Panthers get a huge lead then shut down; the story of the Rivera tenurseship

[electro's horse]

I've never understood it. 

Obviously I have theories as to why but we're on the ninth season at this point. You'd think Rivera would have figured out how to keep momentum going and build on a lead. 

[uncfan888]

Please get this dude the fug out of here. I'm so sick of this same poo every single season. No urgency and no competitive fire

[TheRed]

Turning the ball over near your own goal line kinda hurts too.

[Harbingers]

14 points isn’t a huge lead. 

[Jangler]

14 points is enough to beat any team in the NFL.

[KSpan]

2 minutes ago, Harbingers said:

14 points isn’t a huge lead. 

Throughout the Rivera period the staff does seem to consider 24 points a large lead, even when doing so (e.g. the first quarter) seems absurd.

[uncfan888]

6 minutes ago, Harbingers said:

14 points isn’t a huge lead. 

Which makes it even more mind boggling that they did it again today 

[Mr. Scot]

It's actually a confirmed philosophy.

A few weeks back, I saw an article where someone had a conversation with Rivera (I think it was Jourdan Rodrigue but I'm not absolutely certain) where he specifically stated that he liked to build up a lead so that the team could pull back and not be as aggressive on defense.

We've perceived it for years, but that's the first time I saw him actually come out and say it.

Unfortunately, I didn't save the article and efforts to go back and find it have been unsuccessful. If I do ever find it again though, I'll make sure to post it.

[Jangler]

John Fox did the same damn thing. its a cat thing. play with their food until it gets it's senses to run away.

[onmyown]

12 minutes ago, electro's horse said:

I've never understood it. 

Obviously I have theories as to why but we're on the ninth season at this point. You'd think Rivera would have figured out how to keep momentum going and build on a lead. 

Theories why?

its obvious and simple

outdated philosophy 

and it affects every single decision made by/for the team

[Mr. Scot]

2 minutes ago, onmyown said:

Theories why?

its obvious and simple

outdated philosophy 

and it affects every single decision made by/for the team

Defensive coaches...

I still remember Rivera's initial press conference. I really wish that guy would have shown up. Instead we got his evil twin.

Actually, he's not so much evil. Just kind of mediocre, but "mediocre twin" doesn't sound as cool.

[Car123]

Rivera doesn't have a killer instinct.

[onmyown]

13 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

Defensive coaches...

I still remember Rivera's initial press conference. I really wish that guy would have shown up. Instead we got his evil twin.

Actually, he's not so much evil. Just kind of mediocre, but "mediocre twin" doesn't sound as cool.

Plenty of defensive coaches pile on points now days. And plenty can adjust and adapt if things don’t go their defensive way. Pete Carroll comes to mind as one of these defensive coaches that is like Ron but better adapting. And he’ll pile on points. 

Being a defensive coach isn’t a bad thing, even in today’s NFL. Rivera’s outdated philosophy Is because he won’t adapt and if things don’t go his way he won’t adjust, he’ll slowly start to lose (as we’re used to seeing). And losing his way is a win for him.

Thats one of his ‘big 3’ issues...along with talent evaluation and clock management.

[Mr. Scot]

5 minutes ago, onmyown said:

Plenty of defensive coaches pile on points now days. And plenty can adjust and adapt if things don’t go their defensive way. Pete Carroll comes to mind as one of these defensive coaches that is like Ron but better adapting. And he’ll pile on points. 

Being a defensive coach isn’t a bad thing, even in today’s NFL. Rivera’s outdated philosophy Is because he won’t adapt and if things don’t go his way he won’t adjust, he’ll slowly start to lose (as we’re used to seeing). And losing his way is a win for him.

Thats one of his ‘big 3’ issues...along with talent evaluation and clock management.

Not the old school defensive coaches though, and Rivera and Fox were both cut from that cloth.