It would appear that the Dolphins are going to lose the battle for Jeff Fisher. Jay Glazer reports that he would be shocked if Fisher isn’t the next coach of the Rams in the next 48 hours.

Jay Glazer is also reporting that the Dolphins, sensing Fisher will pick the Rams, are now starting to move on to other candidates.  Glazer claims the candidates include Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey (pictured), Bengal’s defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, and Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin.

First off, I would be very disappointed if the Dolphins chose Mularkey who led a very average Falcons offense this year and was absolute crap when he was here in Miami.

If I was Jeff Ireland (G-d forbid) my plan B if Fisher doesn’t work out would be Mike Zimmer. Zimmer is a player’s coach who seems to garner a great amount of respect from his player. He has built a pretty strong defense in Cincinnati in recent years. People might criticize Zimmer’s defense in recent weeks however he has been without the Bengal’s best corner Jonathan Hall who they lost for the season.

Zimmer is a team first guy, similar to Sparano, who hopefully has better game management skills then Tony.

Zimmer was the defensive coordinator in Dallas in 03 where the Cowboys gave up the fewest yards in the NFL while running an aggressive speedy 4-3 defense. Zimmer also had has experience running a 3-4 which he did when he was forced to switch his defense when Parcells arrived in Dallas. Zimmer coached for the Cowboys from 94-06 and worked with Jeff Ireland the last four years

In 2009, Zimmer earned NFL Assistant Coach of the Year honors from Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers and from CBSSports.com. He also won the assistant of the year award from FOX broadcaster and Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw.

The only issue I have with Zimmer is that the Dolphins need an offensive mind that can help develop a young Quarterback. I don’t have much trust in Ireland finding the right offensive mind to compliment Zimmer however I do think Zimmer would be a decent plan b.

As the Miami Dolphins coaching carousel turns, next on the docket is Mike Mularkey, Offensive Coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons.

This candidate comes as no surprise as he has been instrumental in developing Matt Ryan in Atlanta and formulating excellent game plans that have thrived under Mike Smith's defensive philosophy.

Previously fired by Bill Parcells in 2008, it is interesting to see that a portion of the Parcells regime, in Ireland would go after Mularkey. 

Mularkey has a wealth of coaching experience including a stint in Buffalo as a head coach, TE coach/Offensive Coordinator in 2006 and 2007 that was not permitted to call plays for Cam Cameron in Miami, and lastly his last four years calling plays and making Atlanta a winner.  (I might add that the 2007 Dolphins scored 267 points and in 2006 they scored 260 ...thanks Steve Stone, with Mularkey as OC/TE coach.)

That is hardly an approvement.  However, Mularkey has experience.  Mularkey has an extreme amount of confidence in game-planning and quarterback development.

Mularkey is your perfect candidate as a re-tread and one of two candidates that have been a head coach when you add Jeff Fisher to the mix.

Jeff Fisher who?  Jeff Fisher according to ESPN101.com is on the "verge of accepting" the Rams offer. 

An offer that Stephen Ross cannot beat and opportunity to mold a franchise QB in his image and show the NFC West that the Rams are tough!

However, stay tuned here to PhinsPhocus and follow me on Twitter @DolphinMick or @PhinsPhocus for the latest analysis of this coaching search!

With the interview taking place today in Davie of the Packers OC Joe Philbin, the Dolphins might be searching for more than the head coach.

As reported by various South Florida outlets, Joe Philbin has been a key part of Matt Flynn's (potential free agent QB from Green Bay) development.

It is possible that this is a marriage that might prove successful.

This would not be the first time a coach or personnel man has brought in a QB to lead a team to the playoffs.

This would not be the first time this has happened on the Dolphins.

In 2008, the Dolphins had Josh McKown penciled in as the starting quarterback to eventually give way to Chad Henne.  As soon as Brett Favre landed in New Jersey with the Jets, Chad Pennington whom was drafted by Bill Parcells became expendable.

During the 2008 season Chad Pennington led the Dolphins to their only playoff appearance in 7 years thus proving the marriage between Parcells and Pennington a success.

Fast forward two years, with Todd Haley at the helm as coach of the Chiefs and his boss Scott Pioli.  Piloi after arriving from New England, acquired Matt Cassel after a successful non playoff 11-5 record in New England while Tom Brady was on IR.  Matt Cassel went on to lead the Chiefs to the playoffs in 2010 and a division win. 

So, is it a possibility that Philbin might bring a possible franchise QB with him from Green Bay?  It is easier said then done.

Standing in the way of the Dolphins is every quarterback hungry team.  Teams such as Seattle, Washington, San Francisco, and the Colts (if they don't go QB in the draft) all have a need at QB.  

In addition, some teams realize that two QBs are better than one such as: Houston, Arizona, Dallas, and Kansas City.

Can the Dolphins entice the Packers should Flynn accept a franchise tag?  Sure they can.  Is it worth picks?  It all depends.  It depends on need and what needs can be met in the draft at the 8th or 9th spot.

In my opinion, Flynn is unproven and has experience in less than a handful of games.  His price will be high as a free agent because he can start right away in almost any system.  However, if Philbin is ultimately named the head coach in Miami, then Flynn would be a logical choice at QB before the draft takes place.

What do you guys think?

Thank you fellow Dolfans for reading!

As many Dolfans are waiting for Fisher’s answer of what team he will coach, I thought it would be interesting to get a few takes from RamsHerd.com fellow blogger Derek Pease. 

I had a quick conversation with Derek this evening about Fisher and the Rams and got his side of the story. 

Here is what he revealed to me:

1.) What is the latest news with the Rams and Fisher?

“ Kroenke is really putting on a full court press.  The thought is the Rams are waiting on hiring a GM so that Fisher can pick who he wants to work with.”

Derek goes on to say:

“Rams are trying to use this (full control/established GM) as an edge over Phins.  Both owners have the money, so that is not the issue.  Sources in St. Louis say that Fisher would like to work with a proven owner, which may give the Rams the edge."

However, "Rams and Dolphins are in different places progress wise.  While the Rams have a QB, the Dolphins as an entire unit are further along than the Rams."

Lastly, Derek mentions: “It also sounds like Kroenke is going to ask for a quick decision, which could or could not be a good thing.”

Rams fans, like the Dolfans are worried in St. Louis in that if the Rams don’t land Fisher it could mean trouble in the future such as relocation, when they require major renovations to their Dome stadium to remain a competitive venue. 

For the Dolphins, it means another another interview of inexperienced coaches and maybe missing the playoffs again…

We thank Derek Pease for his insight on the state of the Rams in the Fisher talks!

As the Miami Dolphins are in C.Y.A. mode, something they lost sight of by not firing Sparano last year; they have a back up plan!

Joe Philbin, the Offensive Coordinator of the defending super bowl champion Green Bay Packers will interview in Wisconsin on Saturday.

Philbin according to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson, does not call the plays in the Packer Offense, but is in charge of play design and instrumental in the development of one heck of a quarterback in Matt Flynn.  Remember, Matt Flynn, the guy most Dolfans watched on
while the Dolphins wrestled with 3rd and 6 on offense; torch the heck out of the Detroit Lions D in snow flurries and a slick field. 

I really like this opportunity to interview Joe Philbin. I think it shows a lot of continuity with current play caller Brian Daboll.  While Daboll is more of a spread option with a ton of misdirection, Philbin has experience with the West Coast Offense. 

I think Philbin as coach would come in and focus on the offense and possibly could bring in a free agent QB such as Matt Flynn to run a very powerful offense.

On the other hand, we could have another Cam Cameron as Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel just mentioned on Twitter.

Another sticking point is the fact that the Packers are poised to be in contention past next weekend and quite possibly not conclude play as they hope to win the Super Bowl.  That means Philbin is unavailable to hire until 1 month from now.

So is this a good possibility? 

Feel free to shoot me a line on twitter: @DolphinMick

Happy Coaching Search Everyone!