NFList

Polian top candidate for Executive of the Year

By Joel Buchsbaum, Contributing editor
As published in print Nov. 29, 1999

1. Bill Polian, Colts — "It seems like everywhere he goes, they are in the playoff picture in two years, although I really question the long-term effects of what he did in Carolina. What he did in Indy is textbook." … "He is the Jerry Krause of the NFL. The media may not love him, and he does have a temper, but his track record speaks for itself." … "What can you say? He hired Jim Mora, drafted Peyton (Manning) over (Ryan) Leaf when the league was split between the two, took Edgerrin (James) over Ricky (Williams) and signed Chad Bratzke, Chad Cota, Jeff Burris, Shawn King and Cornelius Bennett and traded for Tyrone Poole to rebuild his defense." … "Either he is the luckiest S.O.B. in the world, the smartest or part of both. Going to a team that has the first pick in a draft with franchise quarterback(s) available is both smart and lucky, and so was getting out of Carolina."

2. Charley Casserly, ex-Redskins — "Held out for two No. 1s for Sean Gilbert; got the top player on the Skins’ list, Champ Bailey, while getting a bundle of extra picks; drafted Jon Jansen in the second round; and put together one of the best front offices in the league when it comes to personnel. Plus, he stood up to the new owner (Daniel Snyder) and did not kiss his butt and tell him everything he wanted to hear."

3. Charley Armey, Rams — "Supported Kurt Warner from Day One and kept begging Dick Vermeil to give him a shot when Tony Banks was floundering. Helped the team trade for Marshall Faulk without giving up a first-round pick. Played a key role in the team signing OL leader Adam Timmerman and LB Todd Collins. Helped convince Dick Vermeil to face the fact that his marathon practices were counterproductive and that he needed to hire one man (Mike Martz) and give him full control of the offense."

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1999 - 2000 Season