Reggie McKenzie Headed to the Bay

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He has been hired by the Raiders as GM according to Adam Schefter.

h/t: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ggie-mckenzie/

via: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/74...bay-packers-gm

[Scott Campbell]

Elliot Wolf is going with him. I think were going to get pillaged pretty good this year.

[Patler]

I have to admit, I was somewhat surprised to see it, because McKenzie talked a few months ago about waiting for the right opportunity, not just any opportunity. He even said he would be content to spend his entire career in GB if the right opportunity did not come along. Now he is leaving for a team with a hazy authority structure, a head coach who has exercised somewhat unusual power and is openly campaigning for more authority, a questionable QB situation, and virtually no draft picks in the upcoming draft.

Perhaps old loyalties are strong indeed. McKenzie was a Raider, and he may feel a drive to restore the Raiders to what they once were. I wish him well.

I think this will be a big loss for the Packers, and it may get bigger if he plucks away at the scouting talent of the Packers..

[Patler]

Elliot Wolf is going with him. I think were going to get pillaged pretty good this year.

Wolf leaving doesn't bother me at all. He is so young with such limited exposure and experience that going to another organization will be good for his development. If he continues to show talent and ability, when the Packers have a need, if they have an interest, they could always try to get him back. If they do, there will be no question about their motivation. It is the only way he will get out from under the charge of nepotism, which would have remained without a break from GB.

I think the loss of McKenzie will be felt in GB.

[Scott Campbell]

Wolf leaving doesn't bother me at all. He is so young with such limited exposure and experience that going to another organization will be good for his development. If he continues to show talent and ability, when the Packers have a need, if they have an interest, they could always try to get him back. If they do, there will be no question about their motivation. It is the only way he will get out from under the charge of nepotism, which would have remained without a break from GB.

I think the loss of McKenzie will be felt in GB.

It's really hard for me to get a feel for how much these guys brought to the team, as their work was primarily behind a curtain that we don't get to see behind. So I'm concerned more about the sheer volume of defections.

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Wolf leaving doesn't bother me at all. He is so young with such limited exposure and experience that going to another organization will be good for his development. If he continues to show talent and ability, when the Packers have a need, if they have an interest, they could always try to get him back. If they do, there will be no question about their motivation. It is the only way he will get out from under the charge of nepotism, which would have remained without a break from GB.

I think the loss of McKenzie will be felt in GB.

Elliot Wolf is going with him. I think were going to get pillaged pretty good this year.

Has anyone read about the Wolf link anywhere but PFT? Because PFT sometimes gets an idea in its head (Chris Polian was unqualified to be GM and was only promoted because of his father) and cannot let go regardless of circumstances.

Their original story mentioned Wolf and McKenzie as one reason Hue Jackson wanted a say in the pick of GM for the Raiders. But that was two leaps of logic: one, that Wolf was absolutely coming and two, that nepotism was Jackson's greatest fear. The article also mentioned that Jackson might want to be involved so that he can ensure they are likely to have a good relationship (which, unlike most of this article, makes sense).

Now Jackson might fear a McKenzie leaning lieutenant because it would further dilute his influence, but that is going to happen whether its Wolf or someone else McKenzie hires to do play personnel and the scouting department.

So I think this story has gotten a lot of play and been interpreted far more sinisterly, than is warranted by known facts.

[Patler]

It's really hard for me to get a feel for how much these guys brought to the team, as their work was primarily behind a curtain that we don't get to see behind. So I'm concerned more about the sheer volume of defections.

That certainly could become a concern. If it is only McKenzie and Wolf from the scouting area, I won't be concerned from that aspect. The Packers seem to have a knack for finding good people in that area, and this will give opportunities for further advancement of others, like Dorsey, perhaps.

[Scott Campbell]

That certainly could become a concern. If it is only McKenzie and Wolf from the scouting area, I won't be concerned from that aspect. The Packers seem to have a knack for finding good people in that area, and this will give opportunities for further advancement of others, like Dorsey, perhaps.

I read Dorsey is being pursued also. Though I suspect we'll be able to keep him.

It seems like other teams are coming after our people a lot harder this year. Maybe it's the 2 years in a row thing.

[Harlan Huckleby]

TT might not GM much longer, would have been nice to promote McKenzie

[Patler]

Has anyone read about the Wolf link anywhere but PFT? Because PFT sometimes gets an idea in its head (Chris Polian was unqualified to be GM and was only promoted because of his father) and cannot let go regardless of circumstances.

Their original story mentioned Wolf and McKenzie as one reason Hue Jackson wanted a say in the pick of GM for the Raiders. But that was two leaps of logic: one, that Wolf was absolutely coming and two, that nepotism was Jackson's greatest fear. The article also mentioned that Jackson might want to be involved so that he can ensure they are likely to have a good relationship (which, unlike most of this article, makes sense).

Now Jackson might fear a McKenzie leaning lieutenant because it would further dilute his influence, but that is going to happen whether its Wolf or someone else McKenzie hires to do play personnel and the scouting department.

So I think this story has gotten a lot of play and been interpreted far more sinisterly, than is warranted by known facts.

Either way, I think it would be a good thing for Wolf to leave at some point. He is so young that Green Bay (or Oakland if he indeed goes there) isn't likely to be his last stop anyway. I have no feel for the guy one way or another. If he is indeed a good evaluator, going to another organization will broaden his experience and development. He will benefit from that, as will his future employers. On the other hand, if he is where he is only because of who he is and not because of what he is, the break from GB will free the Packers from him.

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Given Wolf's title, he might be in line for a promotion when McKenzie leaves. He would not be the first to rise in the franchise with minimal work elsewhere.

[pbmax]

I read Dorsey is being pursued also. Though I suspect we'll be able to keep him.

It seems like other teams are coming after our people a lot harder this year. Maybe it's the 2 years in a row thing.

He turned down an interview with the Colts. And Clements just lost out to O'Brien at Penn State.

[Patler]

TT might not GM much longer, would have been nice to promote McKenzie

That's what I thought. There would be a natural succession in 5 or 6 years, and McKenzie's ability is widely proclaimed.

[ND72]

Dorsey also turned down interview with St. Louis and Chicago. ESPNChicago quoted him saying, "I have the best job with the best team, in the best city. This is my home."

[Patler]

Given Wolf's title, he might be in line for a promotion when McKenzie leaves. He would not be the first to rise in the franchise with minimal work elsewhere.

True, but many of the others in the scouting area (like McKenzie) came to the Packers with playing and/or coaching experience. Wolf has little experience of any kind other than with the Packers. College internships is about it. Broader experience should make him better and more valuable in the future. If he really is a budding GM of the future, the Packers could easily higher him back 15-20 years from now. Maybe as soon as 5-6 years from now if he really is that good.

Scouts and coaches benefit from broader experiences as they develop their own philosophies, in my opinion.