Dark Day for Dolphins? Maybe Not
Wednesday, January 3, 2007; 6:06 PM
DAVIE, Fla. -- There was laughter in the lobby and joking in the hallways at the Miami Dolphins complex Wednesday. For the first time in months, the team president and even assistant coaches talked to reporters.
Coach Nick Saban was gone, leaving the Dolphins to face their third coaching change since 2000.
  Miami Dolphins' special assistant to the head coach Dom Capers talks to the media Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007 at the team's training complex in Davie, Fla., about coach Nick Saban leaving the team and taking the head coaching job in Alabama. (AP Photo/J. Pat Carter) (J. Pat Carter - AP)   The Indianapolis Colts overcome the rain and a sloppy start to beat the Chicago Bears, 29-17. The Colts' victory ignites a wild celebration among the white-and-blue attired fans in the sea of colorful vinyl rainwear that populated the soggy stands. Peyton Manning fills the final hole in his legend as the greatest quarterback never to win the biggest game. Leonard Shapiro: Tony Dungy and Manning seal their place in history by winning the Super Bowl. Manning adds a Super Bowl MVP award to his long list of achievements. Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes plow forward for the Colts go-ahead touchdown and never look back. There was a collective failure by the Bears' offense, but Rex Grossman provides the most vivid images. Notebook: Two assistant coaches who participated in the Super Bowl likely will interview for Dallas' head coaching job. On Our Site Wilbon and Kornheiser share their thoughts live during Sunday's big game. Photos: Relive all of the action from the NFL playoffs. Audio: Manning on the Win. Audio: Grossman on the Loss. Audio: Dungy Praises Smith. Quarterly Report (PDF) A Slew of Errors (PDF) Graphic: Play of the Game. MARK MASKE'S NFL INSIDER • Jaguars Tackle in Critical Condition • Lions Bolster Backfield With R. Johnson |
A dark day for the organization?
"I don't think so," cornerback Will Allen said. "Every time something happens, everybody wants to look at the negative things to it. There could be some positive things."
For those who believed Saban's pledges of fidelity to the Dolphins over the past five weeks, his departure for Alabama was a stunner. He left after only two NFL seasons, and acknowledged last month that his job of rebuilding the team into a playoff contender was unfinished.
But as he boarded a plane to Tuscaloosa, the mood at team headquarters _ and elsewhere in South Florida _ was far from gloomy.
"My reaction is that Saban in two years was 15-17," former Dolphins coach Don Shula said. "I don't think that will be any great loss."
Shula viewed the situation harshly in part because the Crimson Tide fired his son, Mike, creating the vacancy that Saban will fill. But others weary of Saban's autocratic approach embraced the fresh start under a new regime.
Even assistant coaches left in limbo _ but no longer off-limits to the media _ were amused by the change in atmosphere.
"Good to talk to you," top assistant Dom Capers told reporters with a smile.
Owner Wayne Huizenga said he regretted Saban's departure, but was eager to turn the page following a disappointing 6-10 season _ and a franchise-record fifth consecutive year out of the playoffs.
"There's only one thing I'm really concerned about now," Huizenga said. "I don't want to dwell on the past. All I want to figure out is how the heck we're going to win."
