These are the GMs (So far) that have been interviewed or reported as potential candidates - 7 in total: Brian Gaine (Dolphins) Ray Farmer (Browns) Jason Licht (Cards) Omar Khan (Steelers) Lake Dawson (Titans) Marc Ross (Giants) Tom Gamble (Eagles) Leaving Eric DeCosta off the list. The latest report was that he essentially declined even though the Dolphins did in fact reach out to him per this report. This is very understandable given that A) He has a great relationship there; B) his pay is excellent; C) He's the clear successor to Newsome and D) The Dolphins are not really offering an upgrade - it's not a full-bore GM/running of football operations - which would likely be the only thing that could possibly draw him away. Even still, why would he do that when he has a great organization? http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-linked-to-dolphins-gm-vacancy-sources-say-eric-decosta-not-expected-to-leave-ravens-20140110,0,4312305.story So, of the above names which would you choose? Or what would be your top three? I struggle to see guys with experience at very mediocre teams - or worse than the Dolphins (e.g., Browns) - would be much of an upgrade. I don't care how well a guy interviews (why is so much stock put into that? A great interview is a great plus; but really, what you want - given what the Dolphins are stating the role will be - is a guy who can make the right moves in draft and free agency. Everything else is ancillary. As dysfunctional as Ireland was - if he had great player acquisitions no one would care about his gaffes or how good or bad he was with the media).
I couldn't complain about any of them really. It's a crap shoot. They all have good resumes and they all seem highly regarded as up and coming GMs.
I don't think we have any idea what we are getting or how people are determing favorites. You have a vague idea that these people have paid their dues and have been around smart people, but other than that no one has any clue what's going on. I guess you can assume they do a job interview well.
Well yes we obviously have incomplete information. We can only look at their previous roles and public information.
Excellent point, and that's why my interview would include a draft test. For example: You are on the clock at #12, Demaryius Thomas, Joe Staley and Aldon Smith are available, which player do you take? There would be about 20 of these timed at 30 sec each for a 10 minute test.
I think it has to start and end at the personnel level..I think it's that simple Da-fin... Put the records on the table and lets party.. Im really encouraged that I believe it has been noted that Alen 1 has endorsed Licht from Arizona..that guy is in some circles and is relentless in his study of that part of the game.
Gamble-Farmer-Licht in that order is my preference, but then again that's not really based on any tangible evidence. This is Just my preference based on what I've read about each candidate.
I don't pretend to know enough about any of these guys, but I'd probably be happy or at least satisfied with Gamble, Ross Licht, Farmer and Dawson (probably in that order) and disappointed with Gaine or Khan.
I think the last update was that Miami had contacted him and/or Philadelphia to request an interview. No word on whether or not it's been scheduled. He'd be my favorite of the bunch just based on his past in San Francisco. After that...Licht, I guess.
I'm finding it difficult to choose between Jason Licht and Tom Gamble. And I believe the answer lies somewhere in-between when it comes to people pegging which candidate is definitely the best versus other people claiming that we have no idea whatsoever which or any of these guys are qualified and to what degree. The most important information is not at our disposal. However there is enough information available to make educated guesses and I think we'd all be a bit surprised to find out that the information we're not privy to isn't nearly as informative or conclusive as some of us imagine.
I think that among the most important pieces of information we lack is watching them interact with Aponte and Philbin. We also lack their blueprints that they're presenting to Ross, Peterson, etc. I'm sure that knowing those two pieces would result in my having a more definite opinion on which GM I preferred.
Think about it. Every time the Dolphins mess up in the draft you could yell, "KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!" That has to be worth it.
I do admit that the name is one of the small reasons why I would love Lazor as our OC. "I just want a dolphin with some freaking lasers. Is that too much to ask? Throw me a bone here."
As I mentioned already, I think that there's a bit of a running myth on what exactly the team is going to end up knowing or taking account of in the evaluation process. Armando's piece noted as much. It very much depends on how many contacts you've got throughout the league. As noted by a league source, these guys get into the interviews with all kinds of stories about guys they pounded on the table for or guys they didn't want, all of the success stories. But then you talk to your contacts that were there and find out it didn't really happen like that. In an ideal world every guy would essentially have notarized draft and free agent rankings from every year that they can just furnish the team on a thumb drive and the team could just run it through some sort of proprietary evaluation software for grading. Unfortunately we don't live in that world. We live in the world where you'll get four different answers as to who was responsible for picking Pat White, depending on who you talk to.
I almost voted Gamble, but then I realized the only reason was jumping on the excitement bandwagon...which has bitten me in the *** over and over as a Dolphins fan. The truth is, I haven't done enough research on any of them to say anything one way or another. What I know about Gamble and Licht is certainly promising, and the more I hear about Farmer the more okay with it I am. For now, my stance will be that as long as its not a NYJ retread I'll be happy.
Until we hear that Gamble has actually interviewed and is interested in the job I guess we know which way your going here ;p
Gamble is set to interview. He may pull his name from consideration later but I believe the interview is set.
I like the whole group. Licht, Gamble, Farmer all seem to be fairly even as to their potential. I voted Gamble because I'm more familiar with his track record than the others, but this is a pretty good list of candidates...
Of course not but him interviewing is better than him not interviewing. Which means there's still a chance for us folks that want Gamble as our new GM.
Guys, look at the big picture. Imagine, draft day, "The Dolphins really took a 'gamble' with that pick". Or even; "After years of mediocrity, there's finally some 'licht' at the end of the tunnel". The only thing Jeff reminded me of was how many people died in the potato famine. I'm higher on Gamble though, simply because he has a resume from multiple teams which are both talented in their own rights, but have different identities. It shows diversity in his talent evaluation skills.
The positives for Gamble and Licht is that they do have good experience with teams and GMS that were pretty successful. Interestingly enough, both have worked in Philly. Licht has a ton of experience with the Patriots under Belichick as well as the Eagles when they were competitive the past decade - and even has some Miami connections with JJ (that's a pretty good bit of training). And, he is still very young at 42 - which I like. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Licht Gamble has a good bit of experience under Polian and the Colts in the middle of their early years with Peyton. And, more recently with the 49ers as well as with the Eagles. http://media.philadelphiaeagles.com/media/146725/gamble-tom.pdf Hard to know who would be better among those two. I'd take either and be pretty happy.
Jason Licht has worked for four Super Bowl teams. He was with the Cardinals when they went. He was with two separate Patriots Super Bowl teams. He was with the Eagles when they went to the Super Bowl. Plus he was hired on during the Don Shula Dolphins and stayed for a year with the Jimmy Johnson Dolphins. Coming from the pro personnel part of the Patriots organization alone is impressive to me because the Patriots self-scouting and ability to see how other players in the league fit into what they do has always been a big key to their success, IMO. Like I said I'm between he and Gamble. I've liked Gamble for a while but I'm a little wary that he's the obvious favorite in a role that shouldn't necessarily be obvious at all.