The Next GM

[Mr. Scot]

Guess it’s that time again :unsure:

Now truthfully, there’s plenty of time between now and next season, so a lot can happen. There are a load of possibilities here and frankly, not a lot of clues as to what direction the team might go. Throw in that front office contracts aren't generally publicized and titles vary from team to team, so it's kind of a crapshoot determining who might realistically be a candidate and who might not.

Still, the identity of next GM will likely be one of the hottest - if not the hottest - discussion topics of the season, so why not get an early start, right?

To begin, here's a list of potential candidates. Just so I'm clear, not all of these are names that I would endorse, but they are people who I'd consider possible options. Some have been discussed here before, a few more so than others.

Profiles completed so far...

Eric DeCosta - Assistant General Manager, Baltimore Ravens ()

Marc Ross - Director of College Scouting, New York Giants ()

Still to come...

Omar Khan - Director of Football and Business Administration, Pittsburgh Steelers

Russ Ball - Vice President of Football Administration and Player Finance, Green Bay Packers

Doug Whaley - Assistant General Manager / Director of Pro Personnel, Buffalo Bills

Kevin Abrams - Assistant General Manager, New York Giants

Jason Licht - Director of Player Personnel, Arizona Cardinals

Jimmy Raye - Director of Player Personnel, San Diego Chargers

Lake Dawson - Vice President of Player Personnel, Tennessee Titans

Eliot Wolf - Director of Pro Personnel, Green Bay Packers

Nick Caserio - Director of Player Personnel, New England Patriots

Brian Gutekunst - Director of College Scouting, Green Bay Packers

Other possibilities...

Ed McGuire - Assistant General manager / Executive Vice President of Football Operations, San Diego Chargers

Pat Moriarty - Vice President of Football Administration, Baltimore Ravens

Tom Gamble - Director of Player Personnel, 49ers

Ron Hughes - Coordinator of College Scouting, Pittsburgh Steelers

Vincent Newsome - Director of Pro Personnel, Baltimore Ravens

Mike Maccagnan - Director of College Scouting, Houston Texans

Bobby Grier - Senior Personnel Advisor, Houston Texans

Scott Cohen - Assistant General Manager, New York Jets

Dennis Hickey - Director of Player Personnel, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Brian Gardner - Director of Pro Personnel, Houston Texans

Greg Gabriel - Senior College Scout, Philadelphia Eagles

Bobby DePaul - Former Director of Pro Personnel, Chicago Bears

Dale Strahm- National Scout, Former Director of College Scouting, Houston Texansresident of Steve Keim - Vice President of Player Personnel, Arizona Cardinals

Open to other names being thrown into the mix I plan to research these and add info/links as I have opportunity. As mentioned, nothing definitive is likely to happen before season's end, so there's lots of time to shop around.

[Mr. Scot]

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 (

)

UP NEXT: Marc Ross

[YoureWelcome]

You should do another coaching one soon also.

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

[Mr. Scot]

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.

[Ivan The Awesome]

No more guys from SD. Please..

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

[Marguide]

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...

[Rags]

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

[Anybodyhome]

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....

[jramsey4]

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.

[Catalyst]

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.

[fieryprophet]

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

[davos]

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

[davos]

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.

[philw5289]

Joe Person for GM