Mr. Scot

Valid, but I have a hard time buying that he'd give as much leeway as he did in the coaching search to a guy he doesn't fully trust.

Okay now it's weird

Yeah, I don't know whether to believe that or not. What I do know is that this story is likely to generate a load of talk. (also a pretty good chance that some of it won't be especially productive)

Someone told me that just trusting in who the coaches pick is a "lazy answer" It's not. Honestly, I'd call it the best answer right now.

I get the feeling this might at least partially be in response to Ben Albright.

Same. I wouldn't scream either way.

Wild story hitting the news today... Remember when it came out that our former longtime trainer was into some shady dealings? I haven't looked to see if there's been any medical staff turnover since Tepper arrived, but I'd like to hope the guy who says his team should have "the best of everything" is looking to make that true in what's arguably the most important area. Given that the same guy who said this wants a turf field so he can host rock concerts though...

Back on topic...

Pretty much. It's not necessarily the method that's the mistake. It's who you pick. It's been reported that our front office is interested but they're not going to impose on Reich and his staff, so until it's all fleshed out we won't know whether the Panthers plan to try for him or not.

The same one where Mitch Trubisky goes before Patrick Mahomes and DeShaun Watson? You never know with the draft.

There are some things we know from behind the scenes reporting... Fitterer made the call on the fifth year option, but pretty much everything else quarterback related was Rhule. It's also been told that if somebody didn't buy in on a particular decision, Rhule would "work to gain their agreement"... which basically translated to badgering them about it until they finally gave in. That way he could say "See, they agreed with me" and, if necessary, pass the buck. (his post firing interviews have been pretty clear examples of how he operates in terms of taking responsibility) In a standard NFL front office, the head coach tells the GM what he needs and the GM does his best to go out and get it. The coaches in such cases generally don't set compensation or trade terms, so it makes for a good check and balance system. In ours, The head coach had final say. That meant if he wanted a player to stay or be gone, that's what was gonna happen. And while he didn't necessarily set salaries or anything like that, dictating that you had to pay a guy no matter what limits your negotiating options. So yeah, it's true that we don't know everything that happened, but these are the things we do know. We also know that the guy who does know everything that went on fired Matt Rhule and handed the responsibility for hiring his replacement over to Scott Fitterer. You can at least infer something from that. Even now though, you're not looking at a situation where Fitterer just tells Reich "these are the players I'm giving you, deal with it". Both men are known for being very collaborative in their approach (and genuinely so, not Matt Rhule style collaborative) so this time I'd expect it to work like a real NFL front office. I'd add that a couple of different analysts have mentioned that Tepper really likes Fitterer. When people questioned how safe his position was this past offseason, Josh Klein replied "very" so I don't know how seriously to take the idea that he needs to prove himself. If the team is a total disaster this year I could understand, but outside of that change doesn't seem likely. You never know though. Crazier things have happened.

I agree but for different reasons. You know conversations between Aaron Rodgers and Jim Irsay would be comedy gold

Oy No more "smitten" with Fitterer than I "hated" Hurney. I just have an understanding of front office dynamics that you clearly don't. But keep trying, dude

Latest speculation has been the Packers have no intention of trading him.

This is one of the reasons I hate player comps.

I see we're still trying to push a dumb agenda in the middle of good times

Because gambling smart is better

Also... They think it might not just be a negotiating tactic. Oy...

Uh oh...

Rhule talked him up from the time he got here.

Not a clue... He doesn't know, dude.

So you're saying a quarterback with more losing seasons than winning ones is a bad QB? Okay

Speaking of college coaches (and old friends)

Explains a lot about Wilson though, doesn't it?