A former Carolina resident's 2 cents on McDermott/Beane...

[JustWinPlease]

First thing's first...I have to stand behind these moves, because these are the guys I wanted.

I'll explain why...

First of all, I wanted McDermott long before we fired Rex. I lived in Myrtle Beach, SC, for a few years and I heard a lot about these guys. Josh Norman was at Coastal Carolina, and I saw him play a few times. When he was drafted to the Panthers, I followed that closely. I would hear him talk about how McDermott was such a detail oriented person, and that he always tried to get the best out of his players. He would work individually with them after practice if they wanted. I heard other players say the same thing, Thomas Davis being one of them. I heard Ron Rivera talk about how he expected to lose him sooner or later. All the players always had the same type of vibe when it came to Sean McDermott, they loved the guy and the reason why was because he would never accept anything less than 100% effort from them. Nobody was ever singled out and embarrassed, and none of the veterans were ever given any preferential treatment by him. Jobs were jobs, and they were going to be earned. McDermott was credited for taking players like Josh Norman and Greg Hardy, late round picks, and turning them into pro-bowl caliber players. Charles Johnson and Captain Munnerlyn took off under him too.

Second, I would always hear Rivera, Gettleman and Richardson talk glowingly about Beane. You would hear things like "eye for talent," "hard worker," "worked his way up the organizational ladder." He was another guy that they all expected to lose sooner or later. He was critical in keeping them afloat when they fired their GM half way through a season. He was an integral part in the cap structure of the team. I'm pretty sure he was instrumental in bringing Greg Olsen to Carolina. I also recall hearing he was the one pounding the table for Luke Kuechly over Stephon Gilmore and a couple other guys (Ingram, Coples, Cox, Jones, Poe). In 2011 Carolina ranked 24th in passing defense, Gilmore visited with the team (March 2012), their DB coach (Steve Wilks) visited with Gilmore (April 2012), and he grew up 20 minutes down the road. From my understanding, a lot of people wanted Gilmore. However, it was Beane and McDermott who wanted Kuechly and thought he would be an all-pro caliber player in the NFL and a cornerstone/leader for their defense. Beane was somebody who was always spoken very highly of, by everyone I would hear talk about him down there on the radio or in the newspaper.

If you take a look at the Carolina Panthers' draft history, their selections seem to have gotten better in 2011/2012 once Bean became more involved too.

Both of these guys were constantly talked about as great football men, who knew what they were doing and would one day be running their own teams.

I don't claim to know anything from any inside sources, and this could all mean nothing...I'm just giving my two cents on something I was close to and paid attention to when I was living down there.



A couple other interesting facts...the Panthers had interest in Jerel Worthy that year, as well as 2017 Bills (rumored) free agency targets Keenan Robinson and Morris Claiborne.

Here's a transcript of Stephon Gilmore's introductory press conference, that was posted on the Panthers' team website...
http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Transcript-Stephon-Gilmore/75cb2456-5578-4b28-b3ee-d14d3af4770f

(And if it wasn't Beane, I would've wanted Veach...simply because my former high school teammate, Ryan Poles, works with him in KC and had spoken highly of him.)


***I didn't know if this should be put in another thread, but I figured there was enough here and I didn't want it to get lost in the shuffle...if you want to merge it, I understand.***

Edited May 10, 2017 by JustWinPlease

[transplantbillsfan]

Good stuff! Thanks!

[gr8billsfan]

Appreciate the share! Two good hires by the Pegulas. Now let's hope they have just as good or better success with selecting players and developing them as they have done in the past.

[ajmac]

First thing's first...I have to stand behind these moves, because these are the guys I wanted.

I'll explain why...

First of all, I wanted McDermott long before we fired Rex. I lived in Myrtle Beach, SC, for a few years and I heard a lot about these guys. Josh Norman was at Coastal Carolina, and I saw him play a few times. When he was drafted to the Panthers, I followed that closely. I would hear him talk about how McDermott was such a detail oriented person, and that he always tried to get the best out of his players. He would work individually with them after practice if they wanted. I heard other players say the same thing, Thomas Davis being one of them. I heard Ron Rivera talk about how he expected to lose him sooner or later. All the players always had the same type of vibe when it came to Sean McDermott, they loved the guy and the reason why was because he would never accept anything less than 100% effort from them. Nobody was ever singled out and embarrassed, and none of the veterans were ever given any preferential treatment by him. Jobs were jobs, and they were going to be earned. McDermott was credited for taking players like Josh Norman and Greg Hardy, late round picks, and turning them into pro-bowl caliber players. Charles Johnson and Captain Munnerlyn took off under him too.

Second, I would always hear Rivera, Gettleman and Richardson talk glowingly about Beane. You would hear things like "eye for talent," "hard worker," "worked his way up the organizational ladder." He was another guy that they all expected to lose sooner or later. He was critical in keeping them afloat when they fired their GM half way through a season. He was an integral part in the cap structure of the team. I'm pretty sure he was instrumental in bringing Greg Olsen to Carolina. I also recall hearing he was the one pounding the table for Luke Kuechly over Stephon Gilmore and a couple other guys (Ingram, Coples, Cox, Jones, Poe). In 2011 Carolina ranked 24th in passing defense, Gilmore visited with the team (March 2012), their DB coach (Steve Wilks) visited with Gilmore (April 2012), and he grew up 20 minutes down the road. From my understanding, a lot of people wanted Gilmore. However, it was Beane and McDermott who wanted Kuechly and thought he would be an all-pro caliber player in the NFL and a cornerstone/leader for their defense. Beane was somebody who was always spoken very highly of, by everyone I would hear talk about him down there on the radio or in the newspaper.

If you take a look at the Carolina Panthers' draft history, their selections seem to have gotten better in 2011/2012 once Bean became more involved too.

Both of these guys were constantly talked about as great football men, who knew what they were doing and would one day be running their own teams.

I don't claim to know anything from any inside sources, and this could all mean nothing...I'm just giving my two cents on something I was close to and paid attention to when I was living down there.

A couple other interesting facts...the Panthers had interest in Jerel Worthy that year, as well as 2017 Bills (rumored) free agency targets Keenan Robinson and Morris Claiborne.

Here's a transcript of Stephon Gilmore's introductory press conference, that was posted on the Panthers' team website...http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Transcript-Stephon-Gilmore/75cb2456-5578-4b28-b3ee-d14d3af4770f

 

(And if it wasn't Beane, I would've wanted Veach...simply because my former high school teammate, Ryan Poles, works with him in KC and had spoken highly of him.)

***I didn't know if this should be put in another thread, but I figured there was enough here and I didn't want it to get lost in the shuffle...if you want to merge it, I understand.***

Interesting notes about Gilmore and Luke...and although Luke has been awesome up to now, how will his concussion issues a

effect his career? He could be done if he takes another big hit.

 

Anyway, thanks for the info. It is always nice to hear something from someone closer to the action.

[GunnerBill]

I wanted McDermott too. I honestly believe had Carolina not gone to the Superbowl in 2015 he would have been a Head Coach a year earlier. His process driven approach and circumspect communication are more my sort of person and my sort of coach than Rex could ever be.

I am nervous just how much power the Pegulas have given him but once they made that decision they had to follow through and get "his guy" at the GM spot. I feel like here are two personalities we know mesh who are aligned philosophically and are going to work together well.

I just want to see it given time to work. Give it 4 years.... do not get trigger happy if there are blips. Stay the course. I think in McDermott we have a winner.

Edited May 10, 2017 by GunnerBill

[ALF]

Thanks for sharing good info

[boater]

....

 

I just want to see it given time to work. Give it 4 years.... do not get trigger happy if their are blips. Stay the course. I think in McDermott we have a winner.

Agree wholeheartedly.

 

Also, I don't think Pegs wants to pay anymore fired Coaches or GMs to sit at home... so that's a natural force in favor if stability.

[mead107]

I like what we have.

[jimmy10]

I just want to see it given time to work. Give it 4 years.... do not get trigger happy if there are blips. Stay the course. I think in McDermott we have a winner.

Good luck with that, I hope the Pegulas pay attention. Because after the first two-score loss, TSW and "Dom from Tonawanda" on WGR will be in full meltdown mode.

[Chandler#81]

I wanted McDermott too. I honestly believe had Carolina not gone to the Superbowl in 2015 he would have been a Head Coach a year earlier. His process driven approach and circumspect communication are more my sort of person and my sort of coach than Rex could ever be.

 

I am nervous just how much power the Pegulas have given him but once they made that decision they had to follow through and get "his guy" at the GM spot. I feel like here are two personalities we know mesh who are aligned philosophically and are going to work together well.

 

I just want to see it given time to work. Give it 4 years.... do not get trigger happy if there are blips. Stay the course. I think in McDermott we have a winner.

Good post.

[H2o]

I wanted McDermott too. I honestly believe had Carolina not gone to the Superbowl in 2015 he would have been a Head Coach a year earlier. His process driven approach and circumspect communication are more my sort of person and my sort of coach than Rex could ever be.

 

I am nervous just how much power the Pegulas have given him but once they made that decision they had to follow through and get "his guy" at the GM spot. I feel like here are two personalities we know mesh who are aligned philosophically and are going to work together well.

 

I just want to see it given time to work. Give it 4 years.... do not get trigger happy if there are blips. Stay the course. I think in McDermott we have a winner.

Yes. Agreed my friend. They have to give these two time. They will no doubt get the defense turned around quickly imo. The questions will remain on the offensive side of the ball, mainly at QB. Will Dennison be able to get more out of Tyrod than the previous staff? Or will we be starting over at the position next year? Was Peterman a steal in the 5th who turns out to be the perfect field general for the Dennison offense? Only time will tell. One thing I can tell you all is that I have a good feeling about the direction of our organization as a whole. I can honestly say I haven't felt this way about our team since Wade Phillips was the HC. I have had false hope and blind optimism, but never confidence in what they were doing. Now I have confidence and hopefully it is sustained instead of short lived. Edited May 10, 2017 by H2o

[eball]

Good luck with that, I hope the Pegulas pay attention. Because after the first two-score loss, TSW and "Dom from Tonawanda" on WGR will be in full meltdown mode.

 

"I've got two comments and a question, and I'll listen off the air. Go Bills."

 

Thanks for the post, OP.

[BarleyNY]

Thanks for sharing good info

Agreed. Thanks!

[KellyToughII]

I love both hires. Pegulas need to give then the full 5 years and see what japphappens ens

[oldmanfan]

They certainly seem like they'll work in concert, which will be welcome. Two young guys get their shot, time will tell if they can perform.

[Juice_32]

I live in NC and know a ton of panthers fans. Most of them know nothing about football at all, but the few who do and the ones I trust, think we knocked it out of the park with both of them. They'd honestly prefer McD and Beane to Rivera and Gettleman.

[Thurman#1]

I wanted McDermott too. I honestly believe had Carolina not gone to the Superbowl in 2015 he would have been a Head Coach a year earlier. His process driven approach and circumspect communication are more my sort of person and my sort of coach than Rex could ever be.

 

I am nervous just how much power the Pegulas have given him but once they made that decision they had to follow through and get "his guy" at the GM spot. I feel like here are two personalities we know mesh who are aligned philosophically and are going to work together well.

 

I just want to see it given time to work. Give it 4 years.... do not get trigger happy if there are blips. Stay the course. I think in McDermott we have a winner.

 

 

 

I really strongly agree with your last paragraph. If you wanted the guy, you've got to give him time.

 

I hear people on the boards saying that because we got McDermott the defense will be a ton better this year. IMHO that's doubtful. He's putting in a whole new system, and those things usually take time.

 

And yeah yeah yeah he says the transition will be quick and easy, but that's what every single coach in NFL history says when they're asked about changing systems. But generally it's the guys who are only tweaking the old system a bit who actually don't need significant time for the transition.

 

There are exceptions. I'm sure people can point some of them out, but they're relatively few and far between. For every Jim Schwartz there are probably five or ten Rex Ryans.

 

If these are the right guys, we'll start to see very impressive results in two or three or four years as guys have been in the same system for a long time. That's when benefits are generally reaped. When making the right choice and being patient allows you the luxury of continuity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

... Anyway, thanks, OP. Interesting to see what someone who's been paying more attention to these guys than we have things.

Edited May 10, 2017 by Thurman#1

[Juice_32]

I wanted McDermott too. I honestly believe had Carolina not gone to the Superbowl in 2015 he would have been a Head Coach a year earlier. His process driven approach and circumspect communication are more my sort of person and my sort of coach than Rex could ever be.

 

I am nervous just how much power the Pegulas have given him but once they made that decision they had to follow through and get "his guy" at the GM spot. I feel like here are two personalities we know mesh who are aligned philosophically and are going to work together well.

 

I just want to see it given time to work. Give it 4 years.... do not get trigger happy if there are blips. Stay the course. I think in McDermott we have a winner.

This 100x over. It is so hard with the giant monkey on our backs, but they've got to see it through.

[YoloinOhio]

Thank you for posting your insight!

 

I don't know anyone with the Panthers, but I know a few coaches and FO on other teams ...and these hires have completely changed the path of the organization in their eyes.

[Cripple Creek]

This 100x over. It is so hard with the giant monkey on our backs, but they've got to see it through.

I agree that the ownership has to give this a chance to work, but, with the caveat that EVERYONE will know if they don't deserve those 4 years.