Informative Dave Gettleman Article In Observer

[FootballMaestro]

Not sure if this has been posted yet. But the Observer posted, the longest and most informative article on Dave Gettleman, his background, career and future intentions, I've noticed. It's a long article, so here are some highlights.

1) We've heard numerous times, "Gettleman's not afraid of hard work", right? Well, Gettleman got his work ethic early in life (12 yrs old) it appears, installing boilers in Apt buildings in and around Boston wit his late father. Later he installed sprinkler systems and loading trucks at a Boston meat market during summers.

1B) Gettleman played baseball and football in high school, and started as a freshman on Springfield (Mass.) College’s football team before a shoulder injury ended his career. Gettleman was also a high school assistant during his final two years of college, and was coaching and teaching drivers education in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where/when he met his future wife. I guess he really is a hard working guy, after all, huh? LOL. And yes, he was an actual athlete at one point. That's good to.

2) Ernie Accorsi calls Gettleman an "EXCEPTIONAL Evaluator of talent".

3) Gettleman has already spend "hours in the sun" in Alabama scouting players (for this years Senior Bowl), and he's quite happy doing it, the article says.

4) Gettleman DID scout College Football players, starting with a lead scout for BLESTO, a scouting cooperative he participated in the early 1990's, when he was a Combine Scout for the Buffalo Bills.

5) With BLESTO, Gettleman Discovered "underwhelming" 6-7 290lb DT, James Williams, from HSBCU college, Cheyney University in 1991. Once drafted, he was converted to OT, started 143 games and went to the Pro Bowl. A big early Fish for Gettleman. Note: Gettleman had to go through 6 reels of film on him. And he finally found what he was looking for on the 6th and final reel only. That shows/tells you something right there.

6) Gettleman went over scouting Reports with 2X Super Bowl winning Giants Head Coach, Tom Coughlin and his staff.

7) Gettleman, went over Free Agents with "the Cantankerous Coughlin". And Gettleman never backed down from the moody, opinionated coach, while maintaining his cool and professionalism.

8) Bill Polian, and others said Gettleman was well respected by 4X Super Bowl losing Buffalo Bills coach Marv Levy, cause he was so well prepared and dealt with facts and analysis, not just opinion or cliches.

9) Gettleman helped sign, wide receiver Plaxico Burress, linebacker Antonio Pierce, center Shaun O’Hara and right tackle Kareem McKenzie. Acorsi said "Generally speaking, we didn't miss on an important free agent signing”. Accorsi added, “We hit them all, big and small.” I'll add, Gettleman and Accorsi, had discussed in other interviews, how Accorsi would have Gettleman personally scout targeted college players as well (even in his pro personnel position), since he valued his opinion so highly.

10) Gettleman DID actually interview for GM jobs previously. He interviewed in Kansas City before the Chiefs hired Scott Pioli in 2009, and twice was a finalist in Cleveland. That's good to know. Some Panther fans thought, he never got a bite.

11) And after not securing those opportunities, GETTLEMAN approached general manager Jerry Reese about taking a step back and letting his assistant, Ken Sternfeld, take over as pro personnel director. The Giants created the title Senior Pro Personnel Director for Gettleman, so he didn't travel on the road. As everyone knows, Gettleman contemplated his career from here. But it WAS HIS CHOICE in the Giants re-organization.

12) The rest is history as we know....After, Accorsi calls him to interview for the Panthers position, and he gets the job.

13) Rivera said Gettleman supported his decision to promote assistants such as Mike Shula, the former quarterbacks coach who will take over for Chudzinski. Gettleman claims he's not a "slash and burn" type. Says he'll give you a chance first, 'to see what you got'. He wants to 'investigate, evaluate, then move on' in a nutshell. Gettleman had input on the hires. But Rivera made the call. We'll see how long this last, and if so, how successful?

When you read the article and the chronology of events in his life, everything makes more sense. Gettleman doesn't look as big as a question mark as a few of us may have felt (if we even did at all). He DEFINITELY came off as very vital to the Giants. And his experience there, can certainly help Rivera and his OWN coaching, players, free agents, game preparation and management, I think/We hope.

Funny, Accorsi ends the article saying "“I don’t think I ever walked in there when he wasn't studying tape, if he was in his office.” Well, let's hope he has some time to manage and delegate as well. LOL.

I hope this was informative and clarifies any misinformation, gaps or misconceptions that some of us may have had about Gettleman's background, past or present. Here's the link below.

http://www.charlotte...-gettleman.html

[thunderraiden]

...

When you read this article and chronology of events in his life, everything makes more sense, and Gettleman doesn't look as big as a question mark, as a few of us may have felt (if we even did). He DOES come off as very vital for the Giants. And his experience there, can certainly help Rivera and his OWN coaching and game management (we hope).

....

http://www.charlotte...-gettleman.html

Who felt Gettleman was a question mark? The only knock on him was his age and thinking of how the NFL operates leaving us not-so-future proof.

[Gabeking]

I think we posted this at the same time but you have a better analysis so mods can delete mine if they want lol

[Bwood]

Thank you for posting, nice to see some actual Panther talk.

[Bwood]

" Gettleman helped sign, wide receiver Plaxico Burress, linebacker Antonio Pierce, center Shaun O’Hara and right tackle Kareem McKenzie. Acorsi said "“Generally speaking, we didn’t miss on an important free agent signing,” Accorsi said. “We hit them all, big and small.”

We gotta get some money...

[La Pantera]

" Gettleman helped sign, wide receiver Plaxico Burress, linebacker Antonio Pierce, center Shaun O’Hara and right tackle Kareem McKenzie. Acorsi said "“Generally speaking, we didn’t miss on an important free agent signing,” Accorsi said. “We hit them all, big and small.”

We gotta get some money...

We'll get some. Some how, some way.

[top dawg]

“I’m not a slash-and-burn guy. I have no interest in making changes, and we’re going to move forward with this staff,” Gettleman said. “This team went 7-9. They didn’t go 2-14. You have to appreciate that.

The post-season is not necessarily the litmus test for next season, Gettleman is going to actually see the big picture when evaluating, and---more importantly---making changes.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/01/26/3815092/carolina-panthers-gm-dave-gettleman.html#storylink=cpy

[Frizzy350]

13) Rivera said Gettleman supported Rivera’s decision to promote assistants such as Mike Shula, the former quarterbacks coach who will take over for Chudzinski. Claims he's not a "slash and burn" type. He'll give you a chance first, 'to see what you got'. He wants to 'investigate, evaluate, then move on', he says. Gettleman had input on the hires. But Rivera made the call. We'll see how long this last, and if it's--how successful?

http://www.charlotte...-gettleman.html

I think because JR gave Rivera another shot, Gettleman will give Rivera reign over the coaching staff for his 3rd year (keep in mind, 3 years is the expected gold standard for coaches/qbs/etc to really turn things around). Considering Rivera has improved this team every year, he might as well allow Rivera to keep his plan in place and if there is no progress this year(aka, playoffs) it's Gettleman's turn to implement his long term plan + staff.

[top dawg]

I think we posted this at the same time but you have a better analysis so mods can delete mine if they want lol

Mighty gracious of you. You actually did post the article first. This one is not an analysis per se, but a better synopsis for people who don't want to read. I gave you both pie. Graciousness in the Huddle is at a premium.

[Frizzy350]

The post-season is not necessarily the litmus test for next season, Gettleman is going to actually see the big picture when evaluating, and---more importantly---making changes.

Read more here: http://www.charlotte...l#storylink=cpy

While I agree with you, most fans and analysts won't. Rivera kind of shot himself in the foot. As a head coach, when the FIRST thing you do is acquire a quarterback of Cam's stature, your expectations are immediately blown significantly out of proportion. I mean it even took the Saints a few years to start putting together winning seasons with Drew Brees.

This was the main reason I was against drafting Cam. I thought it would be better to go the Andy Dalton/Bengals route. Beef up on talent at every position on the team, then plug some average qb in and let him manage his way to victory. I'm happy with the way Cam turned out.

[FootballMaestro]

I think because JR gave Rivera another shot, Gettleman will give Rivera reign over the coaching staff for his 3rd year (keep in mind, 3 years is the expected gold standard for coaches/qbs/etc to really turn things around). Considering Rivera has improved this team every year, he might as well allow Rivera to keep his plan in place and if there is no progress this year(aka, playoffs) it's Gettleman's turn to implement his long term plan + staff.

Makes sense (even though some of us may not agree with it, and/or see your original scenario in the post you made after, regarding low vs high expectations on a fan base).

Fans can indeed be impatient. However, at this point/stage, you just have to hope for the best, regarding the players, coach, GM and season. There's nothing protesters can do now. I'm hoping for a great, exciting season.

Go Panthers!! LOL

[Mr. Scot]

Read that this morning.

This part caught my eye...

By 8 a.m., Gettleman would be in front of coach Tom Coughlin and his staff to go over the scouting report. During the sit-downs with Coughlin – especially when Gettleman would meet with Coughlin about free agents – Gettleman did not back down from the cantankerous coach, according to Accorsi.

“He was never territorial. It was never about Dave and his ego,” Accorsi said. “But he also would stand his ground … and Coughlin is no shrinking violet. He’s a tough guy and he makes you earn your conviction.”

Polian said former Bills coach Marv Levy always respected Gettleman – in large part because of his preparedness.

“When you’re dealing with analysis and facts, it’s a lot easier to have a conversation than with someone saying, ‘I like this guy.’ It’s a marked difference,” Polian said. “(Gettleman) doesn’t deal in cliches. He deals in straight-down-the-line, factual analysis.”

That makes me think if he gets any push from another "cantankerous old man" he won't just back down.

[The Golden Child]

Good article.

[Dex]

Thanks for taking the time big homie.