NFL Thread 2019-2020

[MU82]

This quote from Ron Rivera's press conference yesterday, the day after the Panthers' 4th straight loss -- and the third loss this season in which they were 1 yard away from a potential tying or go-ahead TD in the final minute -- is pretty poignant:

"Every loss you take personal. I take it personally because I felt like I let a lot of people down. Do I sleep well? No, I don't. Do I think about things? Absolutely. Do I know how I get to work in the morning after a loss? No. All I know is I got in my car and next thing I know I'm at the stadium. Every one of them grinds me. That's just the way it is because I feel responsible."

Every coach of every sport at every level has experienced at least some of those emotions, and every coach of a losing team has experienced them all.

Adding to Rivera's angst is that he in all likelihood knows he will be fired after the season. I actually like Rivera, but it's probably time for a change.

[The Sultan]

So the Packers only need to beat the three teams .500 and below remaining on their schedule to win the division - regardless of how they do against the Vikings.

Which means they will likely host a NFC Wild Card game against....the Vikings.

[GB Warrior]

So the Packers only need to beat the three teams .500 and below remaining on their schedule to win the division - regardless of how they do against the Vikings.

Which means they will likely host a NFC Wild Card game against....the Vikings.

The NFC playoffs are going to be a bloodbath. If you're not going to get a bye week, might be worth gunning for the 5th seed to play the NFC East.

[tower912]

The Lions have done a near infinite amount of stupid stuff over the years.   Not signing Kaepernick is just the most recent stupid thing.   Although, being the Lions, something stupider will happen next week to make everyone forget this week's stupid.

[BM1090]

So the Packers only need to beat the three teams .500 and below remaining on their schedule to win the division - regardless of how they do against the Vikings.

Which means they will likely host a NFC Wild Card game against....the Vikings.

Yep. Really need to win that game @ Minnesota and get the bye. Unfortunately I don't think they will.

[Billy Hoyle]

The Lions have done a near infinite amount of stupid stuff over the years.   Not signing Kaepernick is just the most recent stupid thing.   Although, being the Lions, something stupider will happen next week to make everyone forget this week's stupid.

don't get me started. Though they have to look at the fact that they are slowly backing their way into one of the top three picks, and depending on who Cincy goes with at #1 and who could be ahead of them it could land them Chase Young, Kaep would probably win a game or two for them.

[CreightonWarrior]

Ron Rivera fired.

[MU82]

Ron Rivera fired.

Yep. Just saw that.

https://www.panthers.com/news/carolina-panthers-part-ways-with-head-coach-ron-rivera

I thought he sounded especially introspective during his weekly Monday press conference. Knowing what we just learned, and reading it again, he sounded like a guy who already knew he was gone and said as much as he could without saying all of it.

I actually like this move by Tepper. It shows compassion. You're gonna fire the man, do it. Don't make him twist in the wind, answering reporters' questions, trying to put on a happy face for another month. That's what the previous Panthers regime did to John Fox. It was very unprofessional.

Plus, this lets the organization start planning for the future. Hopefully they will be ready to hire the best candidate out there as soon after the season as possible.

I didn't "know" Rivera but I spoke with him many times during his years as Lovie's defensive coordinator. Always liked his candor. I can see why players like him -- very much a player's coach. He will get another job very quickly, as a coordinator if not as a head coach, and I'll be surprised if he's not a head coach again in the not-too-distant future. He'd be good on TV, too.

Only time will tell if ...

Panthers better without Rivera..................................

[Pakuni]

Yep. Just saw that.

https://www.panthers.com/news/carolina-panthers-part-ways-with-head-coach-ron-rivera

I thought he sounded especially introspective during his weekly Monday press conference. Knowing what we just learned, and reading it again, he sounded like a guy who already knew he was gone and said as much as he could without saying all of it.

I actually like this move by Tepper. It shows compassion. You're gonna fire the man, do it. Don't make him twist in the wind, answering reporters' questions, trying to put on a happy face for another month. That's what the previous Panthers regime did to John Fox. It was very unprofessional.

Plus, this lets the organization start planning for the future. Hopefully they will be ready to hire the best candidate out there as soon after the season as possible.

I didn't "know" Rivera but I spoke with him many times during his years as Lovie's defensive coordinator. Always liked his candor. I can see why players like him -- very much a player's coach. He will get another job very quickly, as a coordinator if not as a head coach, and I'll be surprised if he's not a head coach again in the not-too-distant future. He'd be good on TV, too.

Only time will tell if ...

Panthers better without Rivera..................................

Imagine how different things could have been if he'd started Kyle Allen week one.

[GB Warrior]

Congrats to new Panthers coach Mike McCarthy

[wadesworld]

Panthers better off without Cam....

[The Sultan]

Congrats to new Panthers coach Mike McCarthy

Still saying Atlanta.

[Pakuni]

This is interesting .. current odds for next Panthers coach. I can't see any of these guys outside Roman and LaFleur.

Jim Harbaugh 3/1
Jason Garrett 5/1
Josh McDaniels 11/2
Dan Quinn, Urban Meyer 6/1       
Greg Roman, Mike LaFleur                 12/1
Jay Gruden 14/1
Doug Marrone 16/1
Pat Shurmur 18/1
Doug Pederson 20/1
Bill Cowher 100/1

[GB Warrior]

This is interesting .. current odds for next Panthers coach. I can't see any of these guys outside Roman and LaFleur.

Jim Harbaugh 3/1
Jason Garrett 5/1
Josh McDaniels 11/2
Dan Quinn, Urban Meyer 6/1       
Greg Roman, Mike LaFleur                 12/1
Jay Gruden 14/1
Doug Marrone 16/1
Pat Shurmur 18/1
Doug Pederson 20/1
Bill Cowher 100/1

A whole lot of failing upward in that list.

[MU82]

This is interesting .. current odds for next Panthers coach. I can't see any of these guys outside Roman and LaFleur.

Jim Harbaugh 3/1
Jason Garrett 5/1
Josh McDaniels 11/2
Dan Quinn, Urban Meyer 6/1       
Greg Roman, Mike LaFleur                 12/1
Jay Gruden 14/1
Doug Marrone 16/1
Pat Shurmur 18/1
Doug Pederson 20/1
Bill Cowher 100/1

Ugh

[Billy Hoyle]

This is interesting .. current odds for next Panthers coach. I can't see any of these guys outside Roman and LaFleur.

Jim Harbaugh 3/1
Jason Garrett 5/1
Josh McDaniels 11/2
Dan Quinn, Urban Meyer 6/1       
Greg Roman, Mike LaFleur                 12/1
Jay Gruden 14/1
Doug Marrone 16/1
Pat Shurmur 18/1
Doug Pederson 20/1
Bill Cowher 100/1

last year was all about finding the next Sean McVay. Is there an HC out there right now everyone with an opening will want to find a clone of this year?

[tower912]

Matt Patricia

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Matt Patricia

He said clone. Not clown.

[Uncle Rico]

Ugh

I'll bet good money it is NOT Harbaugh.  He's not leaving Michigan

[MU82]

Greg Olsen tweet:

"On the day I was traded to the @Panthers in 2011, every player who played for Ron in Chicago said the same thing to me on my way out: 'You are going to play for a great coach, but a better man.' I am so proud to have shared this 9 yr journey together with you @RiverboatRonHC."

Classy.

[MU82]

Rivera took over a team that went 2-14 the year before he arrived. First 7 years included 4 playoff berths, 3 division titles and a Super Bowl appearance. Also very active in the community, helped raise millions of dollars for hurricane victims.

"I really believe it was my responsibility to this organization and this community. My dad gave me a lesson in leadership when I first got the job. He said, 'Ronnie – you're the leader. And if all hell breaks loose, they are going to need you. You have to be steady, you have to be calm.'

"My dad got the bronze star in Vietnam for his actions during an attack. He was the only officer present during this attack, and he stepped up and led. I've always tried to remember that I had a responsibility to lead and be the same guy all the time.

"Great years. I absolutely enjoyed it. So many fond memories. I just think back to how much fun we had and how great it really was."

Classy.

With a few notable exceptions, coaching stints have expiration dates. Even successful ones like Phil Jackson said change is good, both for the organization and the coach. It probably was time for Rivera to move on, but some team is gonna get a pretty darn good football coach. I hope the Panthers can get somebody as solid as Ron Rivera to replace him.

[tower912]

He said clone. Not clown.

Fact.   Detroit would take Rivera in a nano second.

[The Sultan]

Fact.   Detroit would take Rivera in a nano second.

Are they thinking of dropping Patricia already?  They seem to be the kings of firing coaches one or two years after everybody thinks they should.

[tower912]

Are they thinking of dropping Patricia already?  They seem to be the kings of firing coaches one or two years after everybody thinks they should.

I don't know.   He is the handpicked coach of the GM and from the same New England tree.    My gut says he gets one more year.     The local media want him gone, pointing out that his predecessor got fired for winning 9 games his last season and the Lions haven't even come close to that the last two seasons.    Supposedly a defensive genius, and the defense is a sieve. 

I would take Rivera.   I don't like Harbaugh.    But if I were a betting man, I would put a tiny bit of money on one more year.   

[#UnleashSean]

I don't know.   He is the handpicked coach of the GM and from the same New England tree.    My gut says he gets one more year.     The local media want him gone, pointing out that his predecessor got fired for winning 9 games his last season and the Lions haven't even come close to that the last two seasons.    Supposedly a defensive genius, and the defense is a sieve. 

I would take Rivera.   I don't like Harbaugh.    But if I were a betting man, I would put a tiny bit of money on one more year.   

5 years to judge?