Week 16 Notebook: Future GMsBy Albert Breer NFL.comPublished: Dec. 24, 2015 at 06:51 p.m. 
Eliot Wolf, left, has established a fine rep separate from his Hall of Fame father. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)It took the San Francisco 49ers less than a calendar year to go from model franchise to a living, breathing metaphor for dysfunction.And at the root of it, the problem was this simple: One guy didn't get along with another.The San Francisco coaching staff became fractured, with some assistants considered by colleagues to be operatives of GM Trent Baalke, and others firmly in Jim Harbaugh's corner. A significant number of coaches didn't trust the trainers or the strength staff, since many of them predated Harbaugh (current Michigan strength coach Kevin Tolbert was one notable exception) and served, in several assistants' minds, as the GM's voice on the ground. Likewise, as the dueling, type-A coach and GM splintered, the locker room fractured.In January 2014, the Niners were seven points short of consecutive conference titles. Before the calendar year was out, the building had imploded and Harbaugh was gone. A year removed, the Niners are 4-10.All because two guys couldn't make it work.Every game, all season That's today's NFL. So as I set out to put together my seventh annual Future GMs list, that's where we'll start: With an explanation of the importance of finding the right partner for whoever on this list winds up getting a shot at one of those coveted spots."That is the most important thing," one veteran NFC general manager said. "And it is for multiple reasons. The coach and GM have to share a vision. And once you start that relationship, you have to have clearly defined roles. If it's that [the coach] is coaching and I'm bringing [players] in, once I start to veer and step over that line, everything becomes blurred and dysfunction follows."The GM continued, "You have to involve your coaches, you have to hear them and make them a part of the process. And the coaches have to be clear with you. Everyone has to check their ego at the door. Now, if the GM and coach don't trust each other, it really is amazing how something so simple can start going backwards because of egos."In New England, Carolina, Arizona, Green Bay, Seattle and Cincinnati, you don't hear about a whole lot of line-stepping -- and it's not a coincidence those clubs keep winning. Conversely, last year, while the Niners became the poster children for power struggles, Philadelphia went through a less-drastic restructure to try and align the football side of its operation. This year, rumblings of such acrimony in Indy and Houston made the idea of change seem inevitable in the former city and possible in the latter.There's a chicken-and-egg element here, of course: Did failure cause or just reveal the problem? But San Francisco was an example of how quickly a good thing can go bad with a shaky GM/coach rapport."It's ----ing huge," another NFC GM said. "It's paramount that the relationship is amicable and respectful and communicative and split down the middle. You really have to have an understanding of and respect for each other's roles, and they have to be well-defined, so there's no tripping up. And you have to understand the coach will be involved in personnel and evaluations, and the coach has to be direct about what they need. It's huge."So with that in mind, here's our 2016 list, split into three categories (and alphabetized) -- separating those on the cusp from rising stars, and first-timers from possible second-chancers ...ON THE CUSPChris Ballard, director of football operations, Kansas City Chiefs: Could've had the Bucs job in 2014, was close in Chicago last year. Strong evaluator who's waiting for a "true" GM job (with full power/responsibility).Nick Caserio, director of player personnel, New England Patriots: Caserio just signed a deal last year taking him through the rest of the decade. But that won't stop others from asking -- and Detroit or Cleveland might.Eric DeCosta, assistant general manager, Baltimore Ravens: DeCosta's flirted in the past, but is content to remain as Ozzie Newsome's heir apparent. He thought about Chicago, and would only leave for a gold-standard job.Brian Gaine, director of player personnel, Houston Texans: Organized, talented and Parcells-tree-connected, Gaine has become a trusted resource for Bill O'Brien. Interviewed in Miami, St. Louis, Chicago and New York.Omar Khan, director of football and business administration, Pittsburgh Steelers: Long pegged to be Bill Cowher's GM if Cowher ever were to get back in, Khan's skill with the cap and connections would be valuable to any coach.Will McClay, senior director of college and pro scouting, Dallas Cowboys: A former coach who's worked his way to the top of the scouting department in Dallas and has influence with the Joneses. But would he want to leave?Terry McDonough, vice president of player personnel, Arizona Cardinals: Jason Licht's replacement as Steve Keim's right-hand man has a strong reputation as a hard-nosed, fearless evaluator who turns over every rock.George Paton, assistant general manager, Minnesota Vikings: The question with Paton isn't if so much as it's when he'll get a GM job. Would've been the front-runner for the Jets job last year, but pulled his name out early.Jon Robinson, director of player personnel, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bill Belichick's old college director has helped Licht overhaul the roster with two strong draft classes. Tennessee native who could be of interest to the Titans.Duke Tobin, director of player personnel, Cincinnati Bengals: Like McClay, Tobin has already reached the scouting peak of an owner-driven operation. He's got a quiet way, but the talent in Cincy speaks for itself.ON THE WAY UPScott Fitterer, co-director of player personnel, Seattle Seahawks: A great communicator and personality just promoted from college director who has helped John Schneider build an outrageously talented young core.Brian Gutekunst, director of college scouting, Green Bay Packers: If you're Ted Thompson's college director, you're trusted -- the roster there is almost entirely home-grown. Gutekunst has logged lots of time on the road.Brian Heimerdinger, director of player personnel, New York Jets: The arrow's pointing up on the Jets, and part of that is the man Mike Maccagnan made the youngest DPP in league history. He's still just 29.Joe Hortiz, director of college scouting, Baltimore Ravens: DeCosta still runs the draft in Baltimore, but Hortiz has had a major hand in the team's success finding guys over the years, and drew interest from Philly last year.Brandon Hunt, pro personnel coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers: Guys rarely leave Pittsburgh, but the young Hunt (who replaced Doug Whaley) has gone from out-of-college Steeler intern to pro director in 10 years.Trent Kirchner, co-director of player personnel, Seattle Seahawks: Kirchner interviewed with the Jets last year and was promoted from pro director thereafter. Not a force-of-nature personality, but a solid evaluator.Bob Quinn, director of pro scouting, New England Patriots: In his 16th Patriot season, Quinn has a ton of experience on both the college and pro sides. Detroit is said to be looking for a young up-and-comer. Quinn could be it.Eliot Wolf, director of player personnel, Green Bay Packers: Only question is if Thompson's top lieutenant is ready. A pro-side guy, over 12 years, Wolf's built a rep separate from his dad, and could well succeed his boss. SECOND-CHANCERSMark Dominik, ESPN analyst: Word is that Dominik is looking to get back in. And given his versatility as a front-office man, Dominik could pair well with a strong coach.Jeff Ireland, assistant general manager, New Orleans Saints: Ireland built a better roster in Miami than many realized, and his first draft in New Orleans was loaded with guys playing a lot now. Could be promoted there.Scott Pioli, assistant general manager, Atlanta Falcons: Pioli's been entrusted to run the scouting department in Atlanta, and a look at the roster he left behind in K.C. would indicate he deserves another chance.Chris Polian, director of player personnel, Jacksonville Jaguars: Polian's played a major role in building a young, talented roster in Jacksonville, and he was part of a lot of wins in Indy. If there's change in Buffalo ...Howie Roseman, executive vice president of football operations, Philadelphia Eagles: There was a flirtation with the Jets last year, and if it's status quo in Philly, Roseman (Philly's GM from 2010 through '14) might look to find a new home.Brian Xanders, senior personnel executive, Detroit Lions: The Lions have drafted better since Xanders arrived, and he had a major hand in laying the foundation for Denver's current run of division titles.
