49ers Director of Player Personnel Tom Gamble, widely considered the top candidate for the Jets new general manager opening, has not even been interviewed yet, and already sources around the league are speculating that he will be hired to replace Mike Tannenbaum.

According to Pro Football Talk, the Jets are “expected  to hire 49ers exec Tom Gamble,” citing ”league circles” and in typical Florio fashion, clarifying, “none of these moves are, you know, 95-percent certain. ” What does that mean, Mike? It means,”It’s simply where it all is leaning.” Okay.

Gamble is certainly the most desirable candidate and it makes sense that rumblings are pointing towards a Gamble hire, as he is at the top of the Jets’ list. Adding to the speculation is the fact that Gamble and Rex have a good relationship — good news, especially when you consider a Rotoworld report explaining that all GM candidates  will be informed they must retain Rex Ryan.

The Jets are set to begin interviewing a list of GM candidates that include Gamble, Marc Ross, David Caldwell, Green Bay Packers’ Director of Football Operations John Dorsey (added to mix last night) and current assistant GM Scott Cohen beginning today. The interviews will be conducted through the weekend.

One more development on the GM front as the interview process carries on throughout the weekend: Tom Heckert has canceled his interview with the team, per Brian Costello. While many, myself included, thought that the timing of the cancelation might indicate that recent (ahem) developments (ahem, tattoo-gate) might have scared Heckert, off, Costello has indicated the canceled interview was related to concerns over the Jets’ bloated cap, not an issue with the head coach.

It is also highly possible that Heckert is bowing out of the Jets GM mix because he plans to join Andy Reid. Reports on Friday suggested that Dorsey and Heckert might split responsibilities as part of the new staff in Kansas City.

Heckert was not on the top of everyone’s list of candidates to begin with, but there is really no sense in speaking with a GM that is unwilling to fix the cap when THAT – above all else – will be a huge priority in the next few years.

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If you missed the regular season wrap-up edition of “The Blue and Green Review” – talking Jets general manager candidates – you can watch the replay of the last episode here.