Strickland & Henson's take on the tightening bond between G-man & Rivera after this season

[Ricky Spanish]

Honestly I think the last two seasons have been duct tape and dollar store, when Smitty was cut it was a signal that although we didn't have the cash- Getts was going to work on chemistry even if didn't save cap space. The secondary was a mid season surprise that only came because we had some young players willing to be trained by the coaching staff. The Ol is another surprise... 

 

I'm not a fan of Shula but how do you tell if an OC is any good with a crap OL and QB that was hurt and still learning his trade? If he is gone, it's fine with me.

 

Rivera has done a good job in keeping the locker room engaged in an awful season and managed to be in position for a gift playoff game. i like Rivera's style, even with some rookie mistakes, he doesn't get high to or too low and the players ( and apparently the rookies) respond well. Ditka said that he knew where every player was supposed to be on every play as a Bear and although he didn't say much, the other players listened to him.

 

I'm looking forward to the next couple of years with Getts/Rivera, it will be a slow climb but I like the trajectory we are on now...looking forward to some home playoff games in the coming years. 

 

By whether or not he calls for a screen pass to a Brenton Bersin on 3rd and 10 in a playoff game/ makes him the primary receiver in the red zone...

[Mr. Scot]

I know the Panthers have people whose job is to monitor social media chatter and such.

 

Could be nothing, but I can't help finding it just a little interesting that this article comes at a time when some have wondered about them being on the same page.

[panthers55]

Funny how some folks are just now coming around to the point of view some of the rest of us have been preaching for months. Sad we had to take crap from the majority for months though.

I wonder how long it will take for people to admit the same thing about Shula. No he isn't a great OC but there are not that many out there Who are and none that can take the crap we had and do much better IMO. Maybe it will take Gettleman getting better talent in here and guys who fit our system to show that just like in 2013 we can be very efficient if we have the guys to run the system.

And for those praising Gettleman for his ability to evaluate talent and wondering why he is good with Ron and Shula (and he is good with Shula or Shula would be suggested out of a job), just maybe he knows a bunch more that folks here do including our insider sources and resident experts.

[PantherFanOne]

I think the future looks bright here in Carolina. I have faith that GM Dave Gettleman will slowly but surely improve this team every year he's here. I also believe HC Ron Rivera,who the players respest and respond to, will continue to learn and improve.My goal and expectations in 2015, are to win the NFC South again and go deep into the playoffs,something that can happen with hard work and a little luck on our side. 

[top dawg]

Funny how some folks are just now coming around to the point of view some of the rest of us have been preaching for months. Sad we had to take crap from the majority for months though.

I wonder how long it will take for people to admit the same thing about Shula. No he isn't a great OC but there are not that many out there Who are and none that can take the crap we had and do much better IMO. Maybe it will take Gettleman getting better talent in here and guys who fit our system to show that just like in 2013 we can be very efficient if we have the guys to run the system.

And for those praising Gettleman for his ability to evaluate talent and wondering why he is good with Ron and Shula (and he is good with Shula or Shula would be suggested out of a job), just maybe he knows a bunch more that folks here do including our insider sources and resident experts.

Before you just dismiss me, just listen.

I am going to assume you are referring to me, but apologies for the post if I'm incorrect. The thing is, I have always been a G-man supporter at my core (and have said as much), and I have never said anything...anything...negative about Rivera. Does that mean I believe and agree with everything that they do? Not at all.

Getting back to G-man (since the buck stops with him), I still believe axing Smitty was detrimental to our success this past season. People can argue to the contrary all they like, but we will never know if we could have done better offensively and gone farther had 89 been a Panther. To me, it's just disingenuous to say who was right or wrong, because we can't know. To be honest, it's not even a question of right or wrong, but a question of paths. Moreover, if I would have taken Hurst in the 6th round. People can say he sucked all they like, but he played like a rookie. At the end of the year, Harbaugh still had enough faith in him to start him (even if it was due to injury). As fate would have it, our 6th round pick was basically wasted, so I could say that I was right, but that's disingenuous as well. Again, it's all about paths---philosophy! And it's also useless to argue these past points anyway. It is what it is.

G-man has his way of doing things, but I would have liked to see him be a bit more aggressive at times in FA because I want to win in the immediate. I would have given a serious look at Mariani as a return man, or maybe LaMichael James when they became available. I also would have made a play for Denarius Moore midway through the season to add some big play ability (and add yet another possible return man). I would have made one of these things happen because I would have wanted to give myself an opportunity in the present. But that's just me. Looks at the dance are hard to come by. But even though I question G-man's aggressiveness as it relates to more of a sense of urgency in the present, I still respect G-man's overall philosophy, particularly on the business side. And I always have.

Moreover, I could never reconcile canning Rivera under the circumstances, and the record will show that I've always intimated that if one believed in canning Rivera after this season, then they should believe in canning G-man also. Both, I never thought would happen. As for Shula, you already know how I feel. It looks like he will get that same grace by default, but it is what it is. I will take him with skepticism because I don't have any choice.

It's not about being right or wrong, or "coming around" to someone's opinion---at least to me. As a fan, I am sure that we have all been right and wrong. That's the nature of the beast. I don't find anything about the Huddle "sad", except for possibly the always needless personal attacks and name calling. Other than that, I find it informative, entertaining and engaging. The whole experience of being a Huddler and a fan is largely what you make it.

[panthers55]

Before you just dismiss me, just listen.

I am going to assume you are referring to me, but apologies for the post if I'm incorrect. The thing is, I have always been a G-man supporter at my core (and have said as much), and I have never said anything...anything...negative about Rivera. Does that mean I believe and agree with everything that they do? Not at all.

Getting back to G-man (since the buck stops with him), I still believe axing Smitty was detrimental to our success this past season. People can argue to the contrary all they like, but we will never know if we could have done better offensively and gone farther had 89 been a Panther. To me, it's just disingenuous to say who was right or wrong, because we can't know. To be honest, it's not even a question of right or wrong, but a question of paths. Moreover, if I would have taken Hurst in the 6th round. People can say he sucked all they like, but he played like a rookie. At the end of the year, Harbaugh still had enough faith in him to start him (even if it was due to injury). As fate would have it, our 6th round pick was basically wasted, so I could say that I was right, but that's disingenuous as well. Again, it's all about paths---philosophy! And it's also useless to argue these past points anyway. It is what it is.

G-man has his way of doing things, but I would have liked to see him be a bit more aggressive at times in FA because I want to win in the immediate. I would have given a serious look at Mariani as a return man, or maybe LaMichael James when they became available. I also would have made a play for Denarius Moore midway through the season to add some big play ability (and add yet another possible return man). I would have made one of these things happen because I would have wanted to give myself an opportunity in the present. But that's just me. Looks at the dance are hard to come by. But even though I question G-man's aggressiveness as it relates to more of a sense of urgency in the present, I still respect G-man's overall philosophy, particularly on the business side. And I always have.

Moreover, I could never reconcile canning Rivera under the circumstances, and the record will show that I've always intimated that if one believed in canning Rivera after this season, then they should believe in canning G-man also. Both, I never thought would happen. As for Shula, you already know how I feel. It looks like he will get that same grace by default, but it is what it is. I will take him with skepticism because I don't have any choice.

It's not about being right or wrong, or "coming around" to someone's opinion---at least to me. As a fan, I am sure that we have all been right and wrong. That's the nature of the beast. I don't find anything about the Huddle "sad", except for possibly the always needless personal attacks and name calling. Other than that, I find it informative, entertaining and engaging. The whole experience of being a Huddler and a fan is largely what you make it.

I actually wasn't referring to you specifically but posters in general . I also pied your post as I agree with most of what you said. But I appreciate your intelligent post without the personal attacks.

[cgarsmoker]

By whether or not he calls for a screen pass to a Brenton Bersin on 3rd and 10 in a playoff game/ makes him the primary receiver in the red zone...

I'm hoping Gettleman does his part in minimizing Shulas ineptitude by getting players good enough so we can have confidence in any play designed for our top 3-4 WR's. Philly was not at full strength and Bersin wasn't talented enough to take up that slack or return punts for that matter but he was on the roster all year. A better overall player in Bersin's spot may help make those ridiculous calls by Shula, not look so bad.