In desperate need of a quarterback, they went from hanging billboards for Peyton Manning, to just assuming the team would land Matt Flynn, to hoping for Alex Smith, and now settling for Plan D: A 34-year-old, chronically injured David Garrard, who inked a one-year deal Monday.

Now, it seems, things are taking an extreme — and downright comical — turn for the worse in Fins nation.

WQAM in Miami is “reporting” that Dolphins fans are planning to form a mass protest at the team’s facilities in Davie, Florida Tuesday, which evidently the station will be broadcasting live.

Rumors are circulating around both the Twitterverse and fan sites that the protestors will be calling for general manager Jeff Ireland to be fired, and for owner Stephen Ross to sell the franchise.

And it wouldn’t be the first time.

During the club’s 0-5 start to the 2011 season, the ‘Occupy Miami‘ movement was born. Then, as the Dolphins hosted the Jets in the regular-season finale, a banner was flown over the stadium, calling for the head of Ireland, whose somehow avoided a pink-slip despite many front office failures.

Apparently, there’s said to be upwards of two hundred people that could show up to air their displeasure, cutting it close to the current number of season-ticket holders who make it out to each game.

It may seem harsh, but … well, sorry. Even I have to get my jollies in. And, thinking about it, this would take place about 20 minutes away. I might have to get them in person … assuming this actually, you know, happens.

UPDATE: Though I unfortunately was unable to make the trek, photos have surfaced from today’s festivities, which, unsurprisingly, fell way short of the expected numbers.

Those poor, creative South Floridians.

[H/T Busted Coverage]

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Dolphins have traded receiver Brandon Marshall to the Bears, where he’ll reunite with quarterback Jay Cutler.

The Fins received two third-round picks — one in 2012, the other in 2013 — in exchange for the mercurial wideout.

Chicago’s new GM, Phil Emery, pulled off a much-needed deal, finally giving Cutler a playmaking threat after years of mediocre talent at the position.

It’s unclear what the Dolphins’ motives were for making this trade. Marshall didn’t have the best quarterback situation in South Beach, either, and couldn’t do much when facing constant double and triple-teams.

Though, he had his share of drops — specifically in the endzone — and that, coupled with his character concerns, likely factored in to the decision.

For now, Miami is left with the likes of Brian Hartline, Davone Bess, and Clyde Gates in their receiving corps, and already had other holes to fill prior to dealing its best offensive player.

After originally surrendering two second-round picks and $50 million for Marshall, the Dolphins didn’t exactly get a great return on their investment.

But, that’s all changed with some guy named Peyton Manning also up for grabs.

As a result, he’s no longer on the Phins’ radar screen, at least for now.

A team source told Yahoo! Sports’ Jason Cole that the team has yet to show “even remote” interest in Flynn, who figures to be the second-most coveted quarterback on the open market.

Reuniting Philbin and Flynn is on the backburner mostly because owner Stephen Ross reportedly told GM Jeff Ireland to put on “the full-court press” for Manning. They figure to pay him a visit now that he’s settled in his Miami home.

Though, with a possible 11 other suitors after the future Hall of Famer, it’s entirely possible he chooses to sign elsewhere, forcing Plan B into effect.

If it comes to that, Ross will likely scramble to land Flynn, if only just to save face after losing out on Jeff Fisher this offseason.

It’s hard to keep up with all of the rumors — and, trust me, even harder to write about each one — but, judging by the latest, it may be just a two-horse race in the Manning sweepstakes.

After speaking with “people close to the Peyton Manning situation,” Mike Klis of the Denver Post expects the “bidding war” for the Canton-bound quarterback to come down to the Redskins and Dolphins.

Klis, a notable name in NFL media circles, added that the Jets and Seahawks will also “make a run” at Peyton, along with “three or four others.”

The Skins and Fins being mentioned doesn’t come as a surprise; both teams have long been hailed as favorites to land Manning.

The Jets are a popular choice considering their shaky quarterback situation, and the lengths they’ve gone to avoid denying interest in Manning, but sources indicate they have internal “mixed feelings” about signing him, and doing so may be “unrealistic.”

Assuming Klis’ list is accurate, the Seahawks could be the wildcard here. Sports Illustrated reported that Seattle is ready to go “all in” on a Manning/Reggie Wayne package deal, and would even be willing to alter the offense to Manning’s desire. Even Jets beat writer Rich Cimini hears the ‘Hawks will “come out, checkbook blazing.”

For what it’s worth, Klis would “put a nickel” on Manning ending up in Washington, reinforcing what “everyone in the NFL” supposedly thinks. Sorry, Donovan.

With Peyton reportedly in “no rush” to decide on his next home, expect the whispers to grow louder as the days wear on. Manning Mania is now in full swing — God help us all.

According to NFL Network’s Albert Breer, Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has moved “to the top” of the Dolphins’ head-coaching wishlist.

As was the case with Fisher, the ‘Fins have some competition for Zimmer, who’s also being considered by the Buccaneers for its current vacancy.

Zimmer has spent the last four seasons in Cincinnati, and has long been considered to be among the most promising — and deserving — assistants in the league.

He isn’t just a hard-nosed coach, he’s also a supremely talented one. Zimmer has fielded several top-notch units in his coaching tenure, including a Bengals squad that ranked seventh in total defense in 2011.

The move to Miami would be a logical one for Zimmer, who knows Ireland from their time in Dallas together. The Dolphins are no slouches themselves, finishing sixth in points allowed and third in rushing yards allowed this season. With a few tweaks here and there, Zimmer could take them to elite status in 2012 — assuming he gets the job, of course.

Per Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, the Dolphins fired Sparano on Monday after four seasons as the team’s head coach.

Sparano, previously the Cowboys’ offensive line coach, accumulated a 29-31 record with the ‘Fins. His high point came in 2008, when the Dolphins improbably won the AFC East division, leading to a second-place finish for Coach of the Year honors.

Aside from that season, however, Sparano quickly wore out his welcome, finishing with three consecutive losing seasons, and a dismal 0-8 start to the 2011 campaign.

As the Miami Herald reported Sunday, owner Stephen Ross will keep general manager Jeff Ireland on board, likely to pair him with a high-profile name — Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden are two that come to mind.

Also, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen says Ross is expected to hire former Chiefs president Carl Peterson to a front office role, similar to the czar position Bill Parcells formerly held with the club.

In the meantime, secondary coach Todd Bowles will temporarily take over for the remaining three games.

Today must be an unusually early start to ‘Black Monday’ around the NFL. Earlier, Todd Haley was fired by the Chiefs, who currently hold a 5-8 record, one game better than the 4-9 Dolphins in the standings.

Based on the following conjecture, one of the aforementioned will receive his walking papers, while the other gets another year to figure things out.

Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald knows for a “fact” that the Dolphins will replace Sparano, and allow Ireland to “continue in his job” after the season comes to a close.

Prior to Miami’s game against the Eagles, Salguero wrote that Sparano was already in “grave danger” of getting axed, even if the ‘Fins would’ve won their final four contests.

Following a lopsided loss to Philly, it’s now become a foregone inevitability.

Apparently, owner Stephen Ross remains “convinced” that the ‘Fins are a talented and underachieving team, in need of an influx of talent across the roster. He’ll leave that responsibility in the hands of Ireland, no matter who the next head coach is, “barring some unexpected circumstance.”

Reading between the lines, it appears Ross simply wants to move on from Sparano, possibly in search of a big name to roam the sidelines in South Beach. Expect Ross and Ireland — down to his last strike — to put on a full-court press to lure Bill Cowher away from CBS this offseason.

Brandon Marshall

Two weeks after claiming he would get into a fight during a Monday Night Football contest against the Jets, the mercurial Dolphins’ receiver is going on record that his team will emerge from MetLife Stadium — this time in triumphant fashion.

According to ESPNNewYork.com, Marshall took to Twitter Thursday night and virtually guaranteed to the media that the winless Dolphins will knock off the Giants this Sunday.

“To: Media When we win Sunday please don’t say the Giants didn’t take us serious.” Marshall tweeted from his verified Twitter account.

Taking notice, several Giants dismissed Marshall’s bold tweet as nothing more than an opinion or motivational tactic for the 0-6 ‘Fins.

“He’s entitled to his own opinion. He can guarantee whatever he wants to guarantee. Is it going to happen? That remains to be seen,” said Osi Umenyiora

“That’s what he’s supposed to say,” safety Deon Grant said. “If he doesn’t think they’re going to win, he doesn’t need to be playing football.”

It may be a large proclamation to make — considering the organization’s current state of affairs — but Marshall may just be trying to ignite some sort of fire under his teammates, who’ve publicly bickered with each other in recent days following a stupefying loss to the Broncos in Week 7.

Unfortunately, he’s also giving the Giants bulletin-board material to use as they certainly don’t want to be the one’s who hand the Dolphins their first victory — in front of their home crowd, no less.

In regards to the Jets, Marshall, who suffers from multiple personality disorder, said after the game that he was simply joking, but an 18-point loss is hardly a laughing matter. We’ll see if his latest controversial words ring true against Gang Green’s co-tenants, though the end result is almost certain to repeat itself.

According to NBCMiami.com, the Dolphins’ embattled head coach has put his Davie, Florida mansion up for sale.

For those interested in making an offer, the asking price for the five-bedroom abode is $1.5 million and comes equipped with “all the bells and whistles,” including “pre-cast Italianate archways and columns, custom built-ins, exotic granites, stainless steel kitchen appliances, and a pool.”

When asked about it during a conference call Wednesday, Sparano insisted it’s because he and his wife don’t need the large accommodations any longer.

“I’m an empty nester,” Sparano reportedly chuckled on a media conference call. “My daughter just moved away to college and my two sons are out of the house, so my wife and I have a huge house with nobody in it for the first time.

“And we’re beach people,” he added, “so that would be about it.”

That certainly sounds valid, except for one little thing: he’s about this close to being issued a pink slip.

Sparano isn’t stupid. After losing six straight to open the season, and with owner Stephen Ross supposedly reaching out to former coach and CBS analyst Bill Cowher this week, he knows his time in Miami is nearing an end. It’s long been a matter of when, not if.

No matter why he’s choosing to move to new digs, this won’t be the last time Sparano will have to relocate if his goal is to coach — at any level — in the NFL next season.

As has been the case all season, the ‘Fins came up short once again — in heartbreaking fashion — and now it may be just a matter of time until management finally pulls the plug on head coach Tony Sparano.

During the Week 7 tilt between Denver and Miami, the Dolphins jumped out to a 6-0 lead after kicker Dan Carpenter drilled two field goals in the second quarter. Following a scoreless third, quarterback Matt Moore hooked up with tight end Anthony Fasano, and Carpenter nailed another field goal, in the fourth quarter to extend their lead to 15-0.

But then it all started to fall apart for Miami as Tebow, who finished with 226 total yards, began to lead the Broncos to an improbable comeback win in his first career start as a pro.

Tebow drove the team to a pair of scoring drives, capped off by two touchdown passes to receiver Demaryius Thomas and tight end Daniel Fells, respectively. The latter came after Denver recovered an onside kick with under two minutes remaining in the game.

The Broncos went on to kick a game-winning 52-yard field goal in overtime, possibly notching Sparano’s pink slip.

A Miami Herald report during the week indicated that Sparano’s job would be ‘re-evaluated’ by owner Stephen Ross should the team fall to 0-6.

With that scenario becoming a reality, Ross might decide to make a move and replace the lame duck Sparano, who could’ve lost the team completely after another demoralizing defeat.

If Sparano is indeed fired, the favorite to take over coaching duties in the interim would be defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. Nolan has prior experience as a head coach with the 49ers from 2005-2008.

Ross might just let Sparano finish out the season — after all, they’re right in the thick of the Suck For Luck sweepstakes — but with a slew of tough games left on the docket, and a squad that’s already looking to pack it in, the losses should continue to pile up in Miami.