Sources: Dolphins, Bucs to talk with Eagles' Gamble about GM openings

NFL SOURCES confirmed yesterday that the Miami Dolphins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have told the Eagles they intend to talk to player personnel vice president Tom Gamble about their vacant general-manager positions.

Because Gamble isn't the Birds' GM, and these are GM jobs, the Dolphins and Bucs don't need the Eagles' permission to talk to Gamble, who joined the team a little less than a year ago from the 49ers, where he had the same title but lesser responsibilities.

Gamble began his NFL career with the Eagles in 1988, when his father, Harry, was the Eagles' general manager. One reason he returned last year was to be closer to his parents, who live in Haddonfield. But Tampa and Miami are both closer than San Francisco.

The Dolphins' and Bucs' saying they want to talk to Gamble isn't the same thing as having an interview set. Given what Gamble has said about his aspirations, it isn't clear he will leave for anything other than absolute final say on personnel, and there is mystery about exactly how that will work in both places. For example, the Bucs just hired head coach Lovie Smith, who is expected to have final say on his roster, as Chip Kelly has here.

Losing Gamble would be a blow to Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, who pursued him for a few years as the replacement to Ryan Grigson, now general manager in Indianapolis. But Roseman, once criticized for a lack of personnel experience, has assembled a deep team in that area that includes former Steelers and Bills GM Tom Donohoe, former Saints player personnel director Rick Mueller and former University of Alabama personnel director Ed Marynowitz.

Eagles left tackle Jason Peters has declined his Pro Bowl berth, and Houston's Duane Brown will go in his place. Peters has seen Hawaii before, having been selected six times . . . The Dolphins officially announced their interview with Eagles quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor, to become the Miami offensive coordinator.

Blog: ph.ly/Eagletarian