Quote:Gene was a terrible terrible GM. Dave appears to be, at the very least, an average GM. We don't have years worth of suspicions built up against Dave. No matter how Weaver/Vic spun Gene, you knew he was from the previous bad regime, and he did stupid moves from the very beginning (Cox trade, Alualu reach). Caldwell came from no where near that kind of problematic background. He deserves, and I believe, is getting a fair shot to prove himself.

 

Gene never should have been promoted, and tried to shift blame away from himself the entire time he was here, especially the last two years. I think Gene was excellent at trying to 'kick the can,' but he finally met with new management in Khan who saw right past that. I have to say I was suspicious of Khan at first, but he is a phenomenal owner so far IMO. And if the Jags stay in J-ville, it will be because of him.

 

Gene was spun by Tom Coughlin originally.  He wasn't part of the Harris regime as much as he was a holdover from the Coughlin era.  Tom thought enough of him to recommend Weaver hold on to him because as a scout, he was considered one of the best. 

 

I don't recall Gene shifting blame.  In fact he actually took blame for decisions Shack made.  I never heard him trying to blame anyone else for the mistakes this team made personnel wise. 

 

Khan signed off on retaining Smith when he bought the team.  That contract he signed before Weaver sold the team never would have happened otherwise.  So, Khan was willing to give him a chance to prove himself.  After a year, he'd seen enough. 

 

At this point, I think it's okay for people to let go of Gene Smith.  He's gone, as are almost all of the players he brought to Jacksonville.  This team is Caldwell's from top to bottom now. 

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