New York Jets General Manager Candidate: Tom Telesco

A new name emerged on the radar today. It is Tom Telesco of the Colts. Although he has put the Jets on the back burner for the time being and is focused on the Chargers job, we can still take a look at him.

Telesco entered the NFL with the Carolina Panthers in 1995 as a scouting assistant. He became a scout in 1997 before heading over the Colts for a similar role in 1998. He became Director of Pro Scouting in 2004 and was promoted to Director of Player Personnel in 2006. After Bill Polian's dismissal a year ago, the Colts kept him aboard and gave him a promotion to Vice President of Football Operations.

What is kind of disturbing is the period of terrible drafting and free agent signings that crippled the Colts seemed to begin right as Telesco took over the Player Personnel Department. Peyton Manning's greatness hit the depletion of the roster. We saw it in full effect in 2011.

The NFL is a very nepotistic place. I wonder how much of Telesco's buzz is just him getting good recommendations from Bill Polian, a guy who is respected in league circles, more than his work. The smart money seems to indicate Telesco being announced as the new San Diego general manager perhaps this afternoon, but I wouldn't be thrilled if the Jets went after him in the event that falls through.