David Newton: Rivera will not rest starters

[Mr. Scot]

Rivera has no plan to rest his starters the way some coaches do when their team has a playoff spot secured.

All signs point to Carolina completing a 16-0 regular season

 

Agree or disagree?

(and do you trust the source?)

[Cary Kollins]

Agree. Players stay in rhythm. Plus who doesn't want a shot at 19-0?

[UKPanther94]

I doubt Rivera would ever come out and say "Yes we're completely going to do that". While he wont pull all the starters I think he'll judge game situations, and probably give the likes of Cam a quarter or a half in the last few games to keep them in game form

[Ruff]

I support it, but I would like to see CAP or Wegher give stew a breather sometime. 

[Carolina Cajun]

Agree.  If someone is healthy, 1 week of rest is more than enough (the wildcard bye).  On the other hand, just like with Peanut, I think we'll staart to see them treating minor injuries more like Major injuries and give guys substantial time out.  Make no mistake about it, if you heard Rivera talk about the 1 loss the Bears had during their superbowl run, he's butthurt by it, and he knows he can get rid of that sour taste in his mouth with an undefeated season.  Besides, an undefeated season and he goes from a guy who could have been fired 3 years ago to a guy who would be held in the same regard as the greatest head coaches of all time.

[TheRed]

I wouldn't, continuity is huge.

Regardless, I don't think our starters want to sit anyways. These guys know how special this season is.

[Fox007]

Agreed and it's not even a question.

If you get a big lead like we have in some game's I'd defintely put like DA in and rest Luke, TD, etc...but that's different.

[VerticalThreat]

My opinion: Football players play football. I don't have a problem with game planning to win each week. Play your game and then if the score allows for it you can rotate guys in for more playing experience (which could be beneficial down the road). Jamar Nesbitt made a good point on WFNZ a few days ago, saying that because of the makeup of the roster (some players being the backup for multiple positions) it's very tough to "rest starters" and not open yourself up to depth problems if a backup is injured. You're better off rotating guys and getting more players involved rather than sitting them. Obviously, you limit CALLED runs for Cam, but other than that I think you line up and play football. 

[TheRumGone]

Rhythm is so important. We are historically terrible after the bye. Imagine two weeks off for players, fug that.

[O-Ther]

Only rest them if we've got a 3 score lead in the 4th. Keep starters in rhythm and get the back-ups some reps.

And I don't trust David Newton to tell me if BOA is a dome or not.

[dugbug]

i dunno.... almost every team that makes it this far peters out around win 12 or 13.  But if we get to 15-0?  Go for it.

[Mojo]

Rivera is a former player, so I think he understands the importance of momentum and flow.

I'd support whatever decision but I like it.

[Daddy_Uncle]

I think we'll definitely see Fozzy and Cap taking on more snaps. Have to rest Stew some

[Jmac]

Rest when they get the first round bye in the playoffs....untill then they kick ass and take MORE names