Firing Panther GM Marty Hurney now makes no sense

   Why now?

    Why would the Carolina Panthers fire general manager Marty Hurney six games into the season? How will a new general manager fix the roster now?

     Obviously, the Panthers are flawed. A team doesn't lose as many games as it has, close or otherwise, without flaws on its roster and with its philosophy.

     But owner Jerry Richardson told me before the season that he wouldn't trade Hurney for any general manager in football. The Panthers were undefeated then. They've lost four straight and are 1-5 now.

     If a sacrifice was required, Hurney was the obvious candidate. Every player and almost every employee on the football side of the operation went through him, was hired by him.

     Hurney doesn't call plays or devise strategy. But he hired the people who do.

     Perhaps a fall guy was required.

     But the Panthers have never been so fragile that they would fire a key employee to satisfy angry fans.

      The timing makes no sense.

       Meanwhile, it's just another quiet week in Pantherland.

 

 

Comments

[Al Waters]

I just want to know, who put Kahil up to this Super Bowl ad, that we're on our way, this year. Everyone is blaming someone, Kahil is probably laughing. Let's get Kahil!

[Jay]

I agree; I don't know what this accomplishes. Personally I kind of feel like the playcalling has been the most glaring problem, though as fans we aren't exactly privy to much of the goings on in Pantherland, so, who knows. But Hurney put together a quality roster, which hasnt changed from last year aside from the cast offs from San Diego, which the coaches seem to like more, even though they're worse players. Bottom line: fix the playcalling. Listen to Cam. Find a balance.

[Par404]

Sends a message to the other coaches.

[charlesbright]

I have had cancer (a dozen operations) so I can speak with some authority on it as an analogy. Anytime you have a cancer like a Marty Hurney, you have to cut it out quickly. Better to have an empty hole than a slow spreading plague of death. Cutting it out saves the life of the entity that it has a hold on, be it flesh or be it an organization.

[latdog43]

Bench Cam and play Armani Edwards at QB. The we need to sign Plaxico Buress to allow Smitty to regain his all-pro status. Then we need to throw boatloads of cash to Bill Cowher so that he can come save this lousy team. Trading Munnerlyn for some high draft picks would be awesome too. Cutting either D-Will or J-Stew would allow us to sign a real running back. They need to get Shockey back up and on the team too.

[charlottean]

did this guy seriously just post that we needed to cut ties with steve smith?

dude is 5 years away from cementing his spot in canton as the first panther to do so and you want to cut ties with him. even though he was among the top WR's in the league last year no doubt boosting newton's stats and reputation big time. come on man.

top 30 all time soon to be top 10 all time. horrible fan base.

[Jenn]

That's a shrewd answer to a tickry question

[Giacomo]

I agree with John Q, seeing Farve in any jeesry other than a Packer jeesry would almost seem un-American. If Farve wants to play I think it would be great, I'm not a Packers fan but I am a fan of #4. If Jordan can do it . yeah, I put Farve in the same class as MJ, why not Farve? However, I'd like to see Bret ride off in the sunset just like a true American hero, I don't think anyone wants to see him come back and have to retire due to injury or after having a below .500 season. Thats just my opinion.