Roster Control

[Mr. Scot]

With the shaping of the final roster just over the horizon, there's one thing I'd like to know about roster control.

Who really has it?

Prior to his getting the Panthers job, the word on Matt Rhule was that he wanted full roster control. Not surprisingly, NFL teams balked at the idea of giving that to a coach with so little NFL experience.

But how much control did the Panthers give him?

[kungfoodude]

15 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

With the shaping of the final roster just over the horizon, there's one thing I'd like to know about roster control.

Who really has it?

Prior to his getting the Panthers job, the word on Matt Rhule was that he wanted full roster control. Not surprisingly, NFL teams balked at the idea of giving that to a coach with so little NFL experience.

But how much control did the Panthers give him?

I think that Rhule doesn't have complete control. I think the decisions are shared between Tepper, Marty and Rhule. To what extent, I don't know. Tepper has absolutely been directly involved in major roster moves but has he after that? 

Personally, I think Marty still has the greatest amount of stroke. He is the guy that has the greatest level of NFL player familiarity and I think the other two largely heed his advice with some exceptions. Considering the dearth of NFL experience Rhule has this would exactly make sense.

I guess the real question is who is the ULTIMATE authority? Rhule or Marty? I'd bet Rhule.

[NAS]

I think It’s a collaboration and don’t think either Hurney or Rhule can make a roster decision without consulting the other. I think Rhule has almost 100% control over roster cuts and who plays in what position, but Hurney is in charge of contracts and scouting of other players, bringing in players for tryouts based on Rhule’s feedback.

I pray to God that Tepper is hands off when jt comes to roster decisions except for big decisions like major contracts and cuts (like Cam).

[Mr. Scot]

The thing with Marty is I go back to Tepper saying that the GM job was really "too big for one guy". We still don't know how that practically will play out yet.

As far as Rhule, a quick look over the roster will tell you we currently have three guys from Baylor and six guys from Temple. Now the final roster isn't set yet, so how many of those will still be here on opening day is unknown.

[t96]

Rhule definitely has more say in the roster than Hurney. Several Hurney guys have gotten the shaft lately, and they wouldn’t have if Hurney had the pull.

[Mr. Scot]

3 minutes ago, t96 said:

Rhule definitely has more say in the roster than Hurney. Several Hurney guys have gotten the shaft lately, and they wouldn’t have if Hurney had the pull.

In a similar vein, this (admittedly loaded) question...

If the full final decision belonged to Hurney, would Cam Newton be gone?

Rhule's feelings about Newton have been a topic of much discussion. I've also said before that I think Joe Brady had a lot to do with that decision and with the choice to sign Teddy Bridgewater.

[LinvilleGorge]

They're at least saying publicly that Marty has final call.

[LinvilleGorge]

9 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

In a similar vein, this (admittedly loaded) question...

If the full final decision belonged to Hurney, would Cam Newton be gone?

Rhule's feelings about Newton have been a topic of much discussion. I've also said before that I think Joe Brady had a lot to do with that decision and with the choice to sign Teddy Bridgewater.

Lots of coaches have fallen in love with themselves and their systems and thought they could get by with lesser talent that were better theoretical fits. 

[Mr. Scot]

1 minute ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Lots of coaches have fallen in love with themselves and their systems and thought they could get by with lesser talent that were better theoretical fits. 

Chip Kelly?

[sml1950]

IMO Rhule has control BUT is leaning heavily on Hurneys experience.  It’s a smart man who knows when he should listen to other opinions before making decisions.  You can see this in the first draft.  No analytically driven coach (which Rhule s) would have taken Brown over Simmons.  But Hurney convinced him to start his team building with the safer pick to stop the run and they  could get their hybrid with the 2nd or third pick, which they did.  I would expect the same philosophy with the final roster, which essentially includes the 4 protected PS spots.  If they  truly want to win as many games as possible they will have to pick up at least a vet CB, TE and LB, but that means not giving younger players needed experience. However, if Rhule believes that the youngsters can be developed he’ll stick with them and we won’t win as many...initially.

[Mr. Scot]

3 minutes ago, sml1950 said:

IMO Rhule has control BUT is leaning heavily on Hurneys experience.  

I'll take "Scenarios That Scare The Living Sh-t Out Of Me" for a hundred, Alex.

[panther4life]

I don't know how true it is, but it was reported Rhule was going to let the Giants match our offer and it seems highly unlikely that Gettleman would relinquish full roster control.

History suggest, Hurney has always collaborated with his Head Coach on roster decisions and doesn't seem to me that would have changed now. 

As for Teppers involvement , I am sure he's involved to some degree on the larger scale decisions, such as releasing Cam. 

I do think that Rhule will be a bigger determining factor of our future success or lack of it than Hurney. It just makes sense. Almost every super bowl winner and consistent winners have the right head coach and QB in place, in spite of any turnover that happens within the front office. 

[TheCasillas]

Based on the players we brought ( a lot of them have ties to Rhule) I'd say Rhule has final say.

[t96]

1 hour ago, Mr. Scot said:

In a similar vein, this (admittedly loaded) question...

If the full final decision belonged to Hurney, would Cam Newton be gone?

Rhule's feelings about Newton have been a topic of much discussion. I've also said before that I think Joe Brady had a lot to do with that decision and with the choice to sign Teddy Bridgewater.

I would say he’d probably still be here, but Tepper did seem very ready for a change at QB and may have had a fair amount of influence there as well. Which is not a good thing...