Ron Meeks Let Go

[Panther4Ever]

Panthers secondary coach Ron Meeks, one of only two holdovers from John Fox's staff, has been relieved of his duties, sources told the Observer on Friday.

Meeks, who has two decades of NFL coaching experience, was with the Panthers' for three years, including two as Fox's defensive coordinator. Meeks and assistant defensive line coach Sam Mills III were the only assistants retained by Ron Rivera when he was hired last year.

In a brief phone interview Friday, Meeks was noncommittal when asked about his status for next season. Rivera was unavailable for comment.

The Panthers were 24th among 32 teams in pass defense in 2011, allowing an average of 246.8 yards a game.

--Joseph Person

http://blogs.charlotte.com/panthers/

[Dpantherman]

Well, when the DBs on the team are one the weakest spots on the team (albeit not all their fault) ...

[JawnyBlaze]

Yea, not entirely surprised.

[rayzor]

i was kind of surprised they kept him. he's more of a cover2 guy. didn't seem to fit what rivera and mcdermmott was doing.

i wonder who they have in mind.

[Dpantherman]

I think this is definitely a message sent to the team. I think Ron is a scapegoat in this case, but its a message nonetheless.

[DaCityKats]

Yeah not all his fault, it starts up front.

[Cat'sGrowl]

Meh.... I think we'd be fine if we were able to create pressure from the defensive line and injected some better talent in thr secondary. Did we consider the possibility that Sherrod Martin just isn't very good?

Should this be concerning? Rivera first states that he doesn't want to make any moves this offseason on the DL, now he makes a move that would dictate he believes the secondary play is largely to blame for our defensive struggles.

Hmm.

[rayzor]

i don't know if he was a scapegoat. i just don't think he and rivera's D were simpatico.

probably kept more for a little continuity than anything.

we can do better. i hope we do.

[Kurb]

Get better or we will move on without you.

[KillerKat]

Good! Throw out the trash.

[Sam Mills Fan]

Yeah it's totally Meeks' fault that Hurney went with a midget as a starting cornerback in the NFL.

[Sam Mills Fan]

I will say this though: Even with the defensive line excuse, I thought Godfrey and Martin were SIGNIFICANTLY worse this season than last.

[rayzor]

Meh.... I think we'd be fine if we were able to create pressure from the defensive line and injected some better talent in thr secondary. Did we consider the possibility that Sherrod Martin just isn't very good?

Should this be concerning? Rivera first states that he doesn't want to make any moves this offseason, now he makes a move that would dictate he believes the secondary play is largely to blame for our defensive struggles.

Hmm.

you might be reading a little too much into it.

it's not like meeks was anything particularly special. rivera probably just wants to get his own guys in here. there might not have been much available at the time but that could very well have changed.

we should just see this as a positive that he isn't sticking with the status quo and wants to improve where he can.

was meeks the reason the DBs were bad and we were ranked so low in passing D? nope, but it can't hurt to upgrade at the DB coach.

[rayzor]

I will say this though: Even with the defensive line excuse, I thought Godfrey and Martin were SIGNIFICANTLY worse this season than last.

martin was worse for sure.

godfrey was just a busy busy man. the guy was more of a utility guy this year than anything. there were so many weak spots and holes left because of injury and inexperience that godfrey was made to work harder and wear more hats.

i don't think there was a regression. he was just asked to do too much and was spread thin.