Game Thread- Patriots at Broncos

[cdumler7]

@BigKen it really is not the most successful way to operate. Belichick yes has had success at doing both but he is the exception not the rule. And pretty sure I've been on these boards plenty to see you guys question Belichick the GM. Heck I think I've seen some talk about how Belichick the GM sometimes gets in the way of Belichick the coach. Just as a Head Coach most guys are putting in over 100 hours a week during the season. So then you add in GM responsibilities and not many can handle that well.

Heck saw a stat the other day that the top-10 offenses in the NFL are all ones that have the OC calling the plays instead of the HC. I would think these guys could start to notice a pattern that teams function at their best when you can narrow down the responsibilities of a player or coach.

As for Elway controlling things. You are right he is the man in charge. One of the best things about Elway though is he is one that knows he doesn't know as much as he might think. He has surrounded himself with football minds to help him make decisions. He has given his coaches free ability to be open and honest with him. A great example is that of the draft last year. Bill Kollar our DL coach actually made the 2nd round pick of Adam Gotsis. He came to Elway and said that he saw something special in this kid and Elway trusted his judgment and went with it. Kubiak and Elway meet at least once a week to discuss the team, issues, and if any personnel changes need to happen. Elway does demand a lot from his coaches but they all know it is coming from a place of wanting to win Super Bowls. I'm sure some coaches might be attracted to that type of situation.

 

[cdumler7]

Also I can give you countless examples of coaches who were GM's that failed miserably. Josh McDaniels when he was in Denver took on both roles. Took him only 2 years to make us possibly the worst team in the NFL.

Chip Kelly with the Eagles.

Andy Reid at the end of his time in Philly was serving as both. He got fired and went back to just being a HC in KC and wow look they are successful.

Lovie Smith had final say on all personnel decisions when in Tampa and well he was fired.

Mike Shanahan the coach won 2 Super Bowls then was given GM power after that and well the Broncos became a pretty mediocre team with him making terrible decisions in FA and the draft.

Tom Coughlin when he was with the Jags was given GM power a little bit into his time with them and they went from winning organization to terrible team in a hurry. When he went to the Giants he was only a HC.

There are just not a lot of success stories of coaches who are also GM's. Many of them start out as HC's and have great success until that 2nd title is added.

 

[cdumler7]

Maybe the best example of the HC/GM just not working out well is Mike Holmgren. With the Packers he did not have a single losing season when he was just a HC and helped them win a Super Bowl. He decided to move on to the Seahawks because they were offering him the GM title as well. After just a few years of the team failing they stripped him of his GM title in 2002. He had winning seasons the next 5 seasons with the Seahawks winning the NFC West 4 of those 5 years.

 

[PatsFan2003]

Never said he doesn't. If I didn't come to these Patriot boards though I wonder how much I would actually even know who he is. OL coaches are just not usually house hold names. Really the only other one beyond the ones I have researched this year is Tom Cable for the Seahawks. It always cracks me up that Seahawks fans every year want this guy fired at the beginning of the season yet you hear broadcasters rave about what he can do for young players.

Yeah Oline coach doesn't get the spotlight that's for sure. It's something people noticed over time that it didn't matter where they picked up their Oline men they always seemed to do pretty well. They have their share of 1st and 2nd picks of course but also plenty of 4th and 5th rounders too,.

 

[58crash]

I am glad as hell we got a GM . I hated it the other way . hope we never go back the other way it sucked .

I loved Shanny the Coach . He soooo sucked as a GM. He still won despite his bad drafts