KSpan

Another local guy would sure help The Brand.

I'm no Teddy fan (frankly, he's one of my least favorite Panthers ever) but something happened with the relationship behind the scenes as well. While I completely understand and 110% support them moving on from Teddy, I don't understand the way Rhule and Tepper handled things so publicly at the end of the season and into the offseason. That's on them, and even if it didn't have a negative impact on these other potential deals it sure didn't help.

Comparing this to years past, it sure seems reasonable to assume that dynamics have changed. Rhule sure looks unusually cleaned up as well - has he been in a suit/jacket for an appearance like this since his intro press conference?

Becaue it's not the GM making the decision, it's Tepper. Rhule suddenly reporting to Fitterer instead of Tepper would be a huge power shift and while I do think Rhule's influence has diminished, I don't think it's been that extreme/official. Rhule's college experience/success is/was way oversold IMO, as he never spent enough time anywhere to prove he could sustain success and he never beat real competition. His hype at the time was a major reach and the Giants refusing to give him total control, if that story is accurate, sure seems like it was the right move. I just have no idea what Rhule himself brings to the table at this point.

Thanks for your thoughts. We are indeed on opposite sides of the fence with a lot of them. I said this in another post that the defense feasted on rookie QBs and poor play for the first weeks and was then summarily figured out and exposed week in and week out following the Dallas game - this defense is average at best and no players have shown development under Rhule, with guys like Brown even regressing. They were middle of the pack in points per game even with the yardage rankings looking 'good'. Regarding offense, the bigger issue is that he has zero strategic ability. How many games last year did we see Carolina drive and score on the opening drive, stall out for a drive or two thereafter, and then get hammered the rest of the game? Rhule has shown no ability to adapt or even scheme differently. Regarding the staff, I fully believe that Rhule was voluntold to hire NFL-caliber coaches or else he'd be fired; his lack of appearance this offseason speaks volumes IMO. Based on his lack of development as a coach these first two years I don't suddenly see him deciding, 'Oh yeah, maybe NFL coaches are a good thing after all." Regarding the moves, it also speaks volumes to me that Fitterer has been the face of the offseason. I think Rhule has lost influence/power and that this is largely the stamp of actual NFL people; we saw Rhule and his 'versatility' last year with Temple/Baylor alums galore the offseason before, we see Fitterer and Morgan with actual NFL experience this offseason. I agree with you last statement that if he sucks again, he is hopefully gone. I'll fully accept the reality if he turn sit around but I'm not too concerned about needing to eat my words, and even if the team does improve I simply can't give him much credit for it after the last 2 seasons.

Based on what, if I may ask? I strongly disagree and feel he's shown minimal capacity to be at the NFL level right now but am open to different perspectives.

Has he ever tried to make an excuse?

And the Packers take an LB... lolz.

Erving choosing to loaf and casually let a defender cross his face and proceed to obliterate Sam was one of the most infuriating things I've seen in a long time. This is such a refreshing trait.

But what about Elflein and Erving's versatility?

And La'El Collins and the murder investigation knocking him from 1st rounder to (intentionally) undrafted, with the agent threats and hoopla that went along with that.

2010 was abysmal on the field but there was always hope since it was clear Fox was gone and Carolina was getting the 1st overall pick with some amazing prospects coming. This season is not that scenario.

He did make that completely unprompted comment during the TC about 'regardless of what other people call me' or whatever so yeah, it seems he does care, even if only due to vanity.

It actually seems to only take 2 years, and the better option was that Tepper didn't have to say anything about a number of years at all. Came across as (poorly) managing expectations and doing damage control, and it's just stupid.

From a potential maturity standpoint, sure. From a talent, ceiling, and availability standpoint, no way.

His interlude of laughter and then "regardless of what people may say about me" seemed out of place and could indicate what's on his mind. Struck me as an odd thing to say.

I'm not even saying Rhule or any other coach has to blow the doors off immediately, just look competent and like they're learning and evolving. Rhule has done neither and it sure doesn't take 5 years to show.

Yeah, Rhule was told what level of coaches he had to find.

He said he 'wasn't going to get into specifics', but he did mention some 'players on defense' and perhaps Burns specifically (was multi-tasking). Blech. It does not take 5 years in the NFL to 'build a foundation'.

Guess they don't have 2 more after all.

And now Tepper talking about foundation and building a winner... man, what a sucker when it comes to Rhule.

Did he seriously say that? Not sure what to make of this given the prior statement about Rhule and 'six years'.

I haven't seen the whole thing yet (now past the church scene), but I feel like this version of Batman really has little to no Bruce Wayne left in him. Bruce truly is Batman's alter ego rather than vice versa, and Batman isn't great at being Wayne.

That question was about trading down, not trading back into the 1st round.