*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***

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Feb 12, 1996: -- Rumors: Sims for Faulk Trade? --

Advance Disclaimer: What follows is a series of rumors about goings on in Miami. I have heard each of the following from news sources, but they remain rumors, not facts:

The broadcast media in Miami are reporting that the Dolphins may be interested in signing Keith Sims or designating him a franchise player and then trading his rights to Indianapolis for Marshall Faulk. Supposedly, this is the result of Jimmy Johnson's dissatisfaction with the current crop of Miami running backs and his desire to obtain what are referred to as "playmakers" on offense.

Also in the news, Jimmy Johnson is still interested in signing Bill Belicheck (sp?) as the Dolphins' defensive coordinator, which is why he hasn't designated a defensive coordinator yet. However, as of this writing, Belicheck is still the head coach of Art Modell's team.

Other candidates for defensive coordinator include George Hill, the Dolphins' current linebackers coach and even the possibility that Jimmy may take the defensive coordinators' job himself.

Now that the NFL has ruled that the Dolphins can't offer Dallas offensive line coach Hudson Houck the job in Miami, the Dolphins are already looking for alternatives. There have been no reliable reports of possible candidates at this time.

It appears that Jimmy Johnson will be putting the offensive and defensive coordinators in the booth next year, instead of the on the sidelines. This is to give them a better view of the field than they can get from the sidelines.

Don Shula will probably not be joining Art Modell as head coach, but the job of general manager is a possibility. Shula himself has said that he still doesn't want to coach this coming year, but has left the possibility open that he might take an office job.

My Comments:

A Sims-for-Faulk trade is intriguing, but it seems to me that Faulk must have a decent line to run behind and getting rid of Sims reduces the Dolphins ability to run the ball - unless JJ has some idea of who else he can get to take Sims place.

Also, last year Faulk had only a 3.7 yard-per-carry average, which is exactly the same as Bernie Parmalee's. However, opposing teams would gear up to stop Marshall Faulk when they played Indy. When these same teams would play Miami, they would gear up to stop Marino, not Parmalee.

I don't think there's any question that Faulk is a better runner than Parmalee and would be a hell of an addition.... behind a decent offensive line.

I still don't think Belicheck will end up in Miami if he's fired by Modell. I think it's far more likely he'll end up in New England, who also need his help.

As far as the Don is concerned, I think he'll stay retired this year. Next year, however.....