Hall of Fame middle linebacker Harry Carson read about Wayne Hulzenga saying that he would welcome suggestions from anyone with viable ideas on replacing Nick Saban as the next coach of the Dolphins. A memo from Carson to the team owner likely would read: "Make certain you interview minority candidates this time around before you decide on the new man."

When they hired Saban two years ago, the Dolphins basically said, "This is our coach and we're not talking to anyone else," Carson said in an interview this week. "This time, I'd like to think they'll do it the right way."

Carson is executive director of the Fritz-Pollard Alliance, a group formed five years ago essentially to push the NFL toward hiring more minority head coaches and front-office executives.

Two weeks ago, representatives of the Pollard Alliance, including its chairman, John Wooten, and attorney Cyrus Mehri, who helped start the organization, met with league officials in New York to present a list of qualified minority candidates for possible head-coaching vacancies, as well as front-office positions. Carson said the NFL remains receptive to Alliance initiatives, and that new commissioner Roger Goodell "makes us comfortable and confident that he's prepared to continue the legacy Paul Tagliebue first started."

"I really do hope the Dolphins abide by the 'Rooney Rule' this time around, and I wish them the best," Carson said. "We know our people are more than qualified, and they deserve a chance."