5 best gifts that Marty Hurney leaves the Carolina Panthers
By Dean Jones
What gifts does Marty Hurney leave behind with the Carolina Panthers?
The Carolina Panthers will be getting some new ideas in their front office after owner David Tepper parted ways with Marty Hurney. This was the last remaining figure from the previous regime when Jerry Richardson controlled the team and it is going to be interesting to see who the decision-makers choose to come into the organization.
This is a critical time for the Panthers, who have shown signs of life in the first year of head coach Matt Rhule’s reign, even if they don’t have the record to show for it. Carolina has some nice young pieces to build around – which is largely down to Hurney – but what comes next for the franchise could make all the difference as they look to make their presence felt in the postseason next time around.
It’s out with the old and in with the new.
Tepper didn’t want further friction to build between Hurney and Rhule that could impact some important upcoming decisions next spring. The owner has some lofty ambitions for the Panthers in the coming years to progress off the field, and he will also want to see some return on his investment from a record perspective.
We are in the holiday season and here are five gifts that Hurney leaves behind in Carolina.
Gift No. 1
Derrick Brown – Carolina Panthers DT
There seemed to be some disagreement between Hurney and Rhule about what to do with the No. 7 overall selection, according to multiple reports. Trading back was seen as a solid way to go before the Panthers eventually took Auburn’s stud defensive tackle Derrick Brown instead.
This is proving to be the right call.
Whoever made it.
Brown took his time to settle into the NFL way of life, which wasn’t helped by veteran Pro Bowler Kawann Short going on the reserve/injured list for the second straight year. However, the rookie has come on leaps and bounds ever since, and his performance at the Green Bay Packers in Week 15 was further proof of just what an asset he’s going to be moving forward.
The pressure was on for Carolina to take linebacker Isaiah Simmons after he fell out of the top five. But they never wavered from Brown and are going to benefit for years to come.