Old-School “Football” GM’s Getting Ridiculued in the Media

[BuffaloRush]

I have followed this year’s draft coverage pretty close, especially as it pertains to the Bills.  There’s one common thread with many members of the local media - that is the frequent ridicule of GM’s with an older mentality - “football guys” if you will.  A perfect example is Buddy Nix.  When he drafted EJ Manuel in 2013 all he could do was talk about the size of his hands.  That’s an example of old football adage and it’s clear many feel that thinking and method of evaluation is antiquated.  He also was extremely stubborn and wouldn’t draft, say a Russell Wilson, because he didn’t fit what was once considered an accepted criteria for being a QB in the NFL.

 

On the past two episodes of their podcast Joe Buscaglia and Matthew Fairburn have been throwing shade at GM’s like Dave Gettleman and John Dorsey.  Fairburn sarcastically said something along the lines of “I don’t think John Dorsey is one of the smarter GM’s in the league” and also had similar comments about Dave Gettleman’s refusal to A.) not draft a QB at #2 and B.) to stubbornly bypass tremendous value from other teams in a trade to draft a RB.  

 

Heres what Schoop said in his article yesterday:

“I want the NFL Draft to stick around because Browns general manager John Dorsey and Giants general manager Dave Gettleman are so old-school that when they talk, my endorphins kick in and by just hearing them I've done the equivalent of 20 pushups.”

 

Howard Simon and Jeremy White have also taken little jabs at this type of “football speak” as well. 

 

Then of course, there’s a Bill Polian who was criticized heavily for his evaluation on Lamar Jackson.  Not just locally, but nationally as well.  Perhaps these comments highlighted the old-school mentality, and not in a good way 

 

So so what is your take?  Are these old-school wise with tired and true methods?   Or are they just old guys blowing smoke and staying true to an antiquated mindset?

 

[RyanC883]

I don't get how they can criticize Gettleman for (1) not drafting a QB; and (2) bypassing other teams offers and drafting Barkley.  The Giants are clearly trying to extend Eli's window.  If they draft a QB, they need to trade Eli.  And they have no running game.  Barkley is a once every 5 year RB.  If they had Elliott, they would be much better.  

[CardinalScotts]

Bill is old school

[26CornerBlitz]

Kinda like the OP throwing shade at Gil Brandt.  Funny he would post this. 

[Jauronimo]

So local nobodies teasing Gettleman and Dorsey as old school means what?  What are the antiquated ideas of the old school?  Which GMs are "new school" and what do they espouse?  

[BuffaloRush]

9 minutes ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

Kinda like the OP throwing shade at Gil Brandt.  Funny he would post this. 

 

LOL I’m not defending the old football GM’s.  Just asking others opinions of them.  And yes, I do think that Gil at age 81, Gil is too old and that the game has passed him by

[26CornerBlitz]

 

Just now, BuffaloRush said:

 

LOL I’m not defending the old football GM’s.  Just asking others opinions of them.  And yes, I do think that Gil at age 81, Gil is too old and that the game has passed him by

 

Gil would make your head spin right now with how much he knows about football. 

[BuffaloRush]

1 minute ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

 

Gil would make your head spin right now with how much he knows about football. 

 

Sure he’d make my head spin with what he knows about football in the 1970’s and 1980’s.  He hasn’t worked in a front office in nearly 3 decades since Jerry fired him 1989. A lot has changed since then. 

 

 

[26CornerBlitz]

1 minute ago, BuffaloRush said:

Sure he’d make my head spin with what he knows about football in the 1970’s and 1980’s.  He hasn’t worked in a front office in nearly 3 decades since Jerry fired him 1989. A lot has changed since then. 

 

Besides any point you make. He actively works for NFL.com, attends the combine, still watches film on players, and produces scouting reports.   

[corta765]

I think SOME of the criticism directed to GMs is warranted. There still are some old school GMs who like the OP mentioned are more obsessed with hand size or physical traits then things like accuracy, touch passes, timing etc.. You still have GMs who over value positions like RB when they should draft them 2nd-3rd round. But the NFL is not nearly as ingrained in the past compared to a sport like the NHL where the moves GMs make routinely make me want to scream (hockey is my main sport I actually write about it for a Sabres sport).

 

That said the criticism to at least Gettleman to me doesn't seem fair in my eyes. It seems ownership has declared that Eli is the guy for the time being and Gettleman has to listen to that decry. Even so I think he would take Darnold if he came around and people forget that the Panthers success is a direct correlation to moves he made. He guessed correctly that not spending major money on Josh Norman would be correct. I think people need to give him time.

 

Dorsey just took over so I am not sure why people are throwing shade when his moves have been especially limited. Gil Brandt I at times disagree with but overall his track record is superb and he is a legend so I give him the benefit of the doubt. He says far less stupid things then Polian who the world seems to have pass in general.

Edited April 25, 2018 by corta765