The NFL Panthers fired GM Dave Gettleman yesterday, and Owner Jerry Richardson said while the "timing of this decision is not ideal, a change is needed," according to a front-page piece by Person & Rodrigue of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. A source said that the firing "caught members of the staff by surprise." However, one veteran player said it was "not a shock." The team did "not mention a timeline for hiring Gettleman's replacement." Former Assistant GM Brandon Beane would have been an "obvious candidate," but Gettleman’s right-hand man left in May to become Bills GM. The team is "now without" a GM, President or assistant GM. Two names "to keep an eye on" are Seahawks co-Dir of Player Personnel Trent Kirchner and Titans Dir of Player Personnel Ryan Cowden. Panthers Dir of Player Personnel Mark Koncz is a "possible internal candidate." The team will "likely" name an interim GM "rather than feel rushed in deciding on Gettleman’s permanent replacement." One "possibility for the interim job could be" former Panthers GM Marty Hurney, who resigned early in the '12 season. He "still lives in Charlotte and remains well-respected by Richardson." As the news of Gettleman’s firing unfolded, public speculation "increased that decisions surrounding possible contract extensions" for LB Thomas Davis and TE Greg Olsen "factored into the decision." The two players are captains and "two of Richardson’s favorite players." A source said that Gettleman's "blunt management style and those personnel moves created a divide between players and the front office" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 7/18). SPORTING NEWS' Alex Marvez noted former Chiefs GM John Dorsey was a "finalist" for the Panthers GM opening in '13, but instead he "headed to what he believed was a more appealing opportunity." With Dorsey "free and clear to work anywhere he wants, he could be in Gettleman's chair by the start of training camp" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 7/17).
DIDN'T FIT THE MOLD: USA TODAY's Lorenzo Reyes notes Gettleman had "become known for taking a firm stance on negotiating with players" (USA TODAY, 7/18). In Charlotte, Joseph Person notes Gettleman used to "spend hours holed up in his office watching film of players," and he "oversaw the most successful three-year stretch in Panthers history." But he was "not as adept when dealing with players in human -- not celluloid -- form" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 7/18). ESPN's Adam Schefter said Gettleman is a "brazen, my way, old school football guy whose ways were not always popular with some of the players" ("OTL," ESPN, 7/17). SI.com's Jonathan Jones wrote Gettleman's "gruffness" was at odds with the Panthers' commitment to be a "family business." But it was also Gettleman's "steady hand that got his business booming" in '13. Richardson is a man who "cares about his legacy," and this move will "be part of his legacy" (SI.com, 7/17). In Greensboro, Ed Hardin writes Gettleman was a "cantankerous GM working for a conservative and business-lie franchise." His "abrasive style was never in line with the Panthers' feel-good image," and Richardson "simply couldn't tolerate Gettleman any longer" (Greensboro NEWS & RECORD, 7/18). PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio wrote, "As bizarre situations go, this one ranks near the top" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 7/17). ESPN.com's David Newton noted Richardson "didn't interfere with Gettleman's past decisions," but perhaps he "felt it was time." Newton: "Perhaps they were at an impasse over Gettleman's history of being stubborn." However, Gettleman gets credit for "getting the Panthers' salary-cap situation healthy" (ESPN.com, 7/17).
SOME 'SPLAININ' TO DO: Dallas Morning News columnist Tim Cowlishaw said the firing "doesn't look like a football decision" after the success Getleman had ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 7/17). In Charlotte, Scott Fowler writes the Panthers are "cheating on their fans with this one." The Panthers "owe their fans a real explanation" for Richardson’s latest "foray into the unexplained and unbelievable." All that is "clear from this mess is that the Panthers front office is getting more dysfunctional by the day." Fowler: "Who's running the show?" The answer, "of course, is Richardson." If Richardson "were smart -- and he is very smart -- he would offer more than the vague 'a change is needed' cliche on this one" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 7/18). ESPN's Michael Smith said, "I don't know if it is a good move. ... Confusing, for sure. ... If you are Dave Gettleman, what did you have to do to get fired? How do you get fired on your day off or nine days away from the start of training camp?" But if Hurney "comes back on an interim basis, there is some familiarity there" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 7/17).
NEEDED TO HAPPEN: CBS Sports Network's Adam Schein said, "You do not fire executives this time of year, but Gettleman burnt bridges. He made terrible decisions on big names. Give the Carolina Panthers credit. Today, they got it right" ("Time To Schein," CBSSN, 7/17). NBC Sports Bay Area's Ray Ratto said, "Gettleman decided he was bulletproof, so he started not only dealing harshly with the players that Richardson liked, but he wasn't giving Richardson his full deference as to why he was doing this, and the best way to be an ex-general manager is to be a general manager who decides that you're bigger than the owner" ("The Happy Hour," NBC Sports Bay Area, 7/17). ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert wrote under the header, "Why It's OK To Fire An NFL General Manager In July."
TIMING IS EVERYTHING: ESPN's Schefter said of Gettleman, who became the fourth GM fired since the Super Bowl, "It used to be GMs got fired the day or the week after the season. But teams have decided to spread it out and we're going to hog the new cycle year round." ESPN's Damien Woody said, "Players aren't the only ones that are expendable around here" ("NFL Live," ESPN, 7/17). Some Twitter voices focused on the timing of the move. NFL Net's Ian Rapoport: "The timing is nuts. #Panthers people were all on vacation. GM ... Camp starts in a week." ESPN's Bomani Jones: "They catch gettleman stealing boxes? this isn't the time for a regular ol gm firing." THE MMQB's Albert Breer: "This crazy offseason as far as GM movement just got crazier." Rotoworld's Patrick Daugherty: "What a horrible, horrible move. Dave Gettleman was unflinching in making necessary, tough choices."
NO LOVE LOST: Former Panthers players reacted to Gettleman's firing on Twitter yesterday largely with sarcastic remarks. Former NFLer Steve Smith Sr. said, "It's Okay! Dave I know how you feel....." Redskins CB Josh Norman tweeted a pair of eyes emoji in quotations followed by a thinking-face emoji. Steelers RB DeAngelo Williams said, "I want to publicly say @Panthers is off my list of teams I won't play for due to the firing of that snake Dave gettleman!"
