But, more importantly, let's welcome back Big BB! Nice to have you back, my friend. And I'm sorry I ducked out before the end of rookie camp, but you'll get all the blogs out of me you'll want when veteran camp rolls around.
So... on to the business. Ross, 34, was the Bills' national college scout for the last three years, and the Eagles' college scouting director from 2000-04, after spending three years as Philly's eastern regional scout. He started in the NFL as a Giants' training-camp PR intern in 1995.
GM Jerry Reese had been director of player personnel; that job no longer exists. Jerry Shay had been director of college scouting for the past 30 years; he is now assistant director. Veteran scouts Joe Collins, Jeremiah Davis and Steve Verderosa are now executive scouts and have increased responsibilities.
Ross will run the draft, which was Reese's primary job as player personnel director.
You follow?
Here's what they said:
Reese, on Ross: "We liked Marc’s skill set. He has been a college scouting director. He was the youngest college director in the league when he was with the Philadelphia Eagles. So he understands the management and the dynamics of the department. Marc is an outstanding scout himself. We like that about him. All of the references that we called were very high on him. We think he is going to be a perfect fit for us.”
More Reese, on Ross: "You never want to get stagnant in any department, including the personnel department. So we look forward to Marc’s new ideas. He has some new ideas and energy. He impressed us with some things that he talked about in the interview process. So we are all looking forward to some new ideas. I don’t want Marc to come in and try to reinvent the wheel. I think we can implement some of our old things that we do well along with some of the new things that he brings to the table for us so we can move forward. We don’t want to get stagnant and sitting still.”
Ross, on his new gig: "“I think that is why Jerry hired me, to get a different point of view and a different perspective. I have been in a couple of places that do things entirely different. This is a traditional organization, but I think it is still progressive. I hope to add a different point of view and enhance everything that’s going on.”
And more Ross, on being much younger than most of the scouts: "That’s no problem. I have been scouting in the league since I was 23. I have always had to work with older guys. I was a director at 27 and I had to work with older guys underneath me. If you treat people fairly and with respect and do you your job efficiently and do it well, then age shouldn’t be a big factor.”
Bears college scouting director Greg Gabriel was among other candidates interviewed.
Comments (6)
Arthur,
Thank you, it’s nice to be ‘back’, but truthfully, I never left. I’ve been lurking; I just haven’t had much to say. I never have much to say about the draft.
I’ve been reading all of your articles - which are far better than any other - anywhere. I’m glad YOU’RE back. And I’m glad you’re covering the Giants again this year.
But the blog, Arthur, what about the blog? I think I speak for everyone when I say, ‘we need more blog.’ We need blog everyday. Even if you don’t have anything newsworthy to post, then just tell us what a beat reporter does on any given day when covering the Giants. What does a beat reporter covering the Giants eat for breakfast? Tell us about your appearances on the local TV show “Giants Online”. Did you ever want to take a swing at that loud mouth Pat Hanlon?
Tell us something; anything, just don’t leave us hanging like that.
It should be a helluva year.
-Big BB
I wonder what the VP of the NY Giants PR department does on any given day...
Arthur seems to be behind on things.
So how about this:
Asked at the Giants’ recent rookie mini-camp about the team’s placekicking situation, head coach Tom Coughlin said, “It’s a process.”
The Giants today took a huge step in completing that process when they acquired Lawrence Tynes in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs for a conditional draft choice.
Have a good day, y'all.
Arthur seems to be behind on things.
So how about this:
Asked at the Giants’ recent rookie mini-camp about the team’s placekicking situation, head coach Tom Coughlin said, “It’s a process.”
The Giants today took a huge step in completing that process when they acquired Lawrence Tynes in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs for a conditional draft choice.
Have a good day, y'all.
John -
A "huge step in the process"?......that's an interesting characterization of the acquisition of a guy who KC was willing to give up for a conditional pick.
As you are so found of saying......Have a nice day
We need competition at every position. Trading for a kicker is fine. He was going to be cut by KC anyways. If he becomes a member of the team I'm sure they get a late round pick...so be it. Better than signing a big ticket free agent kicker who is past his prime (Vanderjet).
I like what JR has done so far. He hasn't opened the bank and given rediculous money. Those that have; SF, Buffalo, etc. will all regret that as their young studs become free agent eligible and are unable to sign them.
This is a marathon, not a sprint fellas. Eli's progression, the approach of JR, and the NFL season as a whole. Lets not jump the gun. Let this play out. I am encouraged that Shockey and Burress actually showed up this year.