GOING GREEN? With Jets coach Rex Ryan (left) in the Bahamas, the search for a new general manager to replace Mike Tannenbaum continues today as owner Woody Johnson (right) will likely interview a pair of candidates. (AP)
While Rex Ryan continues to sun himself in the Bahamas, the Jets’ search for a new general manager is expected to officially heat up today with the first of a planned flurry of interviews.
Falcons director of player personnel Dave Caldwell will interview today followed by 49ers player personnel director Tom Gamble tomorrow. The Jets also will interview ex-Browns GM Tom Heckert, Giants director of college scouting and current assistant GM Scott Cohen over the next few days.
The Jets have also received permission to speak with John Dorsey, the Packers director of football operations. Dorsey, who played linebacker at UConn from 1980-83, has been with Green Bay in a number of personnel capacities, including as director of college scouting. It was not immediately known when his interview will take place.
Jets owner Woody Johnson didn’t appear to be in any hurry earlier in the week to replace the fired Mike Tannenbaum, but league sources think that might have changed in the past 24 hours because of the sudden influx of competition for Gang Green’s initial slate of prospects.
The Chiefs, who appear to be on the verge of hiring Andy Reid as their new coach, in particular could impact the Jets’ timetable. That’s because league sources say Reid — who worked with Heckert in Philadelphia — would want to bring Heckert to Kansas City to replace current GM Scott Pioli, who is currently in limbo.
Pioli’s exit also could end up factoring into the Jets’ search in other ways, though. Not only is Pioli a former Jets executive, but he also is the son-in-law of Bill Parcells — the same Parcells who is thought to have the ear of Johnson even though the Jets’ owner has hired a headhunter to conduct his search officially.
One thing is certain: The Jets won’t have Parcells as a candidate for GM or any significant role other than Woody Johnson Whisperer. The former Jets coach told ESPN Radio yesterday he would have no interest in the GM job.
“No, I wouldn’t listen,” Parcells said. “I’m done with football.”
Parcells, though, could tell Johnson what is already becoming clear to people around the league — the Jets likely will need to act fast if they truly want the biggest names on their list.
That’s especially true of Gamble, Ross and Caldwell. Gamble, who has the vocal backing of respected ex-Colts GM Bill Polian, already has interviewed with the Jaguars and is scheduled to speak soon with the Chargers and Browns — and Jacksonville and San Diego have indicated they plan to hire a new GM within days.
Gamble also has a Jets connection, having served as a defensive assistant and quality control coach for Gang Green in 1995-96, and is respected around the league by a lot more influential voices than just Polian.
The son of former Eagles president Harry Gamble, Tom Gamble earns raves not just because of the 49ers’ terrific run recently of both drafting and veteran acquisitions, but also because of his varied experience. Gamble is the rare executive who has worked in both pro and college scouting, conducted contract negotiations, worked with the salary cap and also coached in the league.
“You name it, the guy has done it,” an NFC GM said yesterday. “How many people in this [GM] job around the league can say the same thing?”I guess the only surprise is that he hasn’t been in such hot demand until now.
Gamble’s varied background also would be a dramatic change from Tannenbaum, whose only previous role was as a cap expert before taking over as GM.
Ross, meanwhile, also has interviews with Jacksonville, San Diego and the Panthers set for the next week or so and is thought to be the leading candidate in Carolina. There is a very good reason for that, too. Ex-Giants GM Ernie Accorsi is running the Panthers’ search after being hired as a consultant recently by owner Jerry Richardson.