MOBILE, Ala. -- After losing quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi to the Detroit Lions on Tuesday, New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis was asked about another hot name in the organization -- player personnel director Ryan Pace.
Earlier this month, the Saints denied the Miami Dolphins permission to interview Pace for their general manager vacancy. Loomis said Tuesday that they denied the request because the Saints were still in the playoffs at the time. But Loomis said he expects Pace to get away at some point.
When asked if he could describe what makes Pace so talented, Loomis said, "Yes, I can, but I don't like to. I kind of feel like he's been our secret for a while.”
“But look, he's a great, young personnel director,” Loomis continued. “He's got a great eye for talent and guys that fit with what we are doing and what we want to do. He's very talented. He's a guy that we're going to lose at some point.”
Pace originally joined the Saints in 2001 as an assistant in areas like game-day and training-camp operations before working his way up through the scouting department. He was promoted last year from pro scouting director into his current role, where he oversees all pro and college scouting.