Ruston Webster: The Fool or The Victim?

[Jonboy]

It is often said that a leader is only as good as those around him. As the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Tennessee Titans, Ruston Webster is undoubtedly the leader of the franchise. Fans decry Webster as a fool and poor GM, while others see him as a victim of the poor decisions and failures of those around him. Owner Tommy Smith appears content to defer all football decisions to Webster and his opinion is crystal clear. He trusts him implicitly and believes he can put together a Super Bowl caliber roster. But should Smith have this much confidence in Webster? Or should he see Webster the fool?

There’s little doubt Webster was well-qualified when hired by the Titans in 2010 as Vice President of Player Personnel under – then general manager – Mike Reinfeldt. Webster got his start in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a Regional Scout back in 1988. He remained with the organization for more than 15 years and served in a number of capacities, working his way through the ranks to Director of Player Personnel. He made the jump to Seattle in 2006 as their Vice President of Player Personnel, where he remained until joining the Titans in 2010 under the same title. In 2012, he was promoted to General Manager.

During press conferences and public appearances, Webster comes across as personable, an affable type who doesn’t prefer to engage in the misinformation or “smokescreen” tactics we hear about with other GMs. He speaks with simplicity in press conferences and typically has a calm, thoughtful demeanor when answering questions. He’s likeable, but has faced heightened criticism in the midst of the Titans recent struggles.

Attempting to evaluate Webster’s successes and failures with the Titans is an extensive process. Admittedly, fans and media are short of the necessary, behind-closed-doors information needed to paint a complete picture of Webster. Instead, we have small pieces of a much larger puzzle and after evaluating the known pieces, we’re left with a number of murky possibilities. Either Ruston Webster is a foolish GM, or he’s a victim of his colleagues. Or both.

The Reinfeldt Era

Reinfeldt came to the Titans during the 2007 offseason and Webster had arrived in Seattle just the previous season; thus, they only overlapped in 2006 while with the Seahawks. Reinfeldt had a large hand in the hiring of Webster. “When I joined the Titans organization, we were able to fill a number of roles in the pro and college departments, but we didn’t fill the Player Personnel spot at the time,” he said in a team-issued release. “I wanted the right person to fill that role and wanted to see how the organization would function in the various departments before making this hire. I have a great deal of respect for Ruston as a football guy and as a person. He will focus on the college draft, but will assist in the other areas of the personnel department as well.”

Webster wasn’t hired until May of 2010 so he had no impact on the 2010 free agent and draft classes.

The 2011 offseason saw the hiring of Mike Munchak as the team’s 16^th head coach. It would also mark the first draft in Tennessee with Reinfeldt and Webster working together. Just how much influence did Webster have early? According to Jim Wyatt, “Even before Ruston Webster replaced Mike Reinfeldt as Titans general manager in January 2012, he had a major influence on draft day decisions.” It’s certainly not surprising – given their familiarity with one another – that Reinfeldt would trust Webster to assist with scouting and draft day operations.

As such, here’s a look at the 2011 draft, the first with both Reinfeldt and Webster in the Titans front office.

2011 draft

1st round, 8th overall: QB Jake Locker (Washington)
2nd round, 39th overall: LB Akeem Ayers (UCLA)
3rd round, 77th overall: DT Jurell Casey (USC)
4th round, 109th overall: LB Colin McCarthy (Miami)
4th round, 130th overall: RB Jamie Harper (Clemson)
5th round, 142nd overall: DT Karl Klug (Iowa)
6th round, 175th overall: T Byron Stingily (Louisville)
7th round, 212th overall: DT Zach Clayton (Auburn)
7th round, 251st overall: CB Tommie Campbell (California PA)

Locker is currently the starting QB. Ayers and Casey are starters, with Casey easily being the gem of the entire class. McCarthy, Klug, Campbell, and Stingily are currently with the team as backups. Harper and Clayton are out of the league. The Reinfeldt-Webster draft class is riddled with failed projects, enigmas, and the lone gem in Casey.

Webster’s role for free agency during this time is less clear. Chances are he was involved, but to what extent is unknown. The free agent class signed in 2011 proved to be lackluster. QB Matt Hasselbeck, TE Daniel Graham, LB Barrett Ruud, FB Ahmard Hall and S Jordan Babineaux headlined the class and of the group, only Hasselbeck and, to some extent, Babineaux panned out.

Webster Named GM

The team finished a better-than-expected 9-7 and just missed the playoffs during Munchak’s first season. The offseason brought a promotion for Webster and he was elevated to General Manager, while Reinfeldt shifted into the role of Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, more focused on business operations and less focused on roster management.

Webster’s first free agent class as GM, highlighted by the signings of an aging Steve Hutchinson and Kamerion Wimbley, is largely deemed a failure. Hutchinson finished the year on injured reserve. Wimbley disappointed in his first season and was relegated to benchwarmer status during his 2^nd year under Munchak. Webster has since renegotiated Wimbley’s contract with the hopes he will be rejuvenated in Ray Horton’s 3-4 defense.

Despite the poor free agent class, we must again consider Webster the victim, as one would be remiss to not mention a particular prized free agent the Titans pursued, a free agent who would have certainly changed everything for all the men involved.

Webster, Reinfeldt, and Munchak were prepared to move forward with a plan to continue building the team around a young Jake Locker and veteran Matt Hasslebeck. Media reports indicate the team had plans to improve their pass rush by pursuing Mario Williams, the prized defensive end of the free agent class. But there was an even bigger free agent available that offseason: Peyton Manning.

Adams issued a mandate for the team to pursue Manning and the Titans were forced to scrap what they thought was a reasonable plan at the behest of the aging owner. The plan went on hold and the team poured everything into pursuing Manning. Manning would have commanded a hefty contract, which meant the Titans were stuck in neutral while Manning took time to reach a decision. While only a few days passed, it cost the Titans valuable time and a chance to pursue other free agents, namely Williams.

The decision to chase the future Hall-of-Famer in Manning may have been the right one and a gamble worth taking, but there’s no denying the pursuit cost the Titans dearly. After failing to land Peyton, the Titans were left with a lot of cash, but Webster and Reinfedlt’s top target – Williams – had already signed in Buffalo. The two scrambled to try and patch together a free agent class that would address the team’s struggling pass rush. They decided on Wimbley (Hutchinson was signed in the midst of the Manning chase).

In addition to Wimbley and Hutch, Webster placed the franchise tag on Michael Griffin (signed to long-term deal after the draft), re-signed S Jordan Babineaux, DE Dave Ball, and LB Tim Shaw while also adding DT Lamar Divens and DT Leger Douzable.

After striking out on Manning and Williams, the team put together a patchwork free agency class and turned toward the draft, Webster’s first as GM (with Reinfeldt still in the fold). The team drafted Baylor WR Kendall Wright with their first round pick as they sought to put weapons around the young Locker. They went after the speedy linebacker – Zach Brown – with their 2^nd selection. The full draft is as follows:

Webster’s first draft as General Manager (2012)

1st round, 20th overall: WR Kendall Wright (Baylor)
2nd round, 52nd overall: LB Zach Brown (North Carolina)
3rd round, 82nd overall: DT Mike Martin (Michigan)
4th round, 115th overall: CB Coty Sensebaugh (Clemson)
5th round, 145th overall: TE Taylor Thompson (SMU)
6th round, 190th overall: S Markelle Martin (Oklahoma State)
7th round, 211th overall: DE Scott Solomon (Rice)

For the most part, the jury is still out on the 2012 class. Solomon and Martin can be deemed misses, but that’s oft to be expected for 6^th and 7^th rounders. TE Taylor Thompson was a project from the beginning and he’s thus far only proven valuable on special teams. Brown, DT Mike Martin, and CB Coty Sensebaugh are still question marks with each flashing talent during the time with the Titans. Wright has all the makings of a solid player and certainly appears to be a ‘hit’ if we’re judging today.

During the 2012 season, Locker battled injuries and the team finished a disappointing 6-10. Wright, one of the lone bright spots, made an immediate impact and led the team in catches. The free agent class made only a minimal impact. Wimbley started all 16 games and had 6 sacks, but it was clear to any observer he didn’t have the impact the Titans were hoping. As previously stated, Hutch finished the year on IR and the offensive line was maligned throughout the year.

As for Reinfeldt, Adams ultimately blamed him for the team’s failure to land Manning and it cost him his job in December 2012. Reinfeldt only found out about his firing through media reports. Webster – the victim – survived.

With Reinfeldt completely out of the picture, Webster started the 2013 offseason addressing the secondary by signing veteran S George Wilson. He moved quickly and signed Bills G Andy Levitre to a lucrative, long-term deal. Levitre was undoubtedly the best guard available, but the team paid a premium price to acquire him. Webster also added LB Moise Fokou, RB Shonn Greene, DT Sammie Hill, TE Delanie Walker, C/G Chris Spencer, DE Ropati Pitoitua, WR Kevin Walter, C/G Rob Turner, and the biggest hit of the class, S Bernard Pollard. The team re-signed C/G Fernando Velasco (later cut), as well as FB Quinn Johnson. They also elected to go away from veteran QB Matt Hasselbeck as Locker’s backup and went with the slightly cheaper alternative in QB Ryan Fitzpatrick.

The rebuilding of the offensive line continued with the drafting of G Chance Warmack at #10 overall. Warmack was hailed as the top guard in the draft by many experts while some went as far to call him the best player in the draft. Critics of the pick believed 10^th too high for a guard given the minimal drop-off at the position in later rounds. Warmack struggled mightily in his first season, which further emboldened critics of the selection. The team traded up for WR Justin Hunter who had an up-and-down rookie season, which included a litany of contrasting events such as a game-winning catch against the Chargers, but also a 1-game suspension for breaking team rules.

Perhaps it’s easy to label Webster as fool for the Warmack pick? Could one just as easily frame him as the victim of an offensive line legend who failed to develop a player many felt had all the ability in the world? Maybe Munchak even pleaded with Webster to go offensive line early? Fool…or victim?

The full draft is as follows:

Webster’s 2^nd draft as GM (2013)

1st round, 10th overall: G Chance Warmack (Alabama)
2nd round, 34th overall: WR Justin Hunter (Tennessee)
3rd round, 70th overall: CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson (Connecticut)
3rd round, 97th overall: LB Zaviar Gooden (Missouri)
4th round, 107th overall: C Brian Schwenke (California)
5th round, 142nd overall: DE Lavar Edwards (LSU)
6th round, 202nd overall: CB Khalid Wooten (Nevada)
7th round, 248th overall: S Daimion Stafford (Nebraska)

C Brian Schwenke finished the year as a starter and has shown promise. The others made only a minimal impact and the jury is certainly still out for the majority.

With the passing of Adams, new owner Tommy Smith made Webster’s status as his right-hand man irrevocably clear. The two deliberated over Munchak’s future and elected to offer him an extension, albeit, an extension…with a catch. The full truth will likely remain a mystery forever; yet, we know with certainty Webster and Smith wanted Munchak to make a number of changes to his staff. We can also assume they wanted specific changes to the roster and maybe even adjustments in play style. What is likely to be nothing but a footnote in the history books should actually hold far more significance for Titans fans. Munchak balked at the offer to stay-on as a restricted head coach, where he would have been stripped of his ability to hire and fire assistants at his discretion. The two parted ways and Webster escaped once more as the victim, this time a victim of Munchak’s coaching failures.

The Whisenhunt Era

As the Titans coaching search – headed by Webster – began, most media reports penciled-in Ken Whisenhunt as the next head coach of the Lions. His experience as a head coach and success in reviving the career of Philip Rivers made him a highly sought-after candidate. Webster (and Tommy Smith’s checkbook) convinced Whiz to make the Titans his next stop, rather than the Lions. The new Titans coach spoke highly of Webster from the start and cited their conversations and immediate connection as one of his primary reasons for choosing Tennessee over others.

It should come as no surprise Whiz held great influence over Webster’s 2014 free agent class. The two immediately sought to add pieces for Ray Horton’s 3-4 defense, re-signing Pitoitua, and adding DE Al Woods, DT Antonio Johnson, LB Wesley Woodyard, and LB Shaun Phillips. Whiz also urged Webster to pursue his former #2 QB in Charlie Whitehurst. WR/RB Dexter McCluster, G/C Eric Olsen, WR Marc Mariani, RB Leon Washington, and T Michael Oher complete the class. Fitzpatrick and long-time kicker Rob Bironas were released. There’s no doubt Webster is flying the plane, but he appears to trust Whiz as a co-pilot more than he trusted Munchak by the end of his tenure with the franchise.

The new duo of Webster/Whiz entered the 2014 draft openly searching for a running back to help replace RB Chris Johnson, who the team released. Early reports indicate the team placed a strong focus on value and had a true best-player-available strategy.

Webster’s 3^rd draft (2014)

1st round, 11th overall: T Taylor Lewan (Michigan)
2nd round, 54th overall: RB Bishop Sankey (Washington)
4th round, 112th overall: DT DaQuan Jones (Penn State)
4th round, 122nd overall: CB/S Marqueston Huff (Wyoming)
5th round, 151st overall: ILB Avery Williamson (Kentucky)
6th round, 178th overall: QB Zach Mettenberger (LSU)

Looking at Webster’s career, fans can easily choose a narrative and bolster the argument with significant evidence. That’s the rub when attempting to objectively evaluate Webster’s tenure with the Titans. Like so many of his draft picks, he remains an enigma to many.

Even looking at his work on contracts and the salary cap proves difficult. Longtime Titans fans remember the salary cap purge from the Floyd Reese-era, which saw the team $27-million over the cap, just five seasons removed from a Super Bowl berth. Webster’s Titans have never been anywhere close to $27 million over the cap and for that he should be commended. Even so, one must also acknowledge he’s benefitted from a revised, cap-friendly rookie pay scale. There are also reasonable questions about a number of the contracts he’s handed out, namely Greene and Wimbley.

There are also valid questions for actions Webster didn’t take. Should he have made a greater effort to pursue Verner, who ended up signing a more reasonable contract than many had expected? Maybe he should have cut CJ last offseason or the one before? We could call him a fool. We could call him a victim.

The Titans recent failures have been highlighted by a number of coaches, general managers, and owners. Long-term stalwarts of the franchise – Jeff Fisher, Bud Adams, Mike Reinfeldt, and Mike Munchak – are suddenly no more. Webster has emerged to the forefront as the most powerful person in the Titans organization, with more power and more trust than ever before. Unfortunately for Webster, the very reason some are slow to lay the blame at his feet is the same reason others hesitate to laud him with accolades. Where Webster’s previous successes and failures are tempered through Munchak and Reinfeldt, so too will his future successes and failures be tempered through another.

Like Reinfeldt and Munchak before, Webster has now hitched his wagon to another. Only this time, it’s Webster who made the decision. He didn’t choose Adams or Munchak. Or Reinfeldt. But he chose Whiz. And if Whiz succeeds, Webster will reap the benefits and accolades alongside him. If he doesn’t, then Smith will be left with a familiar question: Webster the fool? Or Webster the victim?

Sources: Official Titans transactions list: http://www.titansonl...ansactions.html; Official Ruston Webster bio from Titansonline: http://www.titansonl...78-979468c419c8; Pro-football Reference: http://www.pro-footb....com/teams/oti/; The Tennessean:
http://www.tennessea...-draft/7977807/, http://www.tennessea...-draft/7977807/; Pro Football Talk http://profootballta...d-he-was-fired/, http://profootballta...ruston-webster/; and NFL Tracker: http://www.nfl.com/d...-team-input:ten

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[OILERMAN]

Good one Jonboy

 

After the 2011 season Webster said that everyone in the room(front office minus Munchak were in the room) knew the problem with CJ and he was 100% blameless, then in 2012 I know Munchak wanted CJ cut and Webster said no.

 

I vote "The fool"

[reo]

I really don't want to give you a tldr b/c of all the work you put in but geez..... I'll try to chip away at reading it as the day goes by

[OILERMAN]

BTW, I thought Webster totally embarrassed himself and should have been fired

 

But I'm pretty much on board with their plan this off season, which I believe the coaches had an influence in as you noted.

[Cyrus]

I've vacillated a lot on what I think of Webster. On one hand I think he's generally made reasonable decisions and good risks while being put in a bad situation (no quarterback, depleted roster, mismanaged coach hires). On the other hand, I find some of his draft decisions very curious. I didn't understand the Warmack pick at all and I never liked the Zach Brown, Mike Martin, Zaviar Gooden (I think he's a good fit for the 34 however) picks either. To some extent I think there was serious pressure to re-haul the offensive line overnight in order to save Munchak's job. Based on how Munchak gushed over Warmack I have no doubt that he was primarily responsible for taking an offensive guard that high, but that doesn't mean Webster isn't complicit.

 

In the same way, it certainly seemed that Zach Brown was Jerry Gray's guy too. He lacked instincts, toughness and football intelligence, but he was an athletic freak. Again, Webster is complicit as well in some of these potential failed selections. However, having to draft for coaches like Jerry Gray and Bruce Matthews matters contextually - but how much does it matter? 

 

In terms of pure value, I think this could be Webster's best draft so far. I was critical of the Lewan pick because I think that it eliminates the possibility of Roos contributing for a couple more years if he's healthy and performing. It also protects them from any risk if he isn't healthy or drops off suddenly. The future will tell whether or not it was a miscalculation or great foresight, but nonetheless Lewan does have Top-10 ability and is a future left tackle. The value at 11 was quite good.

 

Sankey was a fantastic pick and I think that if the NFL wasn't trending away from running backs right now that he would have been high second round pick. He has excellent traits, excellent vision and a great style. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he went to a few Pro Bowls in his career. Daquan Jones was also a solid value - a good scheme fit and role player. Ideal for a fourth round pick.

 

Then finally, Zach Mettenberger - regardless of how some feel about his probability for success there is no doubt that he was a killer value in the sixth round. I've been following Mettenberger for over a year and in that span he has been consistently discussed as a potential second round pick. Some even felt he had late first round value. Over that time I've been able to form my own opinion and after his senior season I too thought he was a second round caliber prospect. Where he ended up going in the NFL Draft doesn't matter to me. This is a legitimate NFL quarterback prospect who's had a lot of bumps in the road. However his talent is undeniable and I wouldn't be surprised in the least if he managed to become the Titans starter in the next two years.

 

Ultimately I think that Webster's fate is in this coaching staff's hands. He is tied to Whisenhunt and they will rise or fall together. I think there's a lot of reasonable criticisms for Webster, but with a legitimate coaching staff we will have an opportunity to see whether or not he is a truly competent general manager. For obvious reasons, I'm hoping that it was Munchak not Webster who was ultimately responsible for the Titans middling ways.

[tgo]

Ahmad Hall was actually with the team long before 2011.

Good write up.

Edited May 14, 2014 by tgo

[Jonboy]

I really don't want to give you a tldr b/c of all the work you put in but geez..... I'll try to chip away at reading it as the day goes by 

 

It started as but a mere post...that quickly ballooned into this beast. I thought about dividing it up into segments for separate articles, but ehhh. It's the offseason. Folks can read at their own pace I suppose. 

 

Ahmad Hall was actually with the team long before 2011.

 

True. But he was an unrestricted FA in 2011, which actually ended up being his final year with the team. I suppose I should update since he technically shouldn't be in the "panned out" category. 

[Guest]

The specific picks and signings are a lottery. That's why you can look at any long term GM and point to massive failures and successes and big up and downs while his ability stayed constant. What''s more important and telling of the GM's performance is the overall philosophy behind the decisions. 

 

If Johnson had maintained his early pace after the big contract...If Hrtch had earned that money...If Levitre made the Pro Bowl last year...If Warmack would have looked like a world beater...etc, etc....

 

None of that would have validated the decisions in my mind. It just would have been him getting lucky. Winning the lottery. It' stupid to be allocating your resources this way. 

 

OTOH - if they would have made Johnson play out his contract and he was gaining 3000 yards per year for some other team and we were spending our FA $ on playmakers and guys who can stop big plays and were maintaining the Oline through savvy B level signings and mid round picks....and it  all turned into 0-16, I would be fine with Webster. I would know he is just getting unlucky and if he maintains the smart strategies things would turn for him. 

 

I have never criticized Webster for the Locker pick. It's clear the talent is/was there. He just got unlucky with the injuries although I guess you could blame him some for not putting enough of the right players around him.  

[Cyrus]

I think the Chris Johnson and Webster stuff was overblown too. There's no doubt that CJ wasn't living up to his contract and the Titans needed to replace him. However they had the cap space and no real in-house replacement. I think they felt like they had more options with him than without him. It's on the coaching staff to use him how they wanted to and I don't believe for one second that Webster dictated how many snaps he would get or how he would be used.

[Guest]

There’s little doubt Webster was well-qualified when hired by the Titans in 2010 as Vice President of Player Personnel under – then general manager – Mike Reinfeldt. Webster got his start in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a Regional Scout back in 1988. He remained with the organization for more than 15 years and served in a number of capacities, working his way through the ranks to Director of Player Personnel. 

 

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneer record 1988 - 2005: 

 

131 - 157

Winning %:  45.5%

 

 

He made the jump to Seattle in 2006 as their Vice President of Player Personnel, 

 

 

Seattle Seahawks Record 2006-2009:

 

28 - 36

Winning %: 43.8%

 

 

 where he remained until joining the Titans in 2010 under the same title. In 2012, he was promoted to General Manager

 

 

Titans record 2010-2013:

 

28-36 (no, not a mistaken copy from above)

Winning %: 43.8%

 

Wow, he's been remarkably consistent over a 27 year career. I now understand why we had to wash away the mediocrity that was Fisher in lieu of this massive winner!

[Face]

I was only able to skim through it, I'll read in full tonight but looked like good stuff Jonboy. This is a huge year for Webster, because some of his picks have started off on fire only to disappear after one year. Cyrus, maybe you can answer me this, is it odd to see Brown & Martin play so well as rookies & then both just literally disappear by the halfway point of their sophmore season? To me thats alarming. Both of them? They were going to be 2 of our building blocks & I think there's a good chance they were coached terribly. I was watching the documentary on NFLN about the '04 draft & Belichick & his OL coach, who had Robert Gallery in his last year I believe, were on video at a practice talking about Gallery & how horribly he was coached in Oakland. The OL coach said he should have been a multi year all pro but he just never developed, though he had some success at guard. This stuff happens.
 

The Warmack pick is worrying me though. Sometimes you see a rookie who struggles but you clearly see ability. I didn't see that with Warmack, I can't recall many dominant blocks where he just moved the line but I sure can recall alot of blocks where he was just stood up & moved back into the QB by average DT's. As for Brown, I'm a huge fan of his, he won me over in 2012 with some electric plays but now it's looking like a huge blunder passing on Lavonte David & thats what worries me, it really should have been clear as day that David was the guy at LB. He was just such a great player in college & wasn't THAT big of a dropoff athletically from Brown. It's tough to stomach that we could, and really should, have Sheldon Richardson & David on this D. But I'm with OMan, I loved this offseason, and maybe having a good staff thats clear about what it's looking to accomplish could make all the difference.

[Superhorn]

Good stuff Jonboy.

 

I think it's probably a little premature to really place any credit or blame regarding the Warmack pick.  We still don't know about what we have there.  I was one of his biggest critics last year, but this wouldn't be the first time a player struggled in his first year.

 

I'm a big Webster supporter.  To me, you want a GM who has a clear ethos, and then executes with that in mind.  I think during his tenure there were times early on where he didn't have total control.  There's speculation there.  Regardless, it is clear to me that he's had control these past two years.  In those years, the takeaway was - we're going to be stout running between the tackles that relies on vertical shots through play action.  Everything filters through the run game.  Defensively, we want a big front, with athletic linebackers to allow versatility in the modern NFL.  

 

I also think there was a huge rift between Webster and the coaching staff last year after Locker got injured.  Right or wrong, the staff got away from the downhill rushing attack, and moved towards a scheme with more spread tendencies.  There's clearly a disconnect.  I think this led to the ultimatum that Loggains had to be fired by Munchak, which he wouldn't do.

 

Webster's philosophy continued this offseason with his coaching hires, FA additions, and players drafted.  Fans remember Whiz as a pass happy coach in Arizona, but I think a lot of that was circumstantial.  His first two years in Pittsburgh they led the league in rushing percentage (20th the year before he got there).  Last year, San Diego was 7th in rushing percentage.

 

Anyhow, time will tell.  Like most GMs, his success will largely be defined by how well he can stabilize the quarterback position.

[Omar]

The jury is def still out, need to see how the players respond to quality coaching. It has been bad for the last several years.

 

The big thing in my mind was that Whiz was thought to be going to the Lions...it was a done deal according to all the NFL reporters, but Whiz decided to come to a team with less talent, mostly because of Webster, and prob a little to do with Tommie Smith as well. They convinced him this was a better situation...

 

Nice write up JB, that was very solid.

[Tex in a Can]

The GM has to be a cut above the other GMs to win at this game, FA and the draft. So far what I see is, at best, a solid, middle of the road GM.

 

Tex

[amyinsparta]

Can any GM, coach, truly know what they are getting when they draft and deal in FA?   What a kid did in college doesn't always translate to the Big Time. How would anyone know that?  How does one know that a QB/other great player is going to break bones the first game of the season?  Does the players have a dark side that no one could predict? Who knows if/how the kid will adjust to living and playing far away from his bros? (see Britt).  Like someone said above, the whole picking system is a crap shoot.  What you think you know may or may not be the truth about these players. 

 

I think Webster did a decent job picking. And doesn't the coach have a big say in who is drafted?  I really don't think Webster can be blamed altogether if the players don't pan out.