We are in this spot because we continually blow things up after 2 years (1 in the case of Chudzinksi). We CAN'T keep doing that. We have to hire the right people, believe in them, give them the freedom to do their jobs and stick with them through the bad times not just the good.
The entire scouting department and GM should be nuked. If neither of those groups are making final personnel decisions, then we're fucked and it doesn't really matter....so sure, keep them around if that is the case.
Our only good assistant left in the off-season because of how miserably our organization was run. He's now in Atlanta unleashing Julio Jones (I'll leave that alone) on every DB who looks in his direction. Matt Ryan is off to the best start of his career and Shanahan's system is turning him in to a guy who can stretch the ball downfield, something he really hasn't done his whole career.
Atlanta's rushing, passing and scoring numbers are all up from a year ago. Their 3rd down % is way up (10%), as is their scoring (nearly a TD better - 5.9 points)....and they have posted these numbers while opening with two of three on the road. I won't even get in to our offensive numbers because they are fuckin awful (86 rushing yards per game awful).
I'm completely indifferent on Pettine. I think he's a career NFL assistant who was given a chance because no one else wanted the job. If we deem an alternative to be of a similar stature, then sure, hang on to him and see if there's a young GM (with a connection to him) that would be willing to implement his system.
In terms of sticking with guys, I believe in that approach from a coaching perspective but player personnel positions are REALLY easy to evaluate immediately IMO. These aren't HS kids who need to redshirt. Good NFL front offices find guys who can play immediately and make an impact. That much is evident when you look at the average ages of rosters like Green Bay, New England, Seattle, etc. They're not only the best teams in football, they're also the youngest......because they actually have GM's who would never consider drafting the way the Browns draft.
I don't believe in change for the sake of change but after seeing a slew of awful front office personnel, I think I'm conditioned to see the suck immediately and Farmer and crew are just as bad as every other guy who's come through that turnstile front office. What's maybe most damning to him is our best players weren't even drafted by him.....and that is saying something given the draft suck we have incurred. Seriously, go down the roster in the 18 or so draft picks he's made, I'd argue (2) are NFL players that could even play on good teams (Bitonio / Shelton). He's wasted what look to be two number one picks (Manziel / Gilbert) and spent a third on a backup lineman who we hope will be good enough to replace our current two-time pro bowl center, who we're dying to get rid of. He's burned 3rd and 4th round picks on guys who couldn't even make the roster or needed to be traded for various reasons.
I would go on but my head hurts.