Dolphins fire Defensive Coordinator Paul Pasqualoni

[Phishfan]

I know we cover it every time this is brought up, but should Henning really get credit for introducing the Wild Cat formation? By all accounts, it was David Lee all the way.

To my knowledge Henning was the first person to use it in the modern NFL. Yes he gets credit.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Have to agree there.  Let's get someone who knows when to run and when to pass.  Cut out the gimmicks and let's just attack in the traditional way.

Let me add my vote to those that wish to see Henning fired.  And I hope the next day he is hired to become the NEP OC.  

There is simply no better OC in the NFL.  The Dolphins win games because of the gimmicks and because he calls a passing play when the defense is expecting a run and running play when the defense expects a pass.  

[Sunstroke]

There is simply no better OC in the NFL.  The Dolphins win games because of the gimmicks and because he calls a passing play when the defense is expecting a run and running play when the defense expects a pass.  

I disagree both simply and wholeheartedly...and would even rate our former HC and current Baltimore OC, Cameron, as a better OC than Henning.

[fyo]

To my knowledge Henning was the first person to use it in the modern NFL. Yes he gets credit.

David Lee, the quarterbacks coach, got it into the playbook. David Lee brought it up on the plane ride after the Arizona game.

David Lee should get the credit. All Henning did was not stand in the way.

[tubba marxxx]

looks like Al Grohl is going to be the successor......it should be Zach Thomas tho

[Spider-Dan]

David Lee brought it up and got it into the playbook.  I doubt very much that David Lee chooses when to run it or which personnel to use.

But more importantly:  it's one thing to be a position coach and throw out wacky ideas like "We should let Ronnie Brown throw passes!" and "Let's split our QB out wide!"  You have no skin in the game; it's not your ass on the line if Ronnie throws an interception or Pennington gets hurt on a block.  The fact that Dan Henning was willing to risk his job on this extremely unorthodox play set (and that he was able to convince Sparano to let him devote considerable time to it in practice) means that Henning gets the credit.

If the Wildcat fails, it's not David Lee that gets fired.  It's not Tony Sparano that gets fired.  It's Dan Henning.  Conservative inertia is the major roadblock to innovation in the NFL, and being willing to take the gamble means that Henning gets the vast majority of the credit when it works.

[Philly Fin Fan]

Fins received permission to interview Steelers LB coach Keith Butler for the DC position...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/football/dolphins/fl-dolphins-d-coordinator-0114-20100113,0,4102089.story

[fyo]

But more importantly:  it's one thing to be a position coach and throw out wacky ideas like "We should let Ronnie Brown throw passes!" and "Let's split our QB out wide!"  You have no skin in the game; it's not your ass on the line if Ronnie throws an interception or Pennington gets hurt on a block.  The fact that Dan Henning was willing to risk his job on this extremely unorthodox play set (and that he was able to convince Sparano to let him devote considerable time to it in practice) means that Henning gets the credit.

If the Wildcat fails, it's not David Lee that gets fired.  It's not Tony Sparano that gets fired.

It was Sparano who challenged his staff on that plane ride back from Arizona. Sure, Lee isn't calling the plays, but it seems pretty clear that the idea went Lee --> Sparano.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Fins received permission to interview Steelers LB coach Keith Butler for the DC position...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/football/dolphins/fl-dolphins-d-coordinator-0114-20100113,0,4102089.story

Butler would be a great choice.  He's got a long history of coaching some really good linebackers in Pitt.

[Spider-Dan]

It was Sparano who challenged his staff on that plane ride back from Arizona. Sure, Lee isn't calling the plays, but it seems pretty clear that the idea went Lee --> Sparano.

The point stands.  If the Wildcat fails, it's the OC who has his neck on the line... particularly for a first-year head coach that was hand-picked by a completely bulletproof boss (Parcells).

If you want to give ultimate credit to Sparano, then that's arguable.  But David Lee had nothing to lose.  Anyone can come up with wacky schemes when they aren't the one that's going to be held accountable.

[BigDaddyFin]

Al Groh is a name I've heard thrown around.  Does this move mean we're going back to a 4-3? 

Evidently the Giants' ex-DC is our new linebackers coach. 

If I recall, Groh's Jet team ran a 4-3.  Of course they may bring back the hybrid 3-4 either way it won't make any difference if this defense doesn't learn how to tackle.

[Frimp]

I think its a good move...I'd also much rather have Butler than Groh as the DC.

[Phishfan]

Al Groh is a name I've heard thrown around.  Does this move mean we're going back to a 4-3? 

Evidently the Giants' ex-DC is our new linebackers coach. 

If I recall, Groh's Jet team ran a 4-3.  Of course they may bring back the hybrid 3-4 either way it won't make any difference if this defense doesn't learn how to tackle.

I think he is pretty much a 3-4 guy normally.

[BigDaddyFin]

NFL Network said Butler is out.  They better move thier asses or find someone who runs the 3-4 well and in a hurry. 

[fyo]

Maybe it's time to bring back Clarence Brooks...

Seriously, though, there are lots of quality coaches out there and I wouldn't worry too much. I feel confident the Trifecta have a string of qualified replacements lined up and one of them is going to wind up here.

It's mainly just going to be a question of personalities -- and it might not be such a bad thing if it winds up being someone who hasn't worked with Parcells or Sparano before.

Winston Moss of the Packers seems like a very talented defensive coach.

Maybe lure away an existing coordinator, like McDermott of the Eagles.