Why did it take an injury for Norwell to play?

[Jeremy Igo]

To my eyes Norwell may be the best guard on the team currently. My question is, why wasn't this known week's ago? Norwell was not even active on Sundays until injury forced the coaches hand.

Practices are also for evaluating talent, yes? Do you trust their ability to do so effectively?

[Captain Obvious]

I don't trust this coaching group to help an old lady across the road.

[chknwing]

I would say chemistry/ possibly play book knowledge

[zaximus704]

This is the same coaching staff who said Byron Bell was ready to be a starting LT in the NFL.  Are you surprised?

 

 

[Jon Snow]

There's a lot of questions regarding this coaching staff. It's obvious Gettlemen is finding some guys to help out where he can but these coaches decide who plays.

[Paa Langfart]

I really dont trust Rivera anymore as to putting the best players on the field week to week.  I think he keeps pets and stooges.  

[TheRed]

Same reason we kept a player like Sione Fua around for so long, even going as far as trying him on the OL.

[chknwing]

This is the same coaching staff who said Byron Bell was ready to be a starting LT in the NFL.  Are you surprised?

 

Left Turnstile

[London Loves Luke]

He was waiting for permission from his father Odin. 

[hepcat]

This has been a theme for Panthers teams going back to the Fox era.  Starting veterans that have been with the team over young players who have more potential.  Must come from Richardson.

[Proudiddy]

It was known, it was just ignored in light of favortism...

See Nakamura.

See Godfrey.

See Harper.

See Norman.

See Colin Cole.

[Darth Biscuit]

I mean there are certainly things that coaches see that even the most diehard, knowledgeable football fans don't... we're not at every practice, in the film rooms, interacting with these guys...

 

Having said that, some things (like this one and the Bell situation) look pretty obvious to everyone...  I don't have an answer, but I would like to hear someone closer to the staff, like Bill Voth for instance, take on it.

[Blackmagic]

Because Amini and Trai are high draft picks. Just the simple answer.

[KillerKat]

To my eyes Norwell may be the best guard on the team currently. My question is, why wasn't this known week's ago? Norwell was not even active on Sundays until injury forced the coaches hand.

Practices are also for evaluating talent, yes? Do you trust their ability to do so effectively?

No I do not. Rivera likes to play favorites. He should've been starting all along. Amini had no business starting to begin with. Even though Norwell is solid at guard, I think Velasco and Turner is good inside. I think with Norwell at RT our line would've been better from the beginning. Norwell is such a great utility tool we can plug him in anywhere. You can sit Velasco for him if you want to keep him at guard, but I think for overall improvement on the line he should be at RT.