I posted this as a reply to Skraut in another thread, but really believe it belongs in the State of the Jackets thread. So if the mods don't mind I'm re-posting here:
I believe in the old adage that a fish rots from the head down. I don't have a Mayor Bee baseball story, so I will have to rely on a football story.
I have a family member who is very active in business in Pittsburgh. One of his business deals put him in regular contact with Dan Rooney, the Steelers owner and CEO until a few years ago. I went to a social gathering and was introduced to Mr. Rooney. He is a very nice man- very gracious. Of course I was a bit intimidated and didn't know what to talk about, so I went for football. I'm not a Steeler fan and being a lifelong Browns fan has put me at a point where I just no longer follow the NFL at all. I do follow college football.
I asked Mr. Rooney a question that I've wondered for a long time that seems to extend to all pro sports that have a draft and a salary cap. Why do the Steelers always seem to be competitive and often a shot at a championship when they rarely pick early in the draft? Why do teams who often pick very early and have a chance at the great talent often continue to fail miserably?
His answer was interesting and illuminating for me. It certainly explained a lot about personnel decisions.
The consistently good teams like the Steelers know what a Steeler looks like, one who fits their team concept and vision. One who should be able to mesh in the locker room and play within their system. When it comes to the draft, they don't choose the most talented player available ie. the "best player available" they choose the best Steeler available. The same is true for free agency signings as well.
He went on to say that if you follow for a while, the unsuccessful teams usually choose the best player available regardless of culture or fit. Those teams are a collection of pretty talented players who don't mesh very well.
I've never forgotten the brief conversation. He didn't talk about nor did I ask about management or coaching but he certainly made me think about it. From afar, it certainly seems to me his team has made consistent coaching hires as well. While the game has changed, the Steelers persona has not. They are a physical, tough, grind it out kinda team with an aggressive defense and just enough high end talent to go for the big play once in a while. This was true in the 70s and 80s under Chuck Noll. In the 90s and 2000s under Cowher and has carried forward under Tomlin. No wonder they have stability, they are all "Steelers coaches." The common thread under several GMs, and coaches over the last 40 years? The Rooney family. They made hires that could carry out their vision.
What do the Jackets do? What's their team persona? Has it been that consistently since their inception? Have they had a vision? What's a Blue Jacket look like? How would a good Blue Jackets team play? What is their style? Are they a tough physical in your face team like the Big Bad Bruins or the Broad Street Bullies? Are they a sublimely talented and fast team like the Habs? or the Oilers of the 80s and 90s?
Who the hell are they? I know Hitch wanted a team full of "glue guys" who were hard to play against. Did MacLean and Howson? Arniel wanted a fast, aggressive highly skilled team. Did Howson? I know the current management wants a team built brick by brick. OK, what kind of bricks?
Perhaps most important- what does ownership want? What's Mr. McConnell's vision? Is it clear, like we will have an organization that believes this and such, or is it fuzzy, like win games? Do they make hires who align to that vision? Do they draft and sign players according to that vision?
Based on that brief conversation, I think Mr. Rooney might say that's the key to consistent success or failure.
