The name game: Tom Heckert
Part two in a semi-regular look at guys who could potentially replace Matt Millen.
Tom Heckert’s only been a general manager in Philadelphia for 2.5 years and final personnel decisions rest with head coach Andy Reid, not Heckert. So he doesn’t have a lot of high-end experience leading a franchise, although he’s obviously much more experienced than Matt Millen. In total he has over 17 years of NFL personnel and management experience and has a solid track record of drafting players who eventually become Pro Bowlers. This from his bio over at the Eagles’ website:
His first draft with the Eagles produced Lito Sheppard, Michael Lewis, Brian Westbrook and Sheldon Brown, the first three earning Pro Bowl selections. In 2004, the Eagles added two-time Pro Bowler in Shawn Andrews and another Pro Bowler Trent Cole in 2005.
He worked for Don Shula and Jimmy Johnson, and both guys have been very positive about his role while working for the Dolphins. Heckert was considered a leading candidate to replace Millen two years ago when the rumors first started to surface that Millen could be fired from his role as Detroit’s GM. Heckert comes from a football family as his father spent 20 years as an NFL scout. So the bloodlines are very strong. Howie Roseman handles player personnel and cap matters for the Eagles so if Heckert were to get the gig then Roseman might be someone he brings along to handle the salary cap and player acquisition through the draft and free agency.
In most cases I’d think the Lions would be hard pressed to hire away another team’s general manager. They might be able to lure Heckert for a couple of reasons. First off, he doesn’t have the full authority with the Eagles that most GM’s have. So if the Lions could guarantee him carte blanche to run the franchise that would probably be appealing. He’s also a native of the state of Michigan [he grew up in Adrian], so that might be appealing to Heckert. Finally the compensation might prove to be more lucrative than what he currently makes in Philadelphia.
If the Lions could somehow pry Heckert away from the Eagles he’d be a sensational hire. While an older candidate like Floyd Reese might stay in the position long enough to turn the franchise around, Heckert is young enough where if he was successful he could guide the Leos for 15 or more years if he was so inclined. In that scenario there’d be a really interesting symmertry: Bill Ford Jr. would appear to be taking on a larger role within the franchise while at the same time the team would bring in a bright, young and experienced general manager to take over the football operations side of the franchise.
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