Ireland OUT as Dolphins GM; List Of Candidates Growing

Obviously, this is no longer breaking news like it was last night.  I wanted to wait a bit before I posted something so I could give you something other than just the fact that Jeff Ireland would no longer be with the Miami Dolphins.

Well, today I've got something for you.  A list.  A list of possible replacements for Ireland.

These names have been circulating around the internet all morning, and have been put out there by respected Dolphin beat writers, so I trust that it is accurate.

The leading name on the list right now is Tom Gamble, the vice president of player personnel for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Before re-joing the Eagles this season, Gamble spent the previous 8 years with the 49ers, most recently as the team’s director of player personnel. Gamble began his NFL career in the Eagles front office, where he worked in several different capacities during his seven-year stint with the team from 1988-94.

Gamble is a good talent evaluator, respected around the league, and, during his time in the league, has helped produce 11 playoff teams, including five with Indianapolis, four with Philadelphia and two with San Francisco.

Gamble has worked closely at both the college and pro level over his career.

Right now, this is the big name for the Miami Dolphins.  

However, there are others.  Including:

-Alonzo Highsmith:  Green Bay senior personnel executive

-Scott Pioli: Former Chiefs GM

-Mike Tannenbaum:  Former Jets GM

-Eliot Wolf:  Green Bay director of pro personnel

-Brian Gaine:  Dolphins assistant GM

-Omar Khan:  Pittsburgh director of football administration

-Carl Peterson:  Former Chiefs GM

-Eric Mangini:  San Franciso offensive senior consultant

-Bill Polian:  Former Colts GM


Don't look for anything big to happen today.  Stephen Ross will take his time with this decision.

One more hold up for the Miami Dolphins, and it's a big one, will be what this new GM will be walking in to.

He will NOT have the power to hire his own head coach.  Joe Philbin is SAFE this season.  He will return in 2014.  So when the Dolphins interview a possible replacement, and he wants to hire his own coach, then the interview will end right there.

That could cut this list down considerably.

Stay posted.