So many scenarios and candidates: GM's

Well, its x-mas eve and all I want to start out the new year with hope is the END of the 'Wrecks' Ryan era. Woody Johnson has followed my advice by hiring a couple of very experienced "football guys" as consultants (you're welcome Woody!). I had recommended Mr Bill Parcells, but Woody chose two equally qualified men in Charlie Casserly and Ron Wolf. I'm not a huge fan of Casserly, but there is no question he has a ton of knowledge about how to build and run an NFL team. As for Wolf, he may be the best mind available for this situation. I doubt either one of these men will stick around long term, but there guidance will be invaluable to Johnson in the short term.

So lets go over some options starting with GM candidates.

I would choose in this order: 

Eric Decosta from the Ravens
Tom Gamble from the Eagles (formerly 49ers)
Duke Tobin from the Bengals
Scott Pioli from the Falcons

I'm sick of hearing that there are no good coaching candidates, or GM's or QB's. The talent is out there, but you need to know what you are looking for. All four of the guys I mentioned can get it done. They have all been part of winning organizations and they all know the formula to build a successful team. That being said, Decosta is head and shoulders above the rest.

I think that the Ravens are the best organization, and most well built team in the NFL. I think Ozzie Newsome is the finest executive in the league today. He guided the Browns through the bumpy transition from Cleveland to Baltimore, drafted 2 first ballot HOF'ers with his first 2 draft picks and won his first super bowl with no QB. He kept his team amongst the leagues best making the playoffs almost every year this century, found his franchise QB, landed the best young coach in Harbaugh, and won his second championship year before last.

Decosta has worked with Newsome for 17 years as a scout, director of scouting, and now assistant general manager. He's 43 years old and couldn't be more ready to run his own team. However, there are rumors that Ozzie is looking to retire soon and it looks like Decosta is staying put in Baltimore where he is the heir apparent. Every man has a price, and the Jets offer something the ravens don't... New York City. We also offer a top 5 pick in every round, over 50 million in cap room, and some interesting talent that we have the rights to, but at the same time are not handcuffed to. If you believe in your heart that you know how to build an NFL team from scratch, why would you not want to do it under the bright lights of the greatest city in the world? Sure, if it goes wrong you will be crucified (see John Idzik), but winners don't think that way.

As for the other guys on the list, Gamble was the guy I wanted when we hired Idzik. Huge part in building the 49ers and now the Eagles. Duke Tobin has been an important reason why the Bengals are overflowing with talent and have emerged as a perennial playoff team. And Pioli is a guy who's stock has dropped, but I believe can build a championship team. I think he learned some huge lessons in KC and we can benefit from being his 2nd shot at running the show. The only reason he's not ahead of Gamble and Tobin is because he's a former Patriot. I hate how it looks if we hire him.

For the record I support retaining Idzik in a salary cap management position similar to what he did in Seattle. He is a big part of why we have so many options regarding free agency and our awesome cap space. He could be great help to Decosta on the finance end.