NEW YORK -- Paying off or buying out predecessors' blunders -- coaches, players and front office personnel -- is acceptable standard operating procedure for newly hired sports executives.
Initially, that's what they do best in an attempt to turn things around, public perception being the No. 1 priority.
Conversely, the first time the new guy is compelled to swallow one of his principal financial brainstorms, the first time he's obliged to admit a major mistake was committed on his watch, is the beginning of his downfall, the perfect opening for critics to flick on the brights and intensify scrutiny on each and every questionable decision.