The Next GM

I want Eric

Added a video link and a little more info on DeCosta.

The video's worth viewing even though I think we have zero shot at DeCosta.

(I'd love to be wrong about that)

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.

Will Lewis left Seattle last offseason, but I also like how Seattle was built. That secondary is just sick good, they've got a nice pass rush, and they seem to be getting good production out of WR's that most weren't very high on (in fairness, that may be coaching more than talent evaluation). I'm not a huge Russell Wilson fan yet and think it's likely that they are looking for a QB again in a year or two, but it is still a well-built young team overall.

While Lewis may not be a legitimate candidate, if I were a talent evaluator, the Hawks are one of the teams I'd look at for benchmarking purposes.

Will Lewis left Seattle last offseason, but I also like how Seattle was built. That secondary is just sick good, they've got a nice pass rush, and they seem to be getting good production out of WR's that most weren't very high on (in fairness, that may be coaching more than talent evaluation). I'm not a huge Russell Wilson fan yet and think it's likely that they are looking for a QB again in a year or two, but it is still a well-built young team overall.

While Lewis may not be a legitimate candidate, if I were a talent evaluator, the Hawks are one of the teams I'd look at for benchmarking purposes.

I want to find out more about that story. Only did a cursory search so far but wasn't able to find much in the way of real info as to why he left.Some speculation that the addition of Scot McCloughan made him redundant, but that's about it.

I want to find out more about that story. Only did a cursory search so far but wasn't able to find much in the way of real info as to why he left.Some speculation that the addition of Scot McCloughan made him redundant, but that's about it.

yeah that's definitely interesting. I had no idea he left

Had to chuckle a little: In the video, Eric DeCosta admits he reads draft previews and checks out mock drafts.

Marty Hurney once made a point of saying he didn't need to look at stuff like that

I was just watching the NFL network and saw a former GM that had that job for 16 years.

I think we can all agree on him.

Charlie Casserly should not be considered under any circumstances.

I was just watching the NFL network and saw a former GM that had that job for 16 years.

I think we can all agree on him.

Charlie Casserly should not be considered under any circumstances.

Yeah, Casserly's not on my list of potential GMs.

Wouldn't be terribly surprised to see him considered for the consultant role though.

Correct. If JR has someone in mind who's currently employed, we're going to have to wait until that team's season ends. And I might be assuming here, but I can't imagine it not being someone who's currently with a team that's on track to make the playoffs.

sorry...not enough coffee this morning.

were you saying that he'd probably be someone who is with a team on track to make the playoffs?

i think i would prefer it being someone who is with a winning organization. it might cause us to wait a while longer, but wouldn't it be better quality if it's someone who has helped build a current winning team?

do you wait for the best quality even if it cuts a few weeks out of potential rebuilding time or do you jump on the first available somewhat decent candidate so you can get a jump on building?

sorry...not enough coffee this morning.

were you saying that he'd probably be someone who is with a team on track to make the playoffs?

i think i would prefer it being someone who is with a winning organization. it might cause us to wait a while longer, but wouldn't it be better quality if it's someone who has helped build a current winning team?

do you wait for the best quality even if it cuts a few weeks out of potential rebuilding time or do you jump on the first available somewhat decent candidate so you can get a jump on building?

Pretty sure we could start interviewing during the playoffs. I don't think the rules that limit when you can interview coaches in the postseason apply to front office people.

Should be able to get the profile for Marc Ross up this weekend, but let me give you a quick preview for where my thinking is headed on this topic.

I know if you took a vote amongst Huddle members right this moment, Marc Ross would be the likely favorite.

He wouldn't get my vote, and I'll tell you why.

Ross has never been anything but a scouting guy. Looking over his resume', I see nothing to make me confident he'll be a great administrator. Is it possible he might be? Sure, but there's nothing in his background to inspire confidence that he will.

Kevin Abrams is a different story.

Abrams has been the Giants Assistant GM for 11 seasons and worked as their salary cap manager for three years prior to that. He's got experience with the administrative side of things as well as looking at talent evaluation with GM Jerry Reese. Ross is only in his fifth year as Giants Director of Scouting. Before that he was a scout. Plenty of experience as an evaluator, but that's pretty much it.

Aaahhh, but here's the kicker.

There is at the very least the potential that if you hire Abrams, you also get Ross.

The Panthers currently have no one serving as Director of Player Personnel or (obviously) Assistant GM. Abrams might be able to convince Richardson to create one of those positions and offer it to Ross as an enticement to bring him over too, thus effectively remaking the entire Panther personnel machine.

Of course, things like contract status and the willingness of the Giants to give permission for interviews factor in here. And there is the very real possibility that if the Giants lose Abrams, they might offer their already-existing Assistant GM position to Ross.

But if the Panthers were able to acquire both Abrams and Ross, that might just be a dream scenario.

That is, unless you don't like Canadians. Abrams is from Toronto.

I can't imagine prying two guys away from an organization like the Giants and a place like NYC.

I can't imagine prying two guys away from an organization like the Giants and a place like NYC.

Prying at least one wouldn't be that difficult. Happens all the time. The combo of enough money, sufficient power and the right title is usually all you need (of course, you have to be willing to offer those things).

Two guys? Yeah, tricky. If Ross isn't under contract beyond this season though, the road becomes easier. And even if he is, the idea to get promoted and maybe even be 'heir apparent' could be a good draw.

Ultimately, I wouldn't bet on it happening. But even if that didn't pan out, I'd still choose Abrams over Ross.

Should be able to get the profile for Marc Ross up this weekend, but let me give you a quick preview for where my thinking is headed on this topic.

I know if you took a vote amongst Huddle members right this moment, Marc Ross would be the likely favorite.

He wouldn't get my vote, and I'll tell you why.

Ross has never been anything but a scouting guy. Looking over his resume', I see nothing to make me confident he'll be a great administrator. Is it possible he might be? Sure, but there's nothing in his background to inspire confidence that he will.

Kevin Abrams is a different story.

Abrams has been the Giants Assistant GM for 11 seasons and worked as their salary cap manager for three years prior to that. He's got experience with the administrative side of things as well as looking at talent evaluation with GM Jerry Reese. Ross is only in his fifth year as Giants Director of Scouting. Before that he was a scout. Plenty of experience as an evaluator, but that's pretty much it.

Aaahhh, but here's the kicker.

There is at the very least the potential that if you hire Abrams, you also get Ross.

The Panthers currently have no one serving as Director of Player Personnel or (obviously) Assistant GM. Abrams might be able to convince Richardson to create one of those positions and offer it to Ross as an enticement to bring him over too, thus effectively remaking the entire Panther personnel machine.

Of course, things like contract status and the willingness of the Giants to give permission for interviews factor in here. And there is the very real possibility that if the Giants lose Abrams, they might offer their already-existing Assistant GM position to Ross.

But if the Panthers were able to acquire both Abrams and Ross, that might just be a dream scenario.

That is, unless you don't like Canadians. Abrams is from Toronto.

Ross was College Director for the Eagles before he giants. He's been a member of some of the most successful teams in the NFL for over the last decade and been in scouting since 97. He is the Jim Harbaugh of GMs if we miss on him we will be kicking ourselves just like we are kicking ourselves for missing out on him.

Ross was College Director for the Eagles before he giants. He's been a member of some of the most successful teams in the NFL for over the last decade and been in scouting since 97. He is the Jim Harbaugh of GMs if we miss on him we will be kicking ourselves just like we are kicking ourselves for missing out on him.

There's a lot I like about Ross, and I definitely wouldn't scream if he got the GM gig.

Looking at their respective resumes' though, I just think Abrams is the better choice.

Getting both in the scenario I described above is probably a pipe dream, but stranger things have happened.

There's a lot I like about Ross, and I definitely wouldn't scream if he got the GM gig.

Looking at their respective resumes' though, I just think Abrams is the better choice.

Getting both in the scenario I described above is probably a pipe dream, but stranger things have happened.

Personally I'm tired of the cap manager. I know I would go with the evaluator and sign an assistant GM to handle the cap side.

Just wondering how much time the next GM/HC will be given by Huddlers b4 they turn on them....

About a quarter.

(in the preseason)

MARC ROSS




CURRENT JOB: Director of College Scouting, New York Giants (2007-Present)

AGE: 39

HISTORY:

National Scout, Buffalo Bills (2004-2006)
College Scouting Director, Philadelphia Eagles (2000-2004)
Eastern Regional Scout, Philadelphia Eagles (1997-2000)

EXPERIENCE:

Talent Evaluation - 16 Years
Talent Acquisition - 10 Years
Salary Cap Management - None

PANTHER CONNECTIONS:

Was with the Eagles during Head Coach Ron Rivera’s tenure as a linebacker coach (1996-2003). Also there for seven of the years that Sean McDermott was with the Eagles and may have worked directly with McDermott, whose title from 1999-2000 was “Scouting Administrative Coordinator”.

ODDS AND ENDS:

Became the youngest person ever named a Director of College Scouting in 2000 with the Eagles (age 27). Has previously interviewed for GM jobs with the Bears, Colts, Raiders and Seahawks.

ANALYSIS:

Easily the favorite name on the lips of Huddlers these days, and there are reasons. The Giants have been to two Super Bowls and have been consistent contenders since Ross started running their drafts in 2007. They’ve found their share of stars in the draft and even post draft with guys like Victor Cruz. Throw in that he’s a hot name in the “future GM” discussion around the league and he comes off in interviews as a guy who knows what he’s talking about.

So where’s the downside?

While Ross’ pedigree in personnel evaluation looks great, he has zero experience in cap management. That’s a bit of an issue for a team that’s likely to have a complicated (putting it mildly) cap situation in the years to come. You’d likely also need to bring in a good cap man to work with him. Some might point to Rob Rogers, but it’s fair to remember that Rogers was party to the creation of that ‘complicated’ situation.

Throw in that Ross’ interview history has a Riveraesque tint to it. He’s been a hot candidate for a while now, and despite being interviewed repeatedly, no one’s made him an offer.


Of course, that may now change with Ernie Accorsi being handed the reins of the Panthers GM search. And compared to a guy like Eric DeCosta, the chances of getting him are actually pretty good. The Giants really don’t have anything more they can promote him to, and unlike DeCosta he’s actually accepted interviews in other places.

So yeah, this one’s a real possibility.

QUOTABLE:

"He's a veteran personnel guy, and he's been around two or three different clubs, so he's seen how things are done differently at different places. And he's smart. He's a people person, a terrific evaluator, and he's qualified."

- Jerry Reese, General Manager – New York Giants

FURTHER READING:

Giants Team Bio (link)
New York Giants Draft History at NFL.com (link)
A closer look at Marc Ross of the Giants (link)
Giants have select talent in top scout (link)

VIDEO:

Director of Scouting Marc Ross on (2011) Draft Picks (link)


UP NEXT: Omar Khan

The connection between Ross and McDermott intrigues me, though admittedly there's a good chance McDermott isn't here next year. Have to wonder a little whether Ross would consider McDermott as a head coaching candidate should Rivera not be retained.

All speculative of course. Even if Ross is acquainted with Rivera and McDermott (which seems likely) there's no telling whether they had a good relationship or not, and no definitive evidence he'd keep one or both.

ERIC DECOSTA



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

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...

I have heard this more than once about this guy. It would take a lot of green to draw him away from Baltimore but he won't interview.

Like you said. PIPE DREAM

Can't hurt to try but probably not gonna happen.

One thing I hope we do is get whoever we want quickly before someone else signs him.

Seems like we always wait too log and all the good ones are gone before we make a decision.

I have heard this more than once about this guy. It would take a lot of green to draw him away from Baltimore but he won't interview.

Like you said. PIPE DREAM

Can't hurt to try but probably not gonna happen.

One thing I hope we do is get whoever we want quickly before someone else signs him.

Seems like we always wait too log and all the good ones are gone before we make a decision.

No excuse for that this year. We have a head start on everybody.

And if they want Ross (or Kevin Abrams for that matter) you'd expect Accorsi could facilitate that happening.

One worry: The Panthers don't have a good track record when it comes to taking guys a bunch of other people passed on. Prime examples would be Jimmy Clausen, Rae Carruth, Everett Brown and, sadly, Ron Rivera. Would hate to see Ross reinforce that trend.

(wouldn't mind seeing him break it, though)

No excuse for that this year. We have a head start on everybody.

And if they want Ross (or Kevin Abrams for that matter) you'd expect Accorsi could facilitate that happening.

One worry: The Panthers don't have a good track record when it comes to taking guys a bunch of other people passed on. Prime examples would be Jimmy Clausen, Rae Carruth, Everett Brown and, sadly, Ron Rivera. Would hate to see Ross reinforce that trend.

(wouldn't mind seeing him break it, though)

Absolutely right. The day the season is over we should have our interviews set up and a decision within a few days after.

No excuse for that this year.

We have a head start on everybody.

Honestly I was afraid we wouldn't even have a consultant hired before the very end of the season. Thankfully I was wrong about that.

Since Accorsi's entire function will be to assess the organization and make recommendations, and we brought him in relatively quickly, I'm not really as afraid that we'll dick around and not make a decision until it's too late any longer.

The thought is still hanging around in the back of my mind but I'm far less concerned about it than I was.