My NFL Wild Card Weekend Picks

CARDINALS OVER FALCONS
DOLPHINS OVER RAVENS
COLTS OVER CHARGERS
VIKINGS OVER EAGLES

Cowboys Win Zach Thomas Sweepstakes

The Zach Thomas sweepstakes are over.

The seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker, who was released by the Dolphins last week, has agreed to a deal with the Dallas Cowboys. Thomas flew to Indianapolis on Friday to meet with owner Jerry Jones and president Stephen Jones, who were there for the NFL combine.

The move is somewhat shocking in that, at one point, Thomas had considered canceling his meeting with the Cowboys after meeting earlier this week with the Patriots and Saints.

Thomas remains in Indianapolis with his new employers and could take a physical as early as Saturday.

There were numerous reports, including ones in the Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star-Telegram, that said Thomas and the Cowboys had agreed on a $3 million, one-year deal.

Thomas' family members are lifelong Cowboys fans, and that may have played a part in the decision.

Thomas is a native of Pampa, Texas, and then went to Texas Tech. The Dolphins selected the 5-foot-11 linebacker 154th overall out of Tech in 1996, and he led them in tackles 10 times and is the teams' career leader in that category.

Thomas missed most of last season because of concussions and migraines and was placed on injured reserve against his wishes in December because of nagging migraines, an aftereffect of an Oct. 21 car crash.

He played 168 games in Miami, the most by a defensive player in Dolphins history. He had a career-best 165 tackles in 2006.

Cam Cameron To Join Ravens

Former Miami Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron, dismissed after winning only one game in his only season with the club, has reached an agreement in principle to join the Baltimore Ravens' staff.


There remain some details to be addressed in Cameron's contract, a source close to the negotiations told ESPN.com on Wednesday morning, but there are no significant sticking points and the deal almost certainly will be finalized at some point later in the day.

Cameron, is expected to serve as offensive coordinator or assistant head coach under new Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, who on Saturday was introduced as the successor to Brian Billick.

Harbaugh was on the staff at Indiana in 1997, when Cameron was the Hoosiers' head coach and the two men have maintained a close relationship in ensuing years.

The addition of Cameron is the first major hire by Harbaugh, who may attempt to retain Rex Ryan as his defensive coordinator. Ryan has interviewed for three head coach vacancies, but it appears he will not land any of them, and he technically remains under contract to the Ravens.

Before his one season as the Dolphins' head coach, Cameron, 46, was the offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers for five seasons (2002-2006). He also served as the Washington Redskins' quarterbacks coach 1994-96, before taking the Indiana job in 1997.

Sporano Joins The Tuna Down In Miami

Tony Sparano is going to work for Bill Parcells again, this time as coach of the Miami Dolphins.

Sparano, who had been the Dallas Cowboys' assistant head coach, accepted a job offer Wednesday from new Miami boss Parcells. They worked together with the Cowboys when Parcells was head coach in 2003-06.

"I've coached for a lot of people and worked for a lot of great coaches," Sparano said at a news conference. "Coach Parcells has taught me the most and prepared me the most for this job. ...

"I know Coach Parcells is here as a resource for me, and I'm going to use him as much as I can."

Sparano becomes the Dolphins' fifth head coach since 2004. Parcells was on the job for only a week before he fired Cam Cameron, who went 1-15 in his first year as an NFL head coach.
The 46-year-old Sparano became available when the Cowboys lost their playoff game to the New York Giants on Sunday. He has been the front-runner for the Dolphins job since the start of their search.

"I'm prepared," Sparano said. "I'm confident in myself."

He flew in from Dallas on Tuesday evening and had dinner with a group that included Parcells and Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga. Sparano arrived at the team complex Wednesday morning accompanied by new Miami general manager Jeff Ireland. Huizenga soon joined them, and an hour later an agreement was reached.

Ireland, who spent the past seven years in player personnel with the Cowboys, first interviewed Sparano in Dallas on Jan. 5.

"When Bill and I discussed what we were looking for in a head coach, we talked about one of high character," Ireland said. "We wanted someone who understood how to develop young players, one who could instill a culture that's all about winning.

"We think we found that guy. We know we found that guy."

Parcells and Huizenga also attended the news conference but didn't talk to reporters.

Others interviewed by the Dolphins were Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan and Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. But none of them could rival Sparano's ties to Parcells and Ireland.

Cam Cameron Faces The Music In Miami

Cam Cameron was fired as the Miami Dolphins' coach Thursday by new boss Bill Parcells after plunging to an 0-13 start in his first year on the job and finishing with just one victory.

The dismissal comes three days after Parcells ousted general manager Randy Mueller and means the reeling franchise will have its fifth coach in five seasons.

Parcells began work Dec. 27 as executive vice president of football operations and quickly concluded the Dolphins need another fresh start.

It has been 37 years since the Dolphins fired a coach. But they never finished 1-15 before.

All but two members of Cameron's coaching staff were also fired, although some might be rehired by the new head coach, the Dolphins said. Retained were assistant special teams coach Steve Hoffman and linebackers coach George Edwards.

Parcells made the decision to fire Cameron in consultation with new general manager Jeff Ireland, hired Wednesday after seven years in player personnel with the Dallas Cowboys.

"We just felt in order to move forward and not look back, we needed someone in place who shared the same philosophical compatibilities we shared," Ireland said. "We didn't really know the guy that well. We were going to try to get someone that does share those things, and we weren't completely sold that he did."

Ireland said the philosophy he and Parcells share involves creating a culture of winning.

"We want strong character around here," Ireland said. "The vision of the team will be discipline, passionate players, highly competitive. And we'll be a big team."

Ireland said he'll have final say regarding all player personnel decisions.

The early front-runner to replace Cameron is another Cowboys employee, assistant head coach Tony Sparano. He's scheduled to interview Friday for the head coaching vacancy in Atlanta.

Ireland said plans for the coaching search were still being formulated.

"We're going to try to make a quick decision, but we don't have a timetable," Ireland said. "We'll have a broad range of candidates. We'll look into every possibility."

Less than a year ago, owner Wayne Huizenga hired Cameron over at least 12 other candidates after a two-week search, the most extensive since the franchise's first season in 1966.

Cameron was on the job 11 months before he earned his first victory as an NFL head coach. Until Miami beat Baltimore in overtime Dec. 16, he was in danger of becoming the first coach to go 0-16.

Miami has missed the playoffs six consecutive seasons, a franchise record.

Other coaches, including some good ones, have been fired after only one season with a team. The list includes Cameron mentor Marty Schottenheimer (Washington in 2001), Art Shell (Oakland in 2006) and Pete Carroll (New York Jets in 1994).

Cameron, who was under contract through 2010, maintained a consistently low-key demeanor with the media and his team. The approach won praise from the locker room during training camp, but as losses mounted, players became coy when asked if they believed in Cameron.

Defensive end Jason Taylor, Miami's only Pro Bowl player, took a neutral stance on the firing.

"We've had a difficult year, and it's one of those times when it's a little unsettling," he said. "As a player on the team, you can only control what you can, and for other things, you have to let others do it."

Cameron was hired after five years as offensive coordinator for the high-scoring San Diego Chargers, and the Dolphins' offense improved early in the season. But when John Beck became the third starter at quarterback this year, the unit failed to score a touchdown in three consecutive games, and the rookie returned to the bench.

Cameron took over a team that had gone 19-29 the previous three years and was in decline following a series of bad drafts. Poor depth made this season's wave of injuries catastrophic.

Running back Ronnie Brown led the league in yards from scrimmage when he was sidelined for the season by a knee injury, and Trent Green and linebacker Zach Thomas also went on injured reserve. When 2002 NFL rushing champion Ricky Williams returned from a suspension, he lasted only six carries before a chest injury ended his season.

In addition, top receiver Chris Chambers was traded after six games.

The coach's office became a revolving door in 2004, when Dave Wannstedt quit after nine games and was replaced by Jim Bates. Nick Saban became the coach in 2005 but lasted only two years before leaving for Alabama. He was succeeded by Cameron.

Seven coaches started a season with a team that went 1-15, and only two returned the following year. Jimmy Johnson went 1-15 his first season in Dallas in 1989 but soon was winning Super Bowls, and Mike Riley remained with San Diego despite winning only once in 2000.

Cameron's only other head coaching job was at Indiana, where he was fired after five seasons. His career record as a head coach is 19-52.

Trent Green will not return to Dolphins this season

Trent Green's season is over. Will his career follow?

The Miami Dolphins have placed Trent Green on the Injured Reserve list, ending his 2007 season.
Green had undergone tests this week and last week to determine the extent of damage done by his second major concussion in as many seasons. His latest concussion was deemed a Grade 3 concussion after his head collided with the knee of Houston Texans defensive tackle Travis Johnson.

Green is in his first season as a starter for the 0-6 Dolphins after reuniting with former position coach Cam Cameron.

While he has not yet made the decision on his future, there has been debate over whether or not Green should retire.

Trent Green should retire, without question. This is his second concussion in two seasons. For Trent's heealth, he should retire. The Dolphins made the smart move in shutting down Trent Green. He wasn't going to help them much this season anyway.

NFL Preview: AFC East

Tom Brady already has three Super Bowl Rings, and his gunning for his fourth with his new best friend, Randy Moss.

Tom Brady has a new baby boy, and he has a new wide reciever threat as he guns for his fourth super bowl title. The Patriots made a huge addition defensively in signing former Baltimore Raven Adalius Thomas. The Patriots then traded for Randy Moss, bringing a huge Wide Reciever Threat that they did not have last season. The Patriots will finish 13-3 and win the AFC East again, no question. The Jets and the Dolphins also made big moves, but it isn't enough to stop the juggernaut of the New England Patriots. The Patriots will finish 13-3 and win the division.

How are the other teams in the AFC East doing in their quest to catch the Patriots? Well, Here'a a quick rundown.


NEW YORK JETS: The New York Jets made some more big moves in the offseason, and are not marred by controversy between a former football player/ TV Analyst ripping his Quarterback, and Vice Versa. The New York Jets lost Veteran Running Back Curtis Martin, but Replaced him with former Chicago Bears Running Back Thomas Jones. The Jets Also have Chad Pennington and Head Coach Eric Mangini, and I think the "Mangenius" will have a better year than That Other New York Team, as those guys may start looking for a new head coach after Super Bowl XLII.

PREDICTION: 9-7, 2nd Place


MIAMI DOLPHINS: The Dolphins made a couple of big moves on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. On the offensive side of the ball, the Miami Dolphins acquired QB Trent Green from Kansas City. On Draft Day, the Dolphins focused on offense, using their first pick not on Brady Quinn, but on Ted Ginn Jr, The Speedster Wide Reciever out of Ohio State. The Patriots then used their second pick on a Quarterback, selecting John Beck out of BYU. The Patriots made a huge additon on the defensive side of the ball, trading for Linebacker Joey Porter, the key member of the Pittsburgh Steelers and their Super Bowl XL Victory.

The Dolphins also released the underperforming Daunte Culpepper, who will now become a mentor to JaMarcus Russell in Oakland.

PREDICTION: 8-8, 3rd Place


BUFFALLO BILLS: The Buffalo Bills have J.P Losman and Lee Evans, but not much else. Willis McGahee is no longer with the team, and I don't care who you draft to try to replace him, you just simply cannot replace an offensive playmaker like Willis McGahee. The Bills will be lucky to win six games this year.

Prediction: 5-11, 4th Place.

My Next NFL Preview will keep us in the AFC. I will focus on the AFC North. Will the loss of Adalius Thomas and Jamal Lewis hurt the Ravens? Find out in my next Preview, coming soon.