"Who's in charge" revisited

[Mr. Scot]

We had this discussion a little while ago, but it's worth revisiting given that Marty Hurney is a topic today.

As far as where Marty actually stands, a couple of things to remember...

This past offseason, David Tepper talked a lot about transitioning some of Marty's duties to an Assistant GM hire. Specifically, the pro player side of things where he apparently felt Marty was weak. He also made clear that this guy could be Marty's successor at some point. How soon was never really discussed, but Igo has stated that he's already heard about Hurney's duties being "scaled back".

Unfortunately, when Tepper went looking for his guy, he found out that other NFL teams weren't going to let him interview somebody that wasn't going to be given full control. Thus, we ended up hiring a pro personnel only guy in Pat Stewart. Stewart didn't get an official "Assistant GM" title, but if you dig into his background, you'll find he's an interesting choice.

Why? Well, one big reason the Stewart hire is  intriguing is that he and Matt Rhule have known each other since 2005. Rhule and Stewart worked together back when Rhule was at Western Carolina and then at Temple. Add in that on the personal side, Stewart and Rhule have been described as longtime friends.

Also worth remembering that when he was asked what it would take to lure him away from Baylor, Rhule specified that he wanted to be in charge of the whole shebang. He used the phrase "complete autonomy" in an interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. In that same interview, Rhule said just being "subcontracted for his x's and o's" wasn't a good situation. Examples of what would be an ideal situation included guys like Nick saban and Bill Belichick.

But when he hired him as head coach of the Panthers, David Tepper didn't offer "full autonomy". Officially, Matt Rhule  does not have the kind of complete program control he said he wanted...

...at least not yet.

See, in the NFL, sometimes being in charge isn't necessarily a matter of having the official title. Sometimes having a good buddy who has the official title works just as well. Like say, a good friend whom you've worked with before and known for fifteen years.

That could work, right? 

Is Stewart the next GM? Don't know, but I'd say it's very possible. It also seems likely given what we know that Stewart having the GM position likely equals Matt Rhule being King of All He Surveys.

Is that a good thing? Don't know yet. I'm personally not a big fan of the "full control" model. Add in that there are other potential GM candidates who have longer and better resumés in Stewart. Jeff ireland, for example, is also friends with Rhule though as far as I know they've never worked together. But Ireland wouldn't likely be the type to go "Whatever you say, Matt."

Would Pat Stewart be that guy?

Don't know, but I won't be surprised if we get a chance to find out.

[PhillyB]

if he doesn't do massive amounts of blow and watch his ex wife's window from the treetops like george mcfly he's already an improvement from a PR angle

[Mr. Scot]

5 minutes ago, PhillyB said:

if he doesn't do massive amounts of blow and watch his ex wife's window from the treetops like george mcfly he's already an improvement from a PR angle

Everything I've read about Stewart makes him sound like a stable "family man" type.

[Moo Daeng]

Matt Rhule wanted full control of his staff, which he has. It was never about full GM control.

I

[SizzleBuzz]

Tepper's in charge.

[Mr. Scot]

6 minutes ago, Moo Daeng said:

Matt Rhule wanted full control of his staff, which he has. It was never about full GM control.

Every coach in the league has control of their staff. That's a minimum requirement.

Rhule wants operational control. And frankly, if he keeps winning I have little doubt he'll get it.

[Jacabee]

2 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

Everything I've read about Stewart makes him sound like a stable "family man" type.

Those are the ones you gotta watch out for 

[Mr. Scot]

Just now, Jacabee said:

Those are the ones you gotta watch out for 

That's who Matt Rhule is too 

[Jacabee]

1 minute ago, Mr. Scot said:

That's who Matt Rhule is too 

Haha touche. Watching him too but impressed so far.

[Paa Langfart]

 

Scot regrinding his rusty aging  axe against Hurney after a 3 win streak with one of the weakest personel rosters in Panthers history though no fault of the Gm in charge.   

 

Sad..