Tag: general manager

Jul 27, 2022; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) speaks with the media after day one of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens WR Rashod Bateman to GM: ‘Stop pointing the finger at us’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman blasted general manager Eric DeCosta’s self-assessment that he hasn’t fared well at the position in recent drafts.

“If I had an answer, that would probably mean I would have some better receivers. … We’re gonna keep swinging,” DeCosta said on Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

“There have been some guys that have been successful players for us that were draft picks. We’ve never really hit on that All-Pro type of guy, which is disappointing, but it’s not for a lack of effort. … It’s one of those anomalies that I really can’t explain, other than to say that we’re not going to stop trying.”

That answer didn’t sit well with Bateman, who took to Twitter on Thursday before later deleting the tweet.

“How bout you play to your player’s strength and & stop pointing the finger at us and #8 (quarterback Lamar Jackson) … blame the one you let do this … we take heat 24/7,” Bateman wrote. “And keep us healthy … care about US & see what happen..ain’t no promises tho … tired of y’all lyin and capn on players for no reason.”

Injuries have played a role in the first two NFL seasons for Bateman, who was selected by the Ravens with the 27th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. He had 46 catches for 515 yards and one touchdown in 12 games during his rookie season, and 15 receptions for 285 yards and two scores in 2022.

Tight end Mark Andrews led the Ravens in catches (73), receiving yards (847) and touchdown receptions (five) last season. Demarcus Robinson led the team’s wide receivers in catches (48) and receiving yards (458), while Devin Duvernay had three touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Nov 6, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Tennessee Titans helmet against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Titans hire Ran Carthon as general manager

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The Tennessee Titans are hiring San Francisco 49ers director of player personnel Ran Carthon to be their next general manager, multiple reports said Tuesday.

Carthon, who turns 42 next month, is a former NFL running back who has also served as a scout for the Atlanta Falcons and director of player personnel for the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams.

Carthon had been with San Francisco since May 2017. He started as the director of pro personnel before being promoted to director of player personnel ahead of the 2021 season.

The Titans began the 2022 season 7-3 before losing their final seven games to bottom out at 7-10 and miss the playoffs. During that slide, they fired general manager Jon Robinson on Dec. 6, 10 months after giving him a contract extension.

Another candidate for Tennessee was its own director of player personnel, Monti Ossenfort, but Ossenfort was hired as the Arizona Cardinals’ general manager on Monday.

Carthon appeared in nine NFL games across 2005 and 2006 for the Indianapolis Colts. He scored two touchdowns among his 16 carries in those games. He played collegiately at Florida.

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view od Arizona Cardinals helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals hire Titans’ Monti Ossenfort as new general manager

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The Arizona Cardinals tapped Monti Ossenfort as their new general manager on Monday.

Ossenfort was the Tennessee Titans’ director of player personnel for the past three seasons. Before that, he worked in scouting for the New England Patriots for 15 seasons and the Houston Texans for two.

Arizona had a vacancy after longtime GM Steve Keim stepped down last week. Keim had signed a contract extension last spring but needed to take time away from the team in December due to health concerns.

The Cardinals also fired coach Kliff Kingsbury this month, and Ossenfort’s first task will be to work with owner Michael Bidwill on hiring his replacement.

“It was critically important for us to find the right person to lead us as General Manager and there is no doubt in my mind that we have that in Monti Ossenfort,” Bidwill said in a statement. “He possesses every attribute of a successful GM — passion, leadership, intelligence, work ethic — and his extensive experience has clearly prepared him for this role. We could not be more thrilled to have Monti and his family joining the Cardinals.”

Ossenfort also interviewed for the Titans’ own GM vacancy, created when they fired Jon Robinson in December.

–Field Level Media

Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk laughs with Jeb Johnston as the team gets ready to face the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Nfl Jacksonville Jaguars At Tennessee Titans

Titans GM search focused on collaboration with coach Mike Vrabel

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General manager candidates for the Tennessee Titans’ vacancy must be ready to collaborate with head coach Mike Vrabel.

Owner Amy Adams Strunk began the search for Jon Robinson’s replacement in December. Robinson was fired Dec. 6.

“I’d like to have a GM as soon as possible, but we’re not going to rush the process just to get someone in as quickly as possible,” Strunk told the team’s website. The way we have it planned right now is we have two rounds, and we’re going to see where these interviews take us.”

Head coach Mike Vrabel’s job appears to be safe following a 7-10 finish.

The Titans used more players on their 53-man roster this season than any other team. With the division and a playoff spot on the line in Week 18, Tennessee started Josh Dobbs, who was signed off the Detroit Lions’ practice squad on Dec. 21. The loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars ended the Titans’ three-year run as division champs.

Strunk said the team has an experienced individual working as a consultant as part of the search. The interview process eventually will include Vrabel’s input.

“We want someone who is an exceptional talent evaluator, exceptional at roster building, and someone who is an excellent decision-maker,” Strunk said. “I also want someone who is a collaborator, someone who is able to find and build consensus to get to the best answers for the team, someone who is open to innovation and evaluating talent beyond the traditional avenues. Just really a talented person in all areas. But more than anything I want someone that can collaborate – that is super important to me, being able to find this person who can collaborate so we’re all working together, rowing the same direction.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 27, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Minnesota Vikings helmet before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings request GM interview for Catherine Raiche

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The Minnesota Vikings requested permission to interview Philadelphia Eagles vice president of football operations Catherine Raiche for their general manager job, multiple media outlets reported.

Per NFL Network, this is believed to be the request to interview a woman for the GM role in NFL history.

Susan Tose Spencer assumed general manager responsibilities for the Eagles from 1983-85. She was promoted by her father, former team owner Leonard Tose.

The Vikings are seeking a general manager after firing Rick Spielman along with head coach Mike Zimmer on Monday.

Raiche joined the Eagles in 2019 as a football operations/player personnel coordinator before being promoted to her current role in May. The Montreal native previously served as the coordinator of football administration and assistant general manager of the Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.

The Vikings also plan to interview fellow Eagles executive Brandon Brown, the team’s director of player personnel.

–Field Level Media

Nov 8, 2020; Landover, Maryland, USA; A New York Giants helmet next to a ball on the sidelines. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Bills’ Joe Schoen interviews for Giants’ GM opening

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Buffalo Bills assistant general manager Joe Schoen became the first to interview for the New York Giants’ general manager vacancy on Wednesday.

Schoen spoke by videoconference with team president John Mara, chairman Steve Tisch and senior vice president of player personnel Chris Mara.

The Giants said that initial interviews with candidates to replace Dave Gettleman, who announced his retirement Monday, will be conducted remotely.

Schoen has 20 years of scouting and executive experience in the NFL, including the last five with the Bills. Before joining Buffalo in 2017 he spent most of the previous decade with the Miami Dolphins, including four years as the director of player personnel.

Schoen, 42, also worked with the Carolina Panthers (2001-07) under current Bills general manager Brandon Beane.

The Giants fired head coach Joe Judge on Tuesday after two seasons, including a 4-13 finish in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Feb 25, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers sign GM Kevin Colbert to 1-year extension

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The Pittsburgh Steelers announced a one-year extension Monday for general manager Kevin Colbert through the 2022 NFL Draft.

Colbert, 64, has been with the organization since 2000 and has been the GM since 2010. His tenure includes wins in Super Bowl XL and XLIII.

“I am excited to announce that we have extended the contract of Kevin Colbert for an additional year,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a release. “Kevin has been instrumental to the success of our franchise over the last two decades, and we are happy to have him continue for another year.”

Colbert was the pro scouting director with the Detroit Lions from 1990-99 before joining the Steelers as director of football operations in 2000.

“It has been such an honor to be in this position with the Steelers for over 20 years,” Colbert said in a statement. “I want to thank Art Rooney for his continued support in extending my contract another year. We’ve been able to accomplish some great things, but my determination to help the Steelers reach our ultimate goal — to win another Super Bowl — has never been greater.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2019; Charlotte, NC, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars helmet in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Jaguars name Trent Baalke as general manager

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The Jacksonville Jaguars officially removed the interim tag from Trent Baalke’s job title on Thursday morning.

Baalke, 56, was named general manager after serving in that role in an interim capacity since late November following the firing of Dave Caldwell. Baalke joined the team as director of player personnel in February.

Baalke took over as GM of the San Francisco 49ers in 2011, and the team promptly went to three straight NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl, losing to the Baltimore Ravens following the 2012 season. He was fired by the 49ers following the 2016 season before spending two-plus years as a consultant in the league office.

“Trent Baalke has had success at virtually every level of football, notably so as a general manager who shrewdly and quickly built an NFL conference championship organization and team,” Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a statement. “That experience inspired us to recruit Trent to Jacksonville a year ago to serve as our director of player personnel and is one of the many reasons why we are naming Trent as the new general manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“Trent thoroughly knows the NFL and the dynamics of today’s game, has an exceptional eye for talent, and I know will have excellent chemistry with head coach Urban Meyer as they begin their mission to bring a consistent winner to our fans in Jacksonville.”

Baalke said he is anxious to get started working with Meyer.

“I would like to thank Shad Khan for the opportunity to continue with the Jacksonville Jaguars as the team’s general manager,” Baalke said in a statement. “I look forward to getting to work with coach Meyer and giving Jaguars fans everywhere the winner they deserve. I am confident that our shared vision will lead our team to success in 2021 and beyond.”

Meyer, 56, had a 187-32 record in 17 seasons as a college head coach, winning three national championships. Two of those titles came down the road from Jacksonville at the University of Florida. He grabbed a third title at Ohio State, where he was 83-9 in seven seasons.

He retired after the 2018 season and has been working as a college football analyst for FOX Sports.

The Jaguars fired Doug Marrone after four-plus seasons a day after the 2020 season ended. The Jaguars finished the season at 1-15.

–Field Level Media

Dec 20, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; View of a Detroit Lions helmet on the bench before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Lions hiring Brad Holmes as general manager

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The Detroit Lions are finalizing a multi-year deal to name Los Angeles Rams director of college scouting Brad Holmes as their new general manager, multiple outlets reported Thursday.

Holmes, 41, interviewed twice each with the Lions and Atlanta Falcons for their GM openings.

Holmes spent the past 18 years with the Rams, who will receive two third-round compensatory draft picks as part of the NFL’s new hiring initiatives.

Per a league resolution adopted in November, a team receives a third-rounder in each of the next two drafts if a minority assistant coach becomes a head coach or a personnel executive becomes a general manager.

Holmes, who played college football at North Carolina A&T, worked for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks after graduation before joining the Rams in St. Louis as a public relations intern in 2003. He became the college scouting director in 2013.

Holmes replaces Bob Quinn, who was dismissed along with head coach Matt Patricia on Nov. 28.

Quinn was hired in Detroit in January 2016 after being part of a front office that won four Super Bowls in New England.

The Lions finished 5-11 in 2020, their third straight losing season. Detroit hasn’t made the playoffs since 2016 and has not won a playoff game since the 1991 season, a 29-year drought that is the second-longest active streak in the NFL behind the Cincinnati Bengals (30 years).

Holmes’ immediate duties will include hiring a head coach and preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft, where the Lions will have the No. 7 overall pick.

–Field Level Media

Oct 1, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Denver Broncos general manager John Elway before the game against the New York Jet at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Elway stepping down as Broncos’ general manager

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John Elway announced Monday that he plans to relinquish his role as the general manager of the Denver Broncos.

Elway, however, will remain as the team’s president of football operations and plans to hire a general manager that will work closely with head coach Vic Fangio. Elway has served as the Broncos’ general manager since 2011.

“Working in this role for the last 10 years and going back to my playing days, I’ve always tried to do everything I can to help the Broncos win and get better,” Elway said as part of a lengthy statement. “As part of a transition I’ve thought about for a long time, I have made the decision to step up into an elevated role and hire a general manager to lead our personnel and football staff.”

Broncos president and CEO Joe Ellis said that the two had “very positive — and honest — conversations about improving the team.”

“John Elway is the most important and impactful person in the history of the Denver Broncos. I have nothing but gratitude for how he accepted this challenge 10 years ago and helped us accomplish great things as an organization,” Ellis said.

“… John arrived at this decision, and I’m fully supportive of him and his new structure. With all of his experience and competitive fire, I know John will be a tremendous resource for the Broncos in this role.”

Matt Russell, who has worked alongside Elway for 10 years, was going to be granted an opportunity to interview for the general manager job. Russell, who served as the vice president of player personnel, has opted to retire from the organization.

Elway, 60, helped the Broncos to two Super Bowl titles during his 16-year playing career. A nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Elway was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

Under his watch as general manager, the Broncos have appeared in two Super Bowls. They have yet to return to the playoffs since posting a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.

–Field Level Media