QB DETERMINED: If the Jets hire 49ers director of player personnel Tom Gamble (inset) as GM, that could lead to speculation Alex Smith may replace Mark Sanchez at quarterback. (Getty Images; S.F. 49ers)
One week after the Jets’ season ended, the team is continuing to search for its new general manager.
The Jets interviewed 49ers director of player personnel Tom Gamble yesterday, and the 49-year-old has emerged as the favorite to land the job, according to league sources.
The team is not expected to hire a general manager until the end of this week at the earliest. A source said the Jets are not close to offering the job to any of the candidates yet. But Gamble showed he is serious about the Jets by canceling a second interview with the Jaguars, according to an ESPN report.
The Chargers and Browns are still in play for Gamble, but it is unclear when he might interview with either team for the GM openings
Gamble is the second candidate known to have interviewed for the Jets’ opening, after Falcons director of player personnel Dave Caldwell interviewed Friday. Caldwell is considered the front-runner for the Jaguars job.
Giants director of college scouting Marc Ross will interview with the Jets tomorrow. Ross is also a candidate for GM openings with the Panthers, Jaguars and Chargers. Interviewing Ross, a minority, would fulfill the “Rooney Rule” for the Jets.
John Dorsey, the Packers director of football operations, is also scheduled to interview with the Jets. ESPN reported his interview was yesterday. Dorsey reportedly could join Andy Reid with the Chiefs as their GM. The Jets also will interview current assistant GM Scott Cohen to replace his former boss, Mike Tannenbaum.
Gamble, a longtime scout, seems to have a lot of qualities the Jets are looking for in Tannenbaum’s replacement. He comes from the personnel side of the front office, and the Jets desperately need a talent overhaul.
Gamble, the son of former Eagles president Harry Gamble, has been around the NFL for 25 years and has a well-rounded resume. He has been a college and pro scout and, in his current role, has worked on contracts. He even had a stint as a Jets assistant coach under Rich Kotite in 1995-96.
Gamble comes with a glowing recommendation from legendary GM Bill Polian, who was Gamble’s boss with the Colts from 1998-2004. Gamble has had a hand in 11 playoff teams combined between his time with the Eagles, Colts and 49ers.
The 49ers went to the NFC Championship Game last year and are the No. 2 seed in the NFC after an 11-4-1 year. Gamble had a hand in drafting defensive end Aldon Smith and linebacker NaVorro Bowman, both Pro Bowlers.
Then there is the tie between Gamble and Jets coach Rex Ryan. Gamble and Ryan know each other from the days when Gamble worked for the Eagles and Ryan’s father, Buddy, was the head coach. A key piece of the GM hire is how that person will work with Ryan. People who know Gamble say he would embrace the chance to work with Ryan and that he considers him a great coach.
If Gamble does end up with the Jets, it will ramp up speculation the team could go after 49ers quarterback Alex Smith to replace or compete with Mark Sanchez. After addressing the coaching staff, the first order of personnel business for the new GM is going to be fixing the quarterback situation.