USA Today on how the Panthers are absolutely dumb for not playing Curtis Samuel

[Saca312]

Steven Ruiz from USA Today helps breakdown how the Panthers have arguably one of the NFL’s emerging stars in Samuel yet refuse to play him. Part film work and part facts:

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/11/nfl-panthers-curtis-samuel-snap-count-stats-fantasy-football

Some highlights:

The 2017 second-round pick out of Ohio State has not seen much of the field in 2018 but has still managed to make a tremendous impact on the Panthers offense. He’s played only 112 snaps all season — nearly half the number THIRD tight end Chris Manhertz (no, that’s not a made-up name) has played. Smauel has touched the ball only 21 times this season. He has five touchdowns.

Five. On 21 touches.

Nearly 25% of the plays Samuel has received the ball have ended up in the end zone. He is the most efficient touchdown-maker in the league. In 2018, 56 players have scored at least five touchdowns. All of them have touched the ball more times than Samuel has. Chargers WR Mike Williams is next on the list with 24 touches; he’s played double the snaps Samuel has. Bears WR Anthony Miller is next with five scores on 29 touches but he’s needed 257 snaps to get them. No other player has scored five times on fewer than 30 touches.

...

For whatever reason, Ron Rivera and the Panthers coaching staff have decided Samuel does not deserve more snaps than unspectacular players like Funchess, Jarius Wright and Torrey Smith. And Rivera’s reasoning for Samuel not seeing the field more often has been completely unsatisfying.

...

 

After Sunday’s loss, Rivera said Samuel will “continue to get opportunities,” but his snap count has actually been trending down over the last few weeks. After playing 27 snaps in Week 8, he’s been on the field for a total of 52 over the last three weeks combined. The better he plays, the fewer snaps he gets, it seems.

Maybe the coaching staff is having a hard time envisioning a 5-foot-11, 195-pound speedster as a WR1, but look around the league: Antonio Brown, who is smaller than Samuel, is the standard. Tyreek Hill is even smaller and not far behind Brown in the league’s WR hierarchy. You’d think a franchise that employed Steve Smith for over a decade would realize that size doesn’t really matter for receivers; then again, this is the same franchise that continues to play Funchess in the No. 1 role, so who knows.

...

With the Panthers’ season now teetering on the edge after two straight losses, maybe Rivera will come to his senses and start playing his best receiver more than 20 snaps a game. It’s become clear that the Panthers defense isn’t very good, and if this team is going to hang with other playoff contenders, it will have to start scoring more points. Playing the NFL’s most efficient touchdown-scorer should help.

[manu4t]

1 minute ago, Saca312 said:

For whatever reason, Ron Rivera and the Panthers coaching staff have decided Samuel does not deserve more snaps than unspectacular players like Funchess, Jarius Wright and Torrey Smith. And Rivera’s reasoning for Samuel not seeing the field more often has been completely unsatisfying

This could very well be one of multiple reasons Tepper gives Rivera on Jan 2 for his termination.

[Wolfpack352]

My head hurts.

[Mr. Scot]

Rivera has just never been good when it comes to setting a depth chart or playing time, and he's loathe to admit mistakes.

I'm beginning to accept that we've probably gone about as far as we can go with him.

[tiger7_88]

6 minutes ago, Saca312 said:

After Sunday’s loss, Rivera said Samuel will “continue to get opportunities,” but his snap count has actually been trending down over the last few weeks. After playing 27 snaps in Week 8, he’s been on the field for a total of 52 over the last three weeks combined. The better he plays, the fewer snaps he gets, it seems.

Holy poo in poo heaven... I would truly like to say convincingly "THIS CAN'T BE REAL!" but... we all know it is.

[joemac]

1 minute ago, Mr. Scot said:

Rivera has just never been good when it comes to setting a depth chart or playing time, and he's loathe to admit mistakes.

I'm beginning to accept that we've probably gone about as far as we can go with him.

Yup me too. The more this season goes on, the more I think its in everyones best interest next year to move on from Ron and get a fresh set of eyes and ideas leading this team.  Rivera-ball is growing tiresome.

[luke nukem]

Just now, Mr. Scot said:

Rivera has just never been good when it comes to setting a depth chart or playing time, and he's loathe to admit mistakes.

I'm beginning to accept that we've probably gone about as far as we can go with him.

everyone knows it is time. If he is as big of a madden fan as he says he is then he should be the one to pack his bags. One of Johns big things was how he said 8-10 years as the HC at one franchise is the most anyone should stick around for. The same old poo is just getting old.

[coralreefer_1]

I see what RR is doing. Hes going to run CMC into the ground ( think why Bell opted out this year)..and in the second half of the year when CMC is getting weary of all the carries/abuse/attention...enter Samuel. Sadly,  the season is almost already lost and Samuel will be playing more or less garbage time.

[Billy Love]

I’m afraid we’ve allowed Ron and his coaching limitations to squander our championship window of opportunity. Next years team may be without key veteran leadership: Ryan Kahlil, Peppers, Thomas Davis and Olsen. 

 

[joemac]

1 minute ago, coralreefer_1 said:

I see what RR is doing. Hes going to run CMC into the ground ( think why Bell opted out this year)..and in the second half of the year when CMC is getting weary of all the carries/abuse/attention...enter Samuel. Sadly,  the season is almost already lost and Samuel will be playing more or less garbage time.

Is that a joke?  Samuel hasnt played one snap at RB.

[AceMan]

Actually glad this is getting National Attention. Rivera will either be forced to adjust or fired. 

[Billy Love]

Just now, AceMan said:

Actually glad this is getting National Attention. Rivera will either be forced to adjust or fired. 

I prefer firing Ron vs having to FORCE him to use coaching common sense. 

[JARROD]

Should just say Funchess because Torrey hasn’t played in several games and he was money when he did play.

Funchess is the Achilles heel and needs to sit— Moore Samuel Wright and Torrey need to be on the field in that order.

[Mr. Scot]

5 minutes ago, joemac said:

Yup me too. The more this season goes on, the more I think its in everyones best interest next year to move on from Ron and get a fresh set of eyes and ideas leading this team.  Rivera-ball is growing tiresome.

We had our best shot with Rivera in 2015 and didn't seal the deal.  It just hasn't returned to that level since.

And with the NFL now evolving to produce offenses that put up video game like stats, I can only see us falling farther behind with Rivera in charge.

I think it's possible at this point that getting humiliated against the Saints might be enough to put Rivera out of a job.