I'm officially in the "Look to the future" mode....

[Zod]

I honestly don't expect the Rivera regime to be around next season at this point. Its not just the record of 1-4, but its the regression of the team as a whole from last season. Throw in the lack of a total team identity and its not hard to figure out that Rivera is not head coaching material. If his players were playing hard, executing well, and seemed to have bought into his system I would say he has more time... but....

So anyways, there are three rookies I am extremely excited about that should contribute to making a great defensive nucleus for years to come.

Kuechly, Alexander, Norman

Kuechly is a monster. We all know that. That kid will have us cheering for many, many years. No, he isn't flashy. He doesn't celebrate after a tackle. He doesn't have some corny dance coming out of the tunnel in intros, but what he does on the field is all you need to know about him.

Alexander might be the best DE prospect we have had since Peppers. That kid is all motor and in his limited play is getting pressure against more experienced tackles. Big, Big upside.

Norman. Man I love this kid. I was standing in the end zone while he was jawing Edwards. I don't mean he was talking trash. The kid was getting personal with him. I can't repeat what he was saying on here...

He is the Smitty of the defense. If he is this aggressive in both his attitude and play.

[nosuchthingasapanther]

does this mean hurney won't be fired?

on a more serious note...attitude (possibly norman's) is the shot in the arm the team needs.

[Kurb]

Rivera won't be fired.

He will work out his contract.

Hurney will be given a chance for his "plan" to work.

[top dawg]

Et tu, Brute?

[GotSwag?]

This team still has a very bright future. Cam is having the typical sophomore season slump, but he is still going to turn out and be one of the best QBs in this league. I loved what I saw out of Kuechly in his natural spot. I love Norman as well, and Alexander. The thing we need to do is get some coaches in that will fire the team up. Ticked me off how Carroll was jumping around on the sidelines yesterday and it seems his players play fired up all the time. Ours doesnt.

[BIGH2001]

Too many variables to say this. He has a 4 year deal and is quickly tanking in year 2. If JR has any respect for the fans and the organization the absolute minimum number of wins this season should be 5. That would even be pretty terrible and worse than last year.

Rivera won't be fired.

He will work out his contract.

Hurney will be given a chance for his "plan" to work.

[Squirrel]

if hogan could stay healthy we would have a nice young defensive core.

Would like to see okafor drafted next year.

[natty]

Rivera won't be fired.

He will work out his contract.

Hurney will be given a chance for his "plan" to work.

Sadly this is true.

The Giants game showed me what this team is about and the last two weeks have confirmed it. I've released any emotional investment in this team for this year. I'm just going to see how it plays out.

[usmcpanthers]

Ill still watch all the games and root for this team, but im a realist the season is over. I hate looking to the future becuase I'm a cubs fan, thats all they have. Even the tarheels will suck this year in BBall. All my teams suck this year! Well im not bandwagon and they are my teams Go Panthers, Tarheels, and Cubs...On to the Future sigh!

[KillerKat]

If Hurney is still in our future, our future isn't bright.

[SOJA]

Draft -Kenny Vaccaro or another safety- defense will be better, Cam will improve next year. Good news is we are still a young team and are competing

[stankowalski]

Zod...that Norman jpg isn't loading for me. Using firefox btw.

[Jackofalltrades]

I agree with Kurb.

[Mother Grabber]

The interesting thing is that we've been in every game except the Giants. Not only in, but winning late. With good, veteran leadership, this team would be 4-1. RR doesn't know how to pull that out yet, and I dont want to say he'll never figure it out, but I doubt if he'll be given enough rope to do so here. This is a team that is good enough, they're just disorganized and a bit of a mess. Bummer to see a playoff calibre team wasted.