GM candidates: What would Kevin Abrams bring to the table?

If we are going to talk about general manager candidates for the New York Giants, and we have been doing that since Jerry Reese was removed from the job, we have to talk about the guy currently occupying the Giants’ GM chair.

That would be Kevin Abrams. Co-owner John Mara said Abrams would get consideration for the permanent position, so let’s take a look at him.

Who is Abrams?

Abrams, 43, has been with the Giants since 1999, when he was hired as the team’s salary cap analyst. He has been assistant general manager for the past 16 seasons. Abrams has been the guy making sure the Giants structured contracts to comply with the salary cap. Abrams got an interview for the Giants’ GM job when it went to Reese in 2007, and interviewed for the GM job with the Detroit Lions a year ago.

Why it would work

Abrams, obviously, is already deeply familiar with the Giants and has the respect of ownership. The Giants have always preferred to promote from within, or turn to people they were already familiar with, whenever possible.

Abrams is already well-versed in the roster, and has seen first-hand over the years what has — and has not — worked. He has experience in scouting and analytics, but has never been directly responsible for personnel decisions.

If the Giants were to give the full-time GM role to Abrams, they might then supplement by bringing in someone else besides Marc Ross to run the personnel side.

Why it wouldn’t work

First, because Abrams would not come close to representing “wholesale changes.” He would represent business as usual with the Giants, at a time when that might not be the best idea.

Second, he’s a cap guy with no proven track record in being able to evaluate personnel. There is no real way to know if he has an eye for talent. John Idzik was a cap guy who flopped as GM of the New York Jets. Crunching the numbers to fit players someone else has chosen into the salary cap is one thing, and it’s a highly-appreciated and valuable skill. Identifying, drafting and signing players you can win with is something else entirely.

The Giants would be taking a huge leap of faith by giving the job to Abrams.