Sources: Miami to hire Brian Daboll

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Brian Daboll will be the next offensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins, according to team sources.

Daboll, who most recently served as offensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns and as a quarterback coach with the New York Jets under Eric Mangini, is expected to be formally named later Monday or Tuesday, the sources said.

Miami's offense struggled last season despite an offseason trade for Pro Bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall. Third-year quarterback Chad Henne threw 15 TDs and 19 interceptions and was benched for Chad Pennington, until Pennington dislocated his shoulder and had his fourth shoulder surgery.

However, the Palm Beach Post reported that Pennington has decided to attempt yet another comeback, regardless of Daboll's addition.

"I'm going to make a run at it, and the reason I am is that I still have that fire inside," Pennington told the paper. "I have to go out and see if my shoulder can respond. If it doesn't respond, I can live with that. But if it does, or it could have responded and I didn't give it a chance, I don't think I could live with that."

Head coach Tony Sparano and offensive coordinator Dan Henning took much of the blame for the offense's troubles in 2010. Sparano was also at the center of a messy situation after the season as the Dolphins talked with other coaching candidates while Sparano was still under contract.

Sparano eventually received a two-year extension, but Henning will not return.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has pledged the offense will be more aggressive, creative and exciting in 2011.

New Browns coach Pat Shurmur is expected to interview candidates to replace Daboll this week. Shurmur initially plans to call Cleveland's plays and will bring in a coordinator he can groom.

Daboll's job this season was complicated because of injuries at quarterback, and the Browns finished last in the AFC in points with 271, two less than the Dolphins. Miami finished 21st in yardage and Cleveland 29th this season, and both teams were criticized for predictable, conservative play-calling.

Daboll spent seven seasons with the New England Patriots as a defensive coaching assistant (2000-01) and wide receivers coach (2002-06).

Chris Mortensen is ESPN's NFL Insider. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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Chris Mortensen

NFL reporter

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• ESPN Senior NFL Analyst
• Joined ESPN in 1991
• Has covered every Super Bowl since 1979