Management's Focus

The broad complaint from the fanbase, and it's a valid one, is the lack of action taken by management during the off-season to address some needs via-Free Agency. Many think that we should have signed Boldin, or at least another #2 option that would balance the scale.

Question: is this Jerry, doing it cheap, in preparation of a labor/work stoppage. Or, is this Jerry, doing it cheap, understanding a new coach, with new personnel demands, will be entering the fold if there is a season in 2011 (and with that, a shitload of money will be available to go make the right moves for that coach's needs)?

Or, perhaps both?

 

For what it's worth, I was at the game and the stadium looks better than ever. They've removed the smoking sections and replaced them with rows of plasma TV's with each NFL game on. They've also added--um, hard to describe--like a "Fresh Market"-type store, where the snobs can shop for their kind of shit.

That, plus the scoreboard upgrades of 2008, tell me what I already know--the owner and management are not afraid to spend money on almost any area.

 

I think it sucks about the smoking sections

 

Well, as someone who has been off the sticks for a week now, it did me some good.

 

Bathrooms still weren't getting taken care of which was a new problem last year. Running out of supplies, sinks stopped up etc. Used to be well cared for, but I guess they've reduced staff so there isn't someone in there regularly.

Isn't really a "ruin the game" type thing, but sort of shabby if you want to be state of the art, great experience.

As a PSL owner having money problems (working 2 jobs) it's troubling to me to hang onto seats and feel like the team is taking the cheap route IF they are. It's discouraging to not even really be competitive. Honestly, I am anitcipating 0-16 - went to the game feeling that way so it wasn't a horrible loss to me, but to not even really be a threat to the opponent for most of the game was very disappointing. As someone in front of us commented on the ramps leaving - guess the rest of our opponents have penciled in another bye week.

 

We split season tickets with another family and I have always thought that the stadium was about the best around. (even up in 522) The smoking thing was a response to NC's new law about smoking in the workplace and the don't want any lawsuits filed. I will say those smoking areas right at the top of the ramps werent a great idea. "Welcome to the 500 level cough cough!"
The tailgating is good and there is always plenty of food, beer, and other emenities inside the staduim as well. It did kind of strike me as odd that Danny Morrison is already talking about a new stadium though.

 

We have the second lowest player payroll in the league. Even with the dead money to jake, we'd be close to the minimum cap this year if there were a cap.

This is all about the labor situation. Fox's job, too. JR believes the brand is the most important, and I'd have too agree. Especially his newish, small market team.

 

I have to think Jerry and Danny are ratcheting down on the budget due to the labor uncertainty and in case there is a labor stoppage. He could have gone in a different direction at coach last year.

Smitty, Gross, Wharton, and Gamble have sizable second contracts, although none are way out of line. Am I missing someone? Just about everyone else is on some rookie deal or is a cheap vet. We've really paired down.

 

Yes, Management focus is a problem. They focus real good. Focus right in the...

 

Sucks for Fox. He's a good coach and I think we have a pretty good staff. They've proven they can win with a solid corps of veterans. It's just a situation where the management isn't going to provide what they need. This team has talent, but most of the players we're counting on haven't played/started a full season in the NFL. That's impossible to overcome.