What we think we know

[Mr. Scot]

I won't try to lay claim to being more exhausted than anyone else with the sale process. That'd probably be egotistical. But yeah, I've spent a lot of time and effort following it, and I'm pretty happy it's over. Heck, once it's finalized, I might sign off for a while and come back closer to the season.

Of course, there are still the inevitable questions...

What happens next?

The most realistic answer to that question?

Who knows?

For all the speculation and theory, there's still ultimately more that we don't know than what we do.

So in Peter King fashion, I'm gonna talk about things we think we know. Starting with the one thing that's on a lot of people's minds...

The team is not moving

This is one thing I'm absolutely certain of, and for good reason. The league doesn't want it to happen. The city doesn't want it to happen. David Tepper doesn't want it to happen. Nobody wants it to happen.

Now with that said...

There's going to be new stadium talk at some point

Besides what Felix Sabates said, there have apparently been some rumblings that Tepper isn't all that impressed with BOA. Somewhere down the road, he's probably looking to upgrade.

Does that mean a dome?  An uptown location? A state line location?

No way to know.

Will there be a threat of relocation at that time? 

Sad to say, it's possible 

Unfortunately, that's the NFL's go to play when they want a new house, but in this case I don't think it's a credible threat. Whether city and state government officials think it's a credible threat will be the question when the time comes.

The next big discussion qxuestion...

There will be staff changes at some point, but not just yet

If nothing else, there are positions available that we can expect will eventually be filled (Assistant GM is a definite option) but do you jump in with both feet when training camp is not that far away?

I don't think so.

Said it elsewhere. I believe the current staff has at least this year to show that they're worth keeping. Again, I'm more confident that the coaches stay than I am the front office folks, but it's all just theory at this point.

And yes, I do believe we'll ultimately call some people from the Steelers, but again not necessarily just yet unless it's for one of the positions that nobody is occupying right now.

Beyond that...

Things are going to be different

Yeah, I know. "No s--t!" But think about it.

A previous owner and a new liner are about as far apart as you can imagine on the personality spectrum. The owner affects everything that happens within the organization from top to bottom. It's inevitable that the culture is going to look different within a year or two.

But in that same vein...

It's going to be awkward

Jerry Richardson did not exactly go out in a blaze of glory. More like a cloud of creepy.

That said, there are obviously people within the organization who are still loyal to Richardson. Heck, even Tepper is mutual friends with the Rooney family, and they've been loyal to Richardson in the past.

However, there are also probably people still within the organization whose experience with Jerry Richardson was not so good, and those people will likely have to interact with the loyalists.

I'd expect all vestiges of Jerry Richardson should be going at some point (heaven knows the league wants that) but that's not something that's going to happen overnight either. And potentially, it could take a while.

Mind you, it could also happen that somebody blows a whistle and yells "everybody out of the pool" sometime next offseason. We'll see.

Again though, one area where I feel a little more certain...

Certain... aesthetic changes are probably coming

You want a Panthers logo at midfield? I think you're going to get it. But I don't think that's first and foremost on the "to do" list.

Getting rid of the statue of Jerry Richardson is probably the higher priority. I just can't see any way that thing can stay. Best suggestion I've heard so far? Give it to the family and let them decide what to do with it.

Beyond that; draft, free agency, character risks, offensive and defensive systems, etc. We've discussed ideas on all of those things during the process of the sale.

But now it's real.

Spent plenty of time following process up to the end. Now that it's almost over, I'm prepared to just sit back and watch the results.

I might like what happens. I might not. I'm prepared for all possibilities.

The one thing on that front that I can say for sure?

When the dust settles, I'll still be a Panthers fan.

Regardless of what you think about where we've been and where we're going, I hope everybody else will be able to say that too.

Gotta feeling it's going to be an exciting ride 

[CarolinaSamurai]

The most interesting thing for me is how much he will do in the dead zone between OTAs and training camp. That's almost 2 months of him owning the team. So what does that look like. I expect most changes announced and revealed then. At least the basics, firings, hirings, new unis or logos, I'm sure he'll want to put his stamp on things before the season starts

[Woodie]

Here's a post I just made in the Hurney thread that probably fits better here.  Basically some thoughts on what I think will happen in the short term.

Tepper will want to get his bearings and understand the playing field before making any sweeping changes.  But I do think we will see a handful of immediate changes, mainly to ease the transition for him. Here's some initial decisions I expect to see happen not long after Tepper officially takes over:

1) A president, or some comparable position, will be brought in to oversee the transition.  It will certainly be filled by someone Tepper knows and completely trusts to manage his business.  Tina Becker will likely be retained to aid in the transition since she knows the lay of the land.  After the transition is complete, she could be let go unless she impresses them during the process.  Other high level roles will likely be evaluated by the incoming president.

2) Marty Hurney will likely be replaced by the end of summer.  I'm assuming that Tepper will want to bring in someone he is familiar and comfortable with, so I expect one of the Steeler guys Mr. Scot has talked about to be brought in as GM (most likely Kahn).  Most of the heavy lifting for the GM is done in FA and the draft, and with those events essentially over, Tepper can bring in his guy without too much disruption.  Dave will want to get his vision for the team in motion earlier rather than let Marty run things his way for the season.  

3) Another reason Hurney will be replaced sooner rather than later is that decisions will have to be made fairly quickly.  And I don't think Tepper will want to waste a good portion of the Free Agency and draft season finding a GM and making a decision on Rivera (and possibly looking for his replacement).  Not to mention a new GM will have to make decisions on the scouting staff. Which scouts, if any, will we keep and which ones will be let go.  And if we do make changes, do we want to be looking for new scouts when we are planning for FA and the draft?  

4)  The coaching staff will have this year as an audition.  It's too late in the season to make a change now, so the staff will get a prove it year.  This also will give the new GM a chance to evaluate Rivera and Co., and determine if they fit with their plans for the team.

5)  I don't think any major signings or changes will happen until the new GM has a chance to get to know the team and determine who fits the new direction.  I get the impression that David Tepper is a very deliberate operator, so I don't think he will make any rash or quick decisions that are not absolutely necessary to get the team rolling with his vision.  

[Mr. Scot]

Good idea from a guy on Twitter: Have David Tepper do the Keep Pounding drum for the home opener.

Stupid idea from an idiot co-worker: Jerry Richardson should do it one last time.

[CarolinaSamurai]

12 minutes ago, Woodie said:

Here's a post I just made in the Hurney thread that probably fits better here.  Basically some thoughts on what I think will happen in the short term.

Tepper will want to get his bearings and understand the playing field before making any sweeping changes.  But I do think we will see a handful of immediate changes, mainly to ease the transition for him. Here's some initial decisions I expect to see happen not long after Tepper officially takes over:

1) A president, or some comparable position, will be brought in to oversee the transition.  It will certainly be filled by someone Tepper knows and completely trusts to manage his business.  Tina Becker will likely be retained to aid in the transition since she knows the lay of the land.  After the transition is complete, she could be let go unless she impresses them during the process.  Other high level roles will likely be evaluated by the incoming president.

2) Marty Hurney will likely be replaced by the end of summer.  I'm assuming that Tepper will want to bring in someone he is familiar and comfortable with, so I expect one of the Steeler guys Mr. Scot has talked about to be brought in as GM (most likely Kahn).  Most of the heavy lifting for the GM is done in FA and the draft, and with those events essentially over, Tepper can bring in his guy without too much disruption.  Dave will want to get his vision for the team in motion earlier rather than let Marty run things his way for the season.  

3) Another reason Hurney will be replaced sooner rather than later is that decisions will have to be made fairly quickly.  And I don't think Tepper will want to waste a good portion of the Free Agency and draft season finding a GM and making a decision on Rivera (and possibly looking for his replacement).  Not to mention a new GM will have to make decisions on the scouting staff. Which scouts, if any, will we keep and which ones will be let go.  And if we do make changes, do we want to be looking for new scouts when we are planning for FA and the draft?  

4)  The coaching staff will have this year as an audition.  It's too late in the season to make a change now, so the staff will get a prove it year.  This also will give the new GM a chance to evaluate Rivera and Co., and determine if they fit with their plans for the team.

5)  I don't think any major signings or changes will happen until the new GM has a chance to get to know the team and determine who fits the new direction.  I get the impression that David Tepper is a very deliberate operator, so I don't think he will make any rash or quick decisions that are not absolutely necessary to get the team rolling with his vision.  

I highly doubt Hurney is replaced. Him, Rivera and the coaching staff is very safe untill the end of the season. Though Gman was a early firing that's highly irregular, you usually wait until the end of the season with all the firings and GM shuffling there are more candidates to choose from. 

The the GMs job continues untill the start of the regular season and into it. You have the cut down to 53, injuries, and released players from the cut down. You need to sign, trade, pickup players. 

[DaveThePanther2008]

Good Job Mr. Scot and Woodie.  

One thing the Steeler organization has is continuity. Rivera whether you like him or not has done a fairly solid job.   I don't see any owner replacing the HC that is successful.  If Rivera flounders this year, maybe so but I don't think he is anywhere near a hotseat because we have a new owner.  Tepper will appreciate the continuity.  Playoffs four of the five past seasons is a solid bullet on a resume.

Hurney, maybe so.  I guess it depends on if he is a hands on or hands off guy.   It may also be how their interaction goes.  If Tepper doesn't have a warm fuzzy feeling for Hurney and his direction, it could happen.  If Hurney's transactions pan out I think it might be a tad more difficult for Tepper to replace him.

Like I said the Steelers have continuity, In fact so do the Panthers.  Only 4 head coaches in our history.  Many teams have had that many in a decade.

Coaching Staff stays

GM....depends on the success of his 2018 moves.

Front office.....most likely

[Woodie]

23 minutes ago, CarolinaSamurai said:

I highly doubt Hurney is replaced. Him, Rivera and the coaching staff is very safe untill the end of the season. Though Gman was a early firing that's highly irregular, you usually wait until the end of the season with all the firings and GM shuffling there are more candidates to choose from. 

The the GMs job continues untill the start of the regular season and into it. You have the cut down to 53, injuries, and released players from the cut down. You need to sign, trade, pickup players. 

It is irregular, unless you have someone in mind to slide into the position.  But in this case, the assumption is that the GM hire will come from someone within the Steelers organization, so it should be a quick and easy transition (since there is a high likelihood those conversations have already taken place).  Of course, there's no guarantee he'll bring someone from Pittsburg, but it is logical.  Now, if he decides against hiring someone from the Steelers as GM, then you're probably right.  Summer is not the time to do an exhaustive GM search.

But think about it, unless Tepper is seriously considering keeping Hurney (which I think there is zero chance of), there's no real benefit to giving him the year (again, assuming he has someone in line to take over).  Big decisions will need to be made, and the sooner the better for the organization.  Trying to make them all after the season would put the team behind the eight ball...especially if they make a deep playoff run. 

Tepper would need to go through the interview process to find his GM, who would then have to evaluate and decide if Rivera should continue as coach.  And if he decides to make a change, the GM will need to go through the interview process to find the right coach.  He'll also need to evaluate the scouting staff at the same time to determine what to do about them.  All that will be taking place during the period the team should be preparing for FA and the draft...It's the same reason Hurney's contract ran until June.  It's very difficult to properly get ready for FA and the draft if you don't have the pieces in place. 

The rest of it are not really major issues.  Typically, it's the coaches who decide who to cut.  And since the new GM would have been working in personnel with the Steelers, he'd certainly be familiar with who is available to fill any needs that arise, and should be able to fill in gaps as players are released.

[Trev_GFC]

Moving from an uptown location to a giant car park makes complete financial sense but I’m surprised Tepper would like Heinz Field but not BoA. I know he’s only a minority owner there but surely you would’ve heard rumblings of them moving to a Dome stadium out of town, it’s the same situation? Unless the others were dead against it and he sees this as his key project: “the house that David built”.

[The Pieyed Piper]

is there a thread long enough to think we know what we know?

[GRWatcher]

2 hours ago, CarolinaSamurai said:

The most interesting thing for me is how much he will do in the dead zone between OTAs and training camp. That's almost 2 months of him owning the team. So what does that look like. I expect most changes announced and revealed then. At least the basics, firings, hirings, new unis or logos, I'm sure he'll want to put his stamp on things before the season starts

On the personal side of life, I'm sure he'll take a goodly portion of those 2 months to bring family to Charlotte, buy and set up a residence (2nd home type of thing), get to know Charlotte and its major politicians and community players as well as Governor Cooper and other state personnel. Then there's getting to know the core players of the team, Cam, Greg, Luke, Thomas, Julius, Ryan, with more than a handshake and hello. He'll be a very busy man.

[TheCandyMan]

I wonder if part of Tepper's deal leaving Pittsburg includes some sort of non-compete clause.  If it does, I would think that would be another factor to us seeing slow front office staff changes.  If he has guys in mind that are outside of Pittsburg we'll probably see them come on somewhat quickly, but if he has someone in mind for GM or some other high-profile role that's currently drawing a paycheck in Steelerville it could be a while before we see them here.  If I was part of the ownership of the Steelers, I'd want to protect myself for a year or two.

[caatfan]

7 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

Jerry Richardson should do it one last time.

He should take the place of the drum. I'd like to pound him a time or three.

[trueblade]

It doesn't have to be an either or proposition with Hurney. Tepper could hire his guy into the vacant Team President position, or an Assistance GM position. This person would be able to work with Hurney through the summer and get an up close and personal feel for the man's abilities (or lack thereof). Then he and Tepper can make a decision on Hurney.

[kungfoodude]

6 hours ago, Woodie said:

But think about it, unless Tepper is seriously considering keeping Hurney (which I think there is zero chance of), there's no real benefit to giving him the year (again, assuming he has someone in line to take over).  

So......about that.....