Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Riverboat Rivera on not going for it on 4th and a centimeter on the first drive.

Saca312

By Saca312,
in Carolina Panthers

Recommended Posts

Saca312 Experienced

Saca312

Posted
Posted

Today's loss was ugly. It wasn't a case of superior talent beating inferior. It was simply a case of superior talent unable to surpass questionable coaching while piling on critical mistakes.

However, if I were to press forth a main factor for most of these losses, I'd have to say Ron Rivera's a prime contributor for some of this.

First off, personnel decisions were a mess. Deciding to not utilize Curtis Samuel this whole game was completely baffling, especially considering how good his tape was from a week prior. To decrease the snaps of our best receiver by far was pretty incredible to see in a negative way. Also, starting Chris Manhertz over Ian Thomas is a funny thing to see. 

And, most criminal of all, CJ Anderson has been noted as pretty much "did not participate" for the day. He barely got to see the field despite him clearly being one of the better options as a pure runner. At the very least, just give CJ more snaps and stop trying to use CMC like a damn bellcow all the time and limiting his efficiency.

Next, decision making and coaching was bad, and the post game comments worse. First off, Rivera actually blamed the loss on the fact the Redskins were able to run the ball more. Like how out of touch can you get? 

And then opening up with five straight runs. Which, predictably, was later fished out and set up the famed 4th and a centimeter we were all sure Cam would QB sneak through for an easy first down. But nope, Rivera decided to nope out of the single thought despite his former life as "Riverboat Ron."

Sure, you can argue "but what if it failed?" Then at least Ron tried to do something offensively and show that he understands the defense isn't as good as it once was. The strength of this team is by far the offense, yet Ron is hindering it to the max.

Plus, this statistic should've made it a no-brainer:

And, best of all, the last two offensive drives were prime examples of just what happens when the coaching staff removes itself out of Cam's way and lets him take hold the reigns. He was able to lead efficient drives down the field with the play-makers they have and pass. This can be a prolific modern offense if Ron keeps his stupid "run run run" mentality away.

Sure, the last three plays are questionable in part of Cam and everyone else. Second down, Cam was pressured. Third down, Cam missed wildly compounded with the refs missing a blatant push off on Funchess before the ball got to there (this was based on what I heard from the radio broadcast. They really hounded the refs on that one.) Fourth down he missed Wright while the receiver himself was clearly held. Either way, missed opportunities on there.

Otherwise, the drive down the field showed what happens when the Panthers are able to pass and act well in a no-huddle situation. Give the keys to Cam and let him drive. Let him pass, get a few good playcalls in if you need, and create a balance of good passing and running. Ron does not need to force his "run run run" fetish on an offense that could do far better and a defense that can't stop an offense to save its life.

Those are my thoughts.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GoobyPls Veteran

GoobyPls

Posted
Posted

Those last 3 plays is making people forget that horrendues first half of football Rivera and Norv coached.

 

Norv keeps running Mccaffrey like he’s Emmit Smith, he averaging like 3 ypc these last two games, complete waste of down.

 

Also that Riverboat nickname was always used in a ironic way, he’s the most conservative coaches in the league 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
yayfootball Newbie

yayfootball

Posted
Posted

We had 9 real drives in the game (not counting the kneel to end the 1st half). By choosing not to go for it on 4th and 1 near midfield, choosing not to go for it on 4th and 3 deep in WAS territory, and choosing to just run up the middle on first and second down when we got the ball back with almost 2 min left in the first half, we essentially gave up on 3 of those drives. It's hard to win when you give up on 1/3 of your possessions. It's always baffled me how Rivera could revert to being so conservative after having so much success with more aggressive calls in 2013, but this game is the most frustrated I've ever been.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • tukafan21
      At this point its Sadiq or bust... A

      By tukafan21 · Posted

      Have they though? I'll give you KC with Kelce, but c'mon, they weren't winning those SB's because they had a great TE, it was a combination of Mahomes and some great defenses.  Will also give you the 49ers and Ravens with Kittle and Andrews, but even then, both have missed time with injuries the last few years. After those 3 teams, the best teams of the last 2-3 years have not had elite TEs The Eagles had Goedert, he's good, not great. The Bills have also had good but not great TE's The Rams have had average TEs and still consistently run 2 and 3 TE sets with them and still win. The Bucs have been winning the South without a great TE The Lions' Laporta is more a name than a highly productive TE. The Texans have had a serviceable TE in Shultz, but nothing too amazing. Some of the best TE's in the league the last few years have been on some of the worst teams.  McBride, Bowers, Warren, Njoku, even Pitts this past year. A true elite TE is absolutely a weapon in today's game, but I think the best teams use that money elsewhere and find serviceable TE play, usually through a committee where each TE brings something else to the table.
    • Cam2Ligit2Quit
      Isaiah Simmons: "A riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma"

      By Cam2Ligit2Quit · Posted

      When it comes to evaluating talent, the equation is actually pretty simple. If you're elite in both the measurable traits (size, speed, strength) and the mental side (IQ, instincts), you're looking at a Hall of Fame trajectory—assuming injuries don't derail you. If you're elite in one area but just decent in the other, you can still carve out a Pro Bowl career. Decent in both? That's your typical NFL starter. But here's where it gets tricky—and where a lot of athletes, especially the ones who dominate practices, find their ceiling. If you're not a starter and you don't excel on special teams, you won't last in this league. The roster math is unforgiving. That "what if" game has been playing out in Carolina for a while now, especially at wide receiver. You've got guys who light it up in practice—everything looks smooth, natural, effortless. But when the lights come on and the defense throws a look they haven't seen on tape, the processing slows down. The game speeds up. And when they have to think instead of just react, they crumble. That's the danger. Put a player like that on the field—any position, really—and expect him to process on the fly, and you're setting him up to fail. Now factor in that he was a top-10 pick, not some late-round flier or UDFA. A franchise invested everything in him. They moved pieces around, changed coaching, changed systems—tried everything to help him succeed. But here's the reality check: if he's out there, remember that the guys lining up across from him are also getting paid millions. And their job is to find that weakness and exploit it every single snap.
    • Cam's New Arm
      Isaiah Simmons: "A riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma"

      By Cam's New Arm · Posted

      I think he'd make a good QB spy role in those mobile QB games, like Chicago. Just send him at Caleb every play.
×
×
  • Create New...