Is Rivera in your dog house yet?

Zithers · Joined: 15 Aug 2010 Posts: 1984

seems like yall are forgetting about byron bell. ron and dwan edwards have immensely improved the DT situation. our special teams is WAY better.

we came out flat against the bucs. we were unprepared. it was a divisional game away from home against a rookie coach with no proper tape to study. we sucked hard against the giants. but they are an established team who is always at their best with their backs against the wall (ie a short week away from home). they've won two super bowls recently. they're simply just better than us.

we beat the hell from the saints and gave the falcons our all. we should have won that game. and yeah, you aren't supposed to blame on play/player for a loss.... but seriously, if haruki makes that play, we win the game. or if the refs flag tony gonzalez, they're down more than a point. punting was the right call. rivera called a great game outside of the 2 minute drill. our fanbase is just way too kneejerk and is sick of losing, which is understandable. but this is a process. we were the worst team in the league two seasons ago and it is hard to lift yourself up from that. we were a lot better last year and i feel we've improved in quite a few ways this season. our time to win is coming and it will be soon.
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AJ23 · Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Posts: 618

I can't believe how.... I won't even use the word I want to use to describe this topic (not profane, but would offend some). Let's just say the attention span and patience are gnat-like to think it's good to get rid of a first time head coach after two seasons, after inheriting the worst team in the league. Rivera would have to win only 3 games this season for that to even be a consideration. That's how bad the team would have to play. This team would have to completely collapse in order for Rivera to be on the hotseat this early.

Granted, Sunday's loss was gut-wrenching. I was hurt by that one. However, you would have to be the definition of "fan-atic" (unreasonable by nature) to overlook the drastic improvements in the loss. I expected them to be blown out, to be honest.

I was highly impressed by the pre-game coaching job Rivera did. The team was highly motivated and prepared... and that's what you want your team to be. This was especially impressive after the skull-dragging that took place on that fateful Thursday night. One in-game blunder is all I saw (end of 2nd quarter clock management). My only concern is how will Rivera do it again, after an even more heart-breaking loss? If this team remains focused, and shows up this Sunday, Rivera will have done another stellar pre-game coaching job. He's been a part of the pre-game process for years and I'm sure has learned a lot. Now he's learning the in-game coaching nuances (as a head coach with accompanying responsibilities) while on the job... and I'm sure he's learning from his mistakes (he doesn't strike me as too proud to do at least that).

TROJANPANTHER · Joined: 30 Apr 2007 Posts: 1196 Location: NM

So according to Bill Voth on Twitter, Sherod Martin said he's not starting Sunday AND that nothing has changed with reps in practice.

So much for seeing what our options are this week at FS, huh.
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Carolina Kitten - Sig God.

NFL - Panthers
College - USC, UNM

J Pep 4 Step · Joined: 01 Apr 2007 Posts: 29447 Location: Greenvillain, NC

DaveDX · Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Posts: 2814

Perhaps one should look to the bargain-shopping GM before the coach who is at his mercy. Roddy White caught that massive pass while bracketed by a fifth round rookie and a career special teamer. Now yes, perhaps Norman will be great one day and there's nothing inherently wrong with late round players, but perhaps bargain-basementing one whole half of the secondary was a step or two down from brilliant.
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boondock · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 21248

One of the biggest things that I felt that has always hurt Hurney is his inability to supplment the draft picks through free agency.

I'm not saying that he needs to go after the top FA every offseason, or ever really. I'm saying we definitely need to look at guys that have started and produced in the league. Not career special teamers and not career backups as we have done in the past, but legit players that can come in and contribute.
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Impulser12000 · Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 2295 Location: SO CAL

Mr.Rodgers · Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 1259

I think given an ample amount of time to build the Defense he wants, the Panthers will definitely be a super bowl contender in a year. His defense single handedly made it to a super bowl with Rex Gross Man at QB. One would think that once he gets to shore up a very holy and over achieving defense that the sky is the limit.
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shirtlesswonder · Joined: 10 Sep 2011 Posts: 395

My only issue with him is poor time management in critical game situations (see our last 3 games in the final two minutes of the half). Other than that it is too early to tell and he can't put on a helmet and execute for the players
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J Pep 4 Step · Joined: 01 Apr 2007 Posts: 29447 Location: Greenvillain, NC

fraziafraze07 · Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 9150

He wasn't. Now he is.

Unacceptable. Lineup and execute a simple QB sneak. Show the other team that on that particular play, you're better than them and you're going to lineup, do exactly what they think you're going to do, and then do it.

Absolutely no reason or need to get cute and try to catch them off guard.
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Sir_Purrr · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 2743 Location: South Charlotte

Carolina_Champ · Joined: 18 Nov 2008 Posts: 352 Location: Charlotte

Yes he is.
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Moody · Joined: 21 Nov 2011 Posts: 668 Location: Roma

but they only lost by four! We'll get them next time!!!

hudson3010 · Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 621 Location: Brazil