While perusing the list of player personnel peeps being considered for all the general manager positions that are currently open around the NFL, I came across the name of Lake Dawson. He's currently the Vice President of Player Personnel for the Tennessee Titans but that's not what made me pause. I remembered Lake Dawson as a receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs in the mid-90s. After four years he retired due to an injury. In 2001 he got into the scouting/player personnel game with the Seattle Seahawks. He helped put together the team that made it to the Super Bowl following the 2005 season. Now with the Titans, he's been in player personnel for over a decade. He's looking for his chance to run a franchise. If he doesn't get it this year it's only a matter of time before he does.
When professional football players come to that inevitable day when they have to walk away from the game many try to remain in the game. Most of those look to TV. Some look to coaching. Few that I can recall ever give scouting a try. I have always been curious about the slight numbers that consider this side of football. Nearly all of the scouts and those involved in player personnel played football at some level. Very few had a go at the highest level. There's only one general manager in the Hall of Fame. Jim Finks was a decent quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1950s. He made an All-Star team in 1952. As a general manager he put together the Minnesota Vikings teams that went to four Super Bowls. When he moved on to Chicago he found and drafted most of the players that made up the incredible 1985 Chicago Bears team. When he was through in Chicago he moved on to the New Orleans Saints. Perhaps his greatest feat as a general manger was turning that consistent cellar dweller into a contender. Not only did Finks do an incredible job building three football teams he paved the way for former NFL football players to pursue a side of football that few have considered. Scott Studwell was one of the great football players in Minnesota Vikings history. He was inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor in 2009. From 1977-1990 he played middle linebacker for the team. Since 1991 he's been part of the scouting department. He's currently the Director of College Scouting. I feel like I've been a fan of the Vikings forever. Scott Studwell has been a part of the team for nearly as long. Perhaps the best known former player on the personnel side of things is Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome. He's certainly the greatest player. He was a fantastic tight end for the Cleveland Browns. Like Finks, Newsome is honored in Canton. Unlike Finks, Newsome made it as a player. The work that he's done with the Ravens might get him a second call from Canton. Since Newsome has been calling the shots the Ravens never seem to have a down season. The team routinely has strong drafts and they do a fantastic job of keeping their players.
I really like that players don't have to move behind the camera to stay in the game. Coaching has always been an option and many have pursued it. I think that many have ignored scouting and personnel positions because they simply didn't know that option was available to them. Few probably know of Finks these days but maybe the success of Ozzie Newsome and Scott Studwell will let them know that those options are out there. I wish Lake Dawson success in his search for a team to run and congratulate him on trying.
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