The Facts: Chris Grier, who has been with the Dolphins 16 seasons, has been tapped as the general manager to succeed Dennis Hickey.

Diehards Line: 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. The Dolphins moved quickly on this matter. Only 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.