Quote:I remember lots of roster turnover and many of Gene's initial draft starting or playing significant roles that first year. 

 

The optimism was very similar to this same point in Caldwell's regime. 

 

The only difference to this point, is that Caldwell was more active in FA the 2nd year than Gene was, IIRC. 

 

The Alualu selection was the first real issue many had with Gene Smith's regime. We're approaching a similar point in Caldwell's tenure, so this draft will be interesting to see how it matches or contrasts with Gene's 2nd draft. 

 

He didn't blow it up.  There was turnover, but nothing quite like what Caldwell did during his first year as the GM, and that purge continued into year 2.  Gene was a guy who nibbled around the edges and didn't do what was necessary when he took over because he couldn't.  He was connected to many of the players on the roster during Harris' tenure.

 

The optimism is the ONLY thing that's similar because people were just happy to be moving on from Shack Harris.  There were high expectations that Gene Smith would right the ship based on his own comments about disagreeing with several moves Harris had made over the years.  Unfortunately, Gene Smith couldn't get over being the subordinate, and was resistant to making the kind of bold moves that needed to be made to turn things around quickly.  In the end, he was just more of the same thing we had with Harris with a bad haircut.

 

I don't care if Caldwell drafts a player who isn't a popular selection for the fans.  What I do care about is that he get the pick right.  Smith picked Alualu, and if Tyson had remained healthy, it's certainly possible he could have proven to be better than what we saw initially.  Unfortunately, Del Rio broke the new player in the first session of practice at his rookie training camp, and the tone was set. 

 

Gene Smith was always the guy who wanted to be the smartest guy in the room.  It's ironic that you of all people hate him so much since you're basically his virtual clone on a message board.  And as is the case for you, what Gene thought, and what the reality were turned out to be two completely different things.  He tried to out-think others constantly, and it seems like it never produced any success. 

 

I don't get the sense that Caldwell considers himself the smartest guy in the room.  I think he's just smart, and he recognizes that there's more than just popularity of a player involved in who he selects.  He's made smart decisions to date with his personnel moves, and I would expect that to continue as he steps things up this year. 

 

Naturally, he'll disappoint you no matter what because you're a Gene Smith clone who thinks you're smarter.

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