Samuelsen: Who Will Replace Martin Mayhew?
By: Jamie Samuselsen
@jamiesamuelsen
The Lions have tried almost everything to turn this franchise into a winner. Nothing has worked.
The one thing that they haven't tried is to hire a bonafide front office winner to take over the front office. They've tried a businessman, a bean counter, a former player and a broadcaster. The time is now to find a seasoned, experienced, qualified team builder.
One problem - there aren't many of those out there. And the ones who are already have jobs.
Here's a rough list of some names to consider as the Lions undertake a "national search" to find their next GM. I'll break it into three categories. Coaches, assistant GMs and former GMs.
COACHES
- Jon Gruden - The book on Gruden is that he's happy doing Monday Night Football and doesn't want the gig. I'm not buying that. A guy as competitive as Gruden can't stay away from the game for long. If the opportunity was right - full control and the head coaching job - I think he'd take it if the money was right. He was contacted when Jim Caldwell was hired and did consider the job. I'd call him again.
- John Harbaugh - Two Harbaughs in one state? Again, it's worth a look. Harbaugh is the best coach in the NFL not named Bill Belichick. I don't know that he wants control, but it's clear that he clashed with the Ravens front office over how they handled Ray Rice. I'd be willing to give him control if it meant getting him as a coach.
ASSISTANT GMs
- Will McClay - This is a name to watch according to many. He's the assistant GM in Dallas to Jerry Jones and does a lot of the leg work. But since he'll never get promoted (the Cowboys owner seems rather loyal to the GM - odd), he'll be looking for a different shot. Dallas hasn't been able to advance in the playoffs, but they've drafted well and contended for quite a while.
- Brian Xanders - He's the Lions assistant GM and was oddly passed over today in favor of Sheldon White when Mayhew was fired. He's more of a numbers guy than a player guy. He's also part of the Lions current regime and I strongly believe that a clean sweep is necessary if the Lions are going to improve the franchise..
- Eric DeCosta - DeCosta is the assistant to Ozzie Newsome in Baltimore and figures to get the top job when Newsome retires. The Ravens consistently contend and consistently turn out players that other teams passed over or tossed aside. I'd love to see that formula here in Detroit.
FORMER GMs
- Scott Pioli - No. No. No. A thousand times now. Everyone assumed that Pioli was the mastermind of the Patriots.. He went to Kansas City and proved that no, it was actually Belichick who did the personnel work. He's a name. But that's it.
- Jeff Ireland - the former Dolphins GM is widely respected around the league. A recent study showed that the Dolphins drafted better than any other team in the league during his tenure based on players that are still in the league. Kind of a change from Mayhew, eh?
There are dozens of names out there - these are just a few. And it will be important to find someone who is the face of the organization from top to bottom. No more passing the buck. The Lions winning isn't impossible. It just seems that way. The next man for the job just needs to have the strength and the vision not to be engulfed by all of it.
