The only way this makes sense....

[Fiz]

I was gonna write up a big thread this morning on the state of the team and all that but this is pretty big news so I just want to give you my thoughts on it.

this is a pointless, bizarre move. Not only is Hurney not doing anything right now (literally, there is nothing for the GM to do at this point in the year besides sign street free agents), he's not even fuging being paid. Hurney's biggest contribution to the team was as their front man. Since the team doesn't have an owner who will make public appearances (except to his investors) Hurney was constantly the person who got sent out. He was always the one on the radio after tough losses, he's always the one getting cursed here. You just got rid of that guy.

It's also going to start coming out that the most heavily derided moves over the past few years (Delhomme, Armanti, DeAngelo's contract, etc) were at the behest of Richardson. Gantt has already written the PFT article alluding to it, but I guarantee it's going to start spilling out now.

There's also the fun possibility that Hurney says "fug it" and spills the beans. Remember, the 2010 poo show was Richardson, Hurney just executed it. Part of the reason I never thought Richardson would fire Hurney was because Marty tanked his own credibility for the owner. Hurney is one of the classiest dudes in the NFL so I doubt he'll talk poo about Richardson. It's going to get out, however.

So why do this now? There doesn't necessarily have to be a good reason. Richardson has shown he likes moves just to make the fan base happy (DeAngelo's contract being an example). It's clear from the reactions on here that the base fan is pleased by this.

It's also a giant signal in the air to any prospective GMs to start getting their resumes ready. "Hey there are a poo ton of good young players in Carolina I want to work there." Maybe.

Still, it makes no sense to publicly shame him like this unless Richardson is just being cruel, or is going to bring someone in IMMEDIATELY.

I don't want to say Bill Cowher, because I think it's an unfunny meme at this point, but it might be someone like that. Someone established that would like control. Cowher makes perfect sense. He wanted front office control last go around. So does Schottenheimer who has been successful everywhere he's gone.

Long story short, I don't think this day is over.

[CatMan72]

Polian lives in Charlotte... I know there was some serious bad blood, but JR may just be desperate enough to put that aside?

[Panths]

I completely agree with the fact that this was a move done for the fans as a 'look I'm making things happen and not sitting idly by' type of move. There's absolutely no other reason to fire him mid season other than to reassure those who buy your product that updates are coming.

[DaCityKats]

true, get your popcorn ready folks.i think Marty was a classy dude, but his time here was up.

[Actionman0z]

They were great every year, and won 1 superbowl, and should have gone to many more. I would do whatever it took to get Polian back here, if thats what they wanted.

[Fiz]

Polian lives in Charlotte... I know there was some serious bad blood, but JR may just be desperate enough to put that aside?

It will not be Polian. The two men hate each other and his star has faded massively.

You want bad drafting and free agency moves? Look at his last five years in Indy.

[pstall]

i thinks it is more about letting other GM's or up and coming GM's to start looking Carolina's way. save time if it's a playoff contender and can quietly lock them up.

i do agree that Hurney can only do so much during the actual season and the complaints from fans hit critical mass.

i day McDermott goes soon after and Rivera may even get another year if they don't get someone like a Cowher to get full control.

[therealmjl]

I don't see Rivera getting another year. A new GM will want his own staff.

[nosuchthingasapanther]

Jonathan Jones‏@jjones9

.@tomsorensen weighs in RT @theobserver: Firing Panther GM Marty Hurney now makes no sense http://dlvr.it/2MLNWb

[rayzor]

It will not be Polian. The two men hate each other and his star has faded massively.

You want bad drafting and free agency moves? Look at his last five years in Indy.

i'd much rather have someone like cowher or schotty than polian again.

that dude was seriously overrated.

[ncguy2184]

Yeah i dont think today is over yet i think something else is gonna go down.

[Sloth]

Any chance this is Richardson admitting that he's been making some questionable moves and is backing off with the next GM?

He could have sacrificed Rivera at the end of the season while keeping Hurney to appease most of the fan base if he thought what he was doing was working.

[pstall]

I wouldn't say Polian is overrated. He won everywhere he went. However, when it comes to recency bias fiz is right about the last 5 years of Polian. Just like with stocks, you have to know when to sell high and avoid buying what they call a falling dagger. that is Polian here. You might buy him on name alone but his value is nowhere near what it once was.

I want a guy alot like what Atlanta has. A scout junkie who rose up thru the ranks who knows talent.

[jarhead]

Does JR want another puppet or a real GM?