Are We Just Blind Homers Romanticisizing Rivera Before He's Even Coached a Game? Or

[Proudiddy]

Is he really just that great? I'm really starting to think he is REALLY just that great. I was just watching the post draft presser (http://www.panthers.com/media-vault/videos/Post-Draft-Presser/297d8367-57c1-43b6-a542-7a1305e2381e), and Chico just seems so confident and sure about things. You ever watch pressers from a new coach and you just feel like he's trying too hard to prove himself and convince everyone how good he is? I have. Buffalo and Chan Gailey is one of the most recent examples I can think of, and pretty much everyone Oakland has hired over the last 8 years or so.

Additionally, in the presser, Riv repeatedly talks about how he has told all the incoming players and the players that have been here that we are going to be an "aggressive, attacking, physical" team on both sides of the ball. He gives this explanation for everyone of the guys we picked today as well, especially the OLs we drafted.

So, I'm asking, what do you think? Are we just still in the honeymoon phase as fans, or when trying to look at it objectively, is it that he's just that exciting and confident? I just don't remember any other coach in recent history that seemed this up front about their philosophy... Then again, we're still under the fallout period from Fox's "Fox ball - just play not to lose" years... But honestly, I've never seen or heard a new coach for any team be this adamant about being a physical, attacking team. He seems to be very clear on what he wants and how to get it done, and it just gives me all the confidence in the world that he will take us where we want to go...

[Swarly]

I'm uh, what's the right word for it.. Cautiously optimistic? I look at the guys track record, #1 defenses on two different teams using two different defensive schemes speaks for itself. Then you can look at the roster he had in San Diego and while it wasn't bad, it doesn't really stand out like say the Steelers defense that is riddled with star players at several key positions. I think he's going to do great things with our defense.

Then on the other side of it, I don't understand why it's taken this long for him to get a head coaching gig. Is he just really bad at interviews or something? I don't know.

[Sword]

I'm uh, what's the right word for it.. Cautiously optimistic? I look at the guys track record, #1 defenses on two different teams using two different defensive schemes speaks for itself. Then you can look at the roster he had in San Diego and while it wasn't bad, it doesn't really stand out like say the Steelers defense that is riddled with star players at several key positions. I think he's going to do great things with our defense.

Then on the other side of it, I don't understand why it's taken this long for him to get a head coaching gig. Is he just really bad at interviews or something? I don't know.

maybe it's how he speaks kind of soft..had a hard time hearing him sometimes in the pressers..maybe that didnt help in past interviews..or maybe the other teams weren't seriously considering him.

[Stumpy]

Proudiddy optimistic???

I think I've seen everything now. I can die happy!

But, to answer your question, yes. He seems like a man on a mission. I think being passed over all those times has given him a single-mindedness rarely seen by coaches.

A lot of coaches (not just Fox) are worried about saying something that might give away the secret plan. Or try too hard to be overly diplomatic to everybody.

Most coaches want to sucker punch you from behind. Rivera seems like he'd walk straight up to your face, look you in the eye and tell you he's gonna punch you, then knock your lights out.

[Guest]

Then on the other side of it, I don't understand why it's taken this long for him to get a head coaching gig. Is he just really bad at interviews or something? I don't know.

that's my only question. dude's been through quite a few interviews. i love the talk so even if he turns out to be a dud of a head coach, the PCs will be interesting.

[Ruff]

Most coaches want to sucker punch you from behind. Rivera seems like he'd walk straight up to your face, look you in the eye and tell you he's gonna punch you, then knock your lights out.

Going in my sig.

[Proudiddy]

Yeah, I've thought about that several times (about the multiple interviews and not getting a job until here). But, I'm starting to think all of those teams pretty much had their minds made up and brought him in for the name or to fulfill the Rooney rule.

When I watch the pressers and interviews, I don't see anything that could be perceived as a weakness. Yeah, he speaks with a softer tone, but how many players do you see getting up in his face and challenging him. He seems to have a presence about him that is full of confidence and he just seems very sure of himself.

[Marguide]

His confidence is contagious and the guy has a clear plan outlined.

He may fail, but I doubt it. Hopefully it is not just a case of him being good in front of the camera.

Fox always gave me the impression of being a solid guy who would always give you his best, and someone it would be fun to share a beer with. But he just never came across as capable as Rivera does now, IMO.

[AnalyzeThIs#28]

He does speak softly in the interviews, or maybe it's his voice. But I know he will not be talking to players like that when he's coaching. I'd bet he's a hard ass and his voice can chance a lot when he raises his voice.

I really do love the way he talks and his football philosophy. I know he's going to be a great coach, he just gives you that harm fussy feeling inside that Fox never really did.

[Dpantherman]

Its like when you sweet talk a chick right before you GTD (Get the drawers). Several different outcomes can come of it.

[Proudiddy]

Most coaches want to sucker punch you from behind. Rivera seems like he'd walk straight up to your face, look you in the eye and tell you he's gonna punch you, then knock your lights out.

EXACTLY. That's the "sureness" I'm talking about. You hardly ever hear coaches, even former players who become coaches, come right out and say - this is what we're going to do. He doesn't even care what you're going to do, because he's so confident in what we are doing.

[Razzy]

With Rivera and Newton we're at least in for some good quotes. Rivera always seems to be one moment away from a WWF style monologue while Cam is just hilarious.

[YourManInAmsterdam]

It's hard to say. I think many of us, perhaps in spite of our nature, are looking for things to be optimistic about and we might be enjoying a honeymoon phase of sorts.

I'll take things as they come. All I know, personally, is that he hasn't demonstrated anything yet that makes me want to scream at my computer or throw a small appliance across the room.

<metaphor>Am I ready to hand over the keys to the family station wagon yet? Probably not. Even though he's got his license, he hasn't really proved he's a responsible driver yet.</metaphor>

But again, I'm optimistic.

[tarheelpride]

I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt, mostly because he can't get worse than Fox was last year. I have hope for him and I see him as being here 10+ years.

Ultimately, it'll all come down to wins and losses. He wins, we love him. He doesn't win, it's all downhill from there.