The Dolphins Make Me Cry.com - Forums

Look slike we need a new offensive co-ordinator. Boy, I hope they got it wrong, and he stays...

http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/9173717

For those who don't wanna click the link...

Expect the St. Louis Rams to make an announcement on their next head coach shortly -- probably by Friday and no later than Monday. And expect that head coach to be Miami Dolphins' assistant Scott Linehan.


League sources confirmed that Linehan, the Dolphins' offensive coordinator, is the choice of an organization that Wednesday completed its second round of interviews by consulting with Chicago defensive coordinator Ron Rivera.

Linehan and San Diego offensive coordinator Cam Cameron had their second interviews earlier.

Originally, the Rams were expected to hire a defensive assistant, largely because of problems the club had on that side of the ball this year (only Houston allowed more points). But the more club executives tossed around the idea the more they decided an offensive head coach might be the ticket -- largely because they believed they could straighten out the league's 30th-ranked defense by choosing a candidate from a reservoir deep with solid defensive coordinators.

       
That decision, of course, will belong to Linehan, but look for someone like Jim Bates, who was the Packers' defensive coordinator last year, or the New York Jets' Donnie Henderson to be among the candidates.

But there's another reason St. Louis opted for an offensive assistant. When you look at the Rams, you find their best players generally are on one side of the ball -- and, no, it's not defense. It's with an offense that former coach Mike Martz built into one of the league's most productive units before departing in the middle of this season with a heart infection.

Linehan, 42, initially was considered a long-shot candidate because he has only four years of NFL experience. But his name emerged in recent weeks as the Rams started combing the league for offensive assistants, talking to, among others, Cameron, Baltimore's Jim Fassel and Pittsburgh's Ken Whisenhunt.

Linehan is young, smart, dynamic and imaginative. The Rams were impressed with how he managed the Minnesota offense when the Vikings had Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper. Linehan enhanced his standing by winning this season with Gus Frerotte as his quarterback, though that's probably more a testament to the job done by head coach Nick Saban.

But look what the Dolphins accomplished: With Frerotte and Sage Rosenfels as their passers, they ranked in the upper half in many offensive categories and finished in the middle (16th) in scoring. Sure, they were blanked by Cleveland, but they responded by finishing with six straight wins.

Now look what happened when Linehan joined Minnesota in 2002 after 13 seasons of coaching at the college level. In his three years as an offensive assistant there, the Vikings never ranked lower than fourth in overall offense and were the league's second-ranked passing unit in 2004 when quarterback Daunte Culpepper threw 39 touchdown passes, a franchise record.

St. Louis is desperate for some of that production. The Rams believe they have the necessary talent in players like running back Steven Jackson, quarterback Marc Bulger and wide receiver Torry Holt. But they also believe they lost something last year when the organization was shredded by friction between Martz and the front office.

The Rams want their high-scoring offense back. And they want to return to winning. They believe Linehan gives them the chance.

Mort mentioned Linehan was the front runner,and he believed that announcement would be made within 24 hours...that was at 5 pm sportcenter...

     Well, this sucks.  So, with Norv out of the picture, do you promote within or do you hire someone else?

I'm NOT CONDONING this...but how about Mike Martz...He's a Crazy offensive SOB....

I agree.  He might be a little out of whack in the head, but he did create the Greatest Show on Turf.  I'd love to see him bring that to Miami.  

i bet martz would thrive as an OC, beacuse his downside was stupid clock management, and , despite all his genious, the occasional bonehead decision at a pivotal moment of the game.  with an HC like Saban, he could just concentrate on fine-tuning the offense.  besides, with his heart condition, he doesnt need the stress of an HC job

I agree, Martz would make an interesting OC. He has some really good qualities, but just needs to have some responsibilities taken away from him. Being a head coach clearly wasn't something he was capable of at this point.

Although it would be interesting to see Martz calling the plays for the offense, I don't think Linehan's going to the Rams.  Cam Cameron knows the Rams offense better.

I'm hearing it's pretty much a done deal with Linehan...

I am shocked, mainly because I didn't think he had enough time as an assistant to get a team to offer the HC position to him. Martz would be an interesting choice to replace Scott, as long as Martz understood he was a coordinator and not the HC. I'm hoping the same for Norv in SF too...

From SI.com

As more time passes, it is sounding as if Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron is gaining ground on Dolphins offensive coordinator Scott Linehan in the race to become the next head coach in St. Louis.
-- NFL.com

Can we only hope?

Joe Rose on local NBC6 is reporting Linehan is all but gone.

On tonight's 11:00 news.

He's gone.

No way I want Martz as OC.  He doesn't run the ball enough. I would like to get Mike Hiemerdinger if he becomes available, or Mike Mularkey if he wants a job. I don't like Mike Sherman as OC..why is everybody named Mike?  ???

I'm sure Martz would understand his position because Saban would clearly reiterate that to him.  

Martz ? Are you kidding me ? So you want a guy that will throw the ball 40 times a game while Ricky & Ronnie get a combined 10 carries a game ?

 ???

SH*T!! Why do they have to pick on our OC?    



I'm not understanding Miami fans lately. I'm not picking on you Mcduff, it's just that I've heard this alot lately.  OK, I understand we have a bad-ass duo at the RB position, and that our QB's suck nuts.  When Wanny was around all he did was RUN THE DAMN BALL!!  And all I ever heard was, "Miami is too predictable", "Vanilla offense".   He ran Williams out of town (next to the weed thing of course),  the team went to shambles because the entire NFL stacked the line on 1st,  2nd and 3rd down expecting the obvious run.  

So why is everyone wanting to go back to running the damn ball?  Mix it up people!  That's why I liked Linehan, we need an OC that can throw off a defense by injecting some pass plays in an offense. Even if we have a sorry ass QB like we did / do,  Miami needs to utilize the WR's / TE with a few screens thrown in here and there to open up the run.  We don't need an OC who's M.O. is running the ball.  We've seen it,  and it got us 4-12 and 4 years of missing the playoffs.

I agree. Mix it up.. I am 100% for that.

If you noticed the names I mentioned as possible replacement, they are anything but on the conservative end. Hell, when Mularkey was OC in Pittsburgh, they threw a lot more than they have before and after he was there.

Linehan was very good. He had a lot of schemes that got people open. I like his variety as well. Martz doesn't mix it up. He is 70% pass.

He is the anit-Wannstedt..I would like more of a happy medium.

     Mike Heimerdinger would be a great fit here.  He, much like Linehan, likes to mix up his offense but is also high on the deep passing game.  But I don't see Mangini letting him go.

I wonder if people have forgotten that Martz was the OC for Vermeil when the Rams won the Super Bowl?  I seem to remember Marshall Faulk running A LOT that year.  

Martz, with someone watching over him, would be a good fit in Miami.

You know, i had forgotten this. But let me also say that the Rams were enormous favorites and only managed to eek that game out by 1 yd. Check out all those rushing yds. Maine....LOL

http://www.superbowl.com/history/boxscores/game/sbxxxiv

Jeff Darlington, of the Palm Beach Post, reports Miami Dolphins wide receivers coach Charlie Baggett is a potential candidate to take over as offensive coordinator for the team.

I haven't forgotten.  That's why I'm all for Mike Martz as our OC.  If there's one coach that can watch over him and let him know he needs to implement a balanced attack, it's Nick Saban.




I think Baggett will follow Linehan to St Louis, that is if Linehan goes.  They worked together in Minnesota and have known each other for quite a while.  

He has also worked under Saban three times, including this stint so a promotion may keep him here.

I was just ready to post this same thing.

Why do you keep saying "if"?

20 different news sources are reporting that its a done deal, and the "official" announcement is coming Friday...

From the miami herald....(I'm just the F-'n messenger..)

There has been speculation Linehan will take Charlie Baggett, Dolphins receivers coach and assistant head coach for offense, with him to St. Louis, but it's unknown if other Dolphins assistants would join him. Baggett worked with Linehan in Minnesota.

I feel if the OC job doesn't go to Jason Garrett,things in Miami just got un-comfortable for Gus....

The problem I have with Martz is this:  How can a coach with a back like Marshall Faulk give him only 10 carries in a game?  Why keep throwing when you're ahead 35-10?  You (we) all want balance, and Martz concerns me because he has "anti-Wannstedt" potential; that is to throw 55 times and run 15.    So long as that does not happen, welcome aboard, Mike!

Oh, god - Jason Garrett has no business being a QB coach, let alone a OC...  I hope that's not what you were suggesting...

I think he meant that Garrett would be the only one that would want to keep Gus. Other wise, regardless of who the OC is, Gus is gone.

Exacto-mundo... ;) :)

I've sort of got the feeling,Saban is going to get someone,3/4 of the board isn't going to know who they are...We'll all be googling them.

I don't think it is quite fair to make this statement unless we are sitting in the locker room and working with the guy. None of us know what kind of coach he is.

As long as Hudson Houck doesn't follow Linehan, I'm fine.  The rest of the assistant coaches are replaceable.

Statement From Miami Dolphins Head Coach Nick Saban On Scott Linehan
January 19, 2006


"I want to congratulate Scott on his selection as the Rams' new head coach. I know he will be a tremendous asset to that organization and wish him the best of success in St. Louis.




He did an outstanding job for us in Miami, and before that with the Minnesota Vikings. Before Scott joined the Dolphins, I considered him to be one of the most innovative offensive coaches in the league, and after working with him this past season, I also came to appreciate his work ethic and organizational skills. I have a great deal of respect for Scott and I know he is well qualified to be a head coach in the NFL."



What were you saying again?

OK, you guys have made your point!!!!  Anything more is overkill!!!!

So who are we looking at as a replacement?

Mike Martz
Mike Mularkey
Jason Garrett

Reference is Finheaven..Pulling for Mularkey, sure don't want Garrett

I'd rather have Martz.  Mularkey's offense in Pitt was a bit boring.  Sure they ran, but that's pretty much all they did.  

As for Linehan leaving.... this is what happens when you hire the best.  They tend not to stick around long.  

It was anything but boring..if anything, he threw too much(for Cowher's liking)  He also ran a ton of trick plays.

Do you even remember when Mularkey was with Pittsburgh? Thats when Pittsburgh had the top offense in the league, using Maddox and Stewart to pass the ball.

I remember quite well.  I believe it was 2000 - 2003 that he ran the offense.  During that time, they had capable QB's in Stewart and Maddox, but they were a run oriented team with Bettis and Fu-Matuafala <~~~~ did I spell that right?

Actually during 2002 and 2003 the Steelers were a pass oriented team. Look at the number Maddox put up those years as opposed to Bettis' numbers. Bettis had less than stellar seasons (600 something in '02, and 800 something in '03), while Maddox threw for close to 3000 in '02 and over 3000 in '03.

They actually passed 551 times and ran 512 times in 2002. 2003 they ran 446 times and passed 532. That does not sound like a run oriented team. That sounds like a fairly balanced team with emphasis on the pass..

Close...it's "Fuamatu-Ma'afala"

"Fu" will work as well..

I think they nicknamed him The Samoan Bus because his running style was similar to Bettis.