Report: Dolphins Leading Chase For Fisher
MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – Former Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher spent Wednesday traveling and interviewing for the head coaching position with the St. Louis Rams. But Dolphins fans shouldn't give up on landing Fisher just yet.
According to Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports, the Dolphins' front office staff's selling of the franchise to Fisher "have been largely successful."
Silver goes on to say that the only thing standing in the way of Fisher coming to Miami is the Rams "blowing him away with an even more compelling pitch."
The Yahoo! Sports report said that Fisher was very impressed with the talent level of the Dolphins roster and that he's not sold on Sam Bradford as a franchise quarterback for the Rams.
Both of those facts could loom large in Fisher's pending decision.
Fisher's focus in the past has been on a power running game coupled with a strong defense. Miami's defense was ranked 6th in the league in scoring defense in 2011, following up a stellar campaign in 2010 as well.
The Fins will return an All-Pro left tackle (Jake Long), a stud center (Maurkice Pouncey) and a serviceable left guard (Richie Incognito).
Right guard Vernon Carey could also return depending on whether the next coach views him as a long-term possibility at the position.
Miami will also bring back 1,000 yard rusher Reggie Bush and could get more production out of second-year man Daniel Thomas and possibly a late-round running back pick in the 2012 Draft or through free agency.
According to Silver, "Fisher wants to feel as though he is part of an atmosphere where success is expected and encouraged, and he craves an owner whose commitment is unwavering."
While many Dolphins fans have been frustrated by Ross' actions; he has proven to be dedicated to improving the team. He's learned that it's not about celebrities; it's not about new technology; it's about putting a winning team on the field.
He swung for the fences last offseason and almost landed Jim Harbaugh to coach the Fins. He's not been afraid to spend big money on players and even through all of his troubles; he has exhibited a desire to make the Dolphins a winner for the first time in decades.
As for the possibility of working with Dolphins consultant Carl Peterson, Yahoo! reported that Fisher believes he could easily work with him.
As it pertains to current general manager Jeff Ireland; Yahoo! pointed out that when Fisher was a rookie in 1981 with the Chicago Bears, they had an 11-year-old ball boy…named Jeff Ireland.
