Tannehill: I'll welcome a QB draft pick with open arms

Talk of replacing Ryan Tannehill seems to be a perennial conversation in South Florida, and this year’s no different — regardless of the new team leadership.

Tannehill, as he’s always done though, has continued to talk about the betterment of the team over his personal feelings on the Miami Dolphins potentially drafting a quarterback, which front office exec Mike Tannenbaum mentioned recently.

Per Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald:

"That's the nature of the business,” Tannehill said. “If you're not doing the job good enough then they're looking to replace you. And you want to have depth.

"I love he guys in the room ... I'm excited about the room we have and if we add somebody else, I'll be open arms and welcome him in. We're just there to push each other. Push each to be better and enjoy the whole process."

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Grier: Dolphins can win with Tannehill at quarterback

Mike Tannenbaum is wasting no time in his clean-up of the Miami Dolphins leadership.

The team's operations czar promoted Chris Grier, the 'Phins director of college scouting, to the general manager position Monday, and Grier was put on the hot seat pretty quickly about Miami's roster.

The newly appointed GM spent part of his morning defending quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who finished ninth in total passing yards this season but tied for third in sacks.

"I like Ryan," Grier said via Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. "He's our guy. I think yesterday was a great indication of some of the things that we can do. We can win with Ryan."

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Hickey, Tannebaum on same page at Senior Bowl

The Miami Dolphins' brass are currently in Mobile, Ala., for the Senior Bowl, scouting talent for the NFL draft at the end of April. Among them is Mike Tannenbaum, former Jets general manager and current executive vice president of football operations for the 'Phins.

Tannenbaum wasn't planning on starting with the team until the beginning of next month, but the 45-year-old is eager to get started, as well as get acclimated with his co-workers. Hickey said the two are anything but strangers at this point, and they both have the same goals going forward.

"Mike and I have been collaborating for the past 11 months on different initiatives, whether it be sports science, analytics," Hickey told the Phinsiders show. "We had a great working relationship there, and I'm excited to add him on board and learn from each other. We see this as a team concept here and all of us working together and collaborating to bring a winner to Miami.

"That's our goal, I know that's Mike's goal, that's coach Philbin's goal, we just all work together to get it done."

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Secret Agent Tan: Former Jets GM's career move

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Awful headline aside, Mike Tannenbaum is switching careers.

The New York Jets' former general manager, who was fired after the 2012 season and has been working for NFL Network since, recently joined the Chicago-based sports agency Priority Sports & Entertainment, where he will serve as President of the company's new Coaches, Front Office & Broadcasters Division.

According to Forbes.com, Tannenbaum will "oversee all contract negotiation and representation of basketball and football coaches for both professional and college sports from his office in New York."

Tannenbaum chummy with Revis's agent in Big Easy

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Darrelle Revis's agent, Neil S. Schwartz, was instrumental in making Mike Tannenbaum's life (from a general manager standpoint) a living hell during a good chunk of Tannenbaum's tenure heading the New York Jets.

So it's only fitting that the two are rubbing elbows, smiles included, in New Orleans just before the Super Bowl.

Adam Schefter tweeted this photo Friday of Tannenbaum and Schwartz looking quite chummy outside a hotel in the Big Easy.

'Idzik fan' Tannenbaum 'excited' about Jets' future

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Mike Tannenbaum is quite fond of his successor... and his former team.

Tannenbaum, who was relieved of his duties as the New York Jets' general manager following the team's dismal 2012 campaign, hit up Super Bowl Radio Row Tuesday during media day for the NFL's season finale. Not only did he say he was "excited" about the future of his former team, but he referred to himself as an "Idzik fan," via Conor Orr of the Newark Star-Ledger.

John Idzik, of course, was recently named the Jets' new general manager.

Jets part ways with Sparano, Pettine, Cavanaugh

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The New York Jets' defensive coordinator wouldn't come back, the offensive coordinator couldn't come back, and the quarterbacks coach shouldn't have been there to begin with.

A week after giving general manager Mike Tannenbaum the axe, the Jets fired offensive coordinator Tony Sparano and won't bring back quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh or defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, as announced by owner Woody Johnson and coach Rex Ryan Tuesday. (photo: slgckg, Flickr)

While an offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach search has been added to the general manager chase, the Jets will reportedly promote defensive backs coach Dennis Thurman to defensive coordinator.

Tom Gamble appears to be all but a lock for Jets

BY NICK ST. DENIS

It's widely understood that Tom Gamble is the New York Jets' No. 1 general manager prospect. Apparently, the Jets are atop Gamble's list, too.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Saturday that Gamble called off his second interview with the Jacksonville Jaguars so he could "focus on the Jets," which is pretty much all we need to know. (photo: 49ers.com)

While Jets beat writers insisted that no deal was in the works as of Saturday, Brian Bassett of SNY's TheJetsBlog.com made a rare "breaking news" appearance in reporting that Gang Green brass was already putting the finishing touches on a contract that will see Gamble replace the recently-fired Mike Tannenbaum.

After the Flightmare: Tannenbaum out, Rex still in

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Finishing the season was a formality, but big changes were inevitable.

Following a dismal 6-10 campaign, the New York Jets were poised for a housecleaning that would involve coaching firings, front office shakups and player dealing. The tremors have already begun, with general manager Mike Tannenbaum the first to officially go.

A day after the Jets lost to the lowly Buffalo Bills, Jets owner Woody Johnson released a statement Monday morning announcing Tannenbaum's dismissal.

Braylon says 'it feels great to be going home' to Jets

BY NICK ST. DENIS

After a two-year separation that certainly didn't benefit either side, the New York Jets and receiver Braylon Edwards reunited Tuesday.

Edwards was claimed by the Jets off waivers following his release from the Seattle Seahawks Monday. (photo: Matt Britt, Flickr)

"It feels great to be going home," Edwards tweeted late Tuesday afternoon. "Thanks to all of jet nation that continuously supported me and pushed for me. I'm back and it's go [time]."

Edwards' road back to New York has been interesting. Just over a week ago, Edwards tweeted that critics of Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez need not blame the Jets' signal-caller for his team's shortcomings but instead the "idiots calling the shots."

Report: Rex wants no part of Hard Knocks encore

Photo: Nick St. Denis  

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Earlier this year, multiple media outlets reported that the Jets would be open to being featured on HBO's Hard Knocks for a second time in three years.

Earlier this year, multiple media outlets reported that the Jets would be open to being featured on HBO's Hard Knocks for a second time in three years. Not so fast.Not so fast.

Despite owner Woody Johnson's expressing interest in partaking in the series again, FoxSports.com's Adam Schein is reporting that coach Rex Ryan doesn't want any part of it.

Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News added via Twitter that general manager Mike Tannenbaum and many Jets players are also opposed to being featured on the series, as they would prefer the offseason focus be on re-building team chemistry and putting their well-documented locker room issues behind them.

Jets' Tannenbaum: Sanchez, Tebow know their roles

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Tim Tebow is a Jet. A backup Jet.

Gang Green acquired Tebow via a trade with the Broncos Wednesday night. He'll take over the No. 2 signal-caller position on the Jets' depth chart behind Mark Sanchez.

"Mark is, has been and will be our starting quarterback," Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said, according to the team's website. "We're adding Tim to be our backup quarterback. We've talked to both Mark and Tim. Tim knows about that and Mark knows about that. They're both very clear in what their roles will be."

Tebow will help new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano add his version of a Wildcat wrinkle in New York's offense. Sparano made the Wildcat mainstream in 2008 when he was head coach of the Dolphins. The Jets have also had success in the past with the "option" thanks to the services of all-purpose player Brad Smith, who is now a Bill.

"To run a successful Wildcat is not a pipe dream — we've done it for a few years here," Tannenbaum said. "To see what Coach Sparano has done with it is not a projection. To see what Tim Tebow has done with the ball in his hands is not a projection. We have a vision for the player and a role for the player.

Jets re-sign linebacker Thomas to one-year deal

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Bryan Thomas has been a Jet for a decade, so what's another year?

Thomas, Gang Green's longest-tenured player, signed a one-year contract Tuesday to remain in New York.

"Bryan has meant a lot to this organization over his 10 seasons and we are excited that he will continue his career here," Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said, according to the team's website.

The 32-year-old outside linebacker missed three quarters of the 2011 season due to a torn Achilles' tendon, but when healthy, Thomas is quietly consistent. He has 418 career tackles, 31 sacks, 10 passes defensed and seven forced fumbles.

Jets' two most-penalized players have different fates

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Tune into a 2011 Jets game, and you're more than likely to see tackle Wayne Hunter and tight end Matthew Mulligan getting flagged.

Hunter was flagged 11 times last season. Mulligan accrued nine penalties of his own.

Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum told WFAN Thursday that he expects Hunter to be the Jets' starting right tackle in 2012 despite Hunter giving up 32 quarterback pressures and personally allowing Mark Sanchez to get hit nearly a dozen times, according to Pro Football Focus.

Mulligan, however, appears to be a goner.