Post by EddieNYG on Nov 30, 2021 17:06:43 GMT -5
NJ.Com: With Dave Gettleman heading for firing, who should Giants target in general manager search? Here are top candidates to watch by Darryl Slater (11/30/2021)
Let’s break down some candidates, shall we?
• Kevin Abrams, Giants assistant GM: Let’s start with the internal candidates, because we know Mara values loyalty — for better or worse. Abrams handles the Giants’ salary cap and contracts — and has done so with mixed results under Gettleman. He’s been the Giants’ assistant GM for 20 years and has been with the organization for 23 years. So he’s been part of success — but also part of so much recent failure. He got an interview in 2017 before the Giants hired Gettleman.
• Joe Judge, Giants head coach: This seems unlikely, but if Mara wants to fully empower Judge, maybe he won’t hire a GM and just give Judge complete control. Regardless of who replaces Gettleman — assuming that actually happens — Judge will still have significant personnel say, as is the case now. And he likely also would have say in the GM search, because the Giants can’t afford to arrange a forced coach/GM marriage that fails.
• Kyle O’Brien, Giants senior personnel executive (college scouting): The Giants just hired him this past offseason, while creating a new position. He has college and pro scouting experience. He was previously the Lions’ vice president of player personnel and the Jaguars’ college scouting director. He got his start in scouting with the Patriots from 2002-11. Though he didn’t overlap with Judge in New England, they both were influenced by Bill Belichick.
• Dave Ziegler, Patriots director of player personnel: And speaking of the Patriots, Ziegler became the No. 2 man behind Belichick after Nick Caserio took the Texans’ GM job earlier this year. Ziegler joined the Patriots in 2013, so he overlapped with Judge for seven years. Could the Giants pry Ziegler away by giving him more say over personnel?
• Mike Borgonzi, Chiefs assistant GM: Sure to be one of the most sought-after GM candidates in 2022. He has teamed with GM Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid to build a consistent winner in Kansas City. But if Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy finally gets a head coaching job next year, he could take Borgonzi with him as his GM, if the hiring team needs a new GM.
• Ryan Poles, Chiefs executive director of player personnel: Another rising candidate in Kansas City. He got two interviews this past offseason for the Panthers’ GM opening. He has worked under Scott Pioli, John Dorsey, and Veach with the Chiefs.
• Ed Dodds, Colts assistant GM: He deserves a lot of credit for helping Chris Ballard build the Colts’ roster, after Dodds was a valuable part of the Seahawks’ process, as a scout. Maybe it’s finally Dodds’ time to get a GM job.
• Morocco Brown, Colts director of college scouting: Another guy who deserves credit for the Colts’ recent successful drafting. And he’s gotten GM interviews in recent years. Dodds will probably be a hotter candidate, but don’t ignore Brown.
• Ryan Cowden, Titans vice president of player personnel: The No. 2 man behind Jon Robinson in Tennessee. He’s worked on the road as a scout, too. He joined the Titans along with Robinson — who spent 2002-13 with the Patriots — in 2016. The Titans reached the playoffs in three of the past four seasons.
• Monti Ossenfort, Titans director of player personnel: He was also in the mix for the Panthers’ GM job. He joined the Titans in 2020, after spending six seasons as the Patriots’ college scouting director. So this is another candidate who Judge knows. Ossenfort was in New England for Judge’s entire time there (2012-19).
• Joe Schoen, Bills assistant GM: The Bills have become one of the NFL’s top teams under GM Brandon Beane. Schoen has a college scouting background. He became the clear-cut No. 2 behind Beane after director of player personnel Dan Morgan became the Panthers’ assistant GM earlier this year under Scott Fitterer.
• Lake Dawson, Bills assistant director of college scouting: Schoen figures to get more GM interest in 2022, but don’t sleep on Dawson, who has played a key role in Buffalo’s recent drafts. He had some GM interest over the past decade, and while that may have faded, the Bills’ rebuild since he arrived with Beane in 2017 should elevate his name again.
• Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Browns vice president of football operations: This all depends on how heavily the Giants want to dive into the analytics world. They have not been considered one of the NFL’s more analytics-focused teams. Adofo-Mensah, who played basketball at Princeton, has a fascinating background. He went from commodities trading on Wall Street to analytics work with the 49ers, and then to the Browns.
• Champ Kelly, Bears assistant director of player personnel: He’s gotten a bunch of looks for GM jobs in recent years, including with the Jets in 2019. They took a long, hard look at him before hiring Joe Douglas. Kelly has experience in pro and college scouting. But the Bears haven’t been very successful since Kelly arrived with GM Ryan Pace in 2015 — one winning season, two playoff trips, zero postseason wins. Kelly was in the mix for the Falcons’ and Broncos’ GM jobs this past offseason.
• Joe Hortiz, Ravens director of player personnel: Baltimore is considered one of the NFL’s best-run front offices. Hortiz is now GM Eric DeCosta’s right-hand man. Hortiz has been with the Ravens since 1998 and learned under Ozzie Newsome. So Hortiz has had some great mentors. DeCosta, who took over for Newsome in 2019, isn’t going anywhere any time soon. So Hortiz probably will have to leave if he wants to become a GM.
• Jeff Ireland, Saints assistant GM (college personnel): He was the Dolphins’ general manager from 2008-13, so he’s a bit of a retread candidate. But he has revived his reputation since joining the Saints in 2015. Just look at the Saints’ recent drafts. Talent evaluation isn’t a question here. And Ireland is still just 51. But how would he work alongside Judge? That’s a big question for any incumbent coach/new GM relationship.
• Omar Khan, Steelers vice president of football/business administration: He was in the mix for the Jets’ GM job in 2013, when they hired John Idzik, in an arranged/failed marriage with incumbent coach Rex Ryan. Khan has primarily worked on the salary cap side of things in Pittsburgh. He may decide to just stay there and wait until GM Kevin Colbert retires. Colbert turns 65 in January. Khan would be the top internal candidate to replace him.
• Trent Kirchner, Seahawks vice president of player personnel: The Seahawks lost one of GM John Schneider’s two key lieutenants, Fitterer, to the Panthers earlier this year. Could Kirchner — who has received plenty of GM interest recently — be next? Kirchner has primarily dealt with pro scouting in Seattle, but also has done some college scouting work.
• Will McClay, Cowboys vice president of player personnel: One of the key figures behind the Cowboys’ drafts — and one of the main reasons why they have such a talented roster (something the Giants lack). McClay has worked in all areas of the Cowboys’ front office. An impressive, versatile candidate. But it would be a stunner if Jerry Jones let him leave for the Giants without putting up a big fight and trying to entice McClay into staying.
• Adam Peters, 49ers assistant GM: He has a college scouting background and has played a significant role in the 49ers’ rebuilding process under GM John Lynch, who arrived in 2017. Peters worked in college scouting for the Broncos from 2009-16, before Lynch hired him.
• Louis Riddick, ESPN analyst: He has harshly criticized the Giants — and specifically Gettleman — lately. (For good reason.) But if Mara is going to fire Gettleman, would that actually matter? (It shouldn’t.) The Giants interviewed Riddick in late 2017 before they hired Gettleman to replace Jerry Reese. Surely, he’d be open to speaking with them again, if they’re still interested. Riddick was an NFL executive/scout from 2001-13, including 2010-13 as the Eagles’ director of pro personnel. He was just in the mix for the Texans’ and Lions’ GM openings. Along with Riddick, the Giants in 2017 interviewed Abrams and Marc Ross before hiring Gettleman, who was the favorite for the job. Gettleman immediately fired Ross, the Giants’ vice president of player evaluation. He helped run the Giants’ drafts.
• Kevin Abrams, Giants assistant GM: Let’s start with the internal candidates, because we know Mara values loyalty — for better or worse. Abrams handles the Giants’ salary cap and contracts — and has done so with mixed results under Gettleman. He’s been the Giants’ assistant GM for 20 years and has been with the organization for 23 years. So he’s been part of success — but also part of so much recent failure. He got an interview in 2017 before the Giants hired Gettleman.
• Joe Judge, Giants head coach: This seems unlikely, but if Mara wants to fully empower Judge, maybe he won’t hire a GM and just give Judge complete control. Regardless of who replaces Gettleman — assuming that actually happens — Judge will still have significant personnel say, as is the case now. And he likely also would have say in the GM search, because the Giants can’t afford to arrange a forced coach/GM marriage that fails.
• Kyle O’Brien, Giants senior personnel executive (college scouting): The Giants just hired him this past offseason, while creating a new position. He has college and pro scouting experience. He was previously the Lions’ vice president of player personnel and the Jaguars’ college scouting director. He got his start in scouting with the Patriots from 2002-11. Though he didn’t overlap with Judge in New England, they both were influenced by Bill Belichick.
• Dave Ziegler, Patriots director of player personnel: And speaking of the Patriots, Ziegler became the No. 2 man behind Belichick after Nick Caserio took the Texans’ GM job earlier this year. Ziegler joined the Patriots in 2013, so he overlapped with Judge for seven years. Could the Giants pry Ziegler away by giving him more say over personnel?
• Mike Borgonzi, Chiefs assistant GM: Sure to be one of the most sought-after GM candidates in 2022. He has teamed with GM Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid to build a consistent winner in Kansas City. But if Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy finally gets a head coaching job next year, he could take Borgonzi with him as his GM, if the hiring team needs a new GM.
• Ryan Poles, Chiefs executive director of player personnel: Another rising candidate in Kansas City. He got two interviews this past offseason for the Panthers’ GM opening. He has worked under Scott Pioli, John Dorsey, and Veach with the Chiefs.
• Ed Dodds, Colts assistant GM: He deserves a lot of credit for helping Chris Ballard build the Colts’ roster, after Dodds was a valuable part of the Seahawks’ process, as a scout. Maybe it’s finally Dodds’ time to get a GM job.
• Morocco Brown, Colts director of college scouting: Another guy who deserves credit for the Colts’ recent successful drafting. And he’s gotten GM interviews in recent years. Dodds will probably be a hotter candidate, but don’t ignore Brown.
• Ryan Cowden, Titans vice president of player personnel: The No. 2 man behind Jon Robinson in Tennessee. He’s worked on the road as a scout, too. He joined the Titans along with Robinson — who spent 2002-13 with the Patriots — in 2016. The Titans reached the playoffs in three of the past four seasons.
• Monti Ossenfort, Titans director of player personnel: He was also in the mix for the Panthers’ GM job. He joined the Titans in 2020, after spending six seasons as the Patriots’ college scouting director. So this is another candidate who Judge knows. Ossenfort was in New England for Judge’s entire time there (2012-19).
• Joe Schoen, Bills assistant GM: The Bills have become one of the NFL’s top teams under GM Brandon Beane. Schoen has a college scouting background. He became the clear-cut No. 2 behind Beane after director of player personnel Dan Morgan became the Panthers’ assistant GM earlier this year under Scott Fitterer.
• Lake Dawson, Bills assistant director of college scouting: Schoen figures to get more GM interest in 2022, but don’t sleep on Dawson, who has played a key role in Buffalo’s recent drafts. He had some GM interest over the past decade, and while that may have faded, the Bills’ rebuild since he arrived with Beane in 2017 should elevate his name again.
• Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Browns vice president of football operations: This all depends on how heavily the Giants want to dive into the analytics world. They have not been considered one of the NFL’s more analytics-focused teams. Adofo-Mensah, who played basketball at Princeton, has a fascinating background. He went from commodities trading on Wall Street to analytics work with the 49ers, and then to the Browns.
• Champ Kelly, Bears assistant director of player personnel: He’s gotten a bunch of looks for GM jobs in recent years, including with the Jets in 2019. They took a long, hard look at him before hiring Joe Douglas. Kelly has experience in pro and college scouting. But the Bears haven’t been very successful since Kelly arrived with GM Ryan Pace in 2015 — one winning season, two playoff trips, zero postseason wins. Kelly was in the mix for the Falcons’ and Broncos’ GM jobs this past offseason.
• Joe Hortiz, Ravens director of player personnel: Baltimore is considered one of the NFL’s best-run front offices. Hortiz is now GM Eric DeCosta’s right-hand man. Hortiz has been with the Ravens since 1998 and learned under Ozzie Newsome. So Hortiz has had some great mentors. DeCosta, who took over for Newsome in 2019, isn’t going anywhere any time soon. So Hortiz probably will have to leave if he wants to become a GM.
• Jeff Ireland, Saints assistant GM (college personnel): He was the Dolphins’ general manager from 2008-13, so he’s a bit of a retread candidate. But he has revived his reputation since joining the Saints in 2015. Just look at the Saints’ recent drafts. Talent evaluation isn’t a question here. And Ireland is still just 51. But how would he work alongside Judge? That’s a big question for any incumbent coach/new GM relationship.
• Omar Khan, Steelers vice president of football/business administration: He was in the mix for the Jets’ GM job in 2013, when they hired John Idzik, in an arranged/failed marriage with incumbent coach Rex Ryan. Khan has primarily worked on the salary cap side of things in Pittsburgh. He may decide to just stay there and wait until GM Kevin Colbert retires. Colbert turns 65 in January. Khan would be the top internal candidate to replace him.
• Trent Kirchner, Seahawks vice president of player personnel: The Seahawks lost one of GM John Schneider’s two key lieutenants, Fitterer, to the Panthers earlier this year. Could Kirchner — who has received plenty of GM interest recently — be next? Kirchner has primarily dealt with pro scouting in Seattle, but also has done some college scouting work.
• Will McClay, Cowboys vice president of player personnel: One of the key figures behind the Cowboys’ drafts — and one of the main reasons why they have such a talented roster (something the Giants lack). McClay has worked in all areas of the Cowboys’ front office. An impressive, versatile candidate. But it would be a stunner if Jerry Jones let him leave for the Giants without putting up a big fight and trying to entice McClay into staying.
• Adam Peters, 49ers assistant GM: He has a college scouting background and has played a significant role in the 49ers’ rebuilding process under GM John Lynch, who arrived in 2017. Peters worked in college scouting for the Broncos from 2009-16, before Lynch hired him.
• Louis Riddick, ESPN analyst: He has harshly criticized the Giants — and specifically Gettleman — lately. (For good reason.) But if Mara is going to fire Gettleman, would that actually matter? (It shouldn’t.) The Giants interviewed Riddick in late 2017 before they hired Gettleman to replace Jerry Reese. Surely, he’d be open to speaking with them again, if they’re still interested. Riddick was an NFL executive/scout from 2001-13, including 2010-13 as the Eagles’ director of pro personnel. He was just in the mix for the Texans’ and Lions’ GM openings. Along with Riddick, the Giants in 2017 interviewed Abrams and Marc Ross before hiring Gettleman, who was the favorite for the job. Gettleman immediately fired Ross, the Giants’ vice president of player evaluation. He helped run the Giants’ drafts.