Assistant General Manager Brandon Brown
Brown: Good morning guys how you doing? Good to finally meet you guys. Just meeting new friends, that's all it is.
Q: How do you balance between the immediate and the future in your position?
A: I think the biggest thing, the quote I always go by is, 'Bloom where you're planted.' I think when your team goals are all accomplished, your personal goals will align with it. That's my biggest thing is being a high efficiency operator in what I'm currently doing – help us build a culture, help us turn the team around and from there, everything else aligns.
Q: Can you describe your role, what you're tasked to do in this role?
A: The biggest word I use is 'football solutions' where it's overseeing pro personnel department, the college scouting department and also just being the checks and balances with (General Manager) Joe (Schoen) on the football operations side. So, for me it's just creating synergy through all of our supporting departments and our primary scouting departments.
Q: There is no college scouting director. Is that correct?
A: Correct.
Q: So, does that fall on you more so than it would have if you had one?
A: No. So, I think when you look at any scouting department, there is no right or wrong way in how you put it together. I think with us, our biggest thing was people, process, culture. We had an extensive interview process, and we like what we came together with. Between (Director of Player Personnel) Tim McDonnell, who's already been here, (Assistant Director of Player Personnel) Dennis Hickey, who we brought in, and (Director of Pro Scouting) Chris Rossetti on the pro side, we figured we had the right department heads in place to get what we needed to get done just from a B to Y standpoint of process, process, process through it and also just putting the scouting process together the way we want it to be done. So, there's different ways to skin a cat, and that's the way we wanted to put it together.
Q: How much different is what you're being asked to do here compared to maybe what you were being asked in Philadelphia?
A: There's a lot of carry over, a lot of carry over. I think the biggest difference here is no scouting department is the same. So, I say working with Joe is going to be different than working with (Philadelphia Eagles General Manager) Howie (Roseman) or any other general manger. So, I think just being a checks and balances to what he needs on the daily, that's the biggest difference.
Q: Was it difficult to get within the division? I know maybe that's not a preferred thing. Like if you're Philadelphia, they probably don't want you to go to tell the Giants how they're operating. Is that a tricky one?
A: No. I don't say it's tricky. I look at between Howie Roseman, (Philadelphia Eagles Owner) Jeffery Lurie, those are guys that are going to be friends for life regardless of football. I don't think it's something that's difficult going within the division. I think we're competitors, and regardless of if I was outside of the division, outside of the conference, it would be no different. Those are the relationships I'll always have.
Q: How much are you watching the other teams right now during training camp? Because obviously two weeks to go, waiver deadline, you will be pretty active I imagine. So, how much are you watching the other teams' preseason games right now?
A: I'm knee deep in it right now. I think between the AFC and NFC, getting the first week of games done and obviously you have the Hall of Fame Game, which gives you a double dip there. And then getting to week two kicked off, really week three kicked off last night, and then getting to that final week, it's an ever-evolving process where every stone has to be (turned). You want to make sure that you're dotting your 'Is' crossing your 'Ts', whether it's position need, whether it's creating competition at all levels, you got to know what the marketplace is. Whether we're looking or not, you got to know what's out there. So, that's what I'm doing.
Q: Is that how you guys split it up? AFC, NFC?
A: No, I'm just talking about the league as a whole.
Q: Oh okay. I wasn't sure if one guy watches the NFC and one guy watches the AFC game.
A: No. Chris Rossetti, our pro director, he's really spearheading the process in terms of having the pro scouts be assigned teams. And then obviously, you have Tim McDonnell, myself, Joe involved as well, being over the top guys; that's how we're kind of skinning the cat. It's a really collaborative process. Everyone has a voice, and that's biggest thing Joe has really empowered us with.
Q: How hard is it to do what you do and know the team has no money to really sign guys who know might be let go.
A: Got to get creative. And this is the thing, no one's going to feel bad for us. So, the biggest thing is you've got to great creative, and during these type of pressure situations, I think that's where talent rises to the top in terms of identifying it and just knowing what players and what upgrades the roster. But that's where I'm at. I don't feel like it's something where you feel bad for yourself. You're just constantly looking, constantly looking, and you got to get creative in terms of how to put the puzzle together.
Q: When you scout players, what do you look for?
A: Biggest thing first is guys are smart, tough, dependable. When I say smart, guys are instinctive. Guys, regardless of their physical traits, they're assignment sound. They're not having busts. When I say tough, guys that are finishing off plays; guys that are competing on special teams. When you talk about dependable, guys are available to you, one. Guys that have a known track record of not missing time. Guys – whether it's offense, defense, special teams – they answer the bell on all three phases or all two phases, whatever they're asked to play. So, that's the ground layer. And then obviously, it's the skillset, the attributes, the athleticism, the speed, the explosiveness – all the things– the size, the length, all those things that come together from the physical tools along with the mental components.
Q: Would you have said smart, tough and dependable last year, or is that (Head Coach Brian Daboll) Dabs' influence on you? Those are his three words all the time. So, is that you meshing with them or was that something you believed in at this time last year?
A: That was the beauty of coming here was that's something that Joe, Dabs, myself, we've been aligned on. Now, obviously you put that into a "tag" of smart, tough, dependable aligns. But in terms of talking about process, how to build a roster, those are all things the things that we primarily agreed on before I even came here.
Q: Why do you think having a smart football player is important out there? Why is being smart football-wise is important out there?
A: Listen, you can have all the physical tools you want, but if you don't know your assignment, you can't get on the field. If you don't know your assignment, you can't be trusted. I think we talk about being smart, knowing your assignments, also being able to react quickly, pick up things quickly. If you're not trustworthy, you can't play.
Q: Why do you think you are Joe are so in sync? What qualities do you share, but also is there part of it that you don't overlap and that there are things you can learn from him that maybe aren't considered necessarily your strengths or what you would consider your strengths in this position?
A: I think Joe, he's someone that I've always admired from afar. We've been on the road together in the past, just knowing how he's a tireless worker. He beats every bush for information. He goes the extra mile in terms of evaluating the players. I see a lot of his traits in myself; that's why we've always gotten along with not being in the same building but being in the league or being on school calls or being at college games. Just seeing how each other works, it's always been admiration from a far. So, that's something that drew me to him.
Q: How much are you going to be on the road this fall doing live college scouting? Are you going to be every week? Are you going to go to practices? How's that game plan?
A: Yeah, I think there's going to be a mixture of both being in the building and on the road. One, being in the building is knowing the temperature of the building, what the roster is like and also knowing the landscape of the league currently. And obviously being on the road, knowing what that next crop is going to look like. So, I am going to balance that. Every week's going to be a little bit different just depending on what our needs are. There's going to be a steady balance of practice, games and also being in the building.
Q: You were obviously on the other side for the last five years wearing green. What did you think of the Giants? They were in your division. You beat them fairly regularly. What did you think of this team before you came here?
A: I think the history of this franchise is something I've always respected. I think that the platform that's here; if you're a true competitor, you want to be in the most high-pressure situations. That's what this organization is. And I've always had high respect for ownership. And then knowing that Dabs and Joe were here, guys that I've respected from afar and know their work ethic and their pedigree, it made it something that was very attractive. And I just think there's a lot of tools in place to do great things here. We've just got to keep working and keep progressing.
Q: We asked you about what you look for in players, but the quarterback position specifically, I'm sure you guys are going to be looking at that throughout the spring because you don't have a quarterback signed past this year, right? Your starter is not signed past this year. So, I'm wondering what do you sort of look at specifically for that position skill-wise maybe or physical traits?
A: I think when you look at how you're going to put the quarterback together, one, it's knowing what our system calls for. So, that's getting really the player description from Dabs, and then it's obviously all the attributes that go into it, whether it's anticipation, whether it's arm strength, whether it's ability to play outside the pocket, ability to throw and make plays off schedule. All those things come into the evaluation of the player and also the person – what they are, how they prepare, how they practice, how they're viewed in the building. Regardless of quarterback, but all positions, those are things that we do. We get the player descriptions from call it the coaching staff, and we go out and get the groceries. So, regardless of quarterback, running back, other positions, offensive line, defensive line, corners, there's no different approach.
Q: You're working off a checklist created by the coaches?
A: It's not a checklist. Really, it's a collaborative approach. Right, you don't jam a square peg in a round hole; that's how you build a bad roster. What you want to do is you want to make sure it's a collaborative effort based on what the job description is, and you evaluate the talent. The coaches aren't on the road; they don't know the marketplace. That's why it's a collaborative process, and then you get the best results when you put both of those together between what does the system call for, what can the player do, what is a year one versus year three end of a contract in our system
Q: You talk about the history of the franchise, do you think there are some foundational pieces here, some players that you build around as you go forward here?
A: I do. I think we have foundational pieces that we like. I think at the same time we are constantly trying to create competition. That's where you get iron sharpens iron, where you have pretty much at every position or at most positions, you want to make sure that you have guys that can push each other, whether it's front end or back end. That's really how you get the best out of guys, especially on the daily. No one gets lax. Everyone also always giving effort.
So, should we assume Brown is the de facto Director of College Scouting?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COxqlQTgr2I - ( New Window )
So, should we assume Brown is the de facto Director of College Scouting?
When asked before who would be picking up the slack in scouting, Schoen also mentioned Hickey. I think he maybe auditioning for the job.
So, should we assume Brown is the de facto Director of College Scouting?
When we get into the details of who actually does personnel work, someone's name is always missing...
Other professionals in the league must’ve looked at the Giants as such a joke the last few years. Could you imagine what rival front offices were saying? It’s also clear to me if Judge was retained, the GM job would not have been appealing at all. I don’t think Schoen comes here if Judge is HC.
Lastly, Raanan asking about QB evaluation was interesting. It seems assumed now that Jones isn’t coming back next season.
This isn’t just a throwaway. They are actively scouting QBs and have prioritized criteria.
This isn’t just a throwaway. They are actively scouting QBs and have prioritized criteria.
Of course they are. Would be mind blowingly negligent if they didn’t. Has absolutely nothing to do with Jones at this point though.
They already evaluated him. And their conclusion was don't exercise the 5th year option on DJ and sign a veteran backup to a 2-year deal...
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about Jones because it's what you want. They are giving Jones a year to evaluate him. If he plays well and shows he's the guy, they'll love that.
They already evaluated him. And their conclusion was don't exercise the 5th year option on DJ and sign a veteran backup to a 2-year deal...
So many people refuse to accept this. The decision has been made. Jones is a lame duck QB.
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Surprised to hear Brown mention Dennis Hickey in the same breath as McDonnell and Rossetti. They must think very highly of Hickey.
So, should we assume Brown is the de facto Director of College Scouting?
When we get into the details of who actually does personnel work, someone's name is always missing...
I have to imagine Brown is getting a serious reprimand today from Chris for failing to acknowledge the pivotal role Chris plays as the glue of personnel... ;)
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about Jones because it's what you want. They are giving Jones a year to evaluate him. If he plays well and shows he's the guy, they'll love that.
They already evaluated him. And their conclusion was don't exercise the 5th year option on DJ and sign a veteran backup to a 2-year deal...
Their conclusion was they didn't pick up the option (or cut him) because an evaluation one way or the other was impossible due to dysfunctional circumstances. They couldn't say yes or no. So they're giving him this year to prove himself in Daboll's scheme. Then they can decide whether to franchise him, extend him longterm or let him walk.
So simple, yet people with preconceived agendas refuse to comprehend. Nothing's already been decided. You are saying if Jones lights it up this year, they'll just move on anyways. Completely full of sh#t.
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In comment 15785279 bw in dc said:
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Surprised to hear Brown mention Dennis Hickey in the same breath as McDonnell and Rossetti. They must think very highly of Hickey.
So, should we assume Brown is the de facto Director of College Scouting?
When we get into the details of who actually does personnel work, someone's name is always missing...
I have to imagine Brown is getting a serious reprimand today from Chris for failing to acknowledge the pivotal role Chris plays as the glue of personnel... ;)
Senior Player Personnel Executive
You don't get a title like that by just picking an occasional Exacta...
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In comment 15785532 mittenedman said:
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about Jones because it's what you want. They are giving Jones a year to evaluate him. If he plays well and shows he's the guy, they'll love that.
They already evaluated him. And their conclusion was don't exercise the 5th year option on DJ and sign a veteran backup to a 2-year deal...
Their conclusion was they didn't pick up the option (or cut him) because an evaluation one way or the other was impossible due to dysfunctional circumstances. They couldn't say yes or no. So they're giving him this year to prove himself in Daboll's scheme. Then they can decide whether to franchise him, extend him longterm or let him walk.
So simple, yet people with preconceived agendas refuse to comprehend. Nothing's already been decided. You are saying if Jones lights it up this year, they'll just move on anyways. Completely full of sh#t.
Yeah, I am sure they thought it was impossible to evaluate his first 3 years in the league and the causes for why he misses games too.
If they thought it was a reasonable likelihood that Jones could light it up this season then they would have exercised the option.
Use some logic here...
Lastly, Raanan asking about QB evaluation was interesting. It seems assumed now that Jones isn’t coming back next season.
This isn’t just a throwaway. They are actively scouting QBs and have prioritized criteria.
p.s.--Just curious, how does one inactively scout a position?
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about Jones because it's what you want. They are giving Jones a year to evaluate him. If he plays well and shows he's the guy, they'll love that.
They already evaluated him. And their conclusion was don't exercise the 5th year option on DJ and sign a veteran backup to a 2-year deal...
Nobody is claiming the Giants are completely sold on Jones as their QB of the future. This would be true if for no other reason than his history of injuries. There is no conclusion to be drawn from the fact that they didn't exercise the 5th year option, especially after seeing how it turned out for Darnold and Mayfield.
It's not black or white when it comes to Jones. It's not a situation where they either love him or hate him. It's very possible they are on the fence, much like myself. So foregoing the 5th year option was prudent (especially given history of injuries), not conclusive.
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In comment 15785532 mittenedman said:
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about Jones because it's what you want. They are giving Jones a year to evaluate him. If he plays well and shows he's the guy, they'll love that.
They already evaluated him. And their conclusion was don't exercise the 5th year option on DJ and sign a veteran backup to a 2-year deal...
If you think Jones sucks, this is how you interpret the decision. If you think they are giving Jones a year to prove he can stay healthy and effectively run Daboll's system, you interpret it the way mittenedman and I have. And signing Taylor to a two-year deal was just smart business, no matter their thinking on Jones.
Nobody is claiming the Giants are completely sold on Jones as their QB of the future. This would be true if for no other reason than his history of injuries. There is no conclusion to be drawn from the fact that they didn't exercise the 5th year option, especially after seeing how it turned out for Darnold and Mayfield.
It's not black or white when it comes to Jones. It's not a situation where they either love him or hate him. It's very possible they are on the fence, much like myself. So foregoing the 5th year option was prudent (especially given history of injuries), not conclusive.
If Schoen and Daboll were serious about giving Jones a chance to stay healthy and effectively run Daboll's system then they would have given him 2 years and execised the option. They gave him one because they expect this to be over this season...
If Schoen and Daboll were serious about giving Jones a chance to stay healthy and effectively run Daboll's system then they would have given him 2 years and exercised the option.
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If Schoen and Daboll were serious about giving Jones a chance to stay healthy and effectively run Daboll's system then they would have given him 2 years and exercised the option.
Why give him two years to prove himself? I'm sure Schoen and Daboll are confident that they will know one way or the other after just one season, so committing to a guaranteed $20M salary in 2023 is unnecessary. If they like what they see and he stays healthy they will either sign him to an extension or tag him.
Because two should be better than one if this is such a difficult scenario to evaluate him. And the economics are more clearly more favorable using the option.
Seems odd that the excuse that the dysfunctional offense and supporting cast makes it so hard to evaluate him but magically you are confident they can all if sudden do it this year.
Schoen didn’t go scorch earth in year 1 because he couldn’t afford it financially nor relationship wise in the building.
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while still having to guarantee DJ’s money this year.
Only because it confirms your bias. If you believed differently about Jones, your logic would emphasize a whole different set of relevant actions (and inaction) to support your argument and you could easily dismiss not exercising the option for a variety of relevant reasons.
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Schoen didn’t go scorch earth in year 1 because he couldn’t afford it financially nor relationship wise in the building.
Weak. If you want to support your opinion you can do much better than that.
Don't confuse bias and logic, at least with me. I use the latter. You and and your buddies with blue-goggles use the former way too often and it often leave you wondering where the team went wrong.
And my opinion is supported by the strong logic I already gave you. I can't help that Schoen has some weaknesses as well that I also shared with you. He's only a first year GM afterall, give him time...
Don't confuse bias and logic, at least with me. I use the latter. You and and your buddies with blue-goggles use the former way too often and it often leave you wondering where the team went wrong.
And my opinion is supported by the strong logic I already gave you. I can't help that Schoen has some weaknesses as well that I also shared with you. He's only a first year GM afterall, give him time...
You can puff out your chest all you want and keep repeating the same silly logic until I get tired of making swiss cheese of it and that won't change the fact that your logic is weak, weak, weak. And so to save me the time, instead of saying the same things over and over again in your next comment, just assume I called your comment "weak, weak, weak, weak" and for every time you say it again, just add another "weak" to how many times I said "weak" in the previous comment. Because your logic is truly weak. Amazingly weak. Embarrassingly weak. You really should be ashamed of yourself. How can you look at yourself in the mirror with logic like that?
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Don't confuse bias and logic, at least with me. I use the latter. You and and your buddies with blue-goggles use the former way too often and it often leave you wondering where the team went wrong.
And my opinion is supported by the strong logic I already gave you. I can't help that Schoen has some weaknesses as well that I also shared with you. He's only a first year GM afterall, give him time...
There is nothing strong about your logic. Nothing. It's paper thin and why I closed my previous comment by calling it weak. There is nothing remotely resembling a smoking gun (to paraphrase Sonny Corleone, you returned from the men's room with nothing but your dick in your hand).
You can puff out your chest all you want and keep repeating the same silly logic until I get tired of making swiss cheese of it and that won't change the fact that your logic is weak, weak, weak. And so to save me the time, instead of saying the same things over and over again in your next comment, just assume I called your comment "weak, weak, weak, weak" and for every time you say it again, just add another "weak" to how many times I said "weak" in the previous comment. Because your logic is truly weak. Amazingly weak. Embarrassingly weak. You really should be ashamed of yourself. How can you look at yourself in the mirror with logic like that?
man, you've hit rock bottom...