Chicago Bears Huddle has learned that Giants’ director of college scouting Marc Ross is tentatively scheduled to interview for the Bears’ vacant GM position on Wednesday.
It’s been clear over the past week that of the candidates the team announced they would speak with, Ross has pulled ahead as the fan-favorite. That’s all well and good, but what do we know?
Well, I’ll tell you what I know: I know that I, like you, also like Marc Ross. I know that I, like you, can read some good things about him on the internet. And I know that I, like you, can look at the Giants’ successes in the draft and be optimistic. But, really, that’s not a whole lot.
It seems to me that Bears fan’s collective reaction to Marc Ross is more psychological than anything else. Think about it: he’s young, he’s handsome, he went to an Ivy League school … this guy should run for political office!
So, I emailed a number of folks who travel with the Giants, and who cover the organization, to get a better feel for whether or not those people thought he was actually qualified to do the job as an NFL GM.
The response was of course varied, but the sentiment was that, yes; Marc Ross deserves a shot at the next level. In his tenure with the Giants, he’s been described as honest and sincere; strong in his convictions and confident in his ability.
I was told that Ross has zero problems backing a player most may not be settled on, or similarly steering clear of player surrounded in media hype.
Ross is credited with drafting Brian Westbrook, who was selected by the Eagles in the third round of the 2002 NFL draft. Westbrook went on to become a two-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro selection.
In 2007, every single player drafted by the Giants contributed in some way or another to the team’s unlikely Super Bowl run; Players like Ahmad Bradshaw, Steve Smith and Aaron Ross all had Ross’ finger prints in them.
Ross also reportedly played a hand in the Eagles’ drafting of Donovan McNabb, second overall, in 1999—a move that led to eight postseason trips in McNabb’s ten seasons as the starter. After that, Ross was promoted and became the youngest college scouting director in the NFL.
Tom Modrak, former Eagles GM, said this of Ross when he was promoted in 2000: "The description and the directness … his whole body of work was excellent. That was an easy hire for me."
Currently with the New York Giants, the team even credits Ross with top draft selections like Lito Sheppard, Derrick Burgess, Kenny Phillips, Terrell Thomas and Mario Manningham.
The way he’s touted by those who are around him and the way he’s respected by those in the league paints the picture of a worthy candidate and those I spoke with all agree.
While not a blockbuster move by any means, and certainly a risky one given there is more to a GM’s job than just drafting, one finds it hard to locate tangible reasons to NOT give Marc Ross a shot.
Filed under: Coaches and Management
Tags: Marc Ross
