DIY projects are irresistible.
Here you are in a dull or weather beaten space with nothing but opportunity, money and ideas. The exhilaration of taking an old house or room and molding it into your own image doesn’t hit you until you strip away and tear down old walls and pillars and start the rebuild and resto-ration in real time.
At this point, you’re consumed with the process. Now, it becomes personal because you are, step by step, putting your stamp, your style, swag and investment in a place that was once barren or ragged.
David Tepper spent $2.275 billion on his renovation project two years ago, and wasted no time in shaping and molding the Carolina Panthers in his own image and putting his imprint on the franchise. New quarterback. New coaches. Everything is brand new in the Panthers’ house except one pillar. General Manager Marty Hurney survived the barrage of changes.
Despite the Panthers’ makeover, the team is still lost in the cycle of mediocrity. At 3-6, they either play above or below their record, and it is to be expected this year. With a new regime, there were no significant expectations surrounding the Panthers. However, that doesn’t mean that Tepper doesn’t want to see results and progress. In fact, from the time Tepper held his first press conference as the owner, he made his goals for the team well known.
“The first thing I care about is winning,” he said at the time, “ The second thing I care about is winning. Third thing I care about is (winning)…On and off the field.”
Since Tepper made the changes he did, it would have been safe to assume that the changes would also extend to the front office. Ultimately, it didn’t. In fact, last year, Tepper said in a video posted to the team’s website that Hurley was one of the best recognizers of college talent in the nation, not a bad manager, and he didn’t want to lose that.”
Since the Panthers are at the bottom of the NFC South, and Tepper wants to win and win badly, should Tepper search for another GM as soon as the season ends?
The Case For Hurney To Stay
If Tepper wants a mixture of continuity with the changes he’s made, then having someone like Hurney remaining with the organization makes sense. During his two stints as Panthers’ GM, Hurney’s seen and been through it all. His hits and misses with drafting has been well documented. Hurney had enough of savvy for talent to draft Julius Peppers, Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis and most recently Jeremy Chinn and Derrick Brown. 10 of the 21 starters on the 2015 Super Bowl squad were drafted by Hurney. He also acquired free agent Robby Anderson, who is top five in receptions and receiving yards. So, Tepper isn’t exactly wrong in his desire to keep him around.
The Case For Hurney To Leave
While Hurney had some success in his transactions, he’s had more misses than hits during his two tenures in Charlotte. Most recently, he’s been criticized with the way he handled the Cam Newton situation and there haven’t been talks in extending Moton and wide receiver Curtis Samuel. Both of these players have shown that they are talented enough to fit on that roster. If Hurney is trying to assemble the best roster possible, a talented offensive lineman like Moton and an underrated receiver such as Samuel should be in the mix without question.
While Hurney was responsible for a great deal of the 2015 NFC Champion roster, he was also responsible for letting Newton, Greg Olsen, and James Bradberry walk. Mario Addison and Bruce Irvin decided to play else-where. If the same fate happens to Moton, it will only solidify the notion that Hurney can’t attract or retain solid veteran players who can help the team.
So, if you were David Tepper, would you retain Marty Hurney or would you fire him after this season. If you firer him, who would be a great re-placement for the Panthers?