Ted Sundquist

Discussion in 'Tennessee Titans and NFL Talk' started by Two Kings, Jan 28, 2016.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. CheeseheadTitan

    CheeseheadTitan Pro Bowler Tip Jar Donor

    6,888
    1,971
    779

    Honestly, my gut is that Robinson got the nod because 1) He was willing to work with Mularkey, and 2) His roots in western Tennessee makes him a smart PR hire. That is not intended as a slam on Robinson or his philosophy....he is probably as equally qualified as the others. My point is that the decision to go with him was likely more based on intangibles and his willingness to march to the AAS drum (Mularkey). I also think that Robinson gave in on the Mularkey requirement because his roots are in Western Tennessee, and he really wanted this job.

    I do think that this article was written out of frustration (sour grapes), but regardless of the reason it was written it does provide some confirmation of what we have strongly suspected for a long time.
     
    • High Five High Five x 3
    • Cheers Cheers x 1
    • Hit the Target Hit the Target x 1
  2. CheeseheadTitan

    CheeseheadTitan Pro Bowler Tip Jar Donor

    6,888
    1,971
    779
    LOL...yeah I remember that too. First time I heard his name was during that October game in 1999 (when every other Rams play was a false start by him it seemed)....then the next time I heard his name was when the Titans are all proud of themselves for letting Runyon go and signing this guy to replace him.
     
    • High Five High Five x 1
  3. Chronos

    Chronos Pro Bowler

    7,378
    2,785
    759
    Clearly with this article and the drafting Cutler article he is trying to raise his profile with some goal in mind. NFL insider? With Mort battling cancer, perhaps he is jockeying for that gig. I agree with PK, he probably viewed the Titans job as his last chance and chose visibility over viability as a GM going forward.
     
  4. TitanJeff

    TitanJeff Kahuna Grande Staff

    30,461
    11,489
    1,769
    First of all, if this guy ever wants to be a GM in the NFL, writing an article such as this is about the most idiotic thing he could have done. He’s burned a bridge and shared with the world he won’t hesitate to go public with whatever dealings he has with an NFL team that doesn’t go his way.

    Dude obviously thinks he’s the smartest guy in the room. Not being accepted for these jobs should have made him realize that he just might not be.

    He thinks he was informed? He says the defense was Horton’s. Any candidate who says that obviously didn’t know who was behind the ’15 Titans defense.

    Having said that, I think it’s obvious to all that AAS wanted Mularkey and the next GM was going to have to accept that before they got the job. Even if he said he was 100% behind Mularkey, I don't think this guy has a snowball's chance.

    As for his approach. I read nothing to indicate he’d do anything special every other GM candidate wouldn’t do. Evaluate the processes. Establish identity. Blah blah blah.

    He’s been outside the NFL for a long time for a reason. I’m sure he has a bright future as a writer for third-tier sports sites like Bleacher Report because he won’t be in the NFL anytime soon.
     
  5. Chronos

    Chronos Pro Bowler

    7,378
    2,785
    759
    Agreed. He knows it too which is why he is standing on the table waving a red flag...
     
    • High Five High Five x 1
  6. Riverman

    Riverman That may be.... Tip Jar Donor

    15,534
    6,204
    1,099
    Don't disagree with what you're saying but it was an insightful piece. And I believe the process did indeed outline a fault with current ownership. It really just exposed that the entire hiring process by us was a sham relative to other franchise hiring practices.
     
    • High Five High Five x 1
    • Hit the Target Hit the Target x 1
  7. TitanJeff

    TitanJeff Kahuna Grande Staff

    30,461
    11,489
    1,769
    I agree the coach search was a sham but don't see how this shows anything else except he's sour about not getting yet another GM job.

    Based on what I'm reading, thank goodness the Titans hired Robinson over this joke.
     
    • High Five High Five x 1
  8. Two Kings

    Two Kings NJ Titan

    3,531
    1,185
    669
    It is very interesting how polarizing this piece was to people.

    IMO I don't see sour grapes at all. I see someone creating a post mortem on a process that is completely hidden from the masses.

    It's a way for other GMs and aspiring GMs to share and compare notes. The tech industry does this kind of thing ALL the time and its powerful stuff.

    It's also a way to keep a FO honest. I wish EVERY GM wrote a piece like this after their experiences. Shady tactics would get a spot light, fan outcry would have more than just a "feeling" and maybe some actual weight behind their grievances.

    Could you imagine if every candidate who "satisfied" the roony rule wrote a post mortem. My "feeling" is it is a BS interview that most likely offends the African American candidates. Now if those feelings are validated by a post mortem piece, the media and fans would have a field day and change would most certainly occur.

    DL;DR
    Any transparency is great in an industry that keeps the fans closed off from the behind-the-scenes actions of their operations.
     
    • High Five High Five x 1
  9. TitanJeff

    TitanJeff Kahuna Grande Staff

    30,461
    11,489
    1,769
    In any industry I've ever been associated, it's called "burning a bridge". It shows Sundquist's character and, quite possibly, the reason he's not seen an NFL gig in a decade. He's shown every NFL exactly who he is by being openly critical. Think any other team is going to call on him?

    Don't get me wrong. I don't necessarily agree his approach is wrong. I would think most top GM candidates would decline a job if their hands were tied as to who their HC would be. That's his choice as the choice of AAS was to make accepting Mularkey part of the team's requirements any new GM would have to accept.

    I also don't think Sundquist's opinion that ownership wants to keep the status quo in the front office is accurate at all as Robinson has already said he would be evaluating the scouting department and making any changes he deemed necessary.

    By airing this out in a third-rate sports website? It wasn't professional.

    The Titans FO isn't going to change a thing based on what this guy put in an article. If anything, it only confirms to them they did the right thing by passing on him.

    Right or wrong, AAS and Underwood handled this as they wanted. It's their choice. We may not agree but it's their choice to make. If you don't like it, don't go to the games. Lower income is the only thing which changes any business.
     
  10. Two Kings

    Two Kings NJ Titan

    3,531
    1,185
    669
    They won't and that's the problem. Most of these teams are anemic to constructive criticism. Introducing more critical reviews helps enlighten future and existing employees. It's what helps start reform when necessary. Look at websites like Glassdoor for instance. Most industries have a forum where people can go to critically examine their work environment and allow others to view it.

    He did this openly, which I think is brave because there always has to be a first.

    It's fairly accurate. He quotes AAS saying that keeping the coaching staff together is important. I interpreted that as keeping Mularkey and allowing him to pick and choose replacements.


    Yea, what does that matter? Plenty of other major media sources have linked to it themselves, including PK, and written articles about their opinions on the piece. It was clearly eye catching and worth a discussion. I wouldn't be surprised if they wished he had written it for them.

    Its taboo, though, so I can see how this may have been the only source open for him.

    You're missing the point/bigger picture, though. Its about starting a movement and challenging the nature of these interviews. If he allows more GMs and HC to do this kind of thing, then awareness grows and the fire power the media and fans have greatly increases. Nothing will happen until something happens, if that makes sense.

    Ray Rice almost got away with brutally beating his wife. It wasn't until TRANSPARENCY that allowed the media and fans to be aware and spread their voice. The NFL quickly changed their tune. An evolution in these type of articles could help combat against lazy FO's like AAS and the Titans.

    I think you're making excuses for them while only providing half the solution to the issues. I agree, we shouldn't give them money, but that isn't enough.

    I don't except "well its their choice to make so deal with it". Just because they are in their position doesn't mean every choice they make is the right one. Its our job to fight for the tools that will help us and the media challenge their decisions. Its only through checks and balances like those mentioned above that will allow for the better outcome of the consumer.
     
    • Cheers Cheers x 1
    • Hit the Target Hit the Target x 1
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  • Welcome to goTitans.com

    Established in 2000, goTitans.com is the place for Tennessee Titans fans to talk Titans. Our roots go back to the Tennessee Oilers Fan Page in 1997 and we currently have 4,000 diehard members with 1.5 million messages. To find out about advertising opportunities, contact TitanJeff.
  • The Tip Jar

    For those of you interested in helping the cause, we offer The Tip Jar. For $2 a month, you can become a subscriber and enjoy goTitans.com without ads.

    Hit the Tip Jar