Sorenson: Rivera brings energy, strong grip to Panthers

[CatMan72]

Rivera, 49, pulls out a leather chair for me, and, rather than sit behind his desk, takes an identical chair a few feet away. He is gracious and, perhaps, reserved, although Panthers receiver Armanti Edwards might disagree.

Edwards is the former Appalachian State quarterback for whom the Panthers traded their second-round pick in April's draft.

"Rod Chudzinski (Carolina's new offensive coordinator) was in Cleveland when they had (Joshua) Cribbs," says Rivera. "I'd like to see similar things with Armanti."

Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/02/10/2052768/rivera-brings-energy-strong-grip.html#ixzz1Df6IKLSH

[Highlandfire]

But doesn't Rivera know all these guys suck? I mean read the message boards...

[Dpantherman]

Linebackers: "I love the linebackers, love the speed that they have. At times our inexperience showed. I'm excited about getting those (injured) guys on the DL, (and) Dan Connor and T.D. (Thomas Davis), back."

Defensive line: "I look at Charles Johnson and see a guy that's starting to come into his own. I'm excited about Greg Hardy. The guy that really intrigues me is Ed Johnson. ... We have to find a (defensive tackle) that can command a double-team."

Defensive backs: "Talented and young but took a little step back from past seasons. I watched Gamble work out at Ohio State. I've got to get him reenergized. I went to Fresno State and worked (Richard) Marshall out. I like the young safeties, (Charles) Godfrey and (Sherrod) Martin. I like the way Captain Munnerlyn and (Robert) McClain played."

Quarterback: "We need to find if we have that franchise quarterback." If they don't, Rivera says they have to draft him or hire him.

Offensive line: "Not far from being a solid unit again. Key players will return from injury. I think (Jeff) Otah and (Travelle) Wharton are terrific."

Tight end: "We don't have a great player but we have a group of solid and fundamentally sound players."

Wide receiver: "This group looks to be young but has playmaking potential and a very experienced playmaker in No.89 (Smith)."

Running back: "The backfield has three quality running backs that are similar in ability but have their own styles."

Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/02/10/2052768/rivera-brings-energy-strong-grip.html#ixzz1DfH719wX

He never mentioned Everette Brown, and he knows that Marshall won't be back

[ncbobcat]

It would pretty bad for him to say otherwise now wouldn't it? 'The 2-14 record is because players a, b, c and d sucked harder than a hooker that can take the crome off a trailer hitch.' That would't exactly sit right with the team and the fans.

The PC thing to do is say exactly what he said. Some players are young, some players need to rediscover their great potential and others need to heal from injury. He's not going to throw any players under the proverbial bus...especially before they hold the first practice.

[bleys]

I still feel our coaches really fuged up on the offensive side of the ball..

can't wait to see what our new coaches do in just 1 year.. it will be very telling, giving us some answers to whether that's a legit feeling or not.

[AceMan]

AE has a very high hill to climb if we're trying to make him into a Cribbs clone

[sgriff]

Quarterback: "We need to find if we have that franchise quarterback." If they don't, Rivera says they have to draft him or hire him.

We need to find if we have that franchise QB? I guess the only thing he hasn't done in his one month as head coach is watch any of this past season's games. Why couldn't he just come out and say, "the quaterbacks on this team are second string at best and we're crossing our fingers we can land one in the draft or we get lucky in free agency."

[Mr. Scot]

He never mentioned Everette Brown, and he knows that Marshall won't be back

I'm not so sure of that anymore.

[Mr. Scot]

Excerpts that interested me...

By 7:40 a.m. Thursday, Carolina coach Ron Rivera has finished his workout with strength and conditioning coach Joe Kenn.

Our head coach is working out with the strength coach? :eek: :lol:

"That's true for every player on the roster. We have to find roles for everybody. Nobody is a backup. They're part of what we do."

Nice quote. Interesting philosophy.

I ask Rivera about specific players and he goes to his neatly organized desk and grabs a thick plastic loose-leaf binder. In it is the research he did before he interviewed with Carolina.

I can see why he impressed Hurney and Morrison.

Not hard to understand why guys like playing for him. Heck, listening to Rivera talk, I'm ready to suit up and play again :lol:

[DT3428]

his Armanti quote seems like a Fox square peg in round hole kind of motive

[bleys]

Quarterback: "We need to find if we have that franchise quarterback." If they don't, Rivera says they have to draft him or hire him.

We need to find if we have that franchise QB? I guess the only thing he hasn't done in his one month as head coach is watch any of this past season's games. Why couldn't he just come out and say, "the quaterbacks on this team are second string at best and we're crossing our fingers we can land one in the draft or we get lucky in free agency."

he was a rookie QB.. only compulsive fans are dumb enough to assume Clausen has no future at all in the NFL.. Clausen very well won't be the guy, but Rivera isn't going to cut a rookie on a 4 year contract who had some offensive, offensive minded people showing him the ropes..

Not hard to understand why guys like playing for him. Heck, listening to Rivera talk, I'm ready to suit up and play again :lol:

for real.. I can't wait for Sundays.. ohhhhhhh, so long it's going to be.. :(

[TarPanther9180]

More and more I read about Rivera, the more I like him (I liked him a lot when he was at SD).

[dxpanther]

More and more I read about Rivera, the more I like him (I liked him a lot when he was at SD).

Of course you like him, he hasnt lost us a game yet.

[2jakefansinva]

Quarterback: "We need to find if we have that franchise quarterback." If they don't, Rivera says they have to draft him or hire him.

We need to find if we have that franchise QB? I guess the only thing he hasn't done in his one month as head coach is watch any of this past season's games. Why couldn't he just come out and say, "the quaterbacks on this team are second string at best and we're crossing our fingers we can land one in the draft or we get lucky in free agency."

go back and read the post 3 in front of yours. In particular...... the part about the bus.