Profile on Tom Gamble (49ers) from Adam Caplan

[Dpantherman]

Tom Gamble/San Francisco 49ers/Director of Player Personnel: In my 14 years of covering the NFL, I don’t recall getting as many strong comments about a potential GM candidate from high-ranking personnel executives and NFL player agents as I’ve received about Gamble in doing research for this piece. In fact, one NFL GM said my list should start with Gamble for the very fact that he’s about as well-rounded of a candidate as you’ll find.

And when you examine Gamble’s background, you can understand why.

He got started in the NFL at a very young age -- literally right out of college -- with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1988. His father, Harry, was the president of the team at that time. And the younger Gamble was around football growing up. His father was a long-time coach (pro and college) and then moved on to become an NFL executive late in his career.

Like his father, Tom Gamble is a rarity in NFL scouting departments these days: He not only has extensive pro and college scouting experience, he has experience with contract negations and the salary cap, and even has coaching experience (defensive assistant/quality control coach with the New York Jets for two seasons: 1995-1996) on the NFL side. While Gamble was promoted to his current role nearly two years ago, other teams have also been interested in him in recent years (St. Louis Rams and Oakland Raiders on more than one occasion).

Now in his 25th NFL season, Gamble has worked for five teams over that time period and has touched just about every possible aspect on the personnel side. He has helped build 10 playoff teams (four with the Eagles, five with the Indianapolis Colts, and one with the 49ers—and very likely another one this season).

Before taking a job with the 49ers back in 2005, Gamble worked for seven seasons as a college scout under former Colts GM Bill Polian, who is widely recognized as one of the best personnel evaluators in NFL history.

“He’s got a complete grounding in the game. He grew up in the game,” Polian explained to me recently about Gamble. “This is exceedingly important when you consider there are a lot of issues that you have to deal with when becoming a general manager that will come up with a team. You’re at a big disadvantage if you don’t have this experience in dealing with everything. That’s why non-football people have a harder time succeeding. Because Tom has so much experience and grew up around the game with his dad, he’s going to be more prepared than most. That’s a huge advantage.”

And it’s that extensive experience which should help Gamble land a GM job for next season.

There are a few others aside from this one: http://www.thesidelineview.com/columns/caplans-nfl-corner/next-nfl-general-managers

[Montsta]

Why not? It's worth a Gamble.

Thank you, I'll be here all week.

[jtnc]

He may have to take a Gamble and trade Gamble.

[TheRed]

He may have to take a Gamble and trade Gamble.

Neg rep.

I'll take him or Ross, anyone but Brandon fugging Beane.

[Mr. Scot]

Read that earlier.

My first question: Longtime Bill Polian associate. Wonder what Polian has told him about the Panthers.

[Dex]

Hurney Magic = Gamble Luck?

[Marguide]

Gamble is a very solid candidate. You couldn't create a resumé much better than his.

He and Ross are my favorites right now.

[La Pantera]

I'd be happy with Gamble, Ross OR Gettlemen.

[carolina-chuck]

Gamble is my favorite candidate for our GM spot. Many huddlers on here love Marc Ross who is also an incredible candidate but if it was up to me, I'd take Gamble anyday of the week.

[carolina-chuck]

I'd be happy with Gamble, Ross OR Gettleman

Agree!!! Just not Brandon Beane, please.

[Ruff]

Dear God, Gamble please. I believe he's the better candidate for the job by a mile. The dude has stone cold done everything. Scouted? Check. Coached? Check. Negotiated contracts? Check. Lured free agents? Check.

His resume is a mile long.

[Matthias]

How would you guys feel if Joe Gibbs became our GM?

[Ruff]

How would you guys feel if Joe Gibbs became our GM?

fug no.

Tom Gamble.

[bleys]

assuming you buy into Caplan's article, it seems rather obvious that Beane will never be the GM, unless JR truly doesn't' give a fug about the Panthers future success...