Bill Parcells Moves Out: What's Next for Miami Dolphins and the Tuna?

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Bill Parcells has moved out of his office at the Miami Dolphins' headquarters in Davie.

Schefter stated that according to his sources around the league, Parcells is no longer involved in the day to day operations of the team, despite still having the title of "consultant." Cleaning out his office isn't a surprise to anyone, as Parcells made this decision during the pre-season.

But many in the league expected Parcells to finish out the year with the organization then move on. Parcells leaving now came as a surprise. Parcells will still be paid for the duration of his original four year contract which expires after the 2011 season.

Day to day operations is in the hands of General Manager Jeff Ireland and head coach Tony Sparano.

But many questions surround not only the future of the Dolphins but Parcells as well. 

While many expect Parcells to officially retire, there's always the possibility that Parcells would join another team. According to his contract, he would be able to do that while still getting paid by the Dolphins.

But for the Dolphins, the question that comes is whether owner Stephen Ross, who was not the owner when the Parcells-Sparano-Ireland regime came in, would be willing to keep Ireland and Sparano after this season.

Because of this, the last eleven games could mean the future for both Sparano and Ireland. Currently the Dolphins stand at 3-2, however all three wins have come on the road, with both losses coming at home in prime time to division rivals New York Jets and New England Patriots. Miami is one game behind both in the AFC East, with two of their last three division games being on the road against the Jets and Patriots in December and January.

The Dolphins also face a crucial and difficult part of their schedule in the next five weeks, as they'll host Pittsburgh, Tennessee and Chicago, and travel to Cincinnati and Baltimore.

Those teams are currently a combined 18-10, with Chicago and Pittsburgh in first place in the NFC and AFC North respectively, and Tennessee tied for first in the AFC South. Also Chicago, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Tennessee are four of the toughest defenses in the NFL, and probably the biggest problem based off how this season has gone, three of these games are at home, where the Dolphins are 0-2.

If the Dolphins don't come out of that stretch with a winning record, Sparano and Ireland could potentially be on the hot seat with Ross. 

Now, I'm not sure who Ross would hire to replace Sparano and Ireland, but Ross does have a friendship with former Kansas City Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson and rumors have swirled in the past that Ross could hire Peterson if or when Parcells steps down. However, that is currently a moot point since Ireland answers directly to Stephen Ross. 

For right now—despite the Miami Dolphins trying to give the impression that its business as usual—it doesn't look like that to everyone. However, it is not a reason to panic about this season.

Unless you're Tony Sparano or Dan Henning, then you have plenty of reasons to possibly panic.