Carl Peterson Casting Shadow Over Dolphins
MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – In the immediate aftermath of the firing of then-head coach Tony Sparano, speculation ensued that owner Stephen Ross' good friend Carl Peterson would take over a role similar to that once held by Bill Parcells.
Peterson denied the story to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald. Ross would say in a press conference after the firing of Sparano that he hadn't spoken to Peterson about becoming an active member of the Miami Dolphins.
But Tuesday, Peterson was front and center for the Miami Dolphins as they interviewed the biggest head coaching fish left in the sea, Jeff Fisher. Peterson and Fisher left the facility together in Stephen Ross' private helicopter.
All of it is league insiders to believe the initial report that Peterson will be taking an active role for the Dolphins.
NFL.com's Jason LaCanfora said Monday several general managers believe Peterson will take over the team and that could possibly lead to the firing of general manager Jeff Ireland.
Or at the very least, a much more reduced role for Ireland under the close supervision of Peterson.
Peterson last served in an active NFL role for the Kansas City Chiefs. He held the position of general manager and team president from 1989-2008.
While with the Chiefs, Peterson put together an impressive won/loss record and did it in one of the NFL's smallest markets.
As Peterson's reign came to an end, the Chiefs fell into disrepair and several years of bad drafting sent the Chiefs into a tailspin. Still, he built a winner in Kansas City starting in 1988 and continuing for more than a decade.
The question remains whether Peterson's talent evaluation remains as high as it once was. He had a few hits and several misses during his tenure with the Chiefs.
Among his misses in first-round picks: Trezelle Jenkins, Sylvester Morris, Ryan Sims, and Larry Johnson. His hits include: Derrick Thomas, Tony Gonzalez, Dwyane Bowe, and possibly Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali (but they fit a 3-4 system better than the system Peterson drafted them for).
