PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : Johnson’s Talks with Dolphins Continue

The Miami Dolphins’ wooing of Jimmy Johnson proceeded this week under an attempted shroud of secrecy despite two years of speculation their marriage was inevitable.

Both sides hoped to reach an agreement by the end of the week.

Team owner H. Wayne Huizenga has said Johnson, former coach of the Miami Hurricanes and Dallas Cowboys, is the leading candidate to replace Shula. But beyond that, nobody’s saying much. “This is going to be done with as much privacy as possible,” Dolphin spokesman Harvey Greene said. “When we have an announcement, we’ll make it.”

One obstacle to Johnson’s return appears to be resolved: Shula has indicated he has no objection to Johnson; and Johnson said the new Dolphin coach would naturally have to consult with Shula, the architect of the team.