The new brain trust will frustrate Washington Football Team fans.
Incoming general manager Martin Mayhew and vice president of football and player personnel Marty Hurney are not planning to trade a king's ransom for a big-name quarterback. They're not ready to exile veteran Alex Smith. Hurney and Mayhew are not headline grabbers.
Sorry, no blockbuster moves for Twitter to chew on.
The duo was introduced on Wednesday to the media along with coach Ron Rivera via Zoom and it was more like a press release than a pep rally. Mayhew and Hurney are old-school grinders, disciples of the long-gone era of former Washington GM Bobby Beathard. His successors are more worried over finding players than offering social media hot takes. Beathard was from a different time when GMs rarely spoke to the media. He said zippo. So will Hurney and Mayhew.
Hurney and Mayhew have already been to the Senior Bowl interviewing 136 players for the upcoming draft. That was the news.
Mostly, the two dodged questions on whether Smith is returning, if they'd trade for a passer or even look for one in the draft. Who knows, they said. They haven't been here long enough to think about the passer. They're grinding over front office moves and readying for the draft.
Oh, Hurney and Mayhew praised Smith's efforts last season. That doesn't mean Smith returns, but it's an option. Just depends on whether Smith wants to return or retire and if the team can find someone better.
Mayhew first played for Washington in 1989 when Hurney moved from newspaper reporter to public relations, so they've known each other forever. And, they get along well. No big ego by either so it's easy to power share. After all, both report to Rivera, who even mentioned the "coach-centric" approach that means he's the final word.
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Mayhew and Hurney are here to lessen Rivera's load and let him worry about coaching. But, Rivera still has the final say given how often the word "collaboration" was dropped. Still, Hurney mentioned talking to Mayhew "20 times a day, and that may be a low estimate."
The two have similar styles in not burning the long term for short-term results. Translation: Don't expect a blockbuster trade for Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson that is believed to include a combination of four picks and two players. They don't overvalue quarterbacks, partly because Washington won three Super Bowls under coach Joe Gibbs with three different passers.
Rivera added the team is in no hurry to find the right passer, only wanting to find "the right one" when they do. The trio said they'd rather have a complete team than one with a great passer who doesn't have enough protection or targets. So, it might be another season of Smith, Kyle Allen and Taylor Heinicke behind center.
It might have been a boring presser, but Washington fans have seen big talkers fail before. Grinders are back in charge. The last time that happened saw Super Bowl parades rather than running guys out of town on a rail — tar and chicken feathers optional.
As long as owner Dan Snyder stays on his yacht, calm waters surround Washington.
Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter: @Snide_Remarks.
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