Packers Getting Rebuffed in GM Search
The Green Bay Packers are trying to interview external candidates for their vacant general manager position, but they’re not having a lot of success.
The Packers reached out to the Minnesota Vikings and requested to interview assistant general manager George Paton. The Vikings denied the request, which they have a right to do since they’re in the playoffs.
Packers requested permission to interview Vikings asst GM George Paton for their GM job, per source. Vikings declined request.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 5, 2018
Paton would have been a really interesting candidate. You’ve obviously seen how Vikings’ general manager Rick Spielman has built up the team’s defense. That’s something Packers’ coach Mike McCarthy stressed during his season-ending news conference, saying the Packers need to build a defense that is better than their offense.
The second candidate to rebuff the Packers is a familiar face. The Packers reached out the Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie, a former personnel executive in Green Bay. McKenzie declined the interview request and will remain with the Raiders.
My understanding is that GM Reggie McKenzie’s role won’t be diminished with the arrival of Gruden. Proof: McKenzie declined a Green Bay request to interview for Packers GM job. #Raiders
— Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) January 5, 2018
McKenzie had been at the top of our list and there was some speculation that Jon Gruden’s arrival as coach might diminish his responsibility. That will not be the case and so McKenzie will stay put.
The Packers are also interested in interviewing Baltimore Ravens assistant general manager Eric DeCosta. It isn’t known if DeCosta will agree to the interview. He has consistently passed on other opportunities to remain in Baltimore.
It would be awfully interesting if the Packers couldn’t get any outside candidates to interview. Many people have labeled the Packers’ opening as a plum job. Candidates were supposed to be banging down the door to get a chance to interview. That doesn’t appear to be the case right now.
Thus far, the Packers have only interviewed internal candidates — Eliot Wolf, Brian Gutekunst and Russ Ball.
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(This is never going to happen) but hey packers, I hear Belichick is unhappy in New England right now, why not give him a call to be the new gm/Head coach?
Dear God. Belicheck as GM. I wonder if McCarthy’s ego could handle working with him.
Not a chance. Belichick would have to become the head coach too. It’s the same role he’s got now in New England. Again, this is never going to happen, but it’s fun to think about.
Good. Mckenzie will be gone in 3 years. Justin Harrell? DJ Hayden? Clive Warlford? Karl Joseph? Mario Edwards? Gareon Conley?
“The Packers need to build a defense that is better than their offense.”
Based on this past season and the multiple shut outs you could argue that the defense is already better than the offense, which isn’t saying much at all.
To an extent, yes. Often we find the defense collapses and concedes scores. In no small part it’s because the offense goes three and out repeatedly and cannot sustain a drive. That was a bit of a problem even with the almighty Rodgers, and as expected became way worse with Brett “zero-yard-screen” Hundley. This defense is average, with some spikes of nicer play, but it cannot and should not be trusted to carry the team for an entire game.
All of a sudden, McMike wants to puff out his chest and demand a better defense.
Where was he on this subject the last 7 seasons? Where was he when the defense would look absolutely pathetic and get embarrassed in the post season? Where was he when we made a superstar out of Colin Kaepernick? Where was he when the defense was giving up over 500 yards a game and giving up 40+ points? Where was he against the Cardinals? This wasn’t a problem against the Falcons?
It wasn’t a problem then…..but now…you demand a great defense?
You are ultimately responsible fuck face, not Capers, You…are responsible for the defensive (team) performance. You did NOTHING through that time, but now, you make demands?……..Fuck you.
Come on now, to be fair McCarthy took the coaching staff on that field trip to that college program that one year to learn how to defend against the pistol and CK. It didn’t help but an attempt was made…lol!
Last year I said that Gutekunst was smart to not take the second interview with the 49ers. The main reason is the 49ers wanted to hire their head coach and have him in the interview with the GM. That is a problem for any GM who wants to build a team his way. It indicates the coach is in charge and the owner and/or coach will meddle in your business. That is no way to run an interview for the guy you want to be in control of your team.
Maybe it will work for the 49ers and be the new normal. I think it is ass backwards and will turn off any respectable GM, unless he is just trying to get his name in the mix for the next GM hiring that does not have a potential meddling owner or coach.
The other thing that doesn’t work, is keeping TT around as the Senior adviser to the new GM.
I thought Mark Murphy was intelligent. Is he now wondering why people outside are declining interviews? There are only 32 of these jobs in the world, getting turned down should tell him something.
Impeach Mark Murphy!!!