Friday Dolphins Notebook: Early Super Bowl Odds, XFL Participants, And More

Two days before Super Bowl LVII takes place, we have some very early odds for Super Bowl LVIII, and apparently the Miami Dolphins didn't do enough this season to merit a spot among the top contenders.

On the contrary, the Dolphins stand in the bottom half of the 16 AFC teams, according to the early SB LVIII odds provided by Bet Online (www.betonline.ag).

The Dolphins are listed at 28/1, which ranks 13th in the NFL but 10th in the AFC. The Kansas City Chiefs are listed as the favorites at 6/1, followed by the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills at 7/1.

The longest shot based on the early odds is Houston, listed at 150/1.

For comparison purposes, the Dolphins opened at 40/1 before the 2022 season and that was tied for 18th in the NFL.

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POSSIBLE ASSISTANT COACH CANDIDATES

While Vic Fangio reportedly officially will come on board as defensive coordinator after Super Bowl LVII, the Dolphins will have other openings to fill on their defensive coaching staff.

One obvious place to look for candidates would be former Fangio associates, particularly those on his last staff when he was head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2021.

Along with defensive coordinator Josh Boyer, the Dolphins also fired safeties coach Steve Gregory, outside linebackers coach Ty McKenzie and assistant linebackers coach Steve Ferentz.

One coach with a long NFL resume and a connection to Fangio is Ed Donatell, who worked with Fangio from 2011 through 2021. Donatell was DB coach with the 49ers and the Bears when Fangio was the defensive coordinator, and then was DC for the Broncos from 2019-21.

Donatell is available after being fired by the Minnesota Vikings as DC after last season.

Two other assistants on Fangio's 2021 staff with the Broncos who also are available are linebackers coach Reggie Herring and outside linebackers coach John Pagano.

Pagano worked with Fangio with the Colts from 1998-2001 when he was a defensive assistant and Fangio was the DC.

Along with the Broncos, Herring also worked with Fangio in Houston (2002-03) and with the Bears in 2014.

FORMER DOLPHINS COACHES ON THE MOVE

Since we mentioned Donatell being fired by the Vikings, we obviously need to mention that his replacement will be none other than former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores.

This comes after Flores spent the 2022 season as a senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach with the Steelers. Before taking the Minnesota job, Flores interviewed for the head-coaching vacancy with the Arizona Cardinals and reportedly was among the three finalists along with Mike Kafka and former Dolphins defensive backs coach Lou Anarumo.

And on Friday morning came reports that former Dolphins defensive coordinator Matt Burke was joining the Houston Texans in the same capacity.

Burke spent last season as defensive line coach with the Cardinals.

FORMER DOLPHINS IN THE XFL

The new XFL announced its rosters for its 2023 season and it's littered with players who spent time with the Dolphins, either on the active roster, on the practice squad or in training camp.

The schedule kicks off next Saturday, Feb. 18 and runs for 10 weeks heading into the championship game, Saturday, May 13.

Here are the former Dolphins players on the XFL rosters:

Arlington Renegades: FB De'Veon Smith, CB Cre'Von LeBlanc

D.C. Defenders: DL Gabe Wright

Houston Roughnecks: DB A.J. Hendy

Orlando Guardians: DL Gerald Willis, CB Javaris Davis

San Antonio Brahmas: QB Reid Sinnett, RB Kalen Ballage, CB Terrell Bonds, LS Rex Sunahara

St. Louis Battlehawks: WR Gary Jennings, T Jaryd Jones-Smith, P Sterling Hofrichter

Seattle Sea Dragons: CB Linden Stephens

Vegas Vipers: S Maurice Smith

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