The Miami Dolphins were not without a general manager very long.

Chris Grier, who has been with the Dolphins 16 seasons, has been tapped as the general manager to succeed Dennis Hickey. The only thing remaining from this becoming official are contract details that are expected to be ironed as early as Monday.

The Dolphins declined to confirm this hiring.

Grier has been the team director of college scouting and is widely respected in NFL personnel circles. Grier joined the Dolphins after spending five years with the New England Patriots.

The list of successful personnel men and NFL general managers that vouch for Grier is ample. Among these: Jerry Reese of the New York Giants, Dave Gettleman of the Carolina Panthers, Rick Spielman of the Minnesota Vikings and Hall of Famer Bill Parcells.

Grier, who interviewed for the New York Jets GM job last year, just completed his 21st NFL season and is no stranger to talent evaluation because he basically grew up in it. Grier's father Bobby Grier was in the New England Patriots front office from 1982-99. Bobby Grier is currently the senior personnel advisor with the Houston Texans.

The Dolphins moved quickly on this matter. They identified in-house candidates they were impressed by and chose one. On Saturday they parted ways with Hickey after the former GM declined a reassignment within the organization.

Once the Grier contract is signed, he will immediately become a voice within the organization. Aside from being the top talent evaluation officer within the organization, he is expected to join the club's search for a head coach.

The Dolphins will begin that search immediately with executive vice president Mike Tannenbaum being the point man on a committee that includes vice chairman Matt Higgins, president and CEO Tom Garfinkel and owner Stephen Ross.

Ross obviously will weigh the recommendations of his advisors and be the final authority on who is hired as coach.