Swimming Upstream?

Billionaire owner of the Miami Dolphins Stephen Ross has certainly stirred up quite the controversy in South Beach.  Although the drama hasn't stirred up the talk of "The Decision," the Dolphins have not seen this much publicity since the Nick Saban saga unfolded. 

Chalk up another disappointing season for the Miami Dolphins.  Two years removed from going 11-5 and winning the AFC East, the Fish have had back to back 7-9 seasons.  In those nine losses this season, seven were at home.  Chad Henne has all but been labeled a bust.  Ronnie Brown had a down year and Ricky Williams isn't getting any younger.  Newly acquired Brandon Marshall missed has also openly criticized Henne and freshly ousted offensive coordinator Dan Henning.  Their once feared Wildcat offense has taken a turn for the worst as teams have not only started running their own variations of it; they have it figured out.

After a thumping by the New England Patriots, the Dolphins closed the door on the 2010 campaign, or lack thereof.  With the future of Sparano uncertain, several players openly backed their head coach and his return.  His fire on the sidelines and role as a motivator is praised in Miami and is clear in interviews and on television.  But two down seasons have his role as a winner in question.  Black Monday came and went in the NFL and Sparano was still employed.  All was well in Miami.  Hold the phones.  A revered college coach by the name of Jim Harbaugh was being linked to the University of Michigan, San Francisco 49ers, the Denver Broncos, and....the Miami Dolphins.  Let the confusion begin.  Why would Stephen Ross fly from Miami to California to meet with Harbaugh if they already have a coach?  A coach who already had been notified the organization would like him to return.  A coach who has been praised by a loudmouth like Brandon Marshall.  Ross was willing to make Harbaugh a very wealthy man.  So wealthy that he would be the NFL's highest paid something, because Miami already has a head coach. 

Fast forward to this afternoon.  NFL analysts and experts say Miami is out and Harbaugh will have a decision today.  His decision is to coach the San Francisco 49ers.  Ross counters that by confirming a meeting with a recently unemployed head coach in Eric Mangini.  But Sparano has been retained(?).  The answer isn't in a head coach at this point for the Miami Dolphins.  If possible, they need to retain Brown and Williams (and Sparano since Ross and the general public may have another meaning of the word).  With Donovan McNabb, Vince Young, and Kyle Orton out there, Ross needs to find a way to acquire one of these big name quarterbacks.  Brandon Marshall should have little to complain about.  The acquisition of Young may present a better or at least more viable option for a Wildcat package.  Marshall knows Orton.  McNabb still has a couple good years left in him and would have the protection and offensive weapons to succeed.  Now it's just a matter of a head coach.  How motivated will Sparano be to coach this team?  What will the offseason do to his confidence?  Will his team rally around him to show the suits he has the tools to be a winner?

With Stephen Ross' love and admiration for celebrities, he could always turn to his ownership committee and ask one simple question.  What Would J.Lo Do?

-Joe Tichy