With all of the reports of Lovie getting final say over personnel and the majority of GM candidates being people he has worked with before I was wondering if you guys could get him to answer some questions tomorrow about this and what he envisions his role is. As a Bucs fan I am concerned about this.An interview with Greg Gabriel, former director of college scouting for the Bears, who hired GM-candidate Chris Ballard said this on Buscnation:"He's got a very good relationship with Lovie Smith. You know, they go back. Chris played at Wisconsin when Lovie was an assistant coach there. They know each other going back from when Chris was in college. Another thing that's very important with Lovie: Chris is from Texas, Lovie is from Texas. Lovie loves Texans." Lovie loves Texans? Really?! How about, Lovie loves people who are great at their jobs and are ultra competent. Wouldn't that make more sense? In the fraternity known as the NFL it scares me when we have people who get picked for jobs for reasons other than ability. Not to say that Ballard wouldn't be competent but if being a Texan is a determining factor in this, we are in trouble.
Please wait and see Give this group a chance, really we have no choice
With all of the reports of Lovie getting final say over personnel and the majority of GM candidates being people he has worked with before I was wondering if you guys could get him to answer some questions tomorrow about this and what he envisions his role is. As a Bucs fan I am concerned about this.An interview with Greg Gabriel, former director of college scouting for the Bears, who hired GM-candidate Chris Ballard said this on Buscnation:"He's got a very good relationship with Lovie Smith. You know, they go back. Chris played at Wisconsin when Lovie was an assistant coach there. They know each other going back from when Chris was in college. Another thing that's very important with Lovie: Chris is from Texas, Lovie is from Texas. Lovie loves Texans." Lovie loves Texans? Really?! How about, Lovie loves people who are great at their jobs and are ultra competent. Wouldn't that make more sense? In the fraternity known as the NFL it scares me when we have people who get picked for jobs for reasons other than ability. Not to say that Ballard wouldn't be competent but if being a Texan is a determining factor in this, we are in trouble.
I think your concern is a little misplaced. The TX connection seems to be an innocent one of familiarity. Haven't read anything saying that Ballard isn't a top GM candidate. As with any other hiring, the person making the decision may have certain personal preferences, all other things being equal. I think it makes the most sense to view it this way.
I think your concern is a little misplaced. The TX connection seems to be an innocent one of familiarity. Haven't read anything saying that Ballard isn't a top GM candidate. As with any other hiring, the person making the decision may have certain personal preferences, all other things being equal. I think it makes the most sense to view it this way.
Does it not concern you whatsoever that the leading candidate for GM is one who has particularly strong ties to the coach, the majority of other GM candidates floated also have ties to the coach and the coach reportedly has final say in personnel? When you limit the potential list of GM's to "friends of Lovie" then you are missing out on a fairly large chunk of the pie. If I'm the owner of a business I am not going to limit a search for potential CEO's to personal friends of my President, that would be stupid. Yet, somehow, that seems like it might be happening, yet you think my concern is misplaced?
Well, we don't know who has actually been interviewed or is under consideration. The reason you hear about the ones with whom he has connections is because he has connections with them (makes it easier to speculate). It's not like any of the rumored names have come from authoritative sources anyway. It's all speculation. The other point is that the GM in the Bucs organization has to work well with the coach, so personal connections help. I'll start worrying if Lovie hires someone who isn't a top personnel guy, and so far the names I've heard are reportedly very highly regarded personnel people.
I think your concern is a little misplaced. The TX connection seems to be an innocent one of familiarity. Haven't read anything saying that Ballard isn't a top GM candidate. As with any other hiring, the person making the decision may have certain personal preferences, all other things being equal. I think it makes the most sense to view it this way.
Does it not concern you whatsoever that the leading candidate for GM is one who has particularly strong ties to the coach, the majority of other GM candidates floated also have ties to the coach and the coach reportedly has final say in personnel? When you limit the potential list of GM's to "friends of Lovie" then you are missing out on a fairly large chunk of the pie. If I'm the owner of a business I am not going to limit a search for potential CEO's to personal friends of my President, that would be stupid. Yet, somehow, that seems like it might be happening, yet you think my concern is misplaced?
No it doesn't. Coaching is very much a fraternity, takes very long hours, and requires lots of trust. EVERY coach surrounds themselves with people they know and have a relationship with. It's not incestuous - it's necessary. This isn't a 9-5 company you're hiring. Coaches MUST have relationships with most of their hires for it to function as a unit. For an example of why - see Jason Garrett and the Dallas Cowboys.
