McCreight gets Card Front Office Job

[joeshmo]

Your looking for too much sizzle in your names Ouchie. Wiz is all about the steak. He know's what he is doing.

And I guarantee Joe is right about the hire being dictated by who threatened Graves the most. Thats business and unfortunately how business gets done alot of the time.

Yep human nature. Also this guy can get the job done and get it done well, he does know how to work a contract or a deal with another team I will say that. I personally just think the two guys from Denver would do a better job. But like has been said no official announcement yet, heck Urban isnt afraid to mention even rumors in his blog but he hasnt even mentioned it which either tells me he doesnt want to put any credance to it at all, or he doesnt want to let the cat out of the bag. So we will see.

 

[Zeno]

Was Lichst running our draft last year? if not, then how the Ravens drafted when McCreight was there is irrelevant. He's not going to be making those kinds of decisions.

Was Licht our National Scout? McCreight was the Ravens National Scout...isn't his ultimate responsibility the draft? I realize that may not be his role here but right now its the only thing we have to go on to measure his past success, we don't know how many contracts he personally negotiated, how he managed the cap, how he dealt with holdouts(if he had any), his relationship with agents etc etc.

 

[perivolaki]

Yep human nature. Also this guy can get the job done and get it done well, he does know how to work a contract or a deal with another team I will say that. I personally just think the two guys from Denver would do a better job. But like has been said no official announcement yet, heck Urban isnt afraid to mention even rumors in his blog but he hasnt even mentioned it which either tells me he doesnt want to put any credance to it at all, or he doesnt want to let the cat out of the bag. So we will see.

Joe, do you think Sundquist may have been ruled out because with his resume he could be in line for a future GM spot with another team? I kind of got the feeling that this might just be a stop in the road for Sundquist while McCreight could be more of a long term thing.

 

[lauraw]

joeshmo what you say islike a cold slap in the face about the future!

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

First off, i don't there will be any lock out/work stoppage. There's too much money to lose on both sides. There will be posturing,and so on, but a deal will get done. Secondly, i don't think either a Sundquist or McCrieght hiring is going to have much effect one way or the other. They were both being looked at in secondary roles. B'more's been drafting has been exemplerary over the years and wouldnt complain about anyone from that staff. I'm sure the Denver guy is good at his job as well. I don't know who is younger but ,in this role, i'd go with the younger up and coming type of hire that can be groomed for eventual replacement of Graves.

 

[joeshmo]

i'd go with the younger up and coming type of hire that can be groomed for eventual replacement of Graves.

Thats exactly why Graves will not hire one of those guys, who in their right mind is going to hire their eventual replacement unless they are old and about to retire?

 

[Dayman]

It's a done deal.

http://www.azcardinals.com/news/detail.php?PRKey=2944

I have no idea how this will work out, but I found an encouraging piece from PFW.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/Audibles/2008/audibles2328.htm

“I was told (Browns owner Randy Lerner’s) ears really perked up when the media told him that (Eric) Mangini was available. That’s how he found out. I think he sees Mangini as the next (Bill) Belichick — a guy who did a good job in his first stop but just could not get along with the media or meet high expectations. When Belichick was in Cleveland, Mike Lombardi was picking players. You can go back and look at some of those drafts — they were awful. The problem in New York was not Mangini. The problem was Mike Tannenbaum. Hiring the right GM could not be more critical. And I’m not sure (the Browns) don’t have the right guy for the job already in the building. (Director of player personnel) T.J. McCreight has handled the day-to-day responsibilities that most GMs do while Phil (Savage) was on the road scouting. He knows the scouts. He knows the system. Picking players has not been the problem in Cleveland. They have a lot of talent on that roster. That was a highly desirable job — the owner has unlimited pockets, the talent is there, a franchise quarterback is already on the roster. … The problem there has been the coaching. The fans might not like it if McCreight became the guy. It would be too much of the same. I could see the outcry, but the best decision is not always the most popular one.”

 

[Skkorpion]

Hope you guys understand the job for which he has been hired. It's to evaluate other teams' players. Much of the season he'll be on the road at games not involving the Cardinals. His work this year will determine what we try to do next year in free agency.

Starting right now he'll be looking for players we could pick up when teams make their final cuts at the end of camp. The draft is still Kiem's responsibity and likely to remain so since he's so highly thought of by the Cards.

This is a demotion from his Cleveland job. The fact that the job opening was for head of Pro Player personnel may be why some of the other candidates might not have been too enthused. Or it could be they were interested and the money was wrong or Graves just preferred this guy. We'll likely never know.

Then again, the other two are still unemployed.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Another reason why McCreight got this job other then not being as much of a threat to Graves as Sundquist might have been.

Theoretically a person in this position would one day be a candidate to become GM and its obviously not a great idea as a HC to have that guy be someone you are not aligned with.

With Wiz and TJ's ties in Baltimore thats a non issue. That might not have been the case with Sundquist. Who knows what would happen if Sundquist started to gain favor what type of pull he might have at some point.

The more I think about this the better I like the move. TJ knows what Wiz want's in players and this is also CYA if Kiem eventually does leave for another GM role (god I hope not)

 

[lobo]

Thats exactly why Graves will not hire one of those guys, who in their right mind is going to hire their eventual replacement unless they are old and about to retire?

Joe.....outside the "Toy Department and in well run companies, managers who are confident and not political and have smarts ALWAYS look to hire people better than they are and can be eventual replacements....I speak from experience. If Graves keeps it up maybe ONE DAY Mr. B hangs it up and everyone moves up a notch....ya' never know.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Joe.....outside the "Toy Department and in well run companies, managers who are confident and not political and have smarts ALWAYS look to hire people better than they are and can be eventual replacements....I speak from experience. If Graves keeps it up maybe ONE DAY Mr. B hangs it up and everyone moves up a notch....ya' never know.

I work alot with executives in corporate America. Let me tell you that is the ideal but not the reality. Its a lot less common place then you would think, even with the biggest companies.

 

[joeshmo]

Joe.....outside the "Toy Department and in well run companies, managers who are confident and not political and have smarts ALWAYS look to hire people better than they are and can be eventual replacements....I speak from experience. If Graves keeps it up maybe ONE DAY Mr. B hangs it up and everyone moves up a notch....ya' never know.

Graves is as high as he can go right now. Is he going to take over for Mr. B as the owner?

The only time someone hires their eventual replacement is when they know they are leaving or moving up. Neither is the case of Graves.

Also that high up in the food chain what person that high up doesnt play the political game, I would put it at about 1%. Its the nature of being that high up with that big of a stake.

 

[lobo]

I work alot with executives in corporate America. Let me tell you that is the ideal but not the reality. Its a lot less common place then you would think, even with the biggest companies.

I guess my experience and exposure is quite a bit different than yours.

 

[Skkorpion]

Joe.....outside the "Toy Department and in well run companies, managers who are confident and not political and have smarts ALWAYS look to hire people better than they are and can be eventual replacements....I speak from experience. If Graves keeps it up maybe ONE DAY Mr. B hangs it up and everyone moves up a notch....ya' never know.

You get it.

My dad ran Exxon Africa for 12 years and it was policy and expected for every manager to be training his replacement. It was generally followed well. Obviously some managers everywhere in every type of business won't behave that way. They usually end up fired.

The constant mantra and prayer here on ASFN was the certainty that Graves was being pushed out. Now the spin is he hired the least threatening individual to himself. Logic flaw.

If Graves was being pushed out, Michael Bidwill would have done the search and hiring. If Graves isn't being pushed out he would hire someone good who would help both himself and the team succeed.

As soon as the job opened up, it was a certainty a replacement would be needed and hired -- by Graves. Now it's done. So the Rod Graves death watch by the true believers will enter a new phase. It promises to continue being entertaining.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

You get it.

My dad ran Exxon Africa for 12 years and it was policy and expected for every manager to be training his replacement. It was generally followed well. Obviously some managers everywhere in every type of business won't behave that way. They usually end up fired.

The constant mantra and prayer here on ASFN was the certainty that Graves was being pushed out. Now the spin is he hired the least threatening individual to himself. Logic flaw.

If Graves was being pushed out, Michael Bidwill would have done the search and hiring. If Graves isn't being pushed out he would hire someone good who would help both himself and the team succeed.

As soon as the job opened up, it was a certainty a replacement would be needed and hired -- by Graves. Now it's done. So the Rod Graves death watch by the true believers will enter a new phase. It promises to continue being entertaining.

First see my post talking about being aligned with Wiz. Thats the #1 reason IMO.

As for you father and his experience with Exxon. Listen my mentor/cousin told me he would only hire people who could do his job as that was smart business sense. Its something I have kep in my head as he is a 35 year old CIO for a big company.

But I also run an executive search firm out here in Florida. I get a lot of insight into people and how they go about their hiring. I am not doubting many companies preach this to their managers.

I am also telling you that its not followed and that politics like this muck things up ALL THE TIME. Trust me it has cost me personally thousands upon thousands of dollars.

I am with Joe in that Graves didn't want to bring anybody that would be seen as someone who could usurp them. If you don't think that was a consideration then I don't know what to tell you.

I agree with you from a philosophy perspective. But because its logical and the right way to do things doesn't mean thats how it always works.

 

[perivolaki]

I am with Joe in that Graves didn't want to bring anybody that would be seen as someone who could usurp them. If you don't think that was a consideration then I don't know what to tell you.

Then why even bring in Sundquist for an interveiw in the first place?

We don't really know who all was involved in looking at this hire. Michael could have been involved for all we know. If you bring in someone impressive, and he is liked by the Bidwills, Graves may be forced into taking him because the brass took a shine to him. I don't think much goes on without one of the Bidwills putting their stamp of approval on it.

The fact is we just dont' know.

McCreight just might be thought of as a better fit or his philosophy more in line with what Whisenhunt is trying to do.

Someone seems to like Graves. He has been around for a while and has steadily moved up the ladder. While many don't like him the team has gotten better as Graves has been put in higher positions. We fans complain a lot but the owners of this team probably value Rod Graves a whole lot more than we do and that is really all that matters.

 

[Perfectionist]

I work alot with executives in corporate America. Let me tell you that is the ideal but not the reality. Its a lot less common place then you would think, even with the biggest companies.

I am retired after working for Johnson & Johnson, Pepsi Co. (Frito-Lay Headquaters) and Kelloggs. I can tell you that with these three, you always tried to hire and mentor your successor, in fact, part of your evaluation was based in this.

 

[joeshmo]

I am retired after working for Johnson & Johnson, Pepsi Co. (Frito-Lay Headquaters) and Kelloggs. I can tell you that with these three, you always tried to hire and mentor your successor, in fact, part of your evaluation was based in this.

And in all of those cases it was because that person was going to be moving up to a higher position or retiring. Graves is already at the highest position and not retiring anytime soon. Also you can put that as part of your evaluation process on paper but you are still not including the human factor in all of this, and its the human factor that people will make their choices on, not whats on the paper work the HR department gives to you.