Your kidding right? A GM’s biggest role is constructing a roster. You know that a GM is a coaches boss right? On the food chain a GM is above a coach. Why do you think a lot of coaches want to add GM to their title? So they can “buy the groceries” as Bill Parcells used to say. So you think Harbaugh drafted all those players in Baltimore and not the great Ozzie Newsome? Do you think Garrett was pulling the strings in Dallas? I think Jerry and Steven Jones would argue that.
Sorry coaches unless they have dual titles do not make picks, scouts do not makes picks, owners not named Jerry Jones don’t make picks.
If my chief job is to put together a winning roster I damn sure may listen to suggestions but ultimately I am picking who I think will make us successful.
In 20 years to say this mans fingerprints have some how not been on this organization is ludicrous.
It's apparent we'll have to admit you see no middle ground. I'll defend my position this time and I'm done.
If you want to argue Grier is responsible for the team that creates the board and advises, I'm with you. I've said a few times, Grier is responsible for the organization. He saw weaknesses and brought in highly reputed professionals to address those weaknesses. will they work. That remains to be seen.
There seem to be too many who refer to 'buy the groceries' without context. Parcells was hired by Kraft. Kraft, a new owner, has admitted he micromanaged. He was involved in draft, trades, sat in on game-plan meetings. THAT is what prompted Parcell's infamous quote - someone with no football knowledge making decisions. Parcell's, to be fair, wanted to be in charge of EVERYTHING - drafting, evaluating, negotiating contracts, negotiating trades - all that stuff.
Harbaugh? Newsome? You know there is a middle ground. Harbaugh and Newsome, Jones and Garrett, Reid and Veach, Grier and Flo - I have the realistic view. The GM DOES NOT go into a closet on draft day and go by his board. No chance. Nada. He does not create his board in that same closet. No GM does. It's called collaboration. Now, realistically, BB and Harbaugh have more influence than Sparano. everyone know that. If you think the GM will consistently overrule BB and harbaugh, we are clearly at an impasse. The GM DOES NOT, by himself, draft, or release, or trade. That's well outside Reality county. Imagine Flo wanting Tua and Grier drafting Igbo at #5. How long would Grier have his job? He doesn't want Flo going to Ross - 'well, Mr. Ross, look at the evidence. We just won 4 games. How many would we have won if I'd had my way and drafted Tua?' That's why GMs don't have or want total control. That's one reason for collaboration.
How many people are HC/GM? There's a reason for that. If that were a known advantage in the NFL, every HC hired would be hired as GM/HC. Why is harbaugh/BB not clamoring to be GM and 'buy the groceries?'
Finally, I've never absolved Grier from his mistakes. He was in the room so he acquires some of the blame. Which parts? Neither you nor I know. Claiming we do is just imagination run wild. Personally, what is important to me is his decisions as 'the man' - his chance to 'buy the groceries' to some extent. He's made decisions I don't like. Not spent money I think he should have. Spent money I don't think he should have. But he DID NOT surprise Flo with 'guess what. I just traded Minkah.' Or, 'I had the chance to trade up for Wirfs, but I liked Austin better. Live with it.'
