written by Larry Janis
Millions of people follow the game of professional football from preseason to the Superbowl. Their interests are usually focused on the offensive and defensive talent on the field.
These players we admire are there because of the team’s scouting talent, the coaches and the general managers and their ability to identify and acquire talent. This talent acquisition process provides bench strength – literally – and resources for succession planning for the next year’s season.
Sometimes the process works really well, and sometimes not so well. Time after time, the determining factor lies in the hiring decision: did the team bring on the player because he was the best possible talent to meet the needs of the team? … or was he a name that suddenly became available?
Early this season, Tim Tebow, the well publicized quarterback of the Denver Broncos, was on the market after the Broncos signed Peyton Manning. Mike Tannenbaum, the general manager of the NY Jets, decided to pick him up because of his availability. The objective was for Tebow to back-up Mark Sanchez. Most of us know how that worked out – not so well. Recently the Jets fired Mike. So much for availability as a decision to hire – at least for the Jets.
So where did it work? On the San Francisco 49ers, which happens to be the team I follow.
In the 2011 NFL Draft, the 49ers selected Colin Kaepernick in the second round with the 36th overall pick. Kaepernick began his pro career as the 49ers’ backup to starter Alex Smith. In the middle of the 2012 season, Kaepernick filled in for an injured Smith and became the full-time starter as the 49ers advanced to the NFL playoffs for the second straight season. He set an NFL record for most rushing yards (181) by a quarterback in a game (playoffs or regular season) in his first playoff game. After beating the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship 28-24, he led the 49ers to their first Super Bowl since the 1994 NFL season. This was a great hiring decision by Jim Harbaugh, who recognized a little known talent who ended up adding a great to his organization.
As you look ahead to building your company team and planning for next year and the year after, remember: look for the talent that makes your team great, and don’t settle for the talent that’s available. Remember which team is going to the Superbowl and how acquiring talent got them there.