My biggest worry about Gettleman

[Mr. Scot]

Serious question, not trolling, what changes in FO/coaching do you think should be made and what direction would you like to see him take in terms of mindset and philosophy with the replacements?

 

I might get into that at some point but it's a larger discussion.

 

Will say that I've never been a big fan of Mark Koncz (director of pro personnel).

 

[TheMaulClaw]

Since arriving in Carolina, Gettleman's repeatedly shown he's not afraid to cut any player (Steve Smith can attest to that).  He's been described as ruthless, all business, not giving a crap, etc.  It's a complete 180 from Marty Hurney, and those of us who wanted a 'football guy' in charge for years are very happy to see it.

 

But what about when it comes to staff?

 

The coaches, scouts, and front office people in place now are largely the same people who were in place when Gettleman arrived.  He stated at that time that he didn't want to be the guy 'that just came in and fired everybody' which is admirable.

 

But what if there are some changes in staff and front office that actually should be made?

 

What if Rivera, a guy that Gettleman seems to enjoy a great working relationship with, isn't the right guy to lead this team?

 

We all see his ruthless "business only" approach to the roster and expect that to apply in all areas, but so far it hasn't.  Truth be told, I think there are some staff, front office and (probably) coaching changes that could stand to be made and might improve the team.  But to date, there are no indications that such changes are being considered.

 

Is it possible Gettleman has a dichotomy in his mind: One standard for the players but a different standard for those with whom he works directly?  I have to think that'd be a pretty bad mindset to have if you want to run an effective organization.  If you really want to hold a standard of "perform or you're gone", then it has to apply to everyone, not just the guys on the field.

 

So the big question in my mind right now:  If this season does indeed wind up being an utter disaster and the best option for improvement isn't necessarily just making changes to players only, will Gettleman pull the trigger?

 

You tell me.

 

It depends. 

 

I think no one in their right minds would have fired Rivera after going 12-4 with an overachieving team.  I think no one in their right minds would fire Rivera right now....being 3-3-1 and top of the division with a much more inferior team then last year. 

 

I don't think it's right for a GM to expect blood out of a turnip and that's exactly what DG would be doing if he made substantial coaching changes.  DG let most of our players walk because of cap issues and wasn't able to bring in any difference makers through FA because of that same cap issue.  If a GM is aware of the cap problems and realizes that the team won't be able to afford talent in critical areas for a particular season, how can he hold the same winning standard on the coaches from the previous season? 

 

Now if DG had the team he wanted in place and the coach just whiffed that's one thing.  Right now though DG has handed Rivera a $10 dollar bill.  He can't expect Rivera to turn that into a $1000. 

 

[Mr. Scot]

Full Disclosure: I admittedly wasn't the biggest Rivera fan before last season. 

 

I got on board the train but still harbored reservations.  Those reservations are coming back now.

[Your GFs favorite huddler]

I might get into that at some point but it's a larger discussion.

Will say that I've never been a big fan of Mark Koncz (director of pro personnel).

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks he should get the shaft or even knows who he is....you make some very good points....Gman is walking a very thin line ecspecially in today's NFL with the CBA battles

[top dawg]

Full Disclosure: I admittedly wasn't the biggest Rivera fan before last season. 

 

I got on board the train but still harbored reservations.  Those reservations are coming back now.

 

 

I can't really separate the reservations about Rivera from the reservations about Gettleman right about now.

[Mr. Scot]

I can't really separate the reservations about Rivera from the reservations about Gettleman right about now.

 

I had the reservations about Rivera before Gettleman got here.

 

[Jangler]

Nope, Gettleman just signed Rivera and the rest of his staff to an extension, not only would the Panthers have to pay out the rest of their contracts, but also pay another coach and his staff. Which will be very costly.

 

Yeah, I think they ride with the coaching while getting the cap under control and better talent on the team. Then I think the personnel changes could start.

[Tub of Goo]

I think it is easier to evaluate players over a shorter period of time opposed to staff obviously due to on the field play being pretty cut and dry.

I think it takes longer for coaching weaknesses to be exposed hence why no major moves have been made. Some of those coaching weaknesses may be manifesting this season and I think we will get a clear idea of how DG handles the coaching staff this offseason.

[prowler2k8]

And as mentioned elsewhere, I know because we had the whole John Fox lame duck thing that people believe Richardson wouldn't sign off on firing a coach under contract, but I'm not so sure that's true.

 

For one, Dom Capers was fired only two years into a ten year extension.  If Richardson was willing to go with that, three years is nothing.

 

There's also the fact that John Fox's lame duck season was an absolute Mongolian Cluster %#@$, and I don't really think Richardson wants to go through something like that again.

 

All that said, I don't believe Rivera will be on the hot seat this coming offseason unless the team looks like an absolute, unmitigated dumpster fire by season's end.

 

And sadly, despite our current record and standing, I do think that could happen

 

I agree with this and will add that injuries and a lack of talent on the OL and the defensive secondary will be the main culprits that will give the coaching staff a reprieve. Although I really think some changes need to be made on the offensive coaching staff e.g. OC and OL. I still think Shula needs to be gone yesterday and despite the lack of talent the OL hasn't played consistently well enough the past few years. Other teams have gotten better production there with less talent and I have to believe coaching is at least partly responsible. It's too critical of an area (and to our QB's health) to ignore any longer.

[heel31ok]

Prior to this year, would anyone have believed Jerry Richardson would sign off on cutting Steve Smith?

 

I think Richardson trusts Gettleman way more in the area of football decisions than he did Hurney.  The Smith release isn't the only evidence of that, but it's the biggest.

 

Mind you, there's also been some chatter that Richardson isn't that high on Rivera, but as far as I know it's unsubstantiated.

 

 

going forward is JR happy with the things he has gone along with so far?

 

[jtm]

None of us know what happens behind closed doors and Gettle could be ruthless in this regard as well. Tough to fire any staff after 12-4 season.

If a scout or lower level position guy was fired, would we even hear about it?

[CRA]

Here's the question though...

Which Rivera is the real Rivera: The guy who went 12-4 last year or the guy who's coached to mediocre records every other season?

I think the real Ron is the guy who can't call and ask some pretty basic stuff from his defenses in 11,12, and 14

[prowler2k8]

I had the reservations about Rivera before Gettleman got here.

 

Same here. Would've loved to see the organization go against the grain and think outside the box by bringing in someone like Chip Kelly but that ship has sailed.

[Daeavorn]

I might get into that at some point but it's a larger discussion.

Will say that I've never been a big fan of Mark Koncz (director of pro personnel).