raleigh-panther

Former Panthers coach Rhule says he’s ‘not bitter,’ but it’s time to set record straight BY SCOTT FOWLER [email protected] 21 hours ago Matt Rhule’s voice was on the other end of the phone line in Nebraska, and he wanted to make sure Carolina Panthers fans understood a few things. “I’m not bitter about being fired,” Rhule said when we talked Thursday in what was his first interview with any Charlotte-area reporter since he was jettisoned as Carolina Panthers head coach on Oct. 10. But Rhule said there were some misconceptions he wanted to clear up about his 38 games as the Panthers’ head coach, as well as some explanations he’d like to offer about what went right and what went wrong. And so in his 30-minute interview with The Charlotte Observer, Rhule — now back in college as Nebraska’s head coach with a new eight-year contract — offered his side of the Panthers story in a more complete way than he has done before. Rhule called it a “myth” that he had ultimate control over the team’s personnel decisions, for instance, and said he would have advocated for structuring the team differently if he knew winning early was of so much importance to his job security. “If you told me, ‘Hey we’ve got two years (to win),’” Rhule said, “then we’re going to do things in two years. If you tell me, ‘Hey, I want this to be built for the long haul over four or five years, then we’re going to build slowly through the draft and we’re going to make good financial decisions.’ And you know, if it’s, ‘Hey, you have to win this year,’ you probably don’t let Stephon Gilmore and Haason Reddick go.’ ... If you’re going to try to win in two years, you’d probably have a big blockbuster trade, you’d probably trade up in the draft, you probably would have paid some high-priced free agent.” Gilmore, a cornerback, and Reddick, a pass rusher, both left the Panthers after the 2021 season for lucrative deals with other teams. Rhule also said that he believed that the fact that many fans loudly turned on him during home games, shouting “Fire Matt Rhule!” during several of his final home games, helped seal his fate. I never lost the locker room,” said Rhule, who went 11-27 as Carolina’s coach in two-plus seasons. “But I lost the fans.” Rhule, 47, said he doesn’t blame fans for booing him and that he still loves the city of Charlotte. In fact, his teenage son Bryant will stay in Charlotte and not move to Nebraska immediately, finishing up at the high school he loves (The Fletcher School) and living with his grandparents in the Queen City for at least another year. Rhule also said that although he has returned to the college ranks that he believes he’s not simply a “college coach” who failed in the NFL. “I think I could do either one,” Rhule said. “I wouldn’t have been a fit at every college. I do I think I’m probably a fit here at Nebraska. And I believe, in time, I would have turned Carolina around.” With his answers lightly edited for clarity and brevity, here’s what else Rhule said in our interview on: Panthers owner Dave Tepper Rhule: “I appreciate the fact that he gave me a contract that allowed me to take care of my family moving forward. ... I appreciate that he took a chance on me and I’m sorry it didn’t work out. I’m sorry I wasn’t the right fit for him. ... Really, I have nothing to say, except I’m just grateful for the opportunity. “I’m not trying to say anything negative about the organization. I love the organization. I love the people there.” Whether he had personnel control Rhule: “There was a myth that I had personnel control. “You guys asked me about it and I always tried to be respectful of the team and protect the team. But you know, I never made a draft pick. I had a lot of say and a lot of opinion. (General manager) Scott (Fitterer) and I worked awesome together, Marty (former Panthers GM Marty Hurney) and I worked awesome together. But all the decisions were made under the direction of: ‘Hey, let’s build this over four years.’ (Technically, as Rhule said in a 2021 press conference, he did have final say over personnel decisions). I want to say this: One promise I always made myself was I would never make a decision that was not in the long-term best interest to the Carolina Panthers just to save my job. Because that’s what happens in the NFL, and that’s why teams get sideways. “It was all very collaborative. It was a team: the GM, the head coach and Dave (Tepper) and Samir (Suleiman, the Panthers’ cap guru and VP of football administration). It’s not just me sitting there saying, ‘Let’s do this. Let’s do that.’” Whether he should have taken the Panthers job Rhule: “It’s a good job. At the end of the day, I wasn’t the right fit for the Panthers. ... The way I did things probably didn’t connect with everybody. I think me and Scott (Fitterer) had a great relationship. I don’t have a bad relationship with anybody. It just didn’t work out. ... So if I just went back (in time), I probably respectfully just would have said, ‘You know what, it’s probably not going to be a great fit.’ “I don’t regret taking that job. ... The more time I get away from it — I will look back very fondly. It really turned me into a better man, a better coach. Made my family closer. I mean, when you have your wife and kids at a game and everyone’s chanting to fire you, when you get home, as a family, that can only make you closer. ... “And Charlotte was fantastic for me. Just fantastic. It has made me a much better coach. And it was really a benefit for my kids, with the schools that they went to in Charlotte.” Signing high-priced free agents Rhule: “I think we had like the first- or second-most cap room before the season. Then you’re basically saying, ‘Hey, you know what? We’re trying to be fiscally responsible for the future not we’re going all in on this.’ So in training camp, I would get asked about ‘Hey, how about this pass rusher that would sign with someone else?’ (The Panthers were rumored to be interested in signing both Carlos Dunlap and Jason Pierre-Paul, but both signed elsewhere). “And I’m always going to be a great teammate and great soldier and a loyal guy and say it just didn’t work out. But those were decisions that were made for the benefit of the future. I think they’re the right thing. I think the team is in great shape moving forward, both financially and cap-room wise. I think Scott (Fitterer) and the rest have done a great job. “All I would say is just if that’s the plan, you know, just stick to it. That being said, I would have loved to have stuck to it. It just didn’t work out where I had won enough to get that opportunity.” Former Panthers QB Cam Newton Rhule: “I really appreciate Cam. He’s one of my favorite players that I’ve met. After I got fired, he’s one of the few people I reached out to and said, ‘Hey, I just want to know how much I appreciate you.’ ... As for all the quarterbacks, what I don’t want to do is be the coach who blames the players. I don’t ever want to come across that way. I love the guys I had a chance to coach. I feel like I failed them, in terms of giving them an opportunity to be successful.’ Whether he’s bitter about the Panthers experience Rhule: “Absolutely not. I’m saying sometimes you go somewhere and like you just fit, you mesh. Like your vision is the same as everybody else’s. Sometimes you get there ... and everybody kind of sees it a little bit differently. “You know it’s hard. ... There was a lot of turnover during my time there: two team presidents, two GMs, other (high-level) positions ... just a lot of turnover. So my vision had to be resold each time to somebody new. It just was never maybe a great fit. And it wasn’t like: ‘Hey, I hate this place.’ I really loved the players. ... I wouldn’t trade my time with those guys for anything.” Whether he roots for the Panthers Rhule: “Absolutely — 100%. If you talk to the guys on that team, they will tell you that after wins, I text them congratulations. ... “I’m proud of that football team (the Panthers were 1-4 when Rhule was fired and are now 4-8 under interim head coach Steve Wilks). I’m proud of some of the things that they’re doing. I thought this would be a team that the last five games of the year coming off the bye week we would have a chance to win every game and make a run. That was always kind of the plan. ... Let’s build the team, let’s really try to make a run late in the year, and then we’ll make a run next year and see if we can be one of the best teams in the NFL. But it just didn’t happen.” Whether he got fired too soon Rhule: “Again, I’m not at all bitter about being fired. I understand the business. I would have preferred not to get fired at 1-4. I felt like I deserved (more time). No coach has ever really been fired at 1-4. Ron Rivera was 1-4 and had a chance to continue (Rivera’s Washington Commanders went 1-4 to begin this season and are now 7-5). But I understood it, and it opened up this (Nebraska) opportunity for me, and it opened up an opportunity for them to move on from me.” Whether Wilks will replace him permanently Rhule: “Oh, I have no idea. I did hire Steve (as an assistant earlier this year). I think he’s an excellent coach and, being around him, I thought: “Man, how did he get fired after one year (in Arizona)? This guy should be a head coach in the NFL.” Getting booed at home games Rhule: “They had a right to boo. I’m not bitter toward any fans because I really loved Charlotte and I think fans should boo. You should yell at the coach. You should do all those things. I just had hoped that we would weather that storm, because usually the hardest adversity comes right before any breakthrough. And so I just kept saying, ‘Hey, if we hang in there, we were building a team to try to win the NFC South.’ Take one play away and we’re 4-0 in the NFC South right now. And I think down the stretch, the Panthers are going to have a great chance to win the division. I’m rooting for them.”

I shared germane of this article as a pretty good but simple high level overview of life after Young, Stroud, Levi’s From by Dean Jones1 hour ago Carolina Panthers could draft Tanner McKee Even though it hasn’t been the final season at Stanford that Tanner McKee hoped for, his effortless throwing motion and impressive attitude are sure to generate some interest from around the league. The size, arm strength, and mechanics mean there is plenty to work with, but it’ll take some time before the prospect is ready to assume command under center at the next level. McKee’s production sometimes doesn’t match the exceptional physical attributes at his disposal. The signal-caller needs to improve his touch and processing upon arriving in the pros, so it would be a real project for the Carolina Panthers if they went down this particular route. Carolina Panthers could draft Michael Penix Jr. If the Carolina Panthers do enough to put themselves out of the running for Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud – which is entirely possible if their recent form is any indication – then those in power must cast a wider net in pursuit of landing a franchise player at the position. There are some intriguing talents lower down the draft. Although it’s widely expected that only Young or Stroud come with immediate Day 1 starting potential unless something drastic occurs during the evaluation process. Someone like Michael Penix Jr. is a prospect to monitor. The Washington standout has all the athletic attributes needed to become a force over time, but expecting miracles right away would be unrealistic. One thing that stands out where Penix is concerned centers around decision-making and a rapid-fire release. There is also more than enough accuracy over short-to-intermediate routes to suggest more is possible with professional coaching. Penix has the footwork to avoid pressure in tight windows. Considering his explosiveness, it’s a surprise to see such limited work as a dual-threat weapon during his college career to date. The signal-caller doesn’t have elite arm strength and footwork can cause complications. But there’s no doubt Penix is gaining momentum at the right time and could enter first-round contention with a strong evaluation process. Carolina Panthers could draft Cameron Ward Having someone that can excite under center is something the Carolina Panthers haven’t possessed since Cam Newton was at the peak of his powers. A series of failed quarterback moves at football’s most important position ended up being Matt Rhule’s undoing, so their next personnel move in this area must be correct to stand any chance of real progress. Given the momentum currently surrounding the team, Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud could be out of the question. That could lead them into a feast or famine gamble while they figure out what to do with their 2022 third-round selection, Matt Corral. If this is the avenue they go down, then Cameron Wardis worth examining closer. The signal-caller had a tremendous campaign for Washington State and even though there is plenty of refinement needed before he can start in the NFL, the upside is there for all to see. Ward has an NFL-caliber arm, which is always a solid foundation from which to build. He is largely accurate and seemingly fearless when it comes to fitting balls into tight windows, which can prove to be his undoing if the decision isn’t correct. His confidence is remarkable for a player with relatively little in the way of experience. But pre-snap recognition needs refinement against professional defenses that can sniff out weakness a mile away. This would be a two-year project for the Panthers, which would allow them to see what they have in Corral or someone else if another opportunity comes along in the short term. Carolina Panthers could draft Anthony Richardson Anthony Richardson is not just a development project. He’s the ultimate development project. Richardson’s gradual progression in 2022 could see him become a top 15 selection after he stars at assessment events such as the NFL Scouting Combine. But anyone expecting the second coming of Cam Newton is kidding themselves, at least initially. There is a supreme rawness to Richardson’s game which means his elite traits need to be managed with extreme care. At times he looks like an absolute world-beater despite the lack of talent at Florida, but his decision-making and processing let him down on occasions. The dual-threat ability to blow away any defense and change the course of a game is rare. Teams will always bet on skills like this pretty high up the pecking order, but Richardson needs a stable organization with proven coaches capable of nurturing this talent into a quarterback that can take the NFL by storm. That’s why it’s so important for the Carolina Panthers to get their next head coach and the staff working under him right. Steve Wilks has laid a strong claim, but his defensive background indicates some fresh ideas on offense are almost guaranteed if team owner David Tepper removes the interim tag. Richardson’s ceiling could literally be anything. That’s how gifted he is. But rushing him too soon into any starting lineup could come with grave ramifications.

Don’t disagree on his ability but durability given workload in the pros is a lot more than college….there are 17 regular games plus 3 preseason plus all the other physical preparation work his frame seems pretty small…it really has to be a concern and consideration

You know what I’m saying …and frankly no, I’m not a fan of those players either. live a life that you don’t have to advertise Bible scriptures on your bicep As far as Levis , I’m judgmental having watched him fail in big games for two years his tape doesn’t lie and no, he isn’t the second coming of Josh Allen

My god…if they draft this guy my head will explode look at him…first, biblical verse tattoo…second, he absolutely fails in big games and he is a putz no. Just no.

Burns was polished in the interview However, on not endorsing the ‘team is better under’ Wilks comment, another point of view is perhaps Burns didn’t like being called out as ‘stars need to be stars’ from Wilks I don’t disagree at all with Wilks on that comment It needed to be said if they are ever going to start beating better competition burns has a tendency to disappear against better teams at times. Some of that is double teams and not having another rusher to help out lets see how a rested Burns does against Seattle …which has a QB that can throw from the pocket and a decent RB I hope he tears Seattle up or, he could’ve felt it insulting as he felt the defense had played well all year, who knows

They told the truth

Yes, and remember Tepper Said ‘what a gentleman’ Rhule was when he re fired him lol

He is a narcissist

Yep…that Mike from ND….is Travis good…

Very Panther like thing to do 1. fire a terrible coach 2. get rid of as many of that coach’s assistants as possible 3. CMC moved on 4 get rid of the cancer that was Robbie Anderson 5 play all the players that were in the dog house from previous coach t Playoffs possible (Need to revisit that after Seattle and a QB who can complete a pass)

Here’s what Wilks does get IT STARTS IN THE TRENCHES Both sides want to know what is wrong with the Rams, oline disseminated by injuries same was true of Bucs earlier. a great QB makes an average oline better but no qb can make an injured oline better Mahomes lost a super bowl dealing with replacement tackles for that game Nfl limits on roster size and salary cap are prohibitive Wilks isn’t an idiot. Do you all really think he doesn’t know McAdoo isn’t the answer? his evaluation of QB position in Arizona’s draft didn’t include Rosen and that’s probably why he was fired. That was a GM call. Wilks, supposedly wanted, who turned out to be the top two guys in hindsight I like him and I trust him.

Im just sharing info im not on his bandwagon

I honestly have not watch him since he flamed out at Oklahoma I have no opinion as I’m an AR15 fan Germane as people were asking about failing out of top 10 this article is from Aug 31, 2022 https://firstroundmock.com/2022/08/spencer-rattler-is-the-next-patrick-mahomes/?fbclid=IwAR33DlR9OWeP57zZm04npNu6jFIItpf1iifOOyALAE1TCqgEt5z6zI4-V-Y Spencer Rattler Is The Next Patrick Mahomes August 31, 2022 | Daniel Kelly | Articles Reading Time: 3 minutes There was controversy surrounding Spencer Rattler as he transferred from Oklahoma to South Carolina last December. However, make no mistake, he is an elite NFL draft prospect headed into the 2022 college football season. I loved Rattler when I looked at him on 2020 game film for NFL Draft Diamonds (vs. Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Florida), and I loved him when I watched him play last season. Love is a strong word. In fact, it is the strongest word I know. I do not love many of these prospects, but I love Rattler. There is something that strongly resonates with me about him, so much so that if I was named as an NFL General Manager prior to draft day, he may very well be the name on the card. I don’t know how much stronger I can get with this. Is there more to this story with Rattler as we approach the 2023 NFL Draft? Nobody can tell me that something political wasn’t going on at Oklahoma in 2021. It’s a little more than “coincidence” that Lincoln Riley and QB Caleb Williams (who suddenly took over for Rattler at Oklahoma when Riley was coaching there) are back together at USC. I’ll leave it there. Nothing trumps game film, and I mean nothing. Rattler is a winner Going back through Rattler’s ESPN game log, his team only lost two games he played extensively in between 2019-2021. In 2020, he capped off the season by winning a Big 12 Championship and then defeated Florida in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl. I love what I see in Rattler’s eyes. He’s got ice in his eyes and he’s got a chip on his shoulder, and in the NFL, there is no substitute for either. #7 Spencer Rattler 6-foot-1, 215 pounds Daniel Kelly Grade: First Round (Top 10) Early Fall 2022 Report FIRST ROUND MOCK BIG BOARD: QB2 Projected by 14.5% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of August 31, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com) 2021 game film reviewed: West Virginia, Texas, Kansas State and Nebraska (click to watch games viewed to form this evaluation) Level of competition: High 2021 stats: 140/187 (74.9%), 1,483 yards (avg. 7.9), 11 TD, 5 INT. NFL Comparable: Patrick Mahomes 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Athletic and ultra competitive NFL-ready gunslinger with a strong arm who can move around and leads with a high energy tempo. Crisp and alert looking and well schooled in terms of pocket mechanics and ball handling. His play-action fake even fooled the television camera. Decisive and deliberate. Can go through his progressions and pull the trigger quickly. Excels rolling out and he has a strong enough arm that he can hit his targets downfield without needing to set his feet. Tough as nails and poised to deliver under pressure. Big league arm, but he can also take something off and deliver passes with touch and finesse when needed. Able to make all the throws in terms of velocity and distance. Works the short game well, especially on the perimeters. Drives the ball and excels in the intermediate range. Not good at the deep range in terms of placement. Did not hit one deep in these documented four games (also struggled in the three 2020 games viewed). Tendency to make ill-advised passes when he tries to do too much. Takes a lot of sacks (35 total 2020-2021) and he is not much of a runner (2.0 college career rushing average). Overall, he has the skill-set to move the meter at the next level. What to watch for during the 2022 college football season: How does he perform at South Carolina? Has his deep passing game improved? Has he cut-down on mistakes from trying to do too much? Is he doing a better job of throwing the ball away and not taking sacks? Rattler looks like a superstar in the making. I love his mixture of competitiveness, athleticism, arm strength and killer instinct he has for the position. Now he has to answer these four questions – and when he does, that will determine where he goes from here. Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.

You know nothing about him and that’s the bottom line about all celebrities

Come on man, many wanted this kid. You can search huddle history and find it

Congratulations prevent defense

Prevent defense will get them back in the game don’t worry

Worse things then AR15. If he comes out he is going to be a star

Then stop bitching I paid too. 23 years worth. I can’t be there today I’m glad for them .

I dont care if it is boring or exciting I care it’s a win at home fot fans who paid. Money and time to attend And for the coaches and players who gave up their bodies for it

Your team is winning

Was anyone open ?