The Next GM

[Mr. Scot]

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

[Mr. Scot]

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.

[DaveThePanther2008]

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.

[Mr. Scot]

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)

[DaveThePanther2008]

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.

[mwright350]

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.

[Mr. Scot]

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.

I was extremely relieved when the news of the Accorsi hire broke, not just that it was done but for who it was. Have a lot more confidence now that this thing gets done right.

From what I understand, Accorsi will not just be looking at GM candidates, but looking at the organization as a whole and suggesting changes. My hope is that he suggests plenty.

[Mr. Scot]

Weird little oddity I found.

Searching for photos of Omar Khan online (next profile I have planned) found some photos misidentifying Steelers GM Kevin Colbert as Khan. Weird in that the two look pretty much nothing alike.

The main source for the error appears to be Bleacher Report.

[Mr. Scot]

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

Agreed they should move quickly. Especially given that there's likely to be competition for whomever they target.

(would have responded to this post sooner but missed it last night; sorry)

[Gabeking]

Hey scot you should do a profile soon for Dave Gettleman, pro personnel guy for the giants,

http://wp.me/p14QSB-6oNh

[q]As Gantt pointed out several days ago, the Panthers have hired former Giants G.M. Ernie Accorsi to help find the franchise’s next General Manager.

The decision that Accorsi makes will resonate through the organization, both now and in the future.

Some think Accorsi will push Giants executive Dave Gettleman for the job, given their past working relationship in New York. Another source believes Accorsi will set aside his relationships and recommend the person whom Accorsi views as best suited for the job, given its specific dynamics and requirements.[/q]

I know it's purely speculation but he still seems like an interesting(and qualified) candidate

[Gabeking]

Hey scot you should do a profile soon for Dave Gettleman, pro personnel guy for the giants,

http://wp.me/p14QSB-6oNh

As Gantt pointed out several days ago, the Panthers have hired former Giants G.M. Ernie Accorsi to help find the franchise’s next General Manager.

The decision that Accorsi makes will resonate through the organization, both now and in the future.

Some think Accorsi will push Giants executive Dave Gettleman for the job, given their past working relationship in New York. Another source believes Accorsi will set aside his relationships and recommend the person whom Accorsi views as best suited for the job, given its specific dynamics and requirements.

I know it's purely speculation but he still seems like an interesting(and qualified) candidate

[Mr. Scot]

Hey scot you should do a profile soon for Dave Gettleman, pro personnel guy for the giants,

http://wp.me/p14QSB-6oNh

[q]As Gantt pointed out several days ago, the Panthers have hired former Giants G.M. Ernie Accorsi to help find the franchise’s next General Manager.

The decision that Accorsi makes will resonate through the organization, both now and in the future.

Some think Accorsi will push Giants executive Dave Gettleman for the job, given their past working relationship in New York. Another source believes Accorsi will set aside his relationships and recommend the person whom Accorsi views as best suited for the job, given its specific dynamics and requirements.

I know it's purely speculation but he still seems like an interesting(and qualified) candidate

Yeah, just read that. I may research him next rather than Khan.

[Gabeking]

Sh*t double post my bad I hate the mobile version of the huddle lol, but yeah he might be a better option than Ross IMO but we'll see

[Mr. Scot]

Sh*t double post my bad I hate the mobile version of the huddle lol, but yeah he might be a better option than Ross IMO but we'll see

I tend to favor college scouting guys over pro personnel guys, but yeah, he'd have a shot as well.