Philbin Hired by Dolphins

Is that your final answer or would you like to phone a friend? I know it's a lame joke, but I laughed when I saw that picture.

Anywho, I'm sure you've heard by now that the Miami Dolphins hired Packers' Offensive Coordinator Joe Philbin as their Head Coach. You have to be happy for the guy considering all that he's gone through lately. I think that the change of scenery and new responsibilities will give him and his family a good avenue to move on from the recent tragedy and start their next phase of life. Now on to the more important question:

What does this mean for the Packers?

First and foremost, it means that Mike McCarthy needs a new OC. McCarthy (and the Packer organization) has a history of promoting from within. Therefore, it seems the most likely candidate for the job is Quarterbacks Coach Tom Clements. He is familiar with the offense and has good rapport with Aaron Rodgers. It also helps that Rodgers himself said that Clements is the best candidate for the job. Rodgers also said that if Clements is promoted, Billy Joe Tolliver is a likely candidate to fill the QB Coach position. Those are the things I heard through the grapevine anyway.

On a side note...Not that this affects the Packers at all, but I believe that this hire makes Miami the most likely place for Matt Flynn to land (as I predicted in December). Flynn is comfortable with Philbin and it is likely that Philbin's offense will be similar to that of McCarthy's. It's what I would do if I were Philbin or Flynn...unfortunately, it is extremely unlikely that the Packers will receieve anything in exchange for Flynn other than a decent (3rdish round) compensatory pick in the 2013 draft. Better than nothing I suppose.

In Other News:

The Oakland Raiders passed on all Packers' assistants and hired the Defensive Coordinator from Denver. This shocked everyone as it seemed all but a given that Reggie McKenzie was going to hire either Winston Moss or Dom Capers. But I'm happy that he didn't. Let's all hope that Moss and Capers can get their acts together this offseason and Ted Thompson can provide them with some talent to revive the defense for 2012. More news to come as it is available. GO PACK!