- Joined
- Dec 7, 2004
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A few weeks ago, I was not overly concerned with the way Ross and Carl Peterson explained the front office power structured. It was clear to me that the new GM was wholly responsible for the scouting and selection of player personnel. Philbin was fully responsible for all coaching personnel, player development, and game management. Aponte would serve as contracts specialist and cap manager. All of the roles seem very clear cut, but a football organization doesn't work very well with individual, stove-piped responsibilities; at least not without someone at the top to tie everyone's work together and be the final arbiter for decision making. This is where Ross comes in, and this is specifically where Ross fails.
Hypothetically, what happens if our new GM identifies a key free agency piece and starts negotiations but Aponte plays hardball and slow plays the deal? Maybe we lost out on that targeted player. Sure the GM could go to Ross, but would any GM want to constantly be put in a position where they have to go to their owner to settle a dispute?
Look at it from the coaching side. The new GM could do wonders in acquiring young talent that needs a little development, but if that talent doesn't get any playing time because Philbin prefers veterans, or the coaches don't fully utilize a young player's existing skills, the acquisitions are wasted. Parcells used to say that if you're going to let him cook the meal, you should at least let him shop for the groceries. That goes both ways. No chef would want to buy Prime filet steak and watch an amateur make steak sandwiches out of it.
The biggest problem here is Ross. I think some candidates might be wary of working for a guy that seems to know so little about football, but has set himself up to be the ultimate decision maker when disputes arise between the GM, Coach, and Contracts Specialist. I wasn't on board before with the football czar concept, but now I am. Whether that's Carl Peterson or not, Ross needs someone who knows football to be the ultimate arbiter.
Hypothetically, what happens if our new GM identifies a key free agency piece and starts negotiations but Aponte plays hardball and slow plays the deal? Maybe we lost out on that targeted player. Sure the GM could go to Ross, but would any GM want to constantly be put in a position where they have to go to their owner to settle a dispute?
Look at it from the coaching side. The new GM could do wonders in acquiring young talent that needs a little development, but if that talent doesn't get any playing time because Philbin prefers veterans, or the coaches don't fully utilize a young player's existing skills, the acquisitions are wasted. Parcells used to say that if you're going to let him cook the meal, you should at least let him shop for the groceries. That goes both ways. No chef would want to buy Prime filet steak and watch an amateur make steak sandwiches out of it.
The biggest problem here is Ross. I think some candidates might be wary of working for a guy that seems to know so little about football, but has set himself up to be the ultimate decision maker when disputes arise between the GM, Coach, and Contracts Specialist. I wasn't on board before with the football czar concept, but now I am. Whether that's Carl Peterson or not, Ross needs someone who knows football to be the ultimate arbiter.
