Just nine days out from the start of training camp, the have announced they've fired general manager Dave Gettleman."After much thought and a long evaluation of our football operations, I have decided to relieve Dave Gettleman of his duties as general manager," . "I want to thank Dave for the role he played in our succe s over the past four seasons. While the timing of this decision is not ideal, a change is needed."The move is nothing short of Dejounte Murray Jersey a stunner: Carolina allowed Gettleman to go through the proce s of free agency and the 2017 NFL Draft Rudy Gay Jersey before releasing him just before training camp begins on July 26.Gettleman made multiple moves in the offseason to remake the Panthers offense, signing to a large contract as the presumptive protector of 's blindside. The GM also reworked the Panthers offense by adding and with the first two picks. However, it is fair to wonder if the handling of franchise favorite players was wearing thin on owner Jerry Richardson. This includes, of course, the departure of and , both of whom publicly expre sed disdain for the franchise after leaving. Smith has not been welcome back to retire his number despite an interest in doing so.And there's the matter of current players. , one of Richardson's favorite players and a stalwart in the community, was due Dennis Rodman Jersey for a new contract at the age of 34. It is fair to question if Gettleman was going to give him what he wanted.Tight end was also interested in a new contract and had not received much in the way of negotiations from Gettleman. The theory of this being more personal and le s performance-based gained theory pretty quickly when a lot of former Panthers players took to social media and lashed out at Gettleman.Notable were Smith -- who has held a grudge for a while against Gettleman about the way he Marco Belinelli Jersey was released -- and Williams -- who called the GM a "snake" on Twitter and who also has held a grudge against Gettleman over his release -- the latter of whom called Gettleman a "snake" on Twitter. Its Okay! Dave I know how you feel. Bruce Bowen Jersey .... Steve Smith Sr (@89SteveSmith) I want to publicly say is off my list of teams I won't play for due to the firing of that snake Dave gettleman! DeAngelo Williams (@DeAngeloRB) The Panthers went 6-10 last season, a highly disappointing year for Carolina given the prior year the Panthers were 15-1 and in the Super Bowl. But this decision, which again came eight days before training camp began, feels more and more like something that is not related to the busine s of football.
