The New England Patriots made a dramatic move at the start of the offseason by replacing Bill Belichick with Jerod Mayo as their head coach. However, there is still much to be done, particularly in the area of naming a general manager. According to Phil Perry’s report, it is unlikely that the Patriots will seek an external candidate for this role. Instead, they are considering giving “prominent” roles to Matt Groh, the director of player personnel, and Eliot Wolf, the director of scouting. Nevertheless, it is worth considering whether the team would benefit from having one official general manager with the “final say,” rather than splitting the responsibilities between multiple individuals.
During a recent Patriots Talk Podcast, Mark Dominik, who had an extensive tenure in the Buccaneers’ front office as the general manager for five years, highlighted the significance of having a clear organizational structure within the team.
“It seems like it would be overwhelming,” Dominik commented on the possibility of Groh and Wolf working together as co-GMs. He mentioned that although they could claim it to be a collaborative effort, everyone knows who would ultimately have the final say.
Dominik also mentioned that it would be intriguing to see how this dynamic would unfold, but he expressed concern about having too many decision-makers involved.
The question of who should have the final decision-making authority in New England arises. This could depend on Belichick’s future destination, as there are rumors suggesting that Groh might join him in Atlanta if he becomes the head coach of the Falcons. In that case, it raises the question of whether Wolf is the appropriate person for the GM role.
Dominik and Wolf’s paths intertwined while Wolf was a member of the Green Bay Packers’ front office from 2004 to 2017, leading Dominik to view him as a suitable candidate for the GM position. However, Dominik considers Wolf’s connection with Mayo to be the pivotal factor in his assessment.
According to Dominik, Eliot Wolf has an extensive background in championships and different methods of doing things. With experience working under the highly-regarded Bill Belichick and being the son of former Packers GM Ron Wolf, Dominik believes that Wolf is well-equipped for the job. However, Dominik also emphasizes the importance of considering the relationship and collaboration between Wolf and Coach Mayo before making a decision, rather than simply choosing someone out of convenience.
Dominik and Morris formed a strong bond during their time together in Tampa Bay, which translated into a successful working relationship when Morris became the head coach. If Mayo and Wolf share a similar connection, Dominik believes that Wolf would be a great fit as GM.
I am interested in finding out from Coach Mayo about the frequency of his direct, purposeful discussions with Eliot. If there has been regular interaction and the Kraft family has a positive impression of him, then it would be a suitable choice.
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