The Next GM

ERIC DECOSTA



CURRENT JOB: Assistant General Manager, Baltimore Ravens (2012)

DOB: 4/10/71 (Age 41)

HISTORY:

Director of Player Personnel, Baltimore Ravens (2009-2011)
Director of College Scouting, Baltimore Ravens (2003-2008)
Midwest Area Scout, Baltimore Ravens (1998-2002)

EXPERIENCE:

Talent Evaluation - 15 Years
Talent Acquisition - 4 Years
Salary Cap Management - 1 Year

PANTHER CONNECTIONS:

Offensive Line Coach John Matsko was on the Ravens staff from 2008 to 2010. No local ties. He's pretty much spent his entire life in the Northeast.

ODDS AND ENDS:

The Sporting News called him one of the top young stars in sports management in 2005. Admitted in an interview that he reads draft previews and looks at mock drafts.

ANALYSIS:

Plenty to like about DeCosta. He's consistently been praised for his work as an evaluator. Not necessarily surprising given that he's worked many years under a man considered one of the best talent evaluators in the league, Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome. That said, up until this year DeCosta didn't really work much with the cap, so he's limited there. That hasn't scared anyone off, though. He's definitely been in demand by teams looking for a GM.

The big issue, though? Look down the resume’ and you’ll notice a bit of a trend.

The Ravens are the only team DeCosta has worked for in an official position (he interned with the Redskins in 1995) and there are pretty good indicators they might be the only team he cares to work for as well. Last offseason, three different teams asked for permission to interview DeCosta for GM openings. DeCosta declined all of them. There’s also speculation that the Ravens 2012 raise / change in title was essentially meant to reassure DeCosta that he was Ozzie Newsome’s heir apparent.

Sorry folks. I think this one’s a pipe dream.

QUOTABLE:

“He considers the Ravens GM position his future dream job…”
- Don Banks, Sports Illustrated

FURTHER READING:

Ravens Team Bio (link)
Baltimore Ravens Draft History at NFL.com (link)
Ravens' DeCosta spurns GM interviews to remain with club (link)

VIDEO:

Eric DeCosta One on One (link)


UP NEXT: Marc Ross

You should do another coaching one soon also.

I don't see any possible way we bring in a new GM while retaining Rivera.

You should do another coaching one soon also.

I don't see any possible way we bring in a new GM while retaining Rivera.

Cross that bridge if we come to it.

I acknowledge it's a legitimate possibility.

No more guys from SD. Please..

I'd prefer anyone from a winning organization, especially in the last 5 years.

Michael Lombardi brought up a good point today on NFL network. He thought one reason for the timing of the move was to get a GM in here before the end of the season to have a better handle on staff and player evaluation. So perhaps we won't wait until the offseason...

I want Marc Ross more than anyone. He comes from an organazation that drafts players that help them win now. Not projects.

The Panthers may not have a choice but to wait until the season is over if they want someone already employed by another organization. Not unlike coaches, the team has to allow permission to even speak to the guy.

Of course, most personnel people (GMs, player personnel staff) are pretty much not doing anything right now except holding their breath to see if their draft choices and FA signings pan out, thereby ensuring their job security for another year.

That being said, I'm afraid anytime I see someone from Cleveland on the list, only because I don't see anyone from Pittsburgh on the same list- you know, that other team Jerry wants the Panthers to grow up and be like....

I did a thread back a couple of years ago some of he guys are still available. But to me its just like the coaching search It was Harbaugh then everyone else. At GM its Ross then everyone else.

http://www.carolinah...959-our-new-gm/

I seriously do not want anyone associated with the Patriots. Nobody associated with that organization as an assistant coach or front office person has amounted to poo outside New England.

Besides, it's not like they've been knocking it out of the park in the draft recently. Seriously, go look at their last 5 or so drafts. Awful outside of a handful of players like Gronkowski, Hernandez.

Do. Not. Want.

Here's another name to add to this list: Brian Xanders

http://blogs.denverp...rce=rsshomeblog

I now remember why I dig you Scot. These threads were great in the HC search

Beyond the Super Bowls, I just like the way the Giants have been built the past 4/5 seasons. That's why Abrams and Ross seem like very intriguing options.

I also like Will Lewis and who he's brought in out in Seattle.

Joe Person for GM

our next GM will be GM/HC

The Panthers may not have a choice but to wait until the season is over if they want someone already employed by another organization. Not unlike coaches, the team has to allow permission to even speak to the guy.

Of course, most personnel people (GMs, player personnel staff) are pretty much not doing anything right now except holding their breath to see if their draft choices and FA signings pan out, thereby ensuring their job security for another year.

That being said, I'm afraid anytime I see someone from Cleveland on the list, only because I don't see anyone from Pittsburgh on the same list- you know, that other team Jerry wants the Panthers to grow up and be like....

Omar Khan is up there, though how possible it is to get him is a question.

Add in that there's more than one guy on there with Steeler experiense - Doug Whaley, for example - or experience with another winning program who's in a different zip code now. Browns GM Tom Heckert is among that group, having been with the Eagles for several years before coming to Cleveland.

A lot to flesh out, honestly. I can tell already that putting these together with something meaningful will be more difficult than the coaching ones were. Still, it's something I enjoy, or I wouldn't do it

Here's another name to add to this list: Brian Xanders

http://blogs.denverpost.com/broncos/2012/10/22/carolina-panthers-place-call-brian-xanders/16373/?source=rsshomeblog

I remember the name. Some felt Elway scapegoated him when he was let go.

He's one of a few guys that could actually be interviewed now if desired, although there's no real reason for the team to move quickly.

I'll add him in.

No more guys from SD. Please..

I'd prefer anyone from a winning organization, especially in the last 5 years.

Understand the sentiment, but afraid Charger guys have to be considered legit candidates. For the record, we got Hurney from the Chargers too (he was there with Bobby Beathard).

I seriously do not want anyone associated with the Patriots. Nobody associated with that organization as an assistant coach or front office person has amounted to poo outside New England.

Besides, it's not like they've been knocking it out of the park in the draft recently. Seriously, go look at their last 5 or so drafts. Awful outside of a handful of players like Gronkowski, Hernandez.

Do. Not. Want.

They may indeed be living off their rep from the Pioli years (so is Pioli right now) but you gotta look at 'em. Like I said, I don't endorse every name listed here. For what it's worth, Floyd Reese is more a Titans guy than a Patriots guy.

By the way, take a moment and look up Nick Caserio's profile pic. Looks like Beaker with a dye job.

I want someone with the mindset of NY Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers.

As I have said many times, our team needs an identity, beyond losing. I love watching the teams above draft. One big ugly after another and their D Lines are terrors. These are the keys to consistency in my opinion. Look at how long Eli had to throw against us. Their D Line is in the QB's face constantly.

I hate the "ooooh" lets get another WR, "I want this guy, look how high he jumps", nuclear threads during the combine. I want to build from the lines out. I want holes so that any RB can run through them, I want time for any QB to pass, I want opposing QB's staring at the sky when they play us and I want opposing RB's to never get 100 yds.

The rest will take care of itself

our next GM will be GM/HC

I'd have to look, but I'm pretty sure if we did that we'd be the only team in the NFL using that model right now.

Pretty much everyone else has abandoned that approach. And with good reason: it doesn't work.

May want to consider this. It's actually possible that Richardson could go back to be 'two-headed GM' approach he preferred before (one evaluator, one administrator) rather than keeping the power consolidated under one guy. That's something I plan to take a look at later.

Regardless, I'm pretty sure the 'full control' option is off the table, but we'll see.

Right now, the leader in the clubhouse is Brandon Beane.

Right now, the leader in the clubhouse is Brandon Beane.

Haven't been able to find much on him, but from what I've seen, he's a logistics guy, not a football guy.

Reed says he's the interim GM. Gantt says there is no interim GM. As a general rule, I trust Gantt more than Reed, but we'll see.

If you want to look at internal candidates, Rob Rogers and Mark Koncz are more directly in line. I'm seriously hoping we don't go that route though. There is no one within the organization right now that I think can be the GM we need.

Haven't been able to find much on him, but from what I've seen, he's a logistics guy, not a football guy.

Reed says he's the interim GM. Gantt says there is no interim GM. As a general rule, I trust Gantt more than Reed, but we'll see.

If you want to look at internal candidates, Rob Rogers and Mark Koncz are more directly in line. I'm seriously hoping we don't go that route though. There is no one within the organization right now that I think can be the GM we need.

He's related to Billy Beane FWIW.

I'd have to look, but I'm pretty sure if we did that we'd be the only team in the NFL using that model right now.

Pretty much everyone else has abandoned that approach. And with good reason: it doesn't work.

May want to consider this. It's actually possible that Richardson could go back to be 'two-headed GM' approach he preferred before (one evaluator, one administrator) rather than keeping the power consolidated under one guy. That's something I plan to take a look at later.

Regardless, I'm pretty sure the 'full control' option is off the table, but we'll see.

Bill Belichick is the only one...Obviously he has people under him doing the scouting and most likely a finance guy to help with contract negotiations.

I know people are getting tired of the name, but the only candidate I can think of that would fill the GM/HC role would be Bill Cowher. On his list of demands a few years ago was 1.)GM must be fired and he have full control and 2.)8 mil per year...

Brandon Beane is from Norwood, NC - was quarterback for his high school - he was he team’s director of football operations,

Just a thought but two things come to mind:
1.The new Collective bargaining agreement take some of the administrative bean counting out of the equation
2.Hurney lost his job for poor personnel decisions and not understanding the talent requirements.

Could this play in to selecting a GM with a background and resume of collecting quality talent?

I think he may lean towards that.