Texans Owner Bob McNair said that the team will interview candidates for its GM opening next week and hopes to "have the position filled within two weeks," according to John McClain of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. McNair said that the new GM will have the "same control over personnel" that Rick Smith, who is on leave, had and will "answer only to McNair" and Vice Chair & COO Cal McNair. The McNairs, President Jamey Rootes and coach Bill O'Brien are the team's search committee, and the team is "using the search firm of Korn Ferry" to assist their search. Because O'Brien and Smith had "irreconcilable differences that reached a boiling point, McNair wants his coach on the search committee" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/4). In Houston, Jerome Solomon writes Smith being on leave to care for his wife "opens the door" for McNair to "make a home-run hire that could lift the organization to its first Super Bowl." But McNair likely will "blow it again." McNair's health issues, which have "played a role in his being less visible this season, probably won't help matters." Were McNair "truly concerned about moving up from the Texans' middle-of-the-road status, he wouldn't be looking" at hiring a first-time GM (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/4).
STAYING IN-HOUSE? In Milwaukee, Tom Silverstein notes there is a "preponderance of opinion inside and outside" the Packers' organization that President & CEO Mark Murphy is "going through the motions to replace Ted Thompson and that a decision was made months ago between Murphy and Thompson" that VP/Football Administration & Player Finance Russ Ball would be the next GM. The hiring "seems preordained." Murphy hired Korn Ferry Vice Chair Jed Hughes to "consult with him on candidates" outside the team. Murphy and Hughes are "said to have a close relationship and it’s likely that Hughes is merely offering advice on outside candidates rather than identifying them and recommending them." Thus, it is "unlikely Murphy is going to make a big splash with an outside hire" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 1/4).
