Miami Dolphins Weekly Roundup

An overview of what’s going on with the Miami Dolphins, first week of January, 2010.

• The Dolphins lost two coaches this week to the college ranks.

As expected, outside linebackers coach Jim Reid accepted the defensive coordinator job at the University of Virginia.  The move was made official on Thursday.  Reid, who joined the Dolphins in Jan. 2008, was seen embracing his players after Sunday’s season-ending loss to Pittsburgh.

Then on Friday, inside linebackers coach George Edwards succeeded Charlie Strong — now head coach at Louisville — as defensive coordinator of the Florida Gators.  Edwards joined the Dolphins in 2005 as Nick Saban’s linebackers coach and was kept by subsequent bosses Cam Cameron (or Dom Capers to be exact) and Tony Sparano.  If Channing Crowder’s claim of Edwards being “the best assistant in the NFL, period,” it’s no wonder.

• Speculation immediately began pointing to longtime Parcells lieutenant and linebacker aficionado Al Groh as a possible replacement for Reid and/or Edwards.  Groh, 65, has served 11 seasons in total under Parcells;  five as defensive coordinator, five as a linebackers coach and one as a head coach (under Parcells the GM).  He also coached one season under Bill Belichick in Cleveland as linebackers coach.

Fired last November after nine seasons as head man at Virginia, Groh’s name is also being thrown around for the newly vacant defensive coordinator job at Georgia Tech.  If he does come to Miami, expect Groh to work on the outside should the Dolphins continue splitting the position.

• The Dolphins 2010 schedule was finalized after the regular season ended Sunday night.  In addition to the normal home/away with the Bills, Jets and Patriots, we have……

Home
Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions

Away
Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Oakland Raiders

Six of Miami’s eight away games will be against playoff teams, including three division winners (plus AFCE champ New England).

Dates and times will be announced later this spring.

• Also finalized was Miami’s draft position.  The Dolphins will pick 12^th overall pick this April.

• Continuing on with the draft, it was announced on Friday that Tony Sparano & Co. will coach the South team in the 2010 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., giving the Dolphins an enormous leg up on 30 other teams around the league (Detroit will handle the North squad).  This means the Dolphins coaches and scouts will get a week’s worth of direct, hands-on experience with over 50 potential draft picks and undrafted free agents.

The game will be played Jan. 30 at 4 PM ET and televised on NFL Network, as will each day’s practice sessions.

• The Dolphins signed RB Tristan Davis, FB Rolly Lumbala, WR/KR Ryan Grice-Mullen, WR Taurus Johnson, WR Julius Pruitt, TE John Nalbone, G Ray Feinga, DE Brian Johnston and safety Nate Ness to future contracts.

Johnston played for Kansas City last season, while Lumbala and Grice-Mullen were with the CFL’s British Columbia Lions.  Everyone else spent time on the practice squad in 2009.

• Left tackle Jake Long will miss the Pro Bowl due to injury.  The Jets D’Brickashaw Ferguson will start in his place.

• Early plans for the proposed renovation of Dolphin Stadium were unveiled. Among the highlights: a partial metal roof, closer seating and more/relocated scoreboards.