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Carolina Panthers fire General Manager Marty Hurney

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Marty Hurney is no longer the general manager of the Carolina Panthers, a team that started the season with plenty of promise but fell to 1-5 with a 19-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Owner Jerry Richardson announced the firing of Hurney on Monday.

“This was an extremely difficult decision,” Richardson said in a team statement. “Marty made every effort to bring success to the Panthers and took the team to a Super Bowl.... Unfortunately, we have not enjoyed the success we hoped for in recent years. I have the greatest respect and admiration for Marty and will always appreciate the way he tirelessly served the organization.”

A former sports journalist, Hurney started with the Panthers as salary cap manager in 1998 and was promoted to general manager in 2002. Before the 2003 season he signed free-agent quarterback Jake Delhomme, who helped Carolina compile an 11-5 record and advance to the Super Bowl that season.

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The Panthers have had some up and down years since then. They haven’t had a winning season since 2008, but appeared to be on the upswing after last year’s 6-10 effort that included some spectacular performances from then-rookie quarterback Cam Newton, whose 17 interceptions were overshadowed by his 35 touchdowns (21 passing, 14 rushing).

Center Ryan Kalil even took out a full-page newspaper ad during the off-season promising a Super Bowl victory this season. That appears highly unlikely right now, with the team’s dismal record and Newton in somewhat of a sophomore slump (five passing touchdowns, six interceptions and three rushing touchdowns).

Hurney claimed responsibility for the Panthers’ disappointing season in the team’s statement Monday.

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“I am responsible for everybody in coaching, the players, the scouts and everybody in football operations,” he said. “After six weeks, we are 1-5 coming off a 6-10 season.”

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