4 Panthers players former GM Marty Hurney could take to Washington
By Dean Jones
Which Carolina Panthers players might their former general manager Marty Hurney look to bring to the Washington Football Team during free agency?
As it turned out, Marty Hurney wasn’t out of work for long after being fired by the Carolina Panthers for a second time. The recently departed general manager is reuniting with Ron Rivera at the Washington Football Team, which is the latest in a series of old employees who have come together in a different environment.
Hurney’s second stint in Carolina was full of hits and misses. For all his faults, the man knew what a first-round NFL Draft pick looked like and even managed to find some real gems in the later rounds to further bolster the roster during a period of transition.
However, some of the personnel decisions regarding contract extensions – or a lack thereof – is something that eventually cost him his job. Whether the old pals’ act in Washington is going to bring success remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Rivera had a huge say in this hire and is willing to die on the sword, so to speak.
This might come with Hurney trying to recruit some familiar faces in the coming weeks. Let’s take a look at four Panthers who might end up in Washington this offseason.
Player No. 1
Kawann Short – Carolina Panthers DT
Kawann Short is going to be released by the Panthers sooner rather than later providing a shock restructure doesn’t come to pass. The defensive tackle has endured a torrid time through injury over the last two years, but if he fully recovers from his latest significant problem then a move to Washington might not be out of the question.
Rivera benefitted from a formidable defensive front during his first season at the helm. This was the catalyst behind them winning the NFC East and attaining a shock playoff berth, so adding a proven Pro Bowler like Short to this already talented group would give their depth another substantial shot in the arm.
Given how little Short has seen the field recently, he might welcome a lesser role where the wear and tear won’t be as significant and the prospect of linking up with Rivera and Hurney would be considered from the player’s perspective.