Latest news on Dolphins GM and Offensive Coordinator searches
General Manager
If you missed our tribute to Jeff Ireland, be sure to check it out. He will be missed. As we mentioned, it’s unclear what role the new General Manager will have and what his powers will be. If I were Stephen Ross, I would give the new GM the power to hire and fire coaches, including Joe Philbin. I would also have Dawn Aponte, the Dolphins capologist, report to him as well. The Dolphins GM position will attract better talent if they give that person the power that a GM should have.
The Miami Herald has confirmed that Marc Ross of the NY Giants is scheduling an interview with the Dolphins for their GM position. Ross is known for his ability to evaluate talent on the college level…an ability that earned him a promotion last season from the Giants. He also happens to be an African American, which means the Dolphins will have complied with the NFL’s Rooney Rule. I don’t believe this is a symbolic interview, I believe he is a real candidate for the position.
The other primary candidate we’ve heard is Tom Gamble, who is currently working for the Eagles. A General Manager position would be a promotion for Gamble, but as of this writing, the Dolphins have not yet reached out to the Eagles, seeking permission to speak with him. Gamble has a good track record and has been a part of 11 playoff teams. Before the Eagles, he worked for the 49ers and had a role in acquiring many of the talented players on their roster that went to the Super Bowl last year.
Other names thought to be on the Dolphins radar include Eric Mangini, former Jets coach, Mike Tannenbaum, former Jets GM, Scott Pioli, former Patriots and Chiefs GM, and Brian Gaine, who was the assistant to Jeff Ireland in Miami. Of this final group, Pioli would be my choice by default. Mangini has limited experience in personnel matters and Tannenbaum failed as the Jets GM. Gaine worked and learned under Ireland…not exactly the change that we need. Meanwhile, Pioli helped build the Patriots and has hopefully learned from his failures in Kansas City. The problem with Pioli? He’s Bill Parcells’ son in law!
So there is the latest run down of candidates. These lists will likely change over the next week or so and we’ll keep you posted. The best thing to do is to hope and pray that the Dolphins bring in 2 competent individuals that will make the 2014 Dolphins better than the mediocre team we’ve come to know over the past few years.
