Patriot's director of pro personnel Nick Casserio interviewed for the GM job.

This surprised me because Casserio turned down the Colts two years ago to interview for their then open GM position when they had the overall #1 draft pick. Casserio, after getting boss Bill Belichick's approval to interview with his AFC East rival, came in yesterday to interview for the position.

Even though the Patriots draft quality has declined since Scott Pioli left, they have still put together a good team. Sure, the Patriots are all about Tom Brady. He carried that offense this year despite the lack of talent at the wide receiver position. Maybe it's youth as we know it takes time for receivers to develop in the NFL. But, that offensive line is one of the best in the NFL, and the Patriots have paved the way for the new look tight ends in the NFL. So, I would be ok with Casserio as our new GM if he took the position.

Now, hold on to your aqua jock straps. I do not think he is interested in the job. First off, he would be competing against his mentor and the person who gave him a job in the first place: Bill Belichick. I think he interviewed for the position as it is a good position: it is a GM job in charge of buying the groceries. Also, he is young at only 38 and he has many years ahead of him in the NFL .... it would make sense to interview and get to know the Dolphins owner. Next, as ESPN's Mike Reiss stated , it would "smash the perception he wouldn't leave should another opportunity arise in the future" and give him better standing with the Patriots. One last thing, as Armando Salguero reported today , Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and Patriots owner Bob Kraft do not like each other. Interviewing with the Dolphins could also add up to a nice raise.

Here's a video clip of Casserio trading out of the first round last year in the Patriots war room:

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BTW, Casserio will get a second interview today, so, he must have impressed Ross and his posse. When looking at the war room video clip, it would seem to me that Casserio needs more seasoning with the Patriots.

Is the Dolphins GM position attractive?

I think it is, and I do not understand why Cleveland Browns assistant GM Ray Farmer turned down an opportunity for a second interview.

Something really stinks about this. As irritating as Ross has been about the length of the hiring process, I cannot believe that Farmer didn't get a clear answer about the structure. We all knew that it was a 3 headed power structure that the GM, Aponte, and Philben will report directly to Ross. None of the 3 wants the others' jobs. The GM is in charge of picking the personnel ... which is more power than Licht gets at Tampa Bay since Lovie Smith gets final say over the personnel there.

The only issue is that Aponte and Philben ganged up on Ireland, and he was fired. Maybe that's the question he has about the structure, because everything else has been spelled out. I think Ross should hang around here and listen to what the bulk of us say. This is the internet age ... we know what are talking about. Philben should have been fired as well. The positive about Ross keeping Philben is that once you are "in" with Ross, you'll have a job for many years. Under Ireland's watch as GM, the image of the Dolphins has taken a real nosedive.

So, with Brian Gaine getting a second interview yesterday, Cassario getting a second interview today,

Mistakes, Mistakes ....

What kept the Dolphins out of the playoffs this year? I would say that their offensive line was the main culprit. I think it would be safe to say that if the Dolphins made the playoffs, it would be a good chance that Jeff Ireland would still be our GM ... provided the Martin/Incognito issue comes to a more positive light.

If Jeff Ireland would not have nixed on Philben's request to trade a 2nd round pick for Chiefs LT Brandon Albert, our OL would have been in much better shape.

Who to root for in the Pro Bowl?

With the Pro Bowl this year no longer being AFC vs NFC, it should be interesting to choose a team to root for. The draft concluded Wednesday, and the Dolphins are split up on both teams:

TEAM RICE: DE Cameron Wake

TEAM SANDERS: CB Brent Grimes, C Mike Pouncey, P Brandon Fields.

All are starters.What is interesting is that aside from Grimes, the Dolphins drafted Pouncey and Fields, and added Wake from the CFL. That's a real improvement and a step forward for the Dolphins.

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