Panthers fired GM Marty Hurney

[CarolinaFan87]

I am just shocked and lost for words. I am not saying I don't agree with the decision it is just the timing that has me lost for words. Also I would have thought Sean McDermott would have been the first to go. Below I have posted the article about him being fired.

During Hurney's second season as Carolina's general manager, they went to the Super Bowl. It's been mostly downhill since thanks to awful drafting and free-agency moves. He wasted picks on Jimmy Clausen and Armanti Edwards, and also wildly overpaid Jake Delhomme in 2009. During Hurney's 10 years in charge, the Panthers have never posted back-to-back winning seasons and are a league-worst 9-29 since the start of the 2010 season. Hurney strangely gave DeAngelo Williams a $43 million contract in 2011 and then handed out a $37 million deal to Jonathan Stewart just before this season. The Panthers have proceeded to utilize a pass-first offense. The Ron Rivera coaching regime is officially on notice as they take a 1-5 record into Week 8.
Oct 22 - 9:53 AM Rotoworld

[CarolinaFan87]

Also wanted to through this out there if we decide to make a change at head coach I would love us to get Jon Gruden. He is the guy I wanted most last time and I think he could make this team relevant again. If we offered him the job do I think he would take it? Maybe. Its really tough to say because I think he is enjoying Monday Night Football and I am sure he enjoys being able to spend more time with his family. I just think if we make a change he should get a phone call though just to test the waters.

[manbearchef]

I pretty much agree. This firing is either two months too early or four years too late. I've always like Hurney's attitude, but I've hated his decisions for the past few years. I can only hope McDermott is next in line.

I'm really hoping we can get some of Green Bay's personnel to be our GM. They've done a stellar job at finding talent on that team over the years. It'll be interesting to see what kind of philosophy the new GM has. Hurney never really dipped into FA, but he also wasn't very good at building through the draft. I'm also curious to see which players will be safe with the new GM and if the coaching staff will be. All of the players that have had huge contracts dished to them the past couple of seasons could be seeing their way out.

Also wanted to through this out there if we decide to make a change at head coach I would love us to get Jon Gruden. He is the guy I wanted most last time and I think he could make this team relevant again. If we offered him the job do I think he would take it? Maybe. Its really tough to say because I think he is enjoying Monday Night Football and I am sure he enjoys being able to spend more time with his family. I just think if we make a change he should get a phone call though just to test the waters.

I'd really like Gruden as an OC, or maybe even HC, but the price would have to be lower than what he'd want. I think if Gruden is interested in coaching again, Carolina is probably one of his top choices. Gruden made little hints about wanting to be the coach before Fox was fired during the 2-14 season. He loved our two HBs, Steve Smith, and I'd say he loves Newton's skill set. His offensive scheme would fit great with what we have. Gruden loved his mobile QBs to fit his west coast offense.

I wonder if there is an outbreak of the players not liking the coaches. I saw Charles Johnson tweeted, "Marty wasn't the reason we are losing! That's bs! Unbelievable! Marty might be the realist GM that I know #InMyMind BS BS BS BS!" Sounds almost like the players aren't the biggest fans of the coaching staff if they're saying it's not Hurney's fault. He could be talking about the players, but it doesn't sound like it to me.

Williams is rumored to be in the coach's "doghouse", and I believe it after only getting two carries.

At this point, if we switch the HC, I haven't got a clue of who I'd want it to be. I'd like to have an offensive-minded coach, considering that's clearly our strongest point, when we aren't calling college plays.

[homestarunner93]

Thank ****ing Christ. Hurney made a ton of ****ing stupid moves, especially when it came to draft day trades. Not sure why you would suggest firing Sean McDermott when his defense has actually been average. The problem is that Rivera can't manage the clock to save his life, the offensive line can't block for ****, and Cam Newton may actually be as dumb as I thought he was.

[manbearchef]

Thank ****ing Christ. Hurney made a ton of ****ing stupid moves, especially when it came to draft day trades. Not sure why you would suggest firing Sean McDermott when his defense has actually been average. The problem is that Rivera can't manage the clock to save his life, the offensive line can't block for ****, and Cam Newton may actually be as dumb as I thought he was.

I would suggest firing McDermott because he literally isn't doing anything to help the pass rush. Calling a four man rush an entire game with little to no blitzing is killing things. We can't get pressure to save our lives and having our safeties line up twenty yards behind the LBs. His play-calls are terrible, regardless of what personnel he has on the field. I realize he's had to switch things up with Gamble and Beason's injuries, but he wasn't doing anything before that. The only complement I can give him is that he's somewhat fixed our run defense, but I think Ron Edwards returning and Dwan Edwards returning (and also not starting two rookies) fixed that.

Clock management and OL have been problems all year. But the biggest issue is Chud's horrible play-calling on offense. He's just like Davidson from the Fox days, only instead of spamming the run he spams deep passes and option plays. The only way we'll get some wins is if we get consistency in play-calling.

What makes you say the Cam comment though? He looked miles better this week than he did against Seattle, and that was against the #2 pass defense. Outside of his INT in the red-zone, which was stupid, I don't get what you mean. Most of his mistakes look like what you'd expect from a young player.

[NBA_Starter]

I just wish it could have happened sooner!

[georgiadolfan]

I heard there are no plans to replace him right now. Could this be setting up to bring Cowher to Carolina? If they don't replace him, fire the coach at the end of the season, then bring in Cowher with full power. Would you guys be for or against that?

[manbearchef]

I heard there are no plans to replace him right now. Could this be setting up to bring Cowher to Carolina? If they don't replace him, fire the coach at the end of the season, then bring in Cowher with full power. Would you guys be for or against that?

I'd prefer that didn't happen (unless he's wants to be a GM), but if it happened I'd support the team's decision. I don't think Cowher is the best thing for this team, especially considering how much he would cost to bring in. I'm sure he'd put our HBs/FBs to good use, but I don't know if I'd want his style of play (run first). I don't want a predictable offense, I'd rather have a nice balance, but with a slight lean towards the run.

I'm not exactly sold on getting a new coach just yet. I say let Rivera finish the season and see where we are. I don't want him to overstay his welcome, but I say give him the last 10 games to see what he can pull together. I have a feeling like the best way for Rivera to keep his job is to pull the plug on McDermott and then take over the defense and showing what he can offer.

At the moment I don't really know who I would want at HC if Rivera were fired.

[georgiadolfan]

I'd prefer that didn't happen (unless he's wants to be a GM), but if it happened I'd support the team's decision. I don't think Cowher is the best thing for this team, especially considering how much he would cost to bring in. I'm sure he'd put our HBs/FBs to good use, but I don't know if I'd want his style of play (run first). I don't want a predictable offense, I'd rather have a nice balance, but with a slight lean towards the run.

I'm not exactly sold on getting a new coach just yet. I say let Rivera finish the season and see where we are. I don't want him to overstay his welcome, but I say give him the last 10 games to see what he can pull together. I have a feeling like the best way for Rivera to keep his job is to pull the plug on McDermott and then take over the defense and showing what he can offer.

At the moment I don't really know who I would want at HC if Rivera were fired.

I was just curious what other fan bases thought about bringing in Cowher. In our forum we debated it for like 2 years. Half the people were for it and half were against it. The problem with Cowher is he wants to be coach and GM.

[Cracka2HI!]

The whole coaching staff probably needs to go to, but this was the first move that needed to happen. I don't mind leaving the coaching staff together in a lost season. You aren't going to find a good coach mid-season and there isn't a good choice for an interm GM. The roster moves this team has made have been horrific. Could be as bad as any team the last few years. They have given up future picks for Jimmy Clausen and Amanti Edwards. I think they gave up more future picks than that. I'm never a fan of that, but if you do it you better hit. They did nothing to help the roster this offseason and they had a chance to contend if they did. Cam has regressed due to the lack of talent and protection around him.

I blame the GM WAY more than I blame the coaches for the mess this team has become.

[manbearchef]

They have given up future picks for Jimmy Clausen and Amanti Edwards. I think they gave up more future picks than that. I'm never a fan of that, but if you do it you better hit.

Thankfully, Hurney didn't trade any picks for Clausen, but he did waste a mid-second-round pick on him, I'm sure he was probably trying to trade away our future first round picks to get him though. Armanti was traded for the 2011 33rd pick (practically a first rounder), Everette Brown was traded for our 2010 1st round pick (top 15 pick), and Jeff Otah was traded for our 2009 1st round pick, plus I think a second rounder. In another off-season, what will they all have in common? None of them will be Panthers.

[N.E.PanthersFan]

The whole coaching staff probably needs to go

False. Sensible minds need to identify what the problem is and fix it. Contrary to apparent popular belief, you and I know little of what's actually going on out there. These coaches have been around football their entire lives and know the game inside and out. If there are solutions, they'll be able to figure them out before we will.

The roster moves this team has made have been horrific.

False. This team has predominantly stuck to its strategy of building through the draft. It's also made some FA signings that have been impactful, including bringing in Dwan Edwards this season. They also made the trade to bring in Greg Olsen. I know the "bads" outweigh the "goods" in most fans' minds, but we're smarter than that, right?

They have given up future picks for Jimmy Clausen and Amanti Edwards. I think they gave up more future picks than that.

They did not give up a future pick for Clausen, where did you get that from? Giving up a future pick for Armanti Edwards was a risky proposition, but it could have (and still might) work out. They also traded a future pick to get Everette Brown, who was a bad fit for Fox's scheme, and Jeff Otah, whose injury history really can't be blamed on the front office.

They did nothing to help the roster this offseason and they had a chance to contend if they did. Cam has regressed due to the lack of talent and protection around him.

False. They brought in help at WR in Louis Murphy, who had a great preseason. They brought in Dwan Edwards who has performed well this season. They brought in Josh Thomas who will be playing CB with Gamble on IR. They brought in Haruki Nakamura to provide competition for Martin, who was not up to the task. They brought in Mike Tolbert on a budget.

They drafted Kuechly, who is now our starting MLB. They drafted Silatolu, who is our starting LG. They drafted Norman, who is a starting CB. All of whom are on-par (or better) with how good one could reasonably expect a rookie to be.

I blame the GM WAY more than I blame the coaches for the mess this team has become.

As Charles Johnson pointed out, how many guys has Hurney brought in that have gone to the Pro Bowl? The talent is here, it's just a matter of putting it together, and the play-calling on offense and scheme on defense have been dreadful. Blame the GM all you want, but he's just the scapegoat here. Rivera implied that assistant coaches' jobs could be in jeopardy, which is welcome to hear.

[N.E.PanthersFan]

I don't know if it's coaching, per se. I think it's more certain aspects of being a coordinator. The defensive scheme is awful and the offensive play-calling is ... offensive.

[Cracka2HI!]

I don't know if it's coaching, per se. I think it's more certain aspects of being a coordinator. The defensive scheme is awful and the offensive play-calling is ... offensive.

It sounds like you are OK with a bad team with the way you ripped apart my post. You defend the coaching staff and the GM yet the team is 1-5 and finds new and creative ways to lose every week. Is there SOME talent? Of course. Even the Chiefs and Jaguars have talent. Since you ripped apart my post so bad I will point out a couple horrible points you made.

Amanti Edwards was a TERRIBLE trade at the time and has gotten nothing but worse. He IS NOT going to be worth the 33rd pick in the draft ever. Any arguement you can make loses a lot of credibility by supporting that trade. Especially where you say it may still work out. No it won't. Sorry. Louis Murphy is your answer at WR? I'm sorry but again that's not enough. This team just needed a couple guys that can run routes. Robert Meachem, Eddie Royal, Jericho Cochetry and even Plaxico would have made more sense than Lou Murph IMO.

Everett Brown wasn't a bad move and Otah just got unlucky. Obviously I was wrong about Clausen. My bad, that wasn't really a bad trade. Not sure why I thought they traded for him. I can admit I'm wrong. Lets see if you can with your Amanti support.

More evidence the GM should be fired is having 2 RB's that now seem below average to average at best on the roster taking up about $12-$14 million in cap space. You mention the Tolbert signing. I like him. Probably the best back on the team. However you say they got him on a budget. Not true, he got a nice chunk of cash...especially for a FB.

You bring up a bunch of "guys" the team signed this offseason. Sure some of those guys are OK, but they are just "guys". Having all that money tied up in average RB's and then spending big on another really killed any momentum this team could have created going into this offseason. How much better would Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks look on this team rather than Stewart, Tolbert and all those "guys" you mentioned look?

The 2nd sentence in my post said you might as well let the coaching staff have this year, so I don't know why ripped me so bad about saying the coaching staff should "probably" be fired. The team is 1-5, they probably do.

[manbearchef]

Amanti Edwards was a TERRIBLE trade at the time and has gotten nothing but worse. He IS NOT going to be worth the 33rd pick in the draft ever. Any arguement you can make loses a lot of credibility by supporting that trade. Especially where you say it may still work out. No it won't. Sorry. Louis Murphy is your answer at WR? I'm sorry but again that's not enough. This team just needed a couple guys that can run routes. Robert Meachem, Eddie Royal, Jericho Cochetry and even Plaxico would have made more sense than Lou Murph IMO.

Everett Brown wasn't a bad move and Otah just got unlucky. Obviously I was wrong about Clausen. My bad, that wasn't really a bad trade. Not sure why I thought they traded for him. I can admit I'm wrong. Lets see if you can with your Amanti support.

More evidence the GM should be fired is having 2 RB's that now seem below average to average at best on the roster taking up about $12-$14 million in cap space. You mention the Tolbert signing. I like him. Probably the best back on the team. However you say they got him on a budget. Not true, he got a nice chunk of cash...especially for a FB.

You bring up a bunch of "guys" the team signed this offseason. Sure some of those guys are OK, but they are just "guys". Having all that money tied up in average RB's and then spending big on another really killed any momentum this team could have created going into this offseason. How much better would Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks look on this team rather than Stewart, Tolbert and all those "guys" you mentioned look?

The 2nd sentence in my post said you might as well let the coaching staff have this year, so I don't know why ripped me so bad about saying the coaching staff should "probably" be fired. The team is 1-5, they probably do.

I definitely agree about the Armanti pick. Even if we had won the Super Bowl in 2010, Armanti wouldn't have been worth the 64th overall pick. He could've been drafted in the fourth and we'd have given up a lesser pick. I don't have much hopes for him, but I also can't judge him based on Hurney's stupid decision to give up a high pick for him.

As far as Murphey, outside of a couple of bad drops, he's been pretty awesome depth, and outside of Eddie Royal, none of those players would've been any better than Murphey (who was pretty costless-- 7th rounder). But like you said, he isn't a #2, just a slot guy for the most part. LaFell is showing strides, so I don't know that dropping a $60M contract on a WR was a good idea either, however Nicks would've been great for this team and we wouldn't have had to worry about him being against us in the division.

Everette Brown was a terrible move considering he didn't fit our scheme whatsoever. Otah while it was somewhat unlucky that he had injuries, he was also a fat slob who couldn't stay in shape.

In regards to the HBs money situation, I agree and disagree in parts. It's not Hurney's fault that the HB's aren't working; the OC is calling terrible run plays that don't benefit our HBs. If we were running some power-run plays I'd have no problem with the money Stewart and Williams got. I do however wish we hadn't brought in Tolbert, considering he isn't used at FB very often, doesn't help the passing game much, crowds the back-field (even more than before), and could've gotten a cheaper FB.

I'm not positive on how much Nicks was paid, or how much our FA's were paid, but if I knew we were going to abandon the run I would've preferred we dropped Williams' contract, not signed Tolbert, and instead picked up Nicks. We could've won the TB and SEA games with better OL play, that would have us at 3-3 at least. I'm not for overpaying in FA so at the time I was content not spending a ton of money.

With Hurney out as GM, we could potentially see the new GM find ways to kill a few contracts (Gamble, Beason, and Williams all have big contracts and are going to be coming off of injuries or underperforming seasons), then opt to sign big names in FA, not that it would necessarily be better.