plasticman
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Credentials: Training and/or experience that show a person is qualified to do a particular job.
On each NFL team official website under the "team" tab you will find a section for team executives. This includes the general manager or someone with an equivalent title. His is the person in charge of all football operations. He hires the HC, he selects the players to build and maintain the team.
There is a specific section of their profile that describes his credentials, the impressive achievements that elevated him to his current position as GM. They typically start with a entry level position in scouting, such as "intern" or "assistant scout". From there he earns several promotions through his achievements, typically discovering players that lead to pro Bowl level productivity and deep playoff runs.
The following is a sample of credentials for a few NFL GM's.
Russ Ball – Green Bay- Executive Vice President/Director of Football operations
Before coming to Green Bay, Ball spent six seasons (2002-07) with the New Orleans Saints, the final two as vice president of football administration and the first four as senior football administrator. His responsibilities with the Saints included monitoring the salary cap, contract negotiations and roster management, as well as maintaining the team's compliance with NFL and Management Council regulations.
Ball also coordinated different areas of the football operations, and was involved in several other administrative functions with the club.
During his time in New Orleans, Ball also served in a similar capacity with the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League from 2004-07. He was selected by the Saints to attend the 2005 NFL Managers Program at Stanford University's Executive Education Graduate School of Business.
Ball spent the 2001 season as director of football administration for the Washington Commanders, where his duties included managing the salary cap as well as team operations, as he oversaw the video, athletic training, equipment, strength and conditioning, and player development departments.
Ball served as senior football administrator for the Minnesota Vikings from 1999-2000, where he assisted with salary-cap management and player contracts. He began working in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs and spent 10 seasons (1989-98) there, the final two in football operations as administrative assistant to then-head coach Marty Schottenheimer.
Ball began his career with the Chiefs as an assistant strength and conditioning coach.
Eric DeCosta – Baltimore Ravens – GM
1996-2024: (with Baltimore)
2019: In his first season as EVP & GM, was named The Sporting News 2019 NFL Executive of the Year...The Ravens produced a franchise-best 14-2 record, earning the AFC's No. 1 playoff seed
2012: Promoted to assistant general manager following the NFL Draft
2009: Promoted to director of player personnel, following six successful seasons as scouting director
2008: Instrumental in selecting QB Joe Flacco (18th overall), the Super Bowl XLVII MVP, and RB Ray Rice, a three-time Pro Bowler...Also served on the eight-member committee to interview head coach John Harbaugh.
2003: Was named director of college scouting
1998-2002: Was the Ravens' Midwest area scout...Researched and analyzed draft-day trades and evaluated free agent prospects for the pro personnel department...Worked with both college and pro scouting staffs on the draft and free agency.
1998: Was promoted to area scout after spending time in the fall of 1997 scouting the Midwest.
1996: Hired as a personnel intern.
1995: (with Washington) First NFL experience was a training camp internship in Washington's personnel department.
1993-95: (with Trinity College) In a graduate fellowship, DeCosta coached the defensive line and linebackers while earning his master's degree in English. 1993: Was an intern coach for Trinity's wide receivers.
Jerry Jones - Dallas - GM
Brett Veach – Kansas City - GM
Veach enters his 12th season with the Chiefs after originally joining the club in 2013. He was promoted to Co-Director of Player Personnel prior to the 2015 season after serving two seasons as the club's Pro and College Personnel Analyst (2013-14).
Prior to being promoted to general manager, Veach played an integral role in the scouting process of QB Patrick Mahomes. The club's 22nd overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft was traded to Buffalo in 2017 in order to move up and draft Mahomes 10th overall.
The Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania, native joined the Chiefs after spending six years with the Philadelphia Eagles (2007-12). He served as a Southeast Regional Scout (2011-12) after originally joining Philadelphia's Player Personnel Department as a Pro and College Scout in 2010. Prior to entering the scouting department, Veach was the Assistant to Head Coach Andy Reid for three seasons (2007-09).
Before joining the Eagles, Veach was the Supervisor of Intercollegiate Athletic Events at his alma mater, the University of Delaware (2005-06).
On each NFL team official website under the "team" tab you will find a section for team executives. This includes the general manager or someone with an equivalent title. His is the person in charge of all football operations. He hires the HC, he selects the players to build and maintain the team.
There is a specific section of their profile that describes his credentials, the impressive achievements that elevated him to his current position as GM. They typically start with a entry level position in scouting, such as "intern" or "assistant scout". From there he earns several promotions through his achievements, typically discovering players that lead to pro Bowl level productivity and deep playoff runs.
The following is a sample of credentials for a few NFL GM's.
Russ Ball – Green Bay- Executive Vice President/Director of Football operations
Before coming to Green Bay, Ball spent six seasons (2002-07) with the New Orleans Saints, the final two as vice president of football administration and the first four as senior football administrator. His responsibilities with the Saints included monitoring the salary cap, contract negotiations and roster management, as well as maintaining the team's compliance with NFL and Management Council regulations.
Ball also coordinated different areas of the football operations, and was involved in several other administrative functions with the club.
During his time in New Orleans, Ball also served in a similar capacity with the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League from 2004-07. He was selected by the Saints to attend the 2005 NFL Managers Program at Stanford University's Executive Education Graduate School of Business.
Ball spent the 2001 season as director of football administration for the Washington Commanders, where his duties included managing the salary cap as well as team operations, as he oversaw the video, athletic training, equipment, strength and conditioning, and player development departments.
Ball served as senior football administrator for the Minnesota Vikings from 1999-2000, where he assisted with salary-cap management and player contracts. He began working in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs and spent 10 seasons (1989-98) there, the final two in football operations as administrative assistant to then-head coach Marty Schottenheimer.
Ball began his career with the Chiefs as an assistant strength and conditioning coach.
Eric DeCosta – Baltimore Ravens – GM
1996-2024: (with Baltimore)
2019: In his first season as EVP & GM, was named The Sporting News 2019 NFL Executive of the Year...The Ravens produced a franchise-best 14-2 record, earning the AFC's No. 1 playoff seed
2012: Promoted to assistant general manager following the NFL Draft
2009: Promoted to director of player personnel, following six successful seasons as scouting director
2008: Instrumental in selecting QB Joe Flacco (18th overall), the Super Bowl XLVII MVP, and RB Ray Rice, a three-time Pro Bowler...Also served on the eight-member committee to interview head coach John Harbaugh.
2003: Was named director of college scouting
1998-2002: Was the Ravens' Midwest area scout...Researched and analyzed draft-day trades and evaluated free agent prospects for the pro personnel department...Worked with both college and pro scouting staffs on the draft and free agency.
1998: Was promoted to area scout after spending time in the fall of 1997 scouting the Midwest.
1996: Hired as a personnel intern.
1995: (with Washington) First NFL experience was a training camp internship in Washington's personnel department.
1993-95: (with Trinity College) In a graduate fellowship, DeCosta coached the defensive line and linebackers while earning his master's degree in English. 1993: Was an intern coach for Trinity's wide receivers.
Jerry Jones - Dallas - GM
Brett Veach – Kansas City - GM
Veach enters his 12th season with the Chiefs after originally joining the club in 2013. He was promoted to Co-Director of Player Personnel prior to the 2015 season after serving two seasons as the club's Pro and College Personnel Analyst (2013-14).
Prior to being promoted to general manager, Veach played an integral role in the scouting process of QB Patrick Mahomes. The club's 22nd overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft was traded to Buffalo in 2017 in order to move up and draft Mahomes 10th overall.
The Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania, native joined the Chiefs after spending six years with the Philadelphia Eagles (2007-12). He served as a Southeast Regional Scout (2011-12) after originally joining Philadelphia's Player Personnel Department as a Pro and College Scout in 2010. Prior to entering the scouting department, Veach was the Assistant to Head Coach Andy Reid for three seasons (2007-09).
Before joining the Eagles, Veach was the Supervisor of Intercollegiate Athletic Events at his alma mater, the University of Delaware (2005-06).
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