Q & A with G-man, courtesy of Observer's Jones (edited with more commentary re: draft strategy)

[top dawg]

Johnathan Jones interviewed Dave Gettleman, and asked a few questions regarding Cam, Hardy, Smitty and the receiving  corps, as well as Rivera.  His answers were close to the vest in regards to specifics of course, but his responses pretty much re-affirm notions that he is fiscally conservative and fair-minded when it comes to contracts. He seems like a man who is willing to compromise and come to a meeting of the minds, but yet refuse to sacrifice the bigger picture by signing a bad contract, regardless of who's sitting at the other end of the negotiating table.

 

Although I believe that we are in no danger of losing Cam, as G-man seems supremely confident that all parties involves can and will come to an agreement provided that Cam wants to be here, the only thing that I can say with real surety is that Ron Rivera will not enter the season as a lame duck. As for Hardy, G-man acknowledges that the Kraken is a piece of the greater puzzle that will have to be figured out, but at the end of the day all he said is that "We'll see."

 

G-man also mentioned that he believes that there comes a time in a player's life that he has to determine whether he is going to keep chasing the biggest dollars---being a "gypsy" in effect---in lieu of the stability of being in one place where he can contend for championships, albeit with a more modest deal in terms of money and length of contract.

 

The most interesting information that I have come away with from reading this interview---because we pretty much knew everything else---is that G-man believes that life after Smitty may include some young players that are already on the sidelines, not that it's a sure thing,

 

****Edited to include some commentary on G-man's draft philosophy which has been published since****

 

So, now I am even more convinced that G-man takes a very conservative approach when it comes to drafting receivers high. It's a little disturbing to hear him discuss (in so many words) how difficult it is for a receiver to transition to the NFL and make an immediate impact.  It's almost like he threw in Deandre Hopkins and Keenan Allen as afterthoughts, not really believing that this happens too often. It just basically goes back to his old school, conservative ways that may be a little shortsighted in today's NFL.  I hope that this philosophy regarding receivers---which seems to fit hand in glove with Rivera's---doesn't hold the team back in the short term unnecessarily.

 

In regards to his specific draft strategy, I suppose we had better look very closely at what Gettleman does in Free Agency. IF we can land Hakeem Nicks or Alterraun Verner for instance, perhaps we can make a more accurate prediction as to this year's draft strategy. I can almost hear some people saying "damn" after we ink that first deal in Free Agency, while others say "yes". 

 

In any event, G-man pretty much leaves it all on the table, if you're willing to read between the lines.  But, like he alluded to the way that Star fell, you never know what's going to happen. Even still, just like you can pretty much take it to the bank that he isn't going to sign a bad contract, you can take it to the bank that he isn't gonna reach for a guy in the draft that he doesn't believe is ready or is a good fit for the team out of some misguided---or perhaps real---sense of need.

[top dawg]

I tried to post a quote, but the system wouldn't let me. Page couldn't be found or something. It may have to do with the way the Charlotte Observer has formatted their page and/or something to do with their ads, or it may be a bug on the Huddle. I can''t tell you how frustrating it is to write something, only to lose it a couple of times.

[KJ89]

The most interesting information that I have come away with from reading this interview---because we pretty much knew everything else---is that G-man believes that life after Smitty may include some young players that are already on the sidelines, not that it's a sure thing,

bugger fug.

[top dawg]

bugger fug.

 

One Marvelous Marvin and Tavarres King, coming up.

[Woodcookedbbq]

Well I think it's pretty safe to say and a no-brainer that Rivera's going to be here for a while.

[ItsNotGonnaBeAlright]

G-man is quickly becoming the king of giving long answers without actually saying anything.

[Khaki Lackey]

Looks like there's a possibility of a "wait and see" year with WRs. I hope that's not the case.

[Pantherman]

If DG refuse to address the WR spot with in the first 2 rounds of this year draft. Then Cam may say screw this team and refuse to a long term and go to a team that has a good oline and WR core to help him out. DG better figure it out. There is no time for trying to do projects on this team. We have had enough projects on this team. I want him to address the WR position with a WR that start from the get go. Plain and simple.

[CPF4LIFE]

Was already concerned about this, King and McNutt have some potential but its a risk rolling the dice with them while the team is contending. We will have to see how it goes.

[Lemory]

Dont take one quote and blow it out of proportion. Gman knows we need help at WR, but he's not gonna say that the answer is somewhere else.

[Kevin Greene]

 

Q. Ron Rivera is entering the final year of his four-year deal. With the improvements Ron has made from six to seven to 12 wins and a division title, and you’re a fair guy, is it fair for him to go into this season a lame duck coach, or do you want to extend him?

 

A. Well again, to answer your question, I said in the press conference, ‘I’ve got ultimate confidence in him.’ And that’s the exact quote. And I still do. So …

 

 

 

Don't really see why coaching in the last year of your deal is a problem.

Players play in the last year of there's all the time and often work even harder.

Work hard, kick ass, improve on this year and your pot of gold will be waiting.

Don't and.......

[top dawg]

I think that you guys may be going overboard. G-man didn't say that he wasn't looking to draft Smitty's replacement, just that some of the answers for our WR corps in the future may be on the sidelines. He referenced Cruz, basically insinuating that no one knew that VC would become the playmaker that he is, but that they knew that he was talented and that they had to get him on the field.

[DaCityKats]

smokescreen.

[DaCityKats]

I think that you guys may be going overboard. G-man didn't say that he wasn't looking to draft Smitty's replacement, just that some of the answers for our WR corps in the future may be on the sidelines. He referenced Cruz, basically insinuating that no one knew that VC would become the playmaker that he is, but that they knew that he was talented and that they had to get him on the field.

 

but the huge difference with that and this is Cruz killed the preseason. i remember him torching the Jets for 3 TDs in just that one preseason game, and some of us on here saying lets go ****** him up off their practice squad. McNutt nor King has had a game like Cruz in the preseason.