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Three qualified participants are left standing in the Denver Broncos general manager sweepstakes. But a new, impenetrable front-runner reportedly has emerged as the search nears its apex.
9News' Mike Klis reported Sunday that Minnesota Vikings assistant GM George Paton "remains the candidate to beat" in a three-man race that — after New England Patriots assistant director of player personnel Dave Ziegler pulled out — includes Chicago Bears assistant director of player personnel Champ Kelly and New Orleans Saints director of pro scouting Terry Fontenot.
The Broncos conducted Zoom interviews over the weekend with each of the candidates, as well as in-house director of college scouting Brian Stark. The brain-trust — a hiring contingent comprised of outgoing GM John Elway, soon-to-be outgoing CEO Joe Ellis, head coach Vic Fangio, and PR boss Patrick Smyth — will conduct at least one in-person meeting prior to announcing its decision.
“I see the dominoes falling within the next 24-48 hours," Klis reported.
Paton is annually among the league's hottest executive prospects. He just completed his 14th season in Minnesota, working alongside GM Rick Spielman. Together, since 2012, the duo has overseen two NFC North division titles, four playoff berths, and four double-digit win campaigns — a cumulative 79-63-2 record.
The Vikings have drafted particularly well under Paton's watch. Per the team's official website, his "primary focus is coordinate scouting and personnel functions" as well as "lend his expertise to the College Scouting Department."
Here's the rub: Paton is drawing interest from numerous other teams; he's considered the favorite for the Detroit Lions' GM vacancy. So if Denver wants him, they might have to put on the full-court press.
Paton and Kelly, another top candidate, are free to accept the job and begin work immediately. But Fontenot, because the Saints are in the playoffs, might have to wait weeks to formally put pen to paper, per NFL rules.
Fontenot reportedly is the front-runner to head the Atlanta Falcons' front office, with Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady part of a packaged deal to become Atlanta's next HC
https://www.si.com/nfl/broncos/news/viki...ager-rumor
Water under the bridge but I really did not want to extend Zimmer and Spelly last year before this shitte show. If we didn't I would have moved on from Zimmer and maybe even Spelly (not 100%) and replaced with Paton who could hire his own HC.
But not happening another year or more of Zimmer with Spelly dedicated to a 2 year window with Cousins which in my opinion will have us not seriously look ahead at QB in a very deep QB draft. As I have been repeating, a deep QB draft with us drafting in the top half does not happen when we need or want. Seize the moment.
This will be really disappointing on one had but on he other, he is part of the Rick set up. So I guess its good luck if he decides to leave
Quote: @mblack said:
This will be really disappointing on one had but on he other, he is part of the Rick set up. So I guess its good luck if he decides to leave
Yea I know your are not a Spelly fan but I actually still am. I think he is a Top 3rd GM easily and prob higher. My problem is the situation he has created with our commitment to Zimmer and Cousins. I think those commitments will make us blind to this draft class that I think does not happen often, 5+ QB's. I don't think we will focus on QB with 14 as much as we would.
Quote: @minny65 said:
@ mblack said:
This will be really disappointing on one had but on he other, he is part of the Rick set up. So I guess its good luck if he decides to leave
Yea I know your are not a Spelly fan but I actually still am. I think he is a Top 3rd GM easily and prob higher. My problem is the situation he has created with our commitment to Zimmer and Cousins. I think those commitments will make us blind to this draft class that I think does not happen often, 5+ QB's. I don't think we will focus on QB with 14 as much as we would.
I actually used to be a fan of his till a year ago. My main reason is this...
He uses the "volume picks" approach yet we still find ourselves in a situation where we still have many holes despite the volume pick strategy. OLine, DLine, DBs, long term QB, maybe LB on the roster need attention.
It seems with all the picks we make we still have an unbalanced roster that lacks depth in key spots which should not be the case. I wonder how do teams that have fewer picks than us manage to stay balanced and competitive. I look at a team like Baltimore, heck even GB and I am jealous. Even the Rams that use more of a free agency approach quickly rebounded how come we cant?
Maybe this is a one of year but the lack of depth this year and the cap situation just did it for me.
Note that I did not mention his coach hiring and coaching staff management duties.
Quote: @mblack said:
@ minny65 said:
@ mblack said:
This will be really disappointing on one had but on he other, he is part of the Rick set up. So I guess its good luck if he decides to leave
Yea I know your are not a Spelly fan but I actually still am. I think he is a Top 3rd GM easily and prob higher. My problem is the situation he has created with our commitment to Zimmer and Cousins. I think those commitments will make us blind to this draft class that I think does not happen often, 5+ QB's. I don't think we will focus on QB with 14 as much as we would.
I actually used to be a fan of his till a year ago. My main reason is his likeness for volume picks and we find ourselves in a situation where we still have many holes despite the volume pick strategy we still have many holes (OLine, DLine, DBs, long term QB, maybe LB) on the roster.
It seems with all the picks we make we still have an unbalanced roster that lacks depth in key spots. I wonder how do teams that have fewer picks than us manage to stay balanced. I look at a team like Baltimore, heck even GB and I am jealous.
Maybe this is a one of year but the lack of depth this year and the cap situation just did it for me.
I hear ya. At the same time this past draft looks to be his second best after the Kend,Hunter, Diggs. The trading around and accumaltion of picks does not bother me at all. The draft is a total crap shoot every round but after the 3rd round it is a lottery.
The QB position is different. This QB draft is different. Us picking 14 is different.
I know some (Jol-El) blame Spelly for the Ponder reach when we had the triangle disaster but I really only attribute the Teddy move up to 32 on Spelly and I liked the pick. Didn't work out but a QB swing and a miss at 32 is not setting a team back like Ponder at 12. Since Spelly has been GM I think we have only drafted (in all rounds) Teddy and Stanley with basically the last pick.
It is time now to not have to do a Ponder (supply vs demand) pick this draft at 14 or higher. I want us to be completly open to a QB with our first pick whether it entails a move up or at 14. Again, I don't think Spelly will even consider and in 1 or 2 years we are back to square one of the old - Case, Cassel, Bradford, McNabb, Freeman, Spergyn Wynn (did that happen??) etc
Quote: @minny65 said:
@ mblack said:
@ minny65 said:
@ mblack said:
This will be really disappointing on one had but on he other, he is part of the Rick set up. So I guess its good luck if he decides to leave
Yea I know your are not a Spelly fan but I actually still am. I think he is a Top 3rd GM easily and prob higher. My problem is the situation he has created with our commitment to Zimmer and Cousins. I think those commitments will make us blind to this draft class that I think does not happen often, 5+ QB's. I don't think we will focus on QB with 14 as much as we would.
I actually used to be a fan of his till a year ago. My main reason is his likeness for volume picks and we find ourselves in a situation where we still have many holes despite the volume pick strategy we still have many holes (OLine, DLine, DBs, long term QB, maybe LB) on the roster.
It seems with all the picks we make we still have an unbalanced roster that lacks depth in key spots. I wonder how do teams that have fewer picks than us manage to stay balanced. I look at a team like Baltimore, heck even GB and I am jealous.
Maybe this is a one of year but the lack of depth this year and the cap situation just did it for me.
I hear ya. At the same time this past draft looks to be his second best after the Kend,Hunter, Diggs. The trading around and accumaltion of picks does not bother me at all. The draft is a total crap shoot every round but after the 3rd round it is a lottery.
The QB position is different. This QB draft is different. Us picking 14 is different.
I know some (Jol-El) blame Spelly for the Ponder reach when we had the triangle disaster but I really only attribute the Teddy move up to 32 on Spelly and I liked the pick. Didn't work out but a QB swing and a miss at 32 is not setting a team back like Ponder at 12. Since Spelly has been GM I think we have only drafted (in all rounds) Teddy and Stanley with basically the last pick.
It is time now to not have to do a Ponder (supply vs demand) pick this draft at 14 or higher. I want us to be completly open to a QB with our first pick whether it entails a move up or at 14. Again, I don't think Spelly will even consider and in 1 or 2 years we are back to square one of the old - Case, Cassel, Bradford, McNabb, Freeman, Spergyn Wynn (did that happen??) etc
Love the detailed explanation. I liked the Teddy pick too. I actually was ecstatic. Regarding the Ponder pick, I was more of a Jake Locker fan and was pretty disappointed we did not get him (that should tell you how much I know about evaluation).
I wish we get one of the QBs.
Now about 3T how hard is it to get a free agent and how expensive would it be? Isn't that a potential void we can fill in free agency so we dont go in the draft feeling like we must take a 3T?
I have often wondered in the spelly / paton relationship who is along for the ride, and will we keep the right one. Looking like we will find out.
Quote: @JimmyinSD said:
I have often wondered in the spelly / paton relationship who is along for the ride, and will we keep the right one. Looking like we will find out.
I think the most interesting thing is why Paton has stayed in the Viking's organization so long with so much interest over the years?
Quote: @StickyBun said:
@ JimmyinSD said:
I have often wondered in the spelly / paton relationship who is along for the ride, and will we keep the right one. Looking like we will find out.
I think the most interesting thing is why Paton has stayed in the Viking's organization so long with so much interest over the years?
hes had a lot of interest, but how many of those were by teams with ownership issues that would try and run the team around him? I can see him not wanting his first opportunity to be in a volatile franchise that is quick to make changes and not give a path a real chance to lead some where.
Edit: personally I have always thought that Spielman wasnt a lifer and the Wilfs were making promises to Paton to keep him in house, kind of the string the girlfriend along by saying you are leaving your wife kind of deal.
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