Farmer Opts To Stay With Browns, Declines Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins search for their next GM is one candidate short today as the team was told by rumored front runner Ray Farmer that he would rather stay in Cleveland with new Browns HC Mike Pettine.  Yes, it has come to that.  No one seems to want the Dolphins opening.

Farmer through members of the media apparently felt uncomfortable with a management structure that was not clearly defined.  It was reported by Armando Salguero that the Fritz Pollard group told him he should take the 2nd interview to clarify and that Farmer instead opted to remain where he was at.  And honestly, why shouldn’t he?

There are only 32 NFL teams and that means only 32 GM’s.  It’s a huge gig to have but one that also can end your career just as fast if you don’t have the support of those who hire you and there appears to be no inclination as to who exactly that support would come from.

Questions about the Dolphins hierarchy have run rampant since Stephen Ross opted to wait almost ten days to fire Jeff Ireland a day after reportedly telling HC Joe Philbin that he “had to” fire OC Mike Sherman.  The Dolphins have since been turned down by four other candidates making Farmer number five.  Earlier today the team supposedly told Brian Xanders that he would not be asked back for another interview.

Like all rumors there are questions as to who exactly is left on Miami’s short list.  Early today it was reported to be in house candidate Brian Gaine, Farmer, and Tampa’s Dennis Hickey.  With Farmer out there is talk that Tennessee’s Lake Dawson will interview this weekend for a 2nd time.  Regardless of who they interview their system is extremely flawed and it’s likely to have huge carry over into the off-season ticket sales.

Many believe that Brian Gaine is now the best choice for the franchise giving the team another year of continuity with Joe Philbin.  Gaine is likely the most qualified person of those remaining but his hire will be met with skepticism and more questions.  Many wonder if the entire process has been a sham and was always going to be this way from the start.  Others will point out he was Jeff Ireland’s protégé, and others will point to the lack of better options given those that summarily dismissed Stephen Ross.

For a team that was one win away from the playoffs the wheels have surely fell off quickly.