians that just makes you look like a ignorant clown too. I’m Canadian played football all my life and know the game very very well. As for Philbin I like him and It would help Us land Flynn to compete with Moore since I don’t wanna trade a boat load of 1st rounders to trade up. Mularky is not a bad choice either though. Zimmerman is another 4-3 guy and we’ve spent the last 5 years retooling the defense for a 3-4 which Mike Nolan is doing a good job with.

  22. joetoronto is a Raiders fans. You know the team that has 87 blackouts and this season their first sellout season since moving back to Oakland in 1995. All he does is criticize every other team when his Raiders are and have been the definition for dysfunction. He’s irrelevant.

  23. Fisher is in STL touring the facilities and meeting with Sam Bradford. Fisher is the Rams next head coach – expect a press conference tomorrow before Fisher leaves town. If he leaves STL without the announcement of a contract, that should be a huge red flag for those in STL hoping to land him.

    I believe the deal is done.

  24. I have been a phins fan since i was born and really truly i dont understand what is going on. Please someone correct me if im wrong didnt jeff fisher have 10 losing seasons out of 16 with the titans. He did lose a super bowl , he did botch a draft pick with vince young …. why are we trying so hard to get a guy that his track record is for being conservative , right? and what has he really done… If you want a proven guy isnt brian billick a better choice he has a relationship with nolan and he won a super bowl as the head offensive guy and he won with a terrible quarterback ( i understand his defense was one of the best to ever step on a football field but still )

  25. lostsok says:Jan 8, 2012 12:50 PM

    “joetoronto says: The Phins were played like a fiddle.”
    ______________________________

    I’m not big fan of Ross, but how exactly were they “played like a fiddle”? They had interest in a candidate; they interviewed that candidate; now they are moving on.

    Is there ANOTHER way to hire a coach? That is, I guess, fiddleless?

    Regardless of what you think about Fisher, or Ross for that matter, I don’t see where Miami was “played.” If Fisher never had interest in Miami, than he is being two-faced, and St. Louis (if he was planning on that all along) is the one being played….

    You are wasting your time reasoning with mr. dumas.. He is a faider fan after all.

  26. It is hysterical reading the comments by the Dolphin fans that think the Dolphins have more talent than the Rams. Matt Moore can’t carry Bradford’s luggage when he is healthy.The Rams had a tremendous amount of injuries and have more talent than Miami

    I’m glad to see the Fin fans think they have their QB of the future in Moore.

    The Dolphins franchise has become an absolute joke under Ross’s ownership. Maybe Ross can get Charlie Sheen as HC of their circus,. After all Charlie knows about “winning”

  27. Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t Fisher the same guy who coached like 18 years and had six wining records lol. Not for nothing but to pay this guy what he wants for a guy who was average or worse in 12 of 18 years is hlliarious. So phins fans be happy that you didn’t over pay for mediocrity.

  28. Ross needs to realize ….that because of him & Ireland…that the Dolphins are no longer [ and have not been for years] a marquee franchise.

    Even Wayne H a better owner than this clown…and Ireland??? Inept @ best.

    Dolphins fans now refer to the Wanny years as…the good ole days…

    Sad, but when an owner puts more into halftime shows than organizing his team w/proven administrators..he’s a goner.

  29. ps… If fisher wants to play the ‘oh the AFC EAST is too hard for me’ card, then F’ him and good luck St Louis. I want a tough coach!

  30. I think fisher gona choose rams, more easy route right now, but everybody arguing which team better we will find out next season, sux dat fins gota play every year vs brady but they should b a better team next year

  31. mistrezzrachael says:
    Jan 8, 2012 2:36 PM

    Ross needs to realize ….that because of him & Ireland…that the Dolphins are no longer [ and have not been for years] a marquee franchise.
    —————————————————————

    Dude at least get it right; The dysfunctional Miami franchise of the present was created because of former owner Wayne Huizenga hiring big name coaches like Jimmy Johnson, Nick Saban and Bill Parcells as a VP of Operations. Each left the franchise without doing the job they were hired for. That’s the same thing a guy like Fisher would do. Leave and create more dysfunction just like the previous marquee coaches did. The best hire for the job is Todd Bowles. He would keep the OC and DC to create stability which has been lacking since Huizenga bought the Miami franchise.

  32. Keep Mike Nolan to run the Defense (if he’ll stay)Sign Joe Philbin, install the west coast offense and bring in Matt Flynn to run it with Matt Moore the team’ solid backup. Draft a playmaker on Offense.. Best WR for the scheme, and work on the O & D Lines/Secondary.

  33. lostsok says:
    Jan 8, 2012 12:50 PM
    “joetoronto says: The Phins were played like a fiddle.”
    ______________________________

    I’m not big fan of Ross, but how exactly were they “played like a fiddle”? They had interest in a candidate; they interviewed that candidate; now they are moving on.

    Is there ANOTHER way to hire a coach? That is, I guess, fiddleless?

    Regardless of what you think about Fisher, or Ross for that matter, I don’t see where Miami was “played.” If Fisher never had interest in Miami, than he is being two-faced, and St. Louis (if he was planning on that all along) is the one being played….
    **************************************************
    Fisher never had any intentions of signing with Miami, he used them to get more money from the Rams.

    Understand now?

  34. thehungariancrippler says:Jan 8, 2012 1:47 PM

    I know Stephen Ross wants a star coach….how about hiring Tony D’Amato away from the Miami Sharks?
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    Too late- he signed with the new expansion team when he left the Sharks. They have him full management control so he wouldn’t be interested working for Ireland!

  35. “Fisher never had any intentions of signing with Miami, he used them to get more money from the Rams.”

    That would be playing the Rams like a fiddle, joe.

  36. stevincinci says: Jan 8, 2012 2:52 PM

    Zimmer is under contract with Cincinnati. He ain’t going anywhere.
    ********************************

    Coordinator contracts don’t prevent them from interviewing for head coaching jobs.

  37. Please don’t hire Mularkey. Philbin is my choice. If Ross fired Ireland & didn’t involve Peterson, coaches wouldn’t be playing him for leverage. Ross is a dope!

  38. Glazer is being nice. The real headline should have been Fisher turns down Dolphins and their disfunctional front office.
    Or Fisher still laughing about meeting with Dolphins.

  39. The Dolphin’s coaching hunt is an internal matter. As fans, we can have all of the opinions we want but we will just have to wait and see! Ross paid big bucks for the right to hire who he wants. Fisher probably did use the Dolphins to raise his salary offer in St. Louis. I say, Good! He was the best candidate from the list of established head coaches. The Dolphins had the obligation to interview him. Fisher will be a good coach wherever he ends up.

    The current rounds of interviews are of greater interest to me. I have heard that Peterson is interviewing one set of candidates, while Ireland is interviewing another set. If that is true, it doesn’t make much sense. I would think that they would have an interview panel who would narrow the list and then submit the top candidates to Mr. Ross for more in-depth interviews.

    I think that Mr. Ross has another problem too. Ticket sales need a marquee coaching name to boost sales and increase fan confidence in the team’s ability to capitalize on next years easy schedule. Currently, I see no reason for anyone to renew a season ticket. We need a coach and staff. We need a GM and staff. We need a QB, WR and two Off. Linemen. We need three Def. Backs. We still have to play New England twice.

    The Dolphins suck because the owner can’t take care of business. He runs the Dolphins like a feudal empire rather than a business. I am now rooting for the Giants! I guess I will have to become a Denver fan too! GO T-BOW!

  40. @dolphincritic
    Hiring a head coach based on ticket sales is not smart. If Ross has that mindset, the team is in for a hard time. Tha coaching decision should be based entirely on putting the team in the best position to win. The only thing that will influence ticket sales is by fielding a competitive team with a competent coaching staff and actually winning some games. The ticket sales should be a result rather than a goal.

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