A look at the 6 GM candidates the panthers will interview this week

[Mr. Scot]

Which is why if the pipe dream scenario is exactly that, a pipe dream, if we have to go one or the other, I would prefer Ross. I want someone that preferably could hold the job down for the next decade and beyond. While I'm sure Gettleman could do that, just how long does he plan on working in an NFL front office? He's already in his 60s, is he really going to want the NFL GM grind in 5 years? 10 years? Just makes me a little bit uncomfortable.

However, if he's determined to be the best man for the job, then you hire him.

Granted, but what if the best guy for the job right now is Gettleman?

These next few years in Carolina may be rough ones for whomever gets the position. Handing the ship over to a younger guy like Ross might ruin him right out of the gate, whereas letting someone with more experience steer until we're through the rough water (while Ross learns on the job) and then handing the wheel over and saying "you take it from here" might be more practical.

Mind you, there are other guys who could potentially serve as the GM in waiting behind Gettleman. Ken Sternfeld and Kevin Abrams come to mind (though I'll grant Sternfeld's not that much younger than Gettleman, from what I know).

I'd add that if either Ross or Gettleman is named GM, I'd love for them to find a way to steal Kevin Abrams to serve as the team's cap manager.

[jgraham]

Granted, but what if the best guy for the job right now is Gettleman?

These next few years in Carolina may be rough ones for whomever gets the position. Handing the ship over to a younger guy like Ross might ruin him right out of the gate, whereas letting someone with more experience steer until we're through the rough water (while Ross learns on the job) and then handing the wheel over and saying "you take it from here" might be more practical.

Mind you, there are other guys who could potentially serve as the GM in waiting behind Gettleman. Ken Sternfeld and Kevin Abrams come to mind (though I'll grant Sternfeld's not that much younger than Gettleman, from what I know).

Hello Mr Scot - Can you just briefly explain to me what the key jobs are for a GM? There are lots of different roles within an organisation and i'm not entirely sure who does what.

Cheers

[Mr. Scot]

Hello Mr Scot - Can you just briefly explain to me what the key jobs are for a GM? There are lots of different roles within an organisation and i'm not entirely sure who does what.

I'll give you what I know.

The GM's primary job is personnel evaluation, deciding who's worth drafting, who's worth signing in free agency, which players currently on the team deserve contract extensions (for how long and how much)...essentially acquiring the "groceries" as Bill Parcells put it that the head coach uses to set his roster.

Most GMs these days oversee the cap as well, though often it's with the assistance of a cap manager (someone with strong accounting skills). It's tough to find one guy who's great at both scouting and accounting, so generally the GM sits down with the cap guy to work things out. The GM might say what he thinks a certain player is worth, to which the cap guy replies with what the team can afford.

Although the general structure might vary somewhat from team to team, in most cases the GM's desk is where the proverbial buck stops. He oversees everything related to the football side of things, including stuff like the hiring and firing of front office people (and sometimes coaches) and oversight of the scouting departments, the ones responsible for gathering the information that the GM uses to make his player decisions.

So yeah, overall it's a really big (and extremely difficult) job.

Hope that helps.

[Bwood]

Props to the op for posting this.

We dont all live in the confines of Charlotte .

I live in Southern California, but you're welcome.

[jgraham]

I'll give you what I know.

The GM's primary job is personnel evaluation, deciding who's worth drafting, who's worth signing in free agency, which players currently on the team deserve contract extensions (for how long and how much)...essentially acquiring the "groceries" as Bill Parcells put it that the head coach uses to set his roster.

Most GMs these days oversee the cap as well, though often it's with the assistance of a cap manager (someone with strong accounting skills). It's tough to find one guy who's great at both scouting and accounting, so generally the GM sits down with the cap guy to work things out. The GM might say what he thinks a certain player is worth, to which the cap guy replies with what the team can afford.

Although the general structure might vary somewhat from team to team, in most cases the GM's desk is where the proverbial buck stops. He oversees everything related to the football side of things, including stuff like the hiring and firing of front office people (and sometimes coaches) and oversight of the scouting departments, the ones responsible for gathering the information that the GM uses to make his player decisions.

So yeah, overall it's a really big (and extremely difficult) job.

Hope that helps.

It does - Thank you. I did wonder when the Hurney guy got the boot what effect that would have at the time because I couldn't see what impact it had if any on the current on field performance.

I think the grocery shopping analogy makes perfect sense - he does the shopping and leaves the coaches to make the best out of what they are given.

My background is football (soccer) and ruby league so for me Its a case of having one man calling the shots when it comes to pretty much every aspect of the club - transfers, selection, coaching so getting my head around an NFL setup is a bit tricky!

[bigdog10]

I want Gettleman.

He has a pedigree and knows what it takes to be in the big game across a couple different eras.

[KillerKat]

I'm being interviewed tomorrow

[Dex]

The fuging Beane...

[Dex]

I live in Southern California, but you're welcome.

[GRWatcher]

im sure no one on the huddle ever goes to the charlotte observer website, like ever.

I don't any more, not since they want $$ to read the rag. We don't all have the extra bucks for such things.

I'm counting on the Huddle to come through with news.

Thank you, Bwood!

[Woodie]

Ross is young, but not inexperienced.

Of the candidates we have, he's tied for the second most NFL scouting experience (16 years, same as Paton, behind only Gettleman who's been at it for 25 years).

My ideal situation would be to hire Gettleman for the job now but also hire his eventual successor at the same time, putting him in a position like Director of Player Personnel or some such (something we don't have right now).

Have said before that I'd absolutely love to get both Gettleman as the GM of the present and Ross as his heir apparent, but that's a pipe dream.

IMO, that's the position Beane's really interviewing for...whether he realizes it or not.

[rayzor]

I'm being interviewed tomorrow

i was interviewed last week.

and by interviewed i mean i sent in my application for the job 37 times (or probably twice that amount, tbh) and they sent team security to my house to talk to me and ask/tazer me to not do it anymore.

i think they're just playing hardball in the negotiation game so i've stepped up what i'm doing. i'm sure it will work. don't worry, the team will be safe in my hands. i've got over 20k posts in here and i'm pretty sure that makes me among the most qualified.

[Mr. Scot]

i was interviewed last week.

and by interviewed i mean i sent in my application for the job 37 times (or probably twice that amount, tbh) and they sent team security to my house to talk to me and ask/tazer me to not do it anymore.

i think they're just playing hardball in the negotiation game so i've stepped up what i'm doing. i'm sure it will work. don't worry, the team will be safe in my hands. i've got over 20k posts in here and i'm pretty sure that makes me among the most qualified.

Good strategy.

Best of luck. If you get the job, remember I was always your friend.

[Fox007]

I'm almost at the point where I don't even care who gets hired as long as it isn't Beane.