As we dole out the last few pieces of non-hardware hardware for the 2014 regular season, this one goes to a guy who wears not a uniform or a headset but, usually, a suit and tie.
It’s the executive of the year, a prize for the person who does the best job acquiring talent and making moves and managing the cap and doing everything it takes to put together a roster.
This year, the prize goes to Cardinals G.M. Steve Keim. The second-year General Manger quietly has compiled one of the best rosters in the NFL, building the kind of depth that allows the “next man up” concept to not collapse onto itself.
Paired up with coach Bruce Arians, there never has been -- and never will be -- any talk of rifts or mutual partings or hidden agendas. Keim and Arians are joined at the hip, and they’ll either succeed or fail together. In 2014, they successfully got to the playoffs with their starting quarterback gone for most of the year, and other key injuries, defections, and a critical suspension to an important member of the defense.
The future remains bright for Keim and company, who have achieved the perfect blend of building through the draft and addressing lingering needs through free agency.
Other finalists were Cowboys owner/G.M. Jerry Jones, Ravens G.M. Ozzie Newsome, Packers G.M. Ted Thompson, and Seahawks G.M. John Schneider. Cast your own vote below.
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