The Dolphins yesterday named Mike Tannenbaum Exec VP/Football Operations, and he will serve as Owner Stephen Ross' "proxy in Davie, making sure his vision is executed" within team HQ while Ross is away, according to Adam Beasley of the MIAMI HERALD. Tannenbaum’s No. 1 responsibility "isn’t scouting players or negotiating contracts," but instead is "ensuring that Ross’ culture of innovation is implemented throughout the franchise." It is a "unique, and potentially explosive, distribution of powers." GM Dennis Hickey "will answer directly to Ross on the construction of the 53-man roster and the draft." But on "all other matters, he reports to Tannenbaum, who has been given the power to fire Hickey if he’s not satisfied with his performance." Essentially, Tannenbaum "has been charged" with putting Hickey and coach Joe Philbin "in the best position to succeed." Throughout the past season, Tannenbaum "spoke regularly with both Philbin and Hickey, and the three men have developed what is seen within the franchise as a productive, working relationship" (MIAMI HERALD, 1/8). In West Palm Beach, Greg Stoda writes, "Where a singular and definitive voice should exist (see: Pat Riley as Miami Heat president) there’s a Tower of Babel." Tannenbaum and Hickey "both report to Ross, on paper." But it is "difficult to believe, given the original report, that Tannenbaum doesn’t have a bunch more power than Hickey." Philbin will report to Ross, but that does not "take into account the involvements" of President & CEO Tom Garfinkel or VP/Football Operations Dawn Aponte. Meanwhile, Pro Football HOFer Dan Marino is an "adviser to Ross and anyone who might listen on the football side of things." It is a "breeding ground for rivalries and power struggles" (PALM BEACH POST, 1/8).
WAIT & SEE APPROACH: In Ft. Lauderdale, Dave Hyde wrote of the new structure, "We're going to have to watch it shake out for a bit." Tannenbaum "made it a point to stress he was running a 'collaborative' effort -- meaning he's there to work with people for what's best for the organization." That is his "style by all accounts, and that's what's needed for this to work." Addressing whether other teams impart this type of structure, Hyde wrote, "None that I can find where the coach reports to the owner and the GM reports to an executive, who then reports to the owner" (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 1/7). In West Palm Beach, Andrew Abramson reports the NFL yesterday was "forced to clarify and say that Hickey will report to Ross -- even though in reality Hickey is still expected to work under Tannenbaum." Otherwise, the Dolphins "would have violated the NFL’s Rooney Rule." So while Tannenbaum is "running the team’s operations, on paper, the NFL considers Hickey -- not Tannenbaum -- the Dolphins’ most senior front office official" (PALM BEACH POST, 1/8).
