A small -- perhaps insignificant -- biographical note. Tom Gamble and current Packers head coach Mike McCarthy served on the same staff together for a year. After the 2004 season, Tom Gamble left the Colts organization to take a job with the 49ers. That year -- 2005 -- was the one year Mike McCarthy spent as the offensive coordinator of the 49ers.
McCarthy and Philbin are -- obviously -- close, which means that Philbin (and, it can't be underestimated, Gamble) have knowledge of each other through the same first hand source. Gamble and Alonzo Highsmith would also be able to hear about each other through McCarthy, if perhaps Ross was able to lure them both to Miami to work together.
Like any business, football is based on relationships. I'm glad to see at least some exist here, if perhaps second hand.