10:30 p.m. update: Patriots personnel director Nick Caserio has turned down an offer to become the Dolphins' GM, NFL Network's Ian Rapaport reported tonight. If true, that leaves Brian Gaine, Lake Dawson and Dennis Hickey in the running to replace Jeff Ireland. None of those three has been a GM before and none of their teams had winning records this season.
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A few quick Saturday notes:
### What would the Dolphins be getting if they grab Nick Caserio from the Patriots? The Patriots personnel director remained in Miami for a second interview today, as they close in on hiring a general manager.
"To me, what was so impressive about Nick is everything he does, there's a selflessness about it," Scott Pioli, who hired Caserio in New England in 2001, told NFL Network’s Albert Breer earlier this month. "People in this industry, there's a lot of ego, a lot of testosterone, but Nick was always more concerned about the greater good than his own mission. For young guys in our business, that's a vanishing commodity these days, and it's an important quality of his. It's loyalty, but it's more. It's selflessness. He's a team guy.
"When he was asked to coach, he coached; when he was asked to work in personnel, he worked in personnel. He was only concerned with what the team needed. A lot of guys are in there for two yearsand are worried about being directors or GMs. That's not what Nick's focus was."
Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff, who previously worked with Caserio in New England, told Breer: "Nick's gotten where he's gotten for good reasons, because he's incredibly driven and intelligent. It's a huge asset to Nick that he can move from personnel to coaching and coaching personnel, and even perform those tasks in the same day.
“To be able to handle that multitasking and understand what someone as talented as Bill Belichick wants, it's huge. When you work for Bill, you better come to the table with your I's dotted and your T's crossed. Nick is able to do that, and Bill has great respect for that."
When I mentioned his name to an NFL official Friday, the first response was "very sharp guy."
Belichick makes final decisions in New England, so it’s unclear which decisions Caserio suggested. But the Patriots have made a bunch of good ones in the draft and the fact he has earned Belichick’s complete faith and trust speaks volumes.
It Stephen Ross wants Caserio, it wouldn't be surprising if he offers him a ton of money to lure him.
Tennessee's Lake Dawson also interviews a second time today, but the feedback I've received on him (from two NFL executives) has been lukewarm at best. Dennis Hickey also is set for another interview today. The Dolphins' Brian Gaine had a second interview Friday.
###It’s a light weekend for UM recruiting visits, among seniors. Mobile (Ala.)-based Malik Rosier --- rated the nation’s 22nd-best dual purpose quarterback --- is visiting and is considered a solid UM oral commitment.
At least two others were expected this weekend: Three-star Georgia-based prospect Tavon Ross (who’s committed to Missouri) and three-star Jacksonville-based receiver Isaiah Ford, who’s uncommitted.
UM has interest in Ross as a running back, but Ross told Rivals.com that his commitment to Mizzou is “pretty solid.”
Ford, rated the nation’s No. 67 receiver, is considering Louisville, Virginia Tech, UM, UF and South Carolina. [UPDATE: FORD REPORTEDLY ENDED UP CANCELING HIS VISIT.]
UM will host a bunch of juniors on Sunday.
### UM basketball is getting more exposure this week than any other week this season, with two consecutive games on national television and both being called by the lead analyst at their respective networks. Wednesday, it was ESPN2 and Dick Vitale for UM- Duke. Today, it’s a full national telecast on CBS for UM-Syracuse, with new CBS lead analyst Greg Anthony providing commentary (alongside Ian Eagle).
### The Marlins had been considering four players as a right-handed bat off the bench: Vernon Wells, Jeff Baker, Reed Johnson and Ty Wigginton. They signed Wigginton on Friday, even though he hit just .158 in 57 at-bats for St. Louis last season before being released in July.
He was better for Philadelphia in 2012, hitting .235 with 11 homers and 43 RBI. Wigginton, 36, has a .261 career average with 169 homers. He signed a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training.
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