10 GM Candidates To Watch

[grandy]

10 Lions general manager candidates to watch
Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press 6:54 p.m. EST November 5, 2015

Sheldon White will get first crack at the Detroit Lions general manager's job, replacing Martin Mayhew for the balance of the season.

Formerly the team's vice president of pro personnel,White is widely respected as a talent evaluator across the NFL. He was mentioned for general manager jobs with the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears last year, though he didn't interview for either job, and is one of the top three names on a list of minority GM candidates the Fritz Pollard Alliance is preparing to send to teams across the league later this winter.

Even so, it seems like a long shot that White will keep the job beyond this winter. He's spent his entire 19-year career as an NFL executive with the Lions, and after getting rid of Mayhew and president Tom Lewand today, the team appears to be looking for a fresh start.

That means, in all likelihood, hiring someone from outside the organization to run football operations. And while the search process is still in its infancy, here are 10 candidates who should be on the Lions' short list of candidates for the job:

Eliot Wolf, Green Bay Packers director of pro personnel: The son of Hall-of-Fame general manager Ron Wolf, Wolf will be the hottest name on the GM market this winter. He's just 33 and was promoted to his current post last January, but he knows the division inside and out, he's been a part of a championship organization and he has experience in both pro and college scouting. He would be a home-run hire.

Eric DeCosta, Baltimore Ravens assistant general manager: DeCosta is the GM-in-waiting in Baltimore and, as such, will be hard to woo away. He's turned down several job interviews in recent years, but is on everyone's short list of GM candidates. Like Wolf, he's been a part of a building and rebuilding a championship team. He's worked as an area scout, director of college scouting and director of player personnel.

Nick Caserio, New England Patriots director of player personnel: Another young executive who's climbed the ranks of one of the most successful NFL teams of this generation, Caserio has long taken a backseat to Bill Belichick and others in New England, but football people know him as a grinder with a keen eye for talent. Caserio, a one-time graduate assistant at Central Michigan, has been with the Patriots since 2001 and served in a variety of roles, including receivers coach and director of pro personnel.

Scott Pioli, Atlanta Falcons assistant general manager: The only retread on this list, Pioli took over as general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009 ? many hoped the Lions would pursue him instead of handing the job to Mayhew ? but flamed out in dramatic fashion. He spent the last two years with the Atlanta Falcons, and has re-established himself as a bright football man who's learned from his mistakes. He previously worked as Belichick's right-hand man in New England.

Marc Ross, New York Giants vice president of player evaluation: An all-Ivy League receiver at Princeton, Ross has worked for three different organizations ? the Giants, Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles ? in a variety of capacities. He runs the Giants' college scouting department and has led the drafting of players such as Odell Beckham Jr. and Jason Pierre-Paul. Like White, he's one of the top three candidates on the FPA's list of future GMs.

5 more to watch: Brian Gaine, Houston Texans director of pro personnel; Trent Kirchner, Seattle Seahawks co-director of player personnel; George Paton, Minnesota Vikings assistant general manager; Will McClay, Dallas Cowboys senior director of college and pro scouting; Chris Ballard, Kansas City Chiefs director of football operations​

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/n...it-lions-general-manager-candidates/75245900/

 

[Mitchrapp]

How do they know Sheldon White is a widely respected as a talent evaluator across the NFL? His whole career, 19 years, have been with the Lions.

 

[tomdalton22]

How do they know Sheldon White is a widely respected as a talent evaluator across the NFL? His whole career, 19 years, have been with the Lions.

It is more likely that he is one of the token black candidates.

 

[Mitchrapp]

It is more likely that he is one of the token black candidates.

Maybe but why is he widely respected as a talent evaluator across the NFL? I don't get it. Whole career on a team that drafted horribly.

 

[tomdalton22]

Maybe but why is he widely respected as a talent evaluator across the NFL? I don't get it. Whole career on a team that drafted horribly.

I know...that is pretty funny.

 

[grandy]

Maybe but why is he widely respected as a talent evaluator across the NFL? I don't get it. Whole career on a team that drafted horribly.

Who knows, maybe nobody listened to him. I'm no expert on the internal workings of an NFL front office but I'm guessing he plays a role in assigning scouts, putting together player profiles, and making recommendations. It's up to the GM whether he wants to follow those recommendations or not.

If any part of that chain is weak, it's probably not going to lead to success. If scouting is poor, then the recommendations will reflect that and the GM will be making poor decisions off that. If the GM is stubborn or thinks he knows better, then I'm not sure those recommendations will matter in some cases. This is all just me guessing though.

I wouldn't be quick to write off White without knowing everything, but he's still associated with the Lions and that's good enough for me to say "no".

 

[Mitchrapp]

Who knows, maybe nobody listened to him. I'm no expert on the internal workings of an NFL front office but I'm guessing he plays a role in assigning scouts, putting together player profiles, and making recommendations. It's up to the GM whether he wants to follow those recommendations or not.

If any part of that chain is weak, it's probably not going to lead to success. If scouting is poor, then the recommendations will reflect that and the GM will be making poor decisions off that. If the GM is stubborn or thinks he knows better, then I'm not sure those recommendations will matter in some cases. This is all just me guessing though.

I wouldn't be quick to write off White without knowing everything, but he's still associated with the Lions and that's good enough for me to say "no".

If he wasn't heard than he wouldn't be widely respected. Why Birkett made that statement I don't know but it makes no sense. Nonetheless, if he gets the job permanent, I might just fly to Michigan and burn down Ford Field.

 

[jdeb]

Not on that list but my vote is for Omar Khan.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[Mitchrapp]

Is there anyone that could be GM and HC. Not sure anyone does dual roles anymore ..

 

[grandy]

If he wasn't heard than he wouldn't be widely respected. Why Birkett made that statement I don't know but it makes no sense. Nonetheless, if he gets the job permanent, I might just fly to Michigan and burn down Ford Field.

It sounded like Millen was the type that did what he wanted and ignored certain advice. I'm not sure what Mayhew was like behind closed doors. All I'm saying is that just because the boss was an idiot doesn't mean everyone under him was.

I don't want White either, but without knowing what his duties were and what role he filled in the decision-making process, I can't say one way or the other whether he's truly respected around the league.

 

[Mitchrapp]

It sounded like Millen was the type that did what he wanted and ignored certain advice. I'm not sure what Mayhew was like behind closed doors. All I'm saying is that just because the boss was an idiot doesn't mean everyone under him was.

I don't want White either, but without knowing what his duties were and what role he filled in the decision-making process, I can't say one way or the other whether he's truly respected around the league.

Of course, not suggesting.. Not sure why it bothers me ;-) but my question is how would anyone outside Detroit know what White is like based on the results?

Either his advice was not ignored, in which case based on results he was an idiot. Just like his bosses. Or he was ignored then no one outside Detroit would know. Am I making sense?

 

[Mitchrapp]

Maybe he's widely respected as a talent evaluator across the NFL because Millen spread the word?

 

[Mitchrapp]

Rudimentary / crude hypothesis: You're a good poster, knowledgeable, insightful. But If other fans from other teams don't come to DSF they wouldn't know.

I need to know how other people considered him widely respected as a talent evaluator across the NFL.

:cheers:

 

[zyxt9]

Wolf is considered a home run because he knows the division in and out. What was there to ever know? Viking, Bears, and Lions have all sucked. It's been easy for Green Bay to win the division year in and year out vs those 3.

DeCosta would be my #1 if he can bring John Harbaugh with him...or if JH brings DeCosta that's fine too. It isn't just what GM you put in place, but what coach they are able to lure. Getting JH is a win IMO.

Caserio having been with the Pats would be a solid get. His history with CMU is a bonus IMO as he might actually want to make the Lions into a winner, in theory. Any GM who has a Michigan background and always wanted to turn around the Lions, considering it to be a life's passion...that would be great. I just have no idea if that is something Caserio has ever once desired...just saying IF he has ever felt that way, then it would kind of be like one of us having GM potential and getting the gig as I'm pretty sure none of us would give less than absolutely everything to getting the Lions to the Super Bowl, so if he has that level of passion coupled with experience with the Pats, that could be pretty damn good.

Pioli...I'll pass...which is probably why the Lions will take him. "We should have taken him instead of Mayhew" coupled with "He flamed out in KC, but look how great (?what?) he has done in Atlanta!!!...just seems like he would be the last on that top 5 list that we should pursue, which is why I am fully expecting to see him with the Lions after the season.

Ross - having an understanding of the environment the Giants have established, its a tight family environment where there is positivity and togetherness despite what the negatives the media might create, this has potential. Not a fan of the fact his background includes time with the Bills and Eagles, but even Bellicheck was with the Browns so its hard to hold that against HIM when the organizations sucked.

Anyone coming from the Pats or Giants I would initially consider a solid get and be happy with. Regardless of who they bring in, only over time will we know whether or not he is THE guy. Odds are against it based on Lions history alone, and it is difficult for an outside newbie to change an organizational cluster fuck. However, Martha is showing that SHE should have been the one in charge of the Lions and not her husband. How she tolerated her husband fucking up the team is a mystery to me, as she actually seems to have more balls than WCF ever did. She's really lit a fire and is showing she has little tolerance for losers. People looking at the Lions right now can say they are the SoL and don't take the job, but if Martha is actually pushing to change the loser mentality into a winning mentality and showing little tolerance for losing. She has shown some patience, indicating she is not unreasonable, but she also has a limit and when she has had enough, she will make a change. IF this is what she is bringing to the team, then MAYBE there will actually be a change in Lions culture that is more conducive to winning. Any potential candidates should be understanding this apparent change, which could actually be enticing to better candidates than we have seen in the past.

Gotta have hope. Lose that and what are you left with?

 

[grandy]

Of course, not suggesting.. Not sure why it bothers me ;-) but my question is how would anyone outside Detroit know what White is like based on the results?

Either his advice was not ignored, in which case based on results he was an idiot. Just like his bosses. Or he was ignored then no one outside Detroit would know. Am I making sense?

Guys shift around every year, so he's probably worked with plenty of players, agents, coaches, and managers in his time. Plus I'm sure he's worked with outside scouting services in his time, ones who work with several teams simultaneously. Word gets around and it must be positive ones for him.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Guys shift around every year, so he's probably worked with plenty of players, agents, coaches, and managers in his time. Plus I'm sure he's worked with outside scouting services in his time, ones who work with several teams simultaneously. Word gets around and it must be positive ones for him.

Okay, I can live with that answer. Thanks.

 

[zyxt9]

While White might be a good candidate, it just seems the entire fan base has had enough of the shitshow, and Martha seems to be leaning toward cleaning house. If that's the case, White is likely gone...right or wrong.

It would be Lions Luck to have White be kicked to the curb with the rest of the garbage, then land a GM position with a team like the Browns and turn them into perennial SB champs. There is no 100% guarantee in anyone they bring in, so gotta hope this time the Lions are the team that gets lucky.

 

[Mitchrapp]

When I see "son of" I can't help but think Lombardi.

 

[zyxt9]

And I think many fans will view White as Mayhew 2.0, a black guy promoted from within possibly either to try and appease the PC side or because they prefer to go with promoting a guy from within instead of having someone come in from outside.

If he is one of the top 3 GM prospects, hard to disagree with them keeping him; however, the taint is so strong right now that it is extremely difficult to imagine a guy with the organization for 19 seasons with far more losses than wins is someone who should be put in charge. Sure, those losses are not specifically his responsibility, but he has been in that culture of losing so long that it has to crept into him. If he wanted to be a winner, seems like he would have submitted a resume to a winning organization at some point. But maybe he is just a really big Lions fan lucky enough to be a potential GM???

 

[zyxt9]

I don't see the 2nd half of the season being of any help to White though, unless he fires Caldwell after another loss or two. Caldwell has completely lost the locker room, and White needs to recognize that. If he tells Martha this fact, pointing out that Caldwell quit on the team and therefore the team has quit on him, she might demand Caldwell be fired immediately...but there is little benefit to come from that in reality. They can assign another coach as Interim, but the team will still lose...so I still say let those losses be on Caldwell's resume because that guy should never coach again. Let the rest of the league look at how he turned an 11-5 team into a 1-15 team and try to give him the benefit of the doubt. I don't think even another 1-15 team would see him as a valid candidate to improve their team. He just flat out sucks as a head coach.