Well, how do you like that? Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy took the opportunity of hiring a new general manager to give himself power over the entire football side of the organization.
The new general manager is, of course, Brian Gutekunst. He reports to Murphy.
Former director of player finance Russ Ball is now executive vice president/director of football operations. That’s a promotion in title, but Ball will still have the same responsibilities. He also reports to Murphy.
And then there’s coach Mike McCarthy. And… wait for it… he will also report to Murphy.
“The process of identifying our next general manager gave us the opportunity to analyze our entire football operation,” Murphy said in a news release. “While we have enjoyed a lot of success, we need to improve. With that in mind, the head coach, general manager and executive vice president/director of football operations will report to me moving forward. While I understand this is a departure from the Packers’ current structure, it will serve to increase the breadth and frequency of communication and collaboration. Ultimately, it will make the Packers better.”
In the past, everyone we just mentioned reported to the general manager. Murphy essentially had no say over the football operations. His lone authority in that arena was over the general manager.
This was the structure put in place by Ron Wolf in 1991.
That being said, it is not uncommon in the NFL. Several teams have everyone report to their owner, which Murphy essentially is in Green Bay.
The interesting thing here is really Ball’s title. You see director of football operations in there. That’s what Eliot Wolf’s title is.
That would seem to suggest that the Packers have not convinced Wolf to remain with the organization. Rumors have it that Wolf will leave for another organization — most likely joining John Dorsey with the Browns — after he didn’t get the GM job.
Youtubed videos of Gutekunst. Found videos of him proudly discussing the trade up to get Spriggs as well as the selection of Rollins. In both videos he sure made it seem like they were HIS guys. He gave his scouting summary on them and how he envisions them playing. Even leading on that spriggs could be starting left tacke.
Also YouTubed videos of Elliott Wolf and Found similar videos of him discussing Blake Martinez, Dean lowery, Kevin King, Jake ryan and Aaron jones.
Not sure if they are randomly picked to address the media after picks, but you would have to think they are sent out based on their influence in the pick and knowledge of the player…and if that’s the case I think you can easily declare a winner.
Congrats clevland browns.
You can search Packers.com video section to find videos of them too. Someone over at the Packers sub on Reddit had a link. Wolf also was talking about the picks Hundley and Trevor Davis too so…take them with a grain of salt.
That said Gutekunst does come across smoother and more polished when addressing the media. I guess we find out once he performs his first draft how adept he is going to be. Hopefully not a bunch of Khyri Thornton’s.
I agree that Gutekunst comes off as the better speaker of the 2. I don’t think that that correlates to him big better at putting together a roster. A better interviewer, im sure, though.
As a fan I’m going in with excitement and hoping for the best.
As you can probably tell I was rooting for Wolf. Mainly because he come of as someone who TRULY enjoys scouting players and assessing football, rather than someone who enjoys running a business.
The being said, I don’t know him and for all I know he could be a dick who wants the power and attention just like most others.
Couldn’t agree with you more on anything you said. Here’s hoping it works out.
So, McCarthy weaseled his way out from the GM being his boss to Murphy. Yeah, this is gonna end well. “Has to fit” is more like “How do I embed my ass deeper to ride this out as long as I can” is more like it. Fuck. We aren’t EVER getting rid of that worthless piece of shit.
Well stated EMPACADOR. MM (the Buffoon) got what he wanted. To ride Rodgers coattails into the sunset. Fuck Murphy is one dumb gullible motherfucker . . .
Well, as I said in that other thread about the Gutekunst hire, they have neutered the GM position now. You know if a 44 year old, let alone a 35 year old “snot nosed kid” had the ability to fire the 54 year old self proclaimed highly successful NFL head coach, that wasn’t gonna be the type of “fit” McCarthy envisioned. He successfully manipulated his way past the check and balance of having his performance held accountable now. He knows that soon Murphy is going to be preoccupied with sledding hills and water parks or whatever other stupid shit Murphy has in the works, so McCarthy bought himself more time to make excuses when shit doesn’t turn out like he plans. Embedded indeed. Like a fucking tick.
As I also stated in that other thread, Eliot Wolf shouldn’t be too upset about losing out on the GM position with this new “kangaroo court” power structure being put in place. I wish him well wherever he goes and hopefully he gets to be an actual GM with final say over all aspects of an operation like his dad had. That is the only way we will ever see what kind of GM chops the guy actually has.
While I hope Gutekunst is the real deal here, with McCarthy’s ego, I can already envision the cock fighting going on behind the scenes if/when someone calls McCarthy out on his inability to produce. I wonder what kind of new and improved McCarthyisms are coming our way? Looking forward to going from “pad level” and “We’ll get that cleaned up” to whatever new gems await. **Rolls eyes**
Exactly, how do some people get away with gross negligence year after year (no matter their job) and still continue to hold onto their job? This Buffoon is one devious, ass licking fuck IMO. Instead of being tarred and feathered and run out of Ashwaubenon on a rail, he is dictating his remaining years (A. Rodgers tenure length I am most certain) and his pecking order! What a fucking joke MURPHY is . . .
Ron Wolf gave a short comment about this. He sounded really pissed off. Eliot Wolf is gone for sure.
The thing I fear is what happened all the way up until 1992. The coaches and executive committee had too much say in personnel decisions. I also have heard commentary that the coaches and scouts didn’t talk enough and they Murphy was trying to solve that. That’s normally a good thing if they are fundamentally on the same page, but I suspect McCarthy didn’t like Thompson’s approach anymore, so now he’ll have more say in the process. That’s not a good thing. I hope this puts McCarthy and Gutekunst on the same page, but want to see Gutekunst have the final say in personnel decisions.
For now it will work out better than if Ball or Wolf got the GM role.
This should be taken with caution DEEPSKY. Remember that the Buffoon while in San Francisco, wanted Smith and was NOT high on Rodgers at all . . . He is the guy that also plays favorites no matter their output on the field. Murphy just gave this charlatan MORE POWER . . .
Deepsky has it right, the power structure that Ron Wolf and Bob Harlen put in place, is now being raped by Mark Murphy shifting power back to the penthouse offices.
Atta boy Murphy….The Packers Way…like all you fucks have repeated so much in the last week. I don’t think these guys have a clue what “The Packers Way” is all about.
Man, if that’s true they weren’t communicating between the coaches and scouts then how the hell was Ted allowed to have absolute control for 13 years without anyone changing anything? That communication could deteriorate to that level is absurd.
Although i wasn’t there, and i was just speculating …it’s probably true that the powers to be in Green Bay didn’t talk to each other much. Big push by Murphy on communication now. Apparently Murphy as President of the Packers had no clue as to what was going on.
I guess that’s what happens when there is no communication, and no accountability. Worse yet….it was allowed…by Murphy all these years. Because…..he didn’t question anything!!
Murphy is the next clueless fuck that needs to be shown the door. OH SHIT, my bad…not shown the door, “re-assigned.”
Murphy saw all the posts about how he doesn’t make football decisions and went on a powertrip.
Perhaps KATO . . .
Well, Gutekunst has his hands full. Besides all the holes on defense, one can argue that OT, WR, and even QB are large needs. Not a guarantee by any means that Rodgers plays till 40. I dont think they will cut both Cobb and Nelson, I think they still need one of them. They need a big play wide receiver in the worst way. They need a replacement for Bulaga, I don’t know how much longer he will be effective with his leg injuries. They need a pass rusher badly. Free agency is going to need to be utilized, and they don’t have an abundance of cap space. They could create about $25 million cutting Matthews and a WR.
I also don’t believe the packers should take corner high in the draft, I think they need to trust their development process and hope for improvement with the new defensive system. Pass rush is more priority.
I wonder if Bradley will be a candidate, or even Fangio at this point?
I doubt it with Fangio, bears are trying to retain him. I don’t know Bradley’s situation.
Rumor is Seahawks want Bradley back. Chargers want to keep Bradley. Looks like the Packers might be promoting from within then.
Gravyhead reporting to Murphy has NOTHING to do with “increase the breadth and frequency of communication and collaboration”. You can, after all, collaborate and communicate with those who are not your direct boss. As well, communication and collaboration between a GM and HC is MUCH more important that HC and team president. What, Murphy is going to tell him what play to run on 3rd and 7? Whether or not he really needs a decent #4 WR?
The rationale given by Murphy is complete unadulterated BS. Anyone with a BS meter should be hearing klaxons and tornado warnings.
Ah, then… what is the real reason?
Murphy controls MM’s fate. The GM cannot fire him. Also, the GM cannot retain him of his own accord.
Maybe MM has the goods on Murphy so Murphy does this to protect him… which is really protecting himself.
Or Murphy is pissed MM’s public comments tipped the scales and he could not place his buddy Russ Ball where he wanted (though he still gave him a fancier title and more money, you know, just because, why not?). He can now take his vengeance as needed at a time of his choosing.
Either way, this is some upper management skullduggery.
First off, Gutenkunst seems like a solid citizen, and…..he’s coherent. Good luck friend.
Now…. if i have this straight, the General Manager can no longer fire the coach? Seriously?
Mark Murphy now wants to oversee all these people, and they report to him? Seriously?….after an era of no accountability under Murphys oversight, Murphy now wants everyone to answer to him? Seriously?
Murphy opened his presser, …by mispronouncing Gutekunst name, a man he’s known and worked with for about 10 years. Seriously?
So Russ Ball gets promoted and i assume a raise, to executive vice president/director of football operations, but reportedly keeps his same job duties…makes sense right?….seriously? Even though Elliot Wolf’s job title is Director of football operations, makes sense right?
Ok, stay with me here……Now, the General Manager gets neutered of any power over anyone, if he wants to do something he has to go ask Murphy if he can do it?….seriously? The same Mark Murphy who wanted absolutely nothing to do with football operations? Amirite?
McCarthy now also has to report to Thompson, as does Russ Ball.
Murphy, who wouldn’t question, or hold Ted Thompson accountable for any fucking thing, now wants everything run past him first?…seriously?
So…….there sits Elliot Wolf alone in his office, “apparently” stripped of his Director of football operations job title that was given to Russ Ball.
But here’s the thing, the big winner out of all this…….might actually be Elliot Wolf.
I don’t care what anyone says, the circus continues, the only change i see….is it just got bigger with more acts performing for us.
Feel free to bookmark this post, and revisit it in 3-4 years.
Popcorn?
*Murphy…not Thompson.
Yep, I agree, I had the same sentiment PF4L, Wolf probably doesn’t need to feel bad about losing out on this clusterfuck kangaroo court power structure being put in place. But remember, rather than being called visionaries in the future, those that dare to call this out now will be considered spoiled or entitled. It’s rough being a Packer fan some days…
Did you miss the part where Murphy also wants to see the weekly gameplans? From completely hands off to micromanager extraordinaire overnight. Dilly dilly! LOL!
You gotta be fucking kidding me…
At least I learned a new phrase today, kangaroo court. Fitting indeed.
I wish I was kidding Cheese. I really wish I was. From the JSOnline article:
“Murphy said he also will consult McCarthy, who was part of the GM interview process and met with Gutekunst for more than an hour, on “everything that’s under the coach’s control” in weekly, in-season meetings. Possible topics include coaching hires and even game plans, Murphy said, though he won’t spend the meetings vetting potential fourth-and-one play calls.”
I agree, there are a lot of red flags here. Murphy is now basically the GM. The executive committee is back to meddling.
I think i have the big picture now….the only thing i don’t understand is…….who has to go in by Ted at lunchtime each day, and cut his meat for him and feed him?
Wolf?
LOL! That’s fucked up but funny!