It's Tony Sparano Time! (with The Daily Poll)

     [Note: The Herald has me doing a live online Dolphins Q&A from 1-2 p.m. on Friday. If you'd like to tap in, please do].

     It's official. The Dolphins hired Cowboys assistant Tony Sparano as their new head coach and unveiled him at a noon press conference today, a long-expected coronation of the consistent frontrunner and clear personnel choice of new bosses Bill Parcells and Jeff Ireland.

     Inviting you to weigh in here on the Sparano hiring. Vote in our poll, but please also elaborate with a comment expressing why you feel as you do. Do you trust Big Tuna all the way? Were there better choices out there? Have you been burned too often to be anything but wait-&-see?

     I offer my opinion -- that any new Dolphin head coach-hire must be viewed skeptically until he earns our faith -- in a column online now and in Thursday's paper. Click here to find it. Meantime, what do you think?

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Comments

[raoul duke]

After Cam how bad could he possibly be? I wonder if NE will go 19-0 next year too.

[ginrai]

I see Sparano being the next Dolphin Spartan K5 in the making. That may bring the Dolphins many SB trophies.

[ginrai]

I sense the crabby bozotons fearing by coming here any second now. Blowing off steam from their crab open mouth pipes.

[ginrai]

A tuna can be a dolphins' best reward. Sure there is trust between the two.

[raoul duke]

If he doesn't work out we could just hire "Big Pussy."

[raoul duke]

If he doesn't work out we could just hire "Big Pussy."

[Tom]

It's about time we have some Dolphins football to talk about. With all due respect to my good friends naples jack,patsfan and Kurt and my new quasi-friend the Bostonian -- PATS TALK SUCKS!!!

I hope Tony brings Christoper Moltisanti(back from the dead), Paulie "Walnuts", Silvio, Corrado (from his fake dimentia), Bobby Bacala (back from the dead), Vito Spatafore (back from the dead -Tom Brady might like him), Phil Leotardo, Big Pussy (back from the bottom of the sea), and all the others with him because we are definitely going to need some muscle. A few knives and guns might be helpful as well.

Any suggestions on who our first target should be?

[Tom]

raoul duke

Even having someone who would intentionally trying to lose for us, like the Bostonian, would be an improvement over Cam.

[raoul duke]

Tom, I keep seeing in my "dreams" Tom Brady's mighty jaw and bright white teeth as he is poised in quintessential QB pose with his ROCKET ARM pulled back and about to pull the trigger. I feel violated because of the Bostonian. Oh yeah if Soprano can't help I say we get the freakin Russians. Everybody is afraid of the Russians believe me.

[r. duke]

First target? Why that's easy..Tom Brady of course.

[r duke]

Maybe NE doesn't have to go 19-0 after all..

[r. duke]

I mean it's not like the future in written in stone right..

[Noel]

He can't be any worse than Camoron. That's for sure.

[raoul duke]

yeah ginrai I wonder where the Bostonian is this morning. Probably sleeping in, after late night celebrating, with visions of sugar plumbs, Tom Brady(s) and SB Trophys dancing in his head. I wonder what that would be like Mr.Huiezenga? I know, I know you're trying.

[r. duke]

Yup the way this season has gone and continues to go it truly is amazing the Pats won't attain their crown jewel of a 19-0 season and 4th SB Trophy in seven years in Semi-Pro Player Stadium. I guess we should be grateful for small favors.

[fin fan in DC]

Should we change the logo from a dolphin to a kife & gun logo?

[Tom]

raoul duke

My first target was Cam. He definitely was Dolphin-Nation enemy #1. But Godfather Big Tuna Parcells took care of that matter. A reporter recently asked the Big Tuna, "How's Cam" and he replied, "oh, Cam... won't see him no more." Exactly what I have been waiting to hear for over 9 months. I hear it was messy, but that's for another blog. Since Dolphin-Nation enemy #1 is now gone, I'm torn on who the Big Tuna and Tony should sic Paulie Walnuts on next. Brady is a good target, but he probably has his own security. I was thinking maybe they should go after low-hanging fruit like the Bostonian.

Just a thought.

[raoul duke]

Tom I debated. Bostonian or Brady but if Brady is taken out by Russians now there goes 19-0. It's funny you should bring up logos. I was just lying in bed trying to meditate..like RW something I do for my nerves and attempts at "enlightenment" when I found myself distracted by the very same line of thinking. Only I had a vision of that idiot "Smilin Bob" from the Enzyte commercials they run 24 hrs a day. Maybe we could have his smiling mug and waving hand on one side of the helmut and a picture of Enzyte tablet on the other. Maybe we throw a helmut on Smilin Bod withe an "M" on the side of it for greater "dignity". We'll be the "Miami Male Enhancements". Great big pictures of Smilin Bob could be posted above each gate to greet patrons. Or...We could just have Mushroom Clouds on the sides of our helmuts and call ourselves "The Miami Armageddons"(sp?).

[Tom]

My error there should have been an "a" after after above.

[r. duke]

"Smilin Bod" that's a terribly disturbing Freudian slip..or as Freud said, "Sometimes it's just a cigar."

[r. duke]

I hate being so obsessive compulsive about my spelling but some how misspellings do seem to detract from the "ALL SO IMPORTANT THINGS I POST".

[That Dood]

I like the moves the Fins are making. We seem to have a strong direction and Im sure this will be turned around. Your bringing quality football minds to the team, that have a sense that they know what they are doing and are making confident moves. Sparano has that gravely voice you want to hear in a coach. This fukka will kick you in the nuts.

[raoul duke]

Good That Dood because our team definitely needs to do some nut(s) kicking.

[Bruce]

I know as much about Sparano as I did about Cam Cameron or Nick Saban when they were hired--zilch. But I like the move because of the man who made it. Parcells gets the benefit of every doubt.

[FinfaninNC]

I for one am really pleased to see this whole Dolphins mess starting to come together. This should have been done years ago. If there are still any doubters out there that think Wayne doesn't want to win, I hope the events of late have brought a new perspective to what's happening.

Parcells, Ireland and Spurano will bring this franchise back to where it once was. The fans just have to be patient and let them work. No, we're not going to the super bowl next year or the playoffs, but we won't be 1-15 either. Give it time. This is the best thing since Shula...

[Mr. Woodcock]

If you can't have a Cuban for a head coach an Italian is the next best thing.

[Iz]

I give it a side thumb, I love the fact that Parcells is bringing in his own people. Cam couldn't do that and neither could Saban, it's better when you can work as a team from top to bottom and when you have your "possy" by your side. But with all the past saviors after Shula (Jimmy, Satan, and Cam) Im just not gonna get excited until we see what they do. Time to start talking draft! That will be the first indication, do we draft big, mean, nasty football players or do we continue to draft players "families"?

[the shadow knowsi]

am i mistaken, or do parcell proteges succeeed in the NFL, belichick being the prime example. contrast this with jimmy johnson's assistants at dallas, all of whom were abysmal failures, with the daves, wannstedt and campo leading the parade. bill parcells has been a winner from the get-go, and am anticipating a rather quick turnaround with one of parcells' men in control.

[wilber]

This guy is not ready to be a head coach. He does not have the experience, he has less than rookie coach Cam Cameron had. This guy has only been an offensive line coach in the NFL. His only qualification for this job is that he knows Parcells. He is going to be the Tuna's puppett, then thats all he needs. But he will make rookie mistakes at crunch time. We should have hired Bill Cower (ex Steelers coach) instead of Parcells and his gang. I hope Tony at least is not a rude idiot like Nick Satan.

Phins are going to be bad for another 3 years at least.

[Al Coholic]

No drama as everyone knew this guy was coming. Parcells has a history of not seeing things thru since he left the Giants-leaving while there was unfinished bidness. But bringing in the GM and Head Coach of his choice points us in the right direction. The first order of business to cut or retain the selected core players. They will probably trade away the #1 overall due to the fact that the best player is a running back and this team is fat there. Lots of talent that will be across the board in the first rd. Plenty also in the second. We need 4 quality players in the first 2 rd, both sides of the ball.
Beck needs a qb coach working with him right now as i think this guy can be a respectable NFL QB.
Regardless, lots of work, can't get the whole thing done in one yr either.
Cam setting the bar low at 1-15, this guy will look like gold even if they are mediocre next yr.
Look for a couple cowboy players coming to Miami this offseason.

[You'll love it at Levitz]

Any of this won't matter if they don't get a great QB. So, we'll see...

[Al Coholic]

Wilber...you got that part right. Not much experience. Doesn't matter.
1. We need a young enthusiastic and hardline-NO Bull coach who acts like he is the man.
2. Parcells will groom this guy, Parcells will be have a huge influence on game plan, players selected, everything at first. The Tuna's assistants normally go on to be very good.
3.When Parcells cuts and runs-I'd say 2-3 yrs, Ireland and Sparano will be on top of their game, leaving this team in good hands.
4. In 2-3 yrs this franchise will again be trampling the Jets, Bills and giving the Pats fits, vying for the division.
It will be ugly next yr too, prepare yourself in advance, this team ain't nowhere near contending with the elite.
A true fan who knows the game will realize that if we go 5-11 next yr that is an improvement.
I need another Crown and coke, see ya

[raoul duke]

Whoops my bad "Smilin Bob" logo idea response intended for fin fan in DC who actually raised topic.. Sorry fin fan in DC. Don Pardo tell him what he's won. "Well fin fan in DC you've won a nightmare date with "The Bostonian"(no real offense here Bostonian)who will talk for 5 hrs non-stop about what it's like to have your team go 19-0 with 4 Super Bowl Trophies to its credit in 7 yrs. Also you'll learn the truth regarding how mediocre a QB Dan Marino was particularly when compared and contrasted to none other than God's very own Son, The Second Coming of the Messiah himself TOM BRADY. YAYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!And for desert plenty of Compazine to help keep those Beers and BallPark Franks down". Again congratulations from all of us in Miami Dolphin Hell 2007-2008.

[Big Boss]

Those silly talkin' bozotons are afraid you hare!

[Al Coholic]

R. Duke,,your references are hilarious. keep it up

OH, Cam is now on Dr Phil..crying his eyes out. Almost made me spill my drink

Dude from Boston needs to wipe that chowder off his lip,,ooops, that's not chowder..

[mike1]

Now we can self-destruct in the play-offs like the Cowboys have done the last 2 years..but we only can go up from 1-15. Maybe he gets us Welker back.

Those who think NE might lose to SD..I just saw an analysis of SD from the Colts game and they were getting smoked all game by the run and pass. Colts lost because of their own errors and SD did manage to occasionally pressure Manning. These things won't happen vs NE.

[raoul duke]

Mr.Woodcock, with all due respect sir and being of Italian American and Slavic descent myself I believe the difference between the Russian Syndicate and Italians is significant. With the Italians you have sociopaths with experience but with the Russians you have sociopaths with Ph.D's and no regard for life, at least according to a National Geographic Documentary I saw awhile back. And when you look at Russian history and it's effect on Russian people(and just about everyone else)from Czars to Dictators, From Dictators to more "Democratic" leadership, and finally from more "Democratic" leadership back to Dictatorship they have perhaps the least regard for human life of anyone on planet.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

This guy reminds me of myself. Mustache and all. Including the bear sounding growl. I dearly recommend! What the Miami Dolphins are going be? Dolphin players and fans chanting , Perfect! Saprano and I quoting, That is right Perfect!

[Sgt. Slaughter]

I fight for freedom and the good ol U.S of A! Like the Berlin Wall ,and Cobra rat terrorists. Communism will take the fall. Yo, Joe!

[N.J.John]

What do you think of changeing the name of the stadium to " The Badda-Bing "

[Diamond Dallas Page]

How about Badda Bang! Diamond cutter time!

[Tom]

raoul duke and Smilin Bob

Smilin Bob better hook up with the Bostonian fast if he wants that date he won with the Bostonian. I've been told that Paulie Walnuts is already in Nashua, NH tyring to fulfill a contract put out by Flipper72 and ginrai.

[Rod]

I like the move since I heard the press conference. I liked that Sparano didn't shy away from the Parcells connection when asked. He responded with "I'll use him as much as I can." I also really like when he mentioned that he hoped the players were listening to the press conference and told them in no uncertain terms that he would be working them hard and there would be discipline on this team. I trust Parcells to work hard at making this his last stand and leaving on top. I like the way Ireland at least intervieved. I've been hoping all over the net and finding some things that players have said about Sparano and I liked seeing that. I'm cautiously optimistic and hopeful that maybe we'll have a few years with a coach and GM combo that can work well together. I don't know how long I think that Tuna will stay, but I think we'll be much better off than we were when he does.

[the shadow knows]

mike1,

in total agreement that the chargers won because the colts imploded. this does not negate the fact that the chargers have more physical talent than the patriots; however, we know that talent level alone does not win games- great coaching and mistake-free play overcome talent diferential. i don't think the chargers will be routed but will be hard-pressed to win. hasn't antonio cromartie become a premier player? that "negated" INT return before the end of the first half was spectacular!!

[OC Dolphin]

raoul,

Some pretty funny stuff. Particularly the Don Pardo routine.

Switching gears just a tad, I'm sure that Cote, along with a multitude of others, watched the season premiere of American Idol last night. Don't know if you and our bloggers saw it but there were two performers who must have had every viewer in stitches. In particular, the guy who was singing a song he wrote to Paula Abdul with lyrics like: " If I were Columbo, I would Peter Falk her. If she was in a bathtub, I would caulk her."

Man, I was on the floor.

[raoul duke]

OC that was hilarious and that guy looked the real deal in terms of one day making it on American Justice, Forensic Files or Notorious for some horrific crime against humanity. Paula better get some happiness like a warm gun.

[Tom]

I think it is a good hiring. Ireland and Sparno will be a good core one Pacells Jets to the soon to the 49ers who will be 1-15 in 2010. If he can land us one of the Longs, a good CB and develop Beck, we will be on our way to a contenting team. a good LT will cut down on Beck's "sack with fumble" routine which has dogged him.

[Tom]

Damn someone stole my name. Nothing is sacred here. Hey Tom change your name to #2.

[Jack B.]

While it's impossible to predict the future, I like the changes Miami has made so far this offseason. Parcells, Ireland, and Sparano seem to be solid to excellent choices as the Dolphins try to rebuild their team.

Having. Said. That. I was high on Jimmy Johnson, Dave Wannstadt, Nick Saban, and Cam Cameron/Randy Mueller at the start as well.

I thought Jimmy drafted well on the defensive side during his first three years, then he got burned out.

Dave Wannstadt burned me out at the end of his second year when he choked away the playoffs after having the inside track to the number one seed in the AFC with two weeks left in the regular season. It's all been downhill ever since.

Nick Saban had a solid first year on the surface, but he failed to address the lack of talent and his personnel moves deeply hurt the Dolphins. His method of departure was cowardly, although smart for his own selfish ambition.

Cam Cameron and Randy Mueller. Where to begin? They, of course, did not cause all the problems encountered by the 2007 Dolphins. However, they did not do nearly enough to start the rebuilding process. Worse, they created expectations that were way too high for this team; they actually stated that they thought that the Dolphins could contend for the playoffs. The draft, trades, and free agency did not provide much confidence that there was a solid plan to remake the team. Oh, and the first (and only) victory came just before Chritmas. For a while, it good so bad that it seemed as if Castro was managing the team.

The Dolphins and fans should thank Wayne for making the changes that he did. While the Dolphins have not won in a very long time, Wayne has did nearly everything possible to try to improve the team and is one of professional sports better owners.

I'm sure there were other excellent coaching choices, but a team can only hire one head coach.

Let's see what happens in free agency and the draft. I think the new front office and coaching staff should not create any unrealistice expectations for the next year or two.

The Dolphins are going to have to make excellent personnel choices and not take too many high stakes peronnel risks. They also need some good luck.

I've been a very harsh critic of the Dolphins this past year. But I'm willing to give the new leadership every benefit of the doubt. Unless, of course, they take a punt/kick returner with the first overall pick.

[Art]

I Like the move. Bill Parcells is football guy, experienced and proven and Sparano and Ireland are his guys, let's trust the Big Tuna. I liked Sparano's demeanor during his press conference, he exudes confidence and I believe it is transfering to the fans and the whole organization.