After a huge loss on December 14^th to the New England Patriots, it appears that the Miami Dolphins are down for the count.

Unless the Dolphins experience a game-changing turnaround, they will be out of the playoffs for the sixth year in a row. With a miserable history and a pessimistic outlook, rumor has it that this year could spell out the end for Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin.

Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald admits that despite the great potential Philbin was hired for at the beginning, he has not been able to deliver any real improvements since the beginning of the season.

On that note, Stephen Ross, the owner of the Miami Dolphins, has been showing signs of interest in Coach Harbaugh as a replacement. "Ross is now likely to try and replace Philbin with Jim Harbaugh," writes Armando. In fact, Armando asserts that the upgrade to Harbaugh is not just a possibility, it is obvious.

The Miami Herald's Barry Jackson does not think there is a set Plan B for the unfortunate Dolphins. He believes that the current alternative option to Harbaugh might stem from a few employees of NBC or ESPN.

For example, Stephen Ross highly respects both Tony Dungy and Jon Gruden, and may consider either one for the coaching position. While Dungy, the former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts in 2008, insists he will remain in retirement, Gruden has not been quite as resistant.

When asked about his opinion to coaching again, perhaps for the Miami Dolphins, Gruden said, "I'm never going to say never to anything, so I'll just leave it at that." Whether Gruden agrees to coach or not, one thing is certain: Coach Joe Philbin will likely be out of work by the end of the season.