Miami Dolphins: Bill Parcells Departs, Is It Time to Hit the Panic Button?

On Tuesday afternoon, Miami Dolphins' fans received news they had been dreading.

Bill Parcells is out. Jeff Ireland is in.

While this announcement had been expected eventually, it was just another odd twist in the Dolphins' countdown to their season opener. 

Fin fans had high expectations for the 2010 season after their trade for star receiver Brandon Marshall, but is the honeymoon over already?

Odd Roster Moves

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 21: David Martin #88 of the Miami Dolphins catches a pass during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 21, 2008 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

When the Dolphins announced their cuts, there were quite a few surprises.

Gone were David Martin, Marques Douglas, and Charles Grant. Three veterans who were expected to make an impact on this Dolphins squad. 

The moves came across as inexplicable to many.

Then came the announcement that Jason Allen would start over Sean Smith in the season opener.

Say what!?

Even more confusing was the signing of three new offensive lineman one week before the season began.

Something seems a bit awry here.

Injuries

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MIAMI - OCTOBER 04: Lineman Jake Long #77 of the Miami Dolphins looks on against the Buffalo Bills at Land Shark Stadium on October 4, 2009 in Miami, Florida. Miami defeated Buffalo 31-30. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Will Allen to the IR.

Jake Long questionable against the Bills. 

While Allen's injury is a lingering one, Long's came in the Dolphins' final preseason game.

Yikes.

For the Dolphins to compete this year, these guys need to be healthy. Otherwise...well let's just say things don't look so good.

What Parcells Departure Means

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 30: Fans show their support for Bill Parcells as the Cincinnati Bengals take on the Miami Dolphins at Dolphin Stadium on December 30, 2007 in Miami, Florida. The Bengals defeated the Dolphins 38-25. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

The Dolphins are in trouble.

Parcells's untimely departure proves that.

He has had his time to mold this team, and if they were ready to win, he'd want to be at the top to take all the credit.

So why would he leave now?

He would leave because this team isn't ready. He would leave because two rookie defensive ends just replaced two veterans. He would leave because the offensive line is in shambles.

He would leave because the Dolphins' young players have been unable to win starting jobs from veterans who have only proven to be mediocre over their years.

He would leave because he knows how Dolphin fans react to a poor season, and he doesn't want the blame.

If Dolphin fans weren't concerned after the Fins' confusing, if not disappointing, preseason, well they better be now.