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Originally Posted by McGinley
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As for the GM openings
Arizona: Assistant GM Steve Keim is highly thought of there and once the process ends I still would be very surprised if he does not land the job. He has been groomed for this for a while and could have opportunities elsewhere.
Carolina: Former Giants GM Ernie Accorsi is advising owner Jerry Richardson, and league sources said current Giants execs Dave Gettleman and Marc Ross are already scheduled for interviews there -- (I have continued to hear a strong buzz about Gettleman). Keim is someone who is thought of highly by the Panthers as well, sources said. Interim GM Brandon Beane is also under consideration, sources said.
Cleveland: The Browns are going all out for a head coach and then will address personnel needs, and I continue to hear that former Raiders, Eagles and Browns exec Mike Lombardi is well positioned to land a front office job there. Lombardi worked with Banner in Philadelphia and could be paired with a younger salary cap/contract negotiator to round out the front office. Former Bears and Eagles personnel man Bobby DePaul could find a role there as well.
Jacksonville : Many believe Gamble to be a top choice here. Jags owner Shahid and Tony Khan have a strong relationship with 49ers exec Paraag Marothe, league sources said, and Marothe is a big proponent of Gamble. Green Bay exec Alonzo Highsmith could get an interview here as well.
NY Jets : The Jets are using a search firm to help run the show and it's only natural they are interviewing Marc Ross. Ross will probably land something this offseason and the Jets are focused on improving their drafts, and Ross is all about college scouting. They have asked permission to speak to Gamble as well, sources said, and former GMs like Jerry Angelo and Randy Mueller would have interest but I don't see the Jets going in that direction. Some wonder if New York would be willing to bring in Bill Polian, who would really change the culture in that building (if Kansas City makes a front office move, Polian could end up involved in that as well). If the Jets were smart, they would reach out to Jim Popp, longtime GM of Montreal of the CFL, who has an expert eye for talent, knows how to manipulate the back end of the roster and who nearly got the Colts job a year ago. Adding an experienced eye like Bill Kuharich, who had a strong run most recently in Kansas City, would make sense as well. It may take a village to save the Jets.
San Diego: Ron Wolf, longtime Packers exec, is helping aid this process, and Wolf thinks very highly of John Dorsey from his Green Bay ties. Shaun Herock, the Raiders director of college scouting, is expected to get an interview, and the Chargers have requested to talk to Gamble, sources said. In the end, though, Jimmy Raye, a fixture in their front office, could get promoted to the GM position, which would not surprise many in scouting circles. Eliot Wolf, Ron Wolf's son, could merit some consideration as well, and he was just promoted by the Packers a year ago.