One exec wondered how these incentives could have influenced Dolphins coach Brian Flores' hiringGETTY IMAGES
A new plan to incentivize NFL teams to develop and hire minority candidates for head-coaching and GM positions "has not been met with the enthusiasm by the people it is supposed to help," according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Sources said that there are, "at best, mixed feelings" about a plan approved this past week that "will award two third-round compensatory draft picks to teams that have minority head coaches or general managers hired away from their organizations." The sources "were not pleased that many were not consulted about the plan and that it was passed swiftly, without any advance notice." These sources also "did not approve of other people speaking for them when they were unable to provide input as to how the program would work." Another issue is "how the plan could impact intradivisional hirings." One exec "wondered whether the Dolphins would have been willing to hire Brian Flores away from the Patriots if it meant division rival New England would be compensated with two extra third-round picks" (ESPN.com, 11/15).
DEEPLY ROOTED: In Houston, Jerome Solomon writes the NFL's tweak of the Rooney Rule "probably is a poor solution." But the solution is "not the problem," rather the "problem is the problem." The true solution "lies within the hearts and minds of those who have proven they are incapable of being fair and doing what's right." NFL owners had "so little faith in themselves to do right that they passed the Rooney Rule, which didn't even require them to be fair in hiring, just have the appearance of an open interview process" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 11/15).
