Spoke with Jim Szoke on the phone...

[Seltzer]

I don't know why a new GM wouldn't want to keep Rivera. Rivera had the team playing well at the end of the year, and keeping Rivera is a win-win for a new GM.

If the Panthers make the playoffs next year, the new GM gets a lot of the credit. If not, Rivera is fired and the new GM gets none of the blame. The GM then gets to hire "his guy" and the clock of accountability starts running.

[Kevin Greene]

If Richardson is going to specify Rivera must stay another year, just retain Beane and the Panthers can go full retard as the Cowboys did when Jerruh fired Jimmy Johnson and took over him.

The Cowboys have sucked ever since, only difference is that would just be continuing the status quo in Carolina.

[Mr. Scot]

Going by the prior posts here I guess I'm ancient :lol:

I don't really think any of our candidates will be scared off at the thought of keeping Ron Rivera. And I seriously doubt anyone would have an issue with Cam Newton.

Egos at this level tend to have thoughts like "all they're missing to be successful is me".

Good info, LTC. Kudos.

[Lumps]

If Rivera stays because of Rivera it looks to me JR was in fact on board with 'Hurney's hire' as coach.

[Cyberjag]

If Rivera stays because of Rivera it looks to me JR was in fact on board with 'Hurney's hire' as coach.

Or he could be more on board with the idea of not eating the rest of his contract...

[Sloth]

Or he could be more on board with the idea of not eating the rest of his contract...

+1

I wonder if we'll need to fire the new GM mid season again to spark another run.

[Cyberjag]

We should fire him after week 2 to guarantee a playoff run!

[carolinarolls]

_{Let's all hope Mr. Szoke is spot on outside of one little thing. i would like the draft/FA order to be LT-DT-CB-WR}

[rayzor]

Or he could be more on board with the idea of not eating the rest of his contract...

which was why fox wasn't fired when he should have been. JR didn't want to pay for two coaching staffs.

[L-TownCat]

_{Let's all hope Mr. Szoke is spot on outside of one little thing. i would like the draft/FA order to be LT-DT-CB-WR}

It wasn't his order just positions of need. He placed no weight on one over the other. Sorry I should have mentioned that.

[TheGreatestOfAllTimeCam]

because some GM or new HC might just want "his guy" that he can groom/build around. just trying to control more of the situation and growth.

I just feel like Cam is the type of stud you dont find but once every 25 or 30 years and its asinine for anyone to ignore that

[rayzor]

I just feel like Cam is the type of stud you dont find but once every 25 or 30 years and its asinine for anyone to ignore that

i don't disagree with that. i can just see someone doing it for that reason.

[CatMan72]

If LT and corner are 2 of our biggest needs it could mean we are looking to cut Gross. It could mean we cut Gamble or are referring to the number 2 corner. Wide receiver suggests we are serious about finding a replacement for Smith for down the road.

I doesn't surprise me that Rivera could be kept. A 4 game win streak even in" meaningless games" is a big deal especially when they include Atlanta (who Richardson reportedly doesn't like) and New Orleans in the dome. Division rivals are a big deal.

I don't think we're looking to cut Gross, I think it's just an acknowledgement that Gross is getting old and we need to start thinking about who takes over @ LT when Gross is done. If you start looking for an LT when you need one, it's already too late.

I could see us releasing Gamble, he's old and expensive and we survived without him. Gamble is talented, but I've always thought he has a bit of an attitude problem... there are games when he's clearly not feeling it.

[panthers55]

I don't think we're looking to cut Gross, I think it's just an acknowledgement that Gross is getting old and we need to start thinking about who takes over @ LT when Gross is done. If you start looking for an LT when you need one, it's already too late.

I could see us releasing Gamble, he's old and expensive and we survived without him. Gamble is talented, but I've always thought he has a bit of an attitude problem... there are games when he's clearly not feeling it.

Gross is going to be 33 this July and has not played that well this year. With almost a 12 million salary cap who we could dump to save almost 10 million this year, it becomes pretty attractive to look elsewhere.