Now that Mike Tannenbaum is out as general manager, the Jets have begun to search for his replacement. Here is a list of some potential targets:
* DAVID CALDWELL, FALCONS DIRECTOR OF PLAYER PERSONNEL
One of the hottest GM candidates in the league, he’s going to have his pick of jobs. A longtime Colts scout, Caldwell has learned from Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff over the last five years.
* JOEY CLINKSCALES, RAIDERS DIRECTOR OF PLAYER PERSONNEL
He left the Jets in May, so a return would be a little unusual. He was the Jets vice president of college scouting from 2008-12. He knows the organization, but also is responsible for some of the personnel problems.
* SCOTT COHEN, JETS ASSISTANT GM
If they want to consider an internal candidate, it will be Cohen. He’s been with the team since 2008. He previously was with the Eagles. It would be a tough sell to give the job to one of Tannenbaum’s closest lieutenants.
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* BRIAN GAINE, DOLPHINS ASSISTANT GM
He knows the Jets organization after six years in the team’s scouting department. A New York native, he learned under Bill Parcells in Dallas and Miami. He has the strong background in personnel and scouting the Jets need.
* TOM GAMBLE, 49ERS DIRECTOR OF PLAYER PERSONNEL
He has a background with the Jets, serving as a low-level assistant coach in 1995-96 under Rich Kotite. He has a long scouting track record and has been credited with assembling the talent through free agency that has built the 49ers into a perennial contender. The Jets have already asked the 49ers for permission to speak to Gamble, according to a source.
* GEORGE KOKINIS, RAVENS PERSONNEL ASSISTANT
He had a brief tenure as Browns GM, but clashed with then-coach Eric Mangini. He served as the Ravens’ director of pro personnel when Rex Ryan coached in Baltimore, so there is a comfort level.
* JASON LICHT, CARDINALS DIRECTOR OF PLAYER PERSONNEL
He has worked for the Patriots and Eagles and was a candidate for the Bears GM job last year. He is expected to be in demand.
* MIKE MACCAGNAN, TEXANS DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE SCOUTING
The longtime scout has been with the Texans since the franchise’s inception and has helped them develop into a playoff team. CBS Sports reported he already has been contacted by the Jets.
* MARC ROSS, GIANTS DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE SCOUTING
The Jets would gain some instant credibility by bringing over someone from the Giants. They have asked for and received permission from the Giants to speak to him, but Ross is considered the favorite for the Panthers GM job and may be out of the running quickly.