NanuqoftheNorth

It certainly is a real possibility that the Panthers will be all in on a new QB in the upcoming draft. Or not. The ultimate decision is in the hands of our much improved Panthers brain trust, we're just spectators.

Considering the hand he was dealt, Wilks did surprisingly well as the Panthers interim head coach. Regardless, if a panel of experts were asked to compare the coaching accomplishments of Wilks and Reich (without their names being associated with that work) it would be hard not to come to the conclusion that Reich's body of work is more extensive and successful. Add to that, today's NFL is more than ever a QB driven league and success as a head coach is now biased towards those with an offensive background. Conclusion: Between Wilks and Reich, it would have been hard to justify any other decision than the one the Panthers ending up making.

While anything is possible, the Panthers are more than a few players away from being serious contenders. Trading away the farm for one player atp would likely just result in another David Carr scenario and a lack of future draft picks to fix it.

Of all the Panthers players Reich will be studying in the next few weeks, Matt Corral may be the most important. Some analysts viewed Matt as a very promising QB during last year's draft. If Reich sees something in him, it could alter the Panthers draft priorities.

@frankw There are way too many inexpensive backup QBs available every year to commit to Darnold, someone that appears to be a major reclamation project. Reich will already have enough on his plate. As you say, if Darnold wants to come back on a minimum deal and compete for a place on the team he might be given an opportunity. Chances are Reich will be bringing in a vet and there is always Matt Corral, who may still surprise us. Also, who knows how this year's draft will play out?

Agreed.

Just to be clear, I'm not advocating that we keep Darnold. He simply doesn't appear to have the capacity to read and react with the proficiency required by QBs in today's NFL. That said, Reich should be given the benefit of the doubt should he decide to retain Darnold on the roster.

Neither Rhule nor Wilks had anything to offer Darnold when it came to QB training or experience. Frank Reich has it in spades, with an astounding history of getting the most out of underperforming QBs. Now, I'm no Darnold fan, not by a long shot, but I do acknowledge that Frank Reich is likely better qualified to determine whether Sam is worth retaining than anyone who happens to be posting in this forum.

By all reports Reich is the QB Whisperer, if anyone can get the best out of Darnold, Frank is the guy.

Panthers stole Frank Reich...

Per sources?

Also, I'm taking Reich's hiring as a sign that Dave has come to realize, trying to reinvent the wheel isn't an easy thing to do in the NFL, nor is it necessary. Instead, Dave may have concluded it is better and much easier to buy the best wheel available. If true, I'm perfectly okay with it.

That thought had crossed my mind during the last 24 hours. However, while it would have been nice to never have experienced "The Process", I'm sure we'll appreciate Coach Reich all the more for it.

After having a chance to learn more about Frank Reich, I'm starting to feel pretty good about the Panthers future. Well done David Tepper and Co.!

You're either Nostradamus or you've visited this forum for more than a year.

Props to David Tepper on his selection of head coach! Of Reich's 4 full seasons in Indianapolis 3 were winning ones. He also accomplished the elusive back-to-back winning seasons the Panthers have yet to achieve. If the Panthers can find a decent QB this team will be back in the thick of it in no time.

Frank Reich: Lessons Learned (3 Weeks Ago)

After the Rhule fiasco, I can understand Tepper's reluctance to swing for the fences with a young OC hire. Seeing the Panthers return to a level where they're competitive every week regardless of whom their opponent happens to be would be a good first step. Perhaps finally achieving the elusive back-to-back winning seasons would be a worthwhile goal?

Welp, it was pretty evident from the coaches interviewed that the Panthers were leaning towards an offensive minded HC. So when choosing between Wilks or Reich Tepper's final selection is not really all that surprising. Here's to hoping the Panthers under Reich find success in the years ahead. Best wishes to Wilks going forward.

A bit sad for Wilks, he truly is a leader of young men, but his conservative nature got the better of him in the last game with Tampa Bay. That sort of cautious approach in today's offensive minded NFL is a deal breaker.

It could work!

Cowboys coaches and Rivera's rejects? These are dark days indeed!

We can all agree, last time Dave Tepper tried to choose a head coach was a complete disaster. I am happy to see that he has been more deliberate in his efforts this time around (and that Marty Hurney is no longer involved). My assumption (and it is admittedly an assumption) of how the interview process has gone so far is based on my impressions of the remaining candidates, which I find less than encouraging. However, for someone to conclude the opposite, that Dave Tepper is doing a great job in the interview process, is no less of a huge assumption. Chances are, none of us will know if Dave got it right for at least another year or two.

The selection of candidates left standing is somewhat worrisome, especially considering those available to choose from only a few weeks ago. It does bring into question the Panthers vetting process.

These interviews go both ways. Any potential candidate has to believe they'll succeed with Tepper and Fitterer as part of the equation. That might be a hard sell for some, especially considering Tepper's track record so far.