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!

     

Analyzing Rivera

Mr. Scot

By Mr. Scot,
in Carolina Panthers

Recommended Posts

Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

Posted
Posted

Bits and pieces gleaned from reviewing the on-site videos of new Panthers Head Coach Ron Rivera...

__________________________________________________________________________________________

- Good Lord, the man is intense. I feel like I can't slouch even while just watching clips of him. The military family background comes through loud and clear. You get the feeling he sleeps at attention.

- Also get the feeling anyone who was hoping the team would ease up on analyzing player character issues is likely to be disappointed. It actually won't surprise me if that emphasis gets even stronger under Rivera. When he talks about how players need to be role models and that they need to conduct themselves "like Carolina panthers should", he sounds pretty serious about it. Whether or not that affects the draft prospects of Nick Fairley? Hard to say. Will say this though: I have doubts as to whether anything which might be perceived as "dirty" will be tolerated on the field.

- Something else I'm not sure we'll see much of on the field: showboating. Rivera is all-business in how he conducts himself, and teams naturally tend to take on the personality of their head coach. Yes, the Chargers had guys like Merriman doing "lights out" and all, but Rivera wasn't the head coach there. I'd say it's at least possible that he'll ask the team to be like the Bill Walsh 49ers in their on-field conduct. We'll see.

- I was already of the mind that the team would be signing a veteran free agent QB this offseason. I'm more convinced of that now, based on the fact that Rivera isn't a fan of young quarterbacks playing without having gone through the "maturation" process. Mind you, I don't think that means he's given up on Clausen. If I were Jimmy though, I wouldn't necessarily place a huge bet on being the starter this season.

- Now before anybody reads that and screams "oh my gosh, John Fox all over again", keep in mind that quarterback isn't the same as other positions. One of the things Rivera liked about coming to the Panthers was that they are, overall, a young team. Likewise, it's extremely unlikely that an owner who last year cut a bunch of veterans to spite a coach who refused to play young players would turn around and hire another head coach who was going to do the same thing.

- And last, I expect the character of training camp to be fairly different this year from past seasons. Rivera definitely strikes me as someone who will want to run a tight ship in practices, maybe even a "boot camp" type atmosphere. That's not to say he'll be a slave driver, but "discipline" is a word the players should definitely get used to hearing. As a side note, I do also wonder if he might not encourage the players to be as fan-friendly as possible.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Again, all in all, I'm intrigued to see what this season holds. Here's hoping the philosophy translates to success.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JawnyBlaze Grand Master

JawnyBlaze

Posted
Posted

Yea, good points Mr Scot. I got some of the same impressions, and you also made some good points I hadn't thought of. I think you're right about the showboating, he seems like the anti-Rex Ryan. Anyone who was hoping for more personality out of the coaching staff and/or team will probably be disappointed. Should translate into a better product on the field though, and that's what's important.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jackofalltrades Proficient

Jackofalltrades

Posted
Posted

You dance a fine line by being a hard nosed coach. Coughlin is a perfect example, many were and are still tired of his rigid style. These are pro's, not high school or college kids that will just lie down and take a beating.

What does encourage me is that Rivera has been referred to as a players coach.

Rivera has been around for a while, learned leadership in a military family and should be a good coach who does command respect, but dulls it out willingly as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Highlandfire Newbie

Highlandfire

Posted
Posted

You dance a fine line by being a hard nosed coach. Coughlin is a perfect example, many were and are still tired of his rigid style. These are pro's, not high school or college kids that will just lie down and take a beating.

What does encourage me is that Rivera has been referred to as a players coach.

Rivera has been around for a while, learned leadership in a military family and should be a good coach who does command respect, but dulls it out willingly as well.

The problem with the NFL is you still have kids saying they are men and they arent. Im sorry at 28 you are still a kid, married with kids or not and when you hit 40 you realize it.

Look I am a man, but I do what the hell my boss says and I STFU about it. Missed in all this is coaches are their BOSSES and they need to respect them as such. I am sure Rivera will let them know an old Military saying 'you may not respect the man but you MUST respect the Rank'

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jackofalltrades Proficient

Jackofalltrades

Posted
Posted

The problem with the NFL is you still have kids saying they are men and they arent. Im sorry at 28 you are still a kid, married with kids or not and when you hit 40 you realize it.

Look I am a man, but I do what the hell my boss says and I STFU about it. Missed in all this is coaches are their BOSSES and they need to respect them as such. I am sure Rivera will let them know an old Military saying 'you may not respect the man but you MUST respect the Rank'

That old military saying will only get you so far, especially on a pro sports team where quite a few players are more popular and wealthier than the coach, in particular a new HC who hasn't proven anything.

Great leaders get people to WANT to follow them into battle, not because they said so.

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

    • Basbear
      Rookies

      By Basbear · Posted

      I mean you can always talk good or bad in just about everything. 8 wins and leading poo mountain, this rookie class is a big reason. Think about no Tmac or Dan Morgan didn't make that trade to gain a future 2nd rounder. So after Pat Jones breaks his back, DJ " who's not on any roster or PS" Johnson would be starting. Gods knows how bad they already are- 32nd in sacks/pressure/PDs etc... Sure Prince, Trevor, Cam, and little Jimmy haven't done too much, but they are still here.  Honestly its not smart or wise to judge rookies, *unless pro-bowl or cut. Lets revisit this next year, there are slump sophomore years and the biggest jump in players careers most times happens in the 2nd full off-season. You see who wants to be NFL pro and who's happy with teppers checks. I know many of them will be getting surgeries, got to see how they attack that as well....Tmac is playing hurt currently, if they were out of the race, he would be IR'd and maybe half the rookie class as well....I thought Cam was headed for the IR. 
    • MHS831
      Peeking at the roster in 2026

      By MHS831 · Posted

      It actually looks pretty solid.  A few players to re-sign and three primary positions to upgrade (starters).  Beyond that, we don't have a bunch of holes or need to overpay free agents. this is how I see it (using OTC for the 2026 roster information) on December 22, 2025.  This is rather basic, focusing on the core needs. Blue: Potential players to re-sign in the offseason.  Green: Players under contract for the 2026 season.  Italics: Possible cap casualties Analysis   Offense:  Center:  First, sign Mays for the long term (He is 26–I’d give him a 3-4 year deal).  He is not great, but he is decent and we need consistency on the OL. He does not make stupid mistakes. While the draft is not great in the interior offensive line, signing a veteran who can backup G and C would be a strategy.   Guard:  Canalas seemed to be impressed with Curhan, as I was.  He will be 28 next year, so he has a few years in him. I think he comes cheap and is quality depth.  He can play center, but is perhaps best at G and T.  Valuable reserve.   Tackle:  While Nijman returns as the swing T behind Moton and Ekwonu, the Panthers need to start developing a RT to play behind Moton.  A late-round draft pick that is rough but has all the tools is ideal. As the fourth OT, he can develop behind some pretty good veterans.   Wide Receiver:  We need a playmaker to play opposite TMac.  I believe in Coker, but think he is the AT-type slot. He needs to be re-signed. XL cannot be counted on to step into that role.  He is not that familiar with the WR position and he does not seem to be a student of the game.  This is a strong WR draft. First or second round.   Tight End:  I dunno.  I can see us upgrading the position, but Tremble does a lot of stuff well aside from catching the ball.  Evans is a decent all-around TE, and Sanders has some upside.  I’d love a weapon, but add the WR.   Running Back:  If Dowdle wants to be here, how do you let him walk?  He will be 28, and most RBs hit the wall then.  He deserves a big contract, but 28-year old RBs on big deals don’t earn them.  Go with Hubbard, Brooks, and Etienne.  Build the OL and the backs get better.   Quarterback:  Well, Bryce is improving and his confidence is growing.  Look at how many other QBs have taken time to get it. He is going to be the QB, regardless.  I want a young QB behind him, not the Red Senior Citizen.     Overview: Free Agent Priorities are to re-sign Mays and Coker.  I have Dowdle in blue, but I would let him walk (for reasons provided).  Cuhran played well and is versatile and should be signed if possible.  Draft a developmental OT, a raw, late-round OT.  In the draft, take a WR in rounds 1 or 2.  The offense is in tact–little needs to be done.  Let the OL develop chemistry, sign Mays while he is entering his prime, and get a weapon opposite TMac.  Give Coker a long-term deal.    Defense: ILB;  With only Wallace on the 2026 payroll, this position needs to be addressed.  Rozeboom might be able to be re-signed. I think ILB will be addressed in free agency and the draft. ILB will be the second or third round pick.  We will re-sign Rozeboom and maybe Cherulus and another priority free agent.   Edge/OLB: Scourton seems to be the real deal, but Princely (needs to develop) and Jones II are role players.  The draft is LOADED at the edge rush position.  I expect a first or second round edge player to be taken.   Defensive Tackle:  We have some big salaries at DT, and with Brown on the field, you dont need stars beside him.  I think the team cuts Robinson to get $8.5m in cap room, especially since C Jackson seems to be ready.     Cornerback:  Morgan has done a tremendous job finding talent in the bargain bins at CB.  Smith-Wade has been very solid.  Thornton seems to be a find.  Mike Jackson is a solid pro.     Safety:  Ransom seems to be the heir apparent for the Scott job, and Moehrig gives them a very aggressive, violent pair of safeties.  I like the safeties in this draft, fwiw.  I expect a late round pick.   Overview:  The Panthers must address ILB and Edge as priorities.  The ILB could be a free agent, Rozeboom re-signing, and maybe a draft pick. However, they need a pass rush more than anything else.   This is a great draft for edge players; I would not be surprised to see Dan Morgan double dip at edge.  Depth at S.   As soon as the season is over, look for Morgan to re-sign Mays, Coker, Cuhran, and possibly Rozeboom and Dowdle.  That would lock up the starting C, #3/slot WR, versatile depth on the OL, and get your leading tackler back at ILB.  Three HUGE moves that sould not break the bank.   Free agency would be focused on adding an ILB and a Safety who can play FS in three-S or big nickel sets. The draft would target Edge, WR, and ILB on days 1 and 2. Day 3:  OT depth, S depth, ILB depth.  
    • Shocker
      No MATTER WHAT HAPPENS TWO WEEKS FROM NOW.... this season is a WIN in my books

      By Shocker · Posted

      Seattle is coming across country to our house which will be packed.  We can beat this damn team.  Agree @TheBigKat the team has improved tremendously from last season
×
×
  • Create New...