John McKay’s GM Position in Jeopardy

Jan 05

“ Rich McKay remains president of the club …” said Falcons owner Arthur Blank, but he will only have GM responsibilities until a new general manger is hired, he continued…

On the growing list of GM candidates are the two Packers personnel chiefs Reggie McKenzie and John Schneider. They will also speak with Eagles GM Tom Heckert.

The list of head coach candidates is even longer, next to the Cowboys assistants Garrett and Sparano ( I already posted about them) Colts assistant head coach Jim Caldwell got interviewed thursday and of course already long rumored 49ers assistant head coach Mike Singletary, who was already last year on the short list…

Another name that’s rumored with all thee NFL teams is former Ravens DC Rex Ryan, who was let go together with HC Brian Billick, but simultaniously was mentioned as being one of the top candidates for his successor, but they’re also interviewing Browns offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski…

The reasons for McKay falling in disgrace are manyfold: since his assistant Tim Ruskell left to become Seattle’s team president in February 2005, his personnel moves weren’t that lucky anymore. I.e. he let DE Patrick Kerney leave as a free agent (who subsequently made the Pro Bowl) and Jamaal Anderson who was picked in the first round for Kerney’s replacement didn’t even manage to make one single sack the whole season. On the offensive side he let Matt Schaub (Michael Vicks backup for the last 3 season) go, who became starter for the Texans…

… and the hiring of HC Petrino, who left the Falcons after only 13 games, cannot be called a success either.

All that and the sudden loss of start QB Michael Vick led to an unknown drop of attendance under Blank’s ownership: for 2 games it was even neccesary to impose a local blackout, and most of the “super suites” bringing in good dollars remained empty. Arthur Blank felt even forced to write a letter to all season-ticket holders that ticket prices will at least remain a the 2007 level or might even drop…

What strikes me is that hiring a top college coach as their new head coach doesn’t seem to be an option for any of the three teams…

and that the general managers seem to be much more on a watch …

Update: John McKay will remain the President of the Atlanta Falcons but has to give up his GM role