If you're looking for changes, or "shut downs"...

[DaveThePanther2008]

3 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

I'd say if you wanted to get a look at Walker or Grier or both, Bridgewater basically handed you the opportunity by going rogue on that play before the two minute warning. And it could be argued that benching him in the face of something like that is a power move.

Now on the flip side, for all practical purposes we are tied to Bridgewater for at least another year. For that reason, I can understand on some level wanting to keep things cool between them.

I have a tougher time with the McCaffrey thing though. Rivera shut down Luke when he wanted to play (granted he didn't do it with Cam).

 

I think putting PJ in is a move to try and win. I don't think it was a mistake when he played against the Lions.  The defense seemed to play lights out and the team look explosive.   

CMC worries me a bit because I don't know what the extent of the injury was.   If he's healthy than I am ok with him playing but if he is playing because he wants to because it's killing him to watch. That's a recipe for disaster. 

[NYPantherFan]

46 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

One of the complaints people had about Rivera was that he kept starters in, trying to win even after we were eliminated.

Doesn't sound like that's going to change under Matt Rhule.

To be fair, it is not like this team is loaded with veterans, especially on the defensive side of the ball. There is a lot of development to the young guys who are out there every week. I'm fine with them playing still.

[Mr. Scot]

Just now, NYPantherFan said:

To be fair, it is not like this team is loaded with veterans, especially on the defensive side of the ball. There is a lot of development to the young guys who are out there every week. I'm fine with them playing still.

Including McCaffrey and Bridgewater?

[Mr. Scot]

Voth's take in response to somebody referencing Newton...

 

[NYPantherFan]

1 minute ago, Mr. Scot said:

Including McCaffrey and Bridgewater?

Would I like to see PJ and Grier get some run, sure. I don't think either are long term answers at the position so I guess I don't have that excitement or care to see them play. 

With CMC, I'd rather sit him and not risk injury in a lost season. However it would be nice to see what this offense could have looked like and have a small sample size going into next season. From a player evaluation standpoint, we have seen what Davis and the other RBs have done with him out, so again it's not like we have begging for someone to get playing time like we would under Rivera.

I will say that Greg Little is the only one I'm concerned about not getting time. He would be the one I'm throwing in there the last few games to see what we have there.

[Mr. Scot]

3 minutes ago, NYPantherFan said:

I will say that Greg Little is the only one I'm concerned about not getting time. He would be the one I'm throwing in there the last few games to see what we have there.

I think that ship has sailed.

Truthfully, if Greg Little never plays another down for the Panthers, I won't be all that surprised.

(ditto any other NFL team)

[NYPantherFan]

Just now, Mr. Scot said:

I think that ship has sailed.

Truthfully, if Greg Little never plays another down for the Panthers, I won't be all that surprised.

(ditto any other NFL team)

Well hopefully that is the final nail in the coffin for Hurney as well then.

[Mr. Scot]

4 minutes ago, NYPantherFan said:

Well hopefully that is the final nail in the coffin for Hurney as well then.

Joe Person referred to it as "an indictment" of Hurney, given that he traded up for Little and was even ready to take him in the first round.

There's a lot of chatter that he'll be replaced or reassigned this offseason. Here's hoping it's true.

I've said before I could easily see a scenario where he "retires" because he's basically been told to.

[Khyber53]

On CMC playing... well, I'll believe it when I see it. At this early stage, there's often some gamesmanship when it comes to who will and won't becoming off the injured list.

The rest, yeah, this is pretty much auditioning for next year and contracts whether you are already a starter or not. 

[top dawg]

2 hours ago, TikTOK said:

Don’t worry. We won’t win any more games. Our best chance was with Washington and now Ron has gotten that team to make a complete 180. 

Our best chance was with Denver!

[Snake]

2 hours ago, hepcat said:

If they make every game the rest of the season their Superbowl and we manage to win 1-2 more games I will be mad

It would be a typical Hurney hire move. 

[Pup McBarky]

2 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

Alaina Getzenberg added some context...

So yeah, sounds like Rhule is all in to keep the starters on the field, even if we're eliminated.

Winning games in December is important, as long as you're still alive for the playoffs. Then it becomes counter-productive. A winning culture consists of more than a monthly or quarterly strategy. It involves planning for years down the road. I'm not a fan of tanking, but I am a fan of using the opportunity you have to assess talent rather than winning meaningless games. If these guys want to see this as war, then I guess we're in for a long disappointing relationship with this staff. They need, instead, to see it for what it is...a business. Tepper should teach them something about that.

[theinstrumental]

And here I was hoping this "thigh strain" was CMC and the Panthers playing the long game. Hopefully it'll flare up again.