* Odds on Fisher getting worse? Adam Schefter's opinion on ESPN's Mike and Mike this morning, though I have no notion where it can really come from, is that Jeff Fisher is probably leaning toward going with the Dolphins now. He's guessing we'll know by the end of the week.
I suspect with a lot of media having expected Fisher would announce he's coming to St. Louis early in the week, the fact that it's now midweek, and getting later, has the Fisher-to-Miami bandwagon starting back up.
* Not that Gruden, either. I wrote yesterday, with some enthusiasm, that the Rams were going to interview Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden. Nope, nope, hold your horses. Apparently Gruden doesn't want to interview anywhere, he's happy at Cincinnati. Translation: he either just got a great big raise to stay, or he really hates the available head coaching opportunities.
* Openings closing. We're currently down to the Rams, Dolphins, Bucs and Raiders looking for a new head coach. Romeo Crennel got signed long-term by the Chiefs. Jacksonville interviewed a wealth of offensive coaching talent, and then took Mike Mularkey, whose game plan for the Falcons on Sunday was atrocious, as the Giants flattened Atlanta 24-2. Guess that wasn't an audition. Meanwhile, the guy I wanted the Rams to hire in 2009 is apparently the lead candidate for the Tampa job. That's right, Marty Schottenheimer.
Honestly, why shouldn't the Rams interview Marty? His experience is obvious, his track record of (regular-season) success is obvious, his track record of rebuilding teams is obvious. He was semi-retired, I guess, for a couple of years, but he coached in the UFL last season. The logical issue is Marty's age; he's 68. According to my math, Dick Vermeil was 61 when the Rams hired him in '98.
* There will be Chud. With Fisher continuing to dither, the Rams have reportedly received permission from the Panthers to interview offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski. Of the coordinators that would be first-time head coaches, Chudzinski's on the top of my list. He's a tight end guru. At various times in college and the pros, he's coached Kellen Winslow II, Jeremy Shockey, Bubba Franks and Antonio Gates. He performed a minor miracle in coaching Derek Anderson to a Pro Bowl season as Cleveland's OC. (Look at how that guy played in Arizona afterward.) And in Carolina this past season, adapting his offense to what his talent could do best, JOSH MCDANIELS, the Panthers improved to a top 10 offense, set a franchise record for offensive yards and scored 47 offensive TDs.
The St. Louis Rams scored 18 TDs last season. And at least two of those were returns. (Darian Stewart, Nick Miller)
I'd rather the Rams hire an experienced head coach, but if they don't, Chudzinski should be their guy. He's shown an ability I don't think anyone on the Rams' last two coaching staffs has. He can make a lot out of a little.
* GM watch. If Pro Football Weekly's report is correct, we can scratch Ryan Grigson off the Rams' list of candidates for general manager, because he has been hired by the Colts.
* Ex-Rams watch.
Coaching updates I let slide:
Mike Martz resigned in Chicago; hasn't been interviewed anywhere.
Greg Olson out with everybody else in Tampa Bay. I believe Jerry Gray has been interviewed for the head coach job there.
Pat Shurmur became the latest idiot inexperienced head coach to come in thinking he could also call the plays on offense, only to find out he couldn't. He's fired himself as OC and is looking for a new play-caller. Rumored lead candidate is Brad Childress.
Steve Spagnuolo is still widely expected to join the Eagles in some capacity.
-$-
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