Business is business with Gettleman

[top dawg]

Dave Gettleman has a heart, but he will still make the tough decisions: this is what I got from reading David Newton's article this morning and watching the video of Gettleman's interview with Bill Bill Polian (and others):

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/64192/panthers-gm-dave-gettleman-makes-the-tough-decisions-because-he-has-to

We all understand the Godfather references, but G-man absolutely hates this time of year because he knows that he must do what he 'has to' for the betterment of the entire organization. 

One "epiphany" that I had while watching the vid is that in regards to free agency, this relative quiet is probably how it is ALWAYS going to be under G-man's reign because he will never forsake homegrown talent in order to acquire a guy whose price has been inflated by the market (which is almost always the case for "splash" acquisitions). G-man will NEVER let the market rule him because it upsets the balance of the team culture (and ultimately its relation to the cap).

On an off note, Getty referenced the reality that players coming out of college are just not as fundamentally sound as they used to be. He noted that this wasn't an indictment on them or the college game, but just the way it is due to collegiate coaches' reliance on shemes. As such, this kind of plays into him saying that you hate to develop players for someone else and let them go, but you also get the feeling that he realizes that you can't keep them all, and that this is a good byproduct of doing a good job, and it's also why the draft is so important.

Gettleman takes a mature, big-picture approach. He has his fingers on the pulse of every aspect of the organization, and he is going to make the tough decisions for whatever he deems is the betterment of the team every single time, regardless of personal feelings.

"Rivera said Gettleman’s ability to separate his personal feelings from business in terms of making the tough decisions has 'been one of the things that’s helped us.'"

And so it has which is evidenced by the Panthers under Dave Gettleman's watch. Regardless of whether you like him or not, I think that understanding him goes a long way towards giving clarity and hopefully comfort in regards to the status and direction of the team.

[Cape Fear Cat]

I love our GM.

[Mr. Scot]

I think that's how you have to do it.

Emotions lead to decisions like giving an aging quarterback who's just had an awful playoff game a big extension because he was good in the past.

[KB_fan]

Really nice post @top dawg

Yes, while yesterday's interview with G'man may not have been too newsy (other than the no-brainer news re: Star's 5th year option), it really did give a window into Gettleman's heart and mind.  As you mentioned, he talked about how he HATES this time of year, that it's "like sticking a needle in your eye."

Polian laughed knowingly, and he also very clearly agreed with Gettleman's assessment of how long it's taking to develop college players since they increasingly lack fundamentals.

Gettleman essentially said "how can I sign these expensive free agents and then look the guys we drafted in the face and tell them there's no money to sign them?"

He'll do what he has to do for the good of the organization, not letting his feelings get in the way.  He recognizes he's going to have to make very very tough choices and will have to let some great guys "graduate" - i.e. leave for other teams.

Yet it's so clear he loves the players and is closely engaged with them.  A tender heart and yet a HARD head and no conmpromising when it comes to sticking with his plan.   Couldn't ask for a better combination, in my opinion.

[The NFL Shield At Midfield]

it's a hard job and it clearly crushed marty hurney.  and there's no shame in that.

[KB_fan]

David Newton has an article which gives more depth & detail about Gettleman's comments yesterday.  Good reading.

http://espn.go.com/blog/carolina-panthers/post/_/id/20200/panthers-gm-dave-gettleman-makes-the-tough-decisions-because-he-has-to

Here's the key excerpt which I found interesting:

Quote

 

Rivera believes the decisions will become harder for Gettleman the longer he’s around and is faced with cutting high-profile players he brought to the organization.

“It might change him," Rivera said. “Dave is very loyal. He develops relationships. He’s a different type of general manager. He’s involved with the players a little bit more. He’s available for the players a little bit more."

While he might agonize more over such matters, Gettleman vowed he won’t change.

He said he wrestled with the choice to release defensive end Charles Johnson, second on the team’s all-time sacks list, to clear $11 million under the salary cap after this past season. Gettleman still made the move.

He also re-signed Johnson to a bargain-basement, one-year, $3 million deal a week later.

Gettleman said the relationship he had with Johnson allowed that to happen. He didn’t have that same bond with Smith or Williams.

“We could talk to each other," Gettleman said. “I went to his grandmother’s funeral [in Georgia]. Ron and I drove down. It was the Saturday after the Seattle game in the ’14 season. I think it meant a lot to him.

“He and I have established a good relationship. [Cutting him] was hard for me, but I had to do it.’’

 

 

[caatfan]

47 minutes ago, top dawg said:

this relative quiet is probably how it is ALWAYS going to be under G-man's reign because he will never forsake homegrown talent in order to acquire a guy whose price has been inflated by the market (which is almost always the case for "splash" acquisitions). G-man will NEVER let the market rule him because it upsets the balance of the team culture (and ultimately its relation to the cap).

Let's hope it'll still be done that way after Gman has retired, since it's the best way to operate. 

[Major wRecktum]

But, I thought CJ didn't like Gettleman...

[Peppers90 NC]

Well if you didn't know that already before this article, at least you understand it now.

[Mr. Scot]

50 minutes ago, Major wRecktum said:

But, I thought CJ didn't like Gettleman...

CPK's schtick is that every player hates Gettleman, but that's how he maintains his status as one of our resident dumbasses.

[TheSpecialJuan]

3 hours ago, KB_fan said:

Really nice post @top dawg

Yes, while yesterday's interview with G'man may not have been too newsy (other than the no-brainer news re: Star's 5th year option), it really did give a window into Gettleman's heart and mind.  As you mentioned, he talked about how he HATES this time of year, that it's "like sticking a needle in your eye."

Polian laughed knowingly, and he also very clearly agreed with Gettleman's assessment of how long it's taking to develop college players since they increasingly lack fundamentals.

Gettleman essentially said "how can I sign these expensive free agents and then look the guys we drafted in the face and tell them there's no money to sign them?"

He'll do what he has to do for the good of the organization, not letting his feelings get in the way.  He recognizes he's going to have to make very very tough choices and will have to let some great guys "graduate" - i.e. leave for other teams.

Yet it's so clear he loves the players and is closely engaged with them.  A tender heart and yet a HARD head and no conmpromising when it comes to sticking with his plan.   Couldn't ask for a better combination, in my opinion.

Very well said.

[the butch]

Translation: we finally have a GM that can run the most basic of NPV calculations instead of blindly throwing darts at a board.

 

I swear, organized sports have to be last vestige of cronyism/nepotism that existed in big business.  Could you imagine what would happen to a product-line VP at Visa if he approved a six-year, $72MM co-brand agreement with Cabo Fish Taco because a friend owns it?  Sports GMs do this kinda crap all the time and get away with it regardless of team performance because of their built-in network of protection.  GMan finally doing things right.

[Jmac]

Most of the NFL will one day catch on to this man's agenda. Be frugal in FA and don't be tempted by the big name. Find the pieces to add depth or a lower tier FA with some skill to fill a starting spot. Save the $ for home grown talent and kill it in the draft. Being able to retain our own talent while adding valuable young talent is a formula for sustained success.

 

[Bartin]

4 minutes ago, Dick the Butcher said:

Translation: we finally have a GM that can run the most basic of NPV calculations instead of blindly throwing darts at a board.

 

I swear, organized sports have to be last vestige of cronyism/nepotism that existed in big business.  Could you imagine what would happen to a product-line VP at Visa if he approved a six-year, $72MM co-brand agreement with Cabo Fish Taco because a friend owns it?  Sports GMs do this kinda crap all the time and get away with it regardless of team performance because of their built-in network of protection.  GMan finally doing things right.

Not to get off topic, but corporations still do that all the time. It works out about as well as it does in the NFL usually.