Tom Marino
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Tom Marino is a veteran of 35 years in the player personnel field, most recently with the St. Louis Rams. He has worked in three professional leagues (NFL, USFL, and WFL), and among his many accomplishments, is credited with the discovery of Eric Swann, the first non-collegiate player since 1946 to be selected in the 1st round of the NFL college draft.
Marino is a member of the [Ourlads.com] Scout Hall of Fame with
NFL & Draft Expert January, 2007 – present
Primary responsibility is to assist Scout’s NFL publishers with breaking news relating to the NFL and its teams, players, coaches and events. Create and update the various NFL Rankings published by Scout, including Free Agent, Draft, and NFL Power Rankings. Expert shall participate in Scout programs for syndication and distribution to Scout media partners, including but not limited to Fox. Expert will be responsible for all content and editorial aspects for each issue of Scout’s NFL Draft Guide magazine and NFL Season Preview. Serve as a Scout NFL Expert in media opportunities throughout the year, including responding to newspaper interview requests, TV and radio appearances, “Best Damn Sports Show Period,” and other opportunities as they arise throughout the year.
Pro Football Weekly Riverwoods, IL Draft consultant Dec., 2006 – Jan., 2007
Evaluated and graded 150 college junior and senior prospects for publication’s in publication Pre- Draft Annual.
. Celebrity Events, Inc Ormond Beach, FL Assistant Director of Events June, 2006 – present
Involved in all aspects of event planning from logistic support, conceptualization of ideas and proposals, to complete implementation of same. Responsible for developing strategies to defray the cost of major events. Other duties include, contacting and securing talent (celebrities and athletes) for charitable events.
St Louis Rams (NFL) St Louis, MO Regional/National Talent Scout June, 2000 – June, 2006
Responsible for the evaluation of collegiate football talent throughout the Eastern United States including: pre-season professional evaluations. Championed and was credited for the drafting (Saints) and acquisition of current Rams QB and MVP Marc Bulger.
• Credited by the Boston Globe & Cleveland Plain Dealer with the re-discovery of Texas prep phenom and former Brown's RB, Ben Gay. • Principle scout and high grade in the evaluation of Teams 2001 # 2 draft selection Tommy Polley (later called by former head coach Mike Martz the Rams top defensive player, 2002 # 2 selection Travis Fisher (unranked by either scouting combine – rookie starter and five year regular). • High grade in the evaluation of current Rams Steven Jackson, Kevin Curtis, Pisa Tinoisamoa, Shaun McDonald, Will Witherspoon, Chris Massey, Madison Hedgecock, Alex Barron, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brian Howard, Aaron Walker, Tony Hargrove, and former Rams practice squad performer (2005) Jeremy Carter (five years removed from the game). • Rams primary post season workout scout. • Refined grading system with the implementation of a specific category for non-football athletes • Highest ranked scout over the six year period in draft-make %.
New Orleans Saints (NFL) New Orleans, LA Regional/National Talent Scout March, 1986 – June, 2000
Team’s senior talent scout responsible for the evaluation of both collegiate and professional talent including: national cross checker for all quarterbacks and wide receivers; Developed and implemented team’s electronic management system; managed pre-season pro-personnel evaluations, World League scouting, and evaluation of league personnel for Saints free agent allocations; participated in the negotiation and signing of free agent prospects at the conclusion of the 1987 through 1999 drafts, and assisted in the development and updating of team’s college scouting manual. • Highest ranked scout evaluating college prospects in both percentage and prospects viewed from 1987 through the 2000 player draft. • Appointed by Jim Finks to become the architect of Saints 1987 replacement team (signed 49 free agents within a three day period). • Recommended and signed future Saints players, Daryl Booker, Delaware LB and Steve Rhem, Minnesota WR. Both were non-participants for their senior season. (Rhem was out of the game for 4 years, before making Saints active roster for 3 seasons). • Discovered and advised future Arizona Cardinals All Pro, Eric Swann, with career playing options. The following season, Swann became the first non-collegiate player since 1946 to be selected in the first round of the NFL college draft (sixth overall selection). • First professional scout to recognize the enormous playing potential of Syracuse Express (EFL) teenager, and future NFL defensive stalwart Ray Seals. • Coordinated team’s Plan B program. Responsible for player visits, evaluations, and negotiations (three starters in two years). • Developed filing system for interoffice tape viewing for both college and professional games.
Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars (USFL) Philadelphia, PA National Talent Scout February, 1984 – September, 1985
Developed and managed the club’s advance opponent game scouting; assisted in the development of team's self-scouting manual, college grading system, evaluation form, and college scouting manual; Evaluated NFC and AFC East rookie and free agent prospects in both training camp and during the regular season.
• Evaluated 346 senior prospects for 1984 player draft. • Viewed 19 of 23 open draft selections and entire grouping of territorial selections. • Team won two straight USFL championships during this period. • Responsible for club’s advance opponent game scouting.
Denver Gold (USFL) Denver, CO Director of Player Personnel November, 1983 – February, 1984
Responsible for football operations including: organized team’s scouting budget (salary, travel, material purchases, training camp). • Solely conducted and managed both Teams territorial and open drafts. • Negotiated contracts with draft selections and free agents, signing 21 players over a four day period including league leading rusher Bill Johnson. • Managed all of club’s player transactions/personnel decisions. • Set up team’s scouting system with manuals for both pro and college evaluations.
Boston Breakers (USFL) Boston, MA Director of Player Personnel/Asst. GM June, 1982 – November, 1983
First person selected to the position of Player Personnel director within the USFL. Responsible for all teams’ personnel decisions (trades, waivers, draft, etc.). Assisted and advised Coach Dick Coury with coaching and support staff selections. • One of only two teams within the league (Boston & Birmingham) under budget. • Called by “Sport Magazine” a major architect in the Boston Breaker’s development and overall success of the USFL. (11-7 record). • Original member of USFL College-Professional Relations and Competition Committees. • Co-chaired, along with Red Miller, Chuck Fairbanks, George Allen, and Carl Peterson, a committee to script the first 4 rounds of the league’s initial open college draft. • Conducted eight open tryout camps throughout the US and Canada, evaluating over 1500 prospects. • Prepared and conducted team’s first player drafts (territorial and open). • Negotiated and signed 163 free agent prospects and draft choices. • Organized and developed a nationwide college scouting combine with Michigan, Birmingham, and Arizona (BAMB).
New York Giants (NFL) East Rutherford, NJ Regional/National Talent Scout April, 1977 – June, 1982
Initially appointed to the position of East Coast talent scout by former Giants great Andy Robustelli. Was subsequently named regional scout /cross checker, and finally National scout.
• Evaluated collegiate and professional (preseason) talent. • Assisted in the management and execution of the team’s annual college player draft. • Assisted in the training of new talent scouts. • Was highly involved in player evaluations and with the negotiation, and signing of free agent prospects after each spring college draft. • Annually evaluated AFC East personnel for former Pro Personnel Director, Jim Trimble. Dallas Cowboys (NFL) Dallas, TX Scouting / WFL consultant November, 1975 – May 1976
Contacted by the Cowboys immediately after the demise of the WFL and served as the Cowboy’s WFL scouting consultant. Assisted scouting staff with preparation for the 1976 college player draft.
• Recommended the signing of former Birmingham (WFL) LB Warren Capone, the team’s leading special team performer (One of only two non-home grown players on the Cowboys roster). • Signed 100% of the free agents assigned after the spring player draft (5 of 5). Two of these players (Larry Brunson and Bruce Huther) made the team’s active roster and participated in the 1977 Super Bowl. • Coordinated rookie orientation camp for all draft choices and free agents.
Philadelphia Bell (WFL) Philadelphia, PA Director of Player Personnel / Interim Special Teams Coach May, 1973 –Oct., 1975
Responsible for all aspects of player personnel including: coordinating training camp, evaluating and selecting players, compiling records on over 450 college seniors, and negotiating and signing both college and free agent prospects during the 1974 season. Principal organizer of WFL league wide scouting combine.
• Special Teams Coach (two games for new coach Willie Wood - 1975). • Training camp coordinator 1975. • Youngest Director of Player Personnel in pro football history. • Orchestrated plan to sign Russ Francis (Oregon St, TE) and Thomas Henderson (Langston, LB) for immediate participation at the conclusion of their college season (rejected by league officials). Both players were subsequently drafted in the first round in the NFL draft.
Chicago Bears (NFL) Chicago, Il Area Scout / Pro Personnel Asst. / Special Assistant Aug, 1971- April 1973
Team’s Eastern Regional Talent scout. Assisted first Director of Pro-Personnel in NFL history (Ed Cody) with designing and implementing department organization, scouting manual, and weekly player evaluations, position evaluation forms. . Assisted GM Bobby Walston with training camp, personnel meetings and fall college scheduling.
• Team’s Director of Minor League Scouting (Atlantic Coast & Continental Football Leagues). • Special Assistant to Bobby Walston in third season • Developed specialized scouting form for evaluating punters and place kickers/ • Developed color-rating scale (still used by teams today) for classifying professional players. • Organized and implemented the NFL’s first disaster manual • Participated in the negotiation and signing of free agent prospects at the conclusion of each college draft. • Youngest scout in NFL history.
