So who's actaully to blame here?!

[SteveSmithGaveMeAShiner]

In some alternate universe, Ace Boogie is angrily posting, complaining about Gettelman locking up the underachievers Munnerlyn, Ginn, and Mitchell for big money.

 

You don't like Gettelman. You don't agree with the moves he made. We get it. But there were only so many options that fit the budget this offseason. The moves panned out in 2013 and didn't in 2014. That's part of the problem with trying to rebuild on a shoestring. Plus, there is no soft cap like the NBA where you can overspend and retain your own FAs for a tax penalty. There literally wasn't enough money to retain all of those guys. Would their agents have let them resign with a crummy franchise like this for a discount? If they were prepared to do so, they are terrible agents. And while you and your like-minded cronies clamor for "O line help," you never cite any actual names other than the dog Anthony Collins, who is currently the subject of a pretty decent case of buyer's remorse in Tampa. The good news is, they might have another chance to sign him if Tampa cuts him in the offseason.

[davos]

I think a good deal of this stems to the offseasons between 2008 and 2010.  After 2009 is when we should've canned Fox and when a lot of the stuff that's strapping us is coming from.  We acted like a 12-4 season and 0-1 playoff embarrassment was somehow an accomplishment.  We just did it again by extending Rivera.  

 

Going into 2009 and coming off that 12-4 season/AZ playoff debacle, JR kept as much as he could in tact and Hurney acted like Delhomme was fine.  We continued giving out bad contracts and the roster became very thin without many noticing.  We start off 0-3 that season and Delhomme looked like crap.  Matt Moore looked serviceable towards season's end but we should've been planning more for the future rather than re-signing all of these above average players from the previous year.  

 

I think 12-4 in 2008 did more damage than help.  A more aggressive owner would've canned Hurney and Fox together at the least after 2010.  I would've after 2009 as good as Moore looked to some at QB.

 

---

 

Looking at the present, I think coaching is the obvious failure at the moment.  We have more talent in place at key positions than a lot of teams.  It will be very telling if Rivera isn't canned after this season.  If DG can't recognize the utter failure of their coaching beyond the supplied talent, then he becomes of more concern.  Rivera & Co. get the boot and DG is under a microscope.  JR eats Bojangles in his sleep.    

 

 

[thefuzz]

JR first and foremost, as he is the head of the team, however.....

 

 

Hurney is reason we are talent deficient, and RR is the reason that we have a shoebox calling the offensive plays.

[thefuzz]

Oh, and the salary cap is a fabricated myth you freaking weirdos.

[teeray]

It is not productive to try and blame one guy for all our woes.

Answer is all of them

[NJPanthers12]

Jerry Richardaon is the only person to blame for this dumpster fire. If you name anyone else then you are incorrect. 20 years and one constant. This is on Jerry and quite honestly I have no faith he is capable of fixing it.

[electro's horse]

I'm just loving the idea that the salary cap, a thing teams hire dedicated professionals to manage, is a fabricated myth. 

[Diehardpanther02]

I have been reading since early in the season, the posts of:

'Fire Shula! He sucks!'

'Cam isn't the QB we need! He's gotta go'

'Rivera sucks! Emotionless! He needs get canned!'

'Gettleman gutted the team! Why let Smitty go? He's an idiot! We need a new GM!'

Etc, etc.

But who's really to blame?!

Is it Gettleman because he let all the WR's that were free agents go and get more money in other places? Then let Smitty go and didn't address the Oline issues in the off-season like we'd all liked to have seen the team do? Cap space or FA players decisions be damned?

Or is it Rivera, who got Coach of The Year last season for the turn around of his coaching mentality. And has poo himself with every decision to try and close out a team and just settle for next week.

or is it Shula, who can't seem to call a decent play for certain situations to save his life? Or is that on Rivera for letting him be mediocre?

Or is it the future of the franchise, Cam Newtons fault? Because he had off-season surgery, got busted up in pre-season, hasn't had a consistent Oline to protect him all season... Along with inconsistent backfield help at RB due to injuries. It seems like he's just regressed so much that he doesn't even try anymore. Right? His body language shows he's depressed and can't take losing this bad because he's mentally not grown-up enough? </ sarcasm >

I mean there are so many other things that can said and have been about the WR's not getting separation, the Oline sucking. the misuse of Olsen. The defense not being anywhere near as bad ass as they were last season. (Up front. Much less the secondary, that we all knew wasn't going to be all that great unless the front 7 survived, then Hardy happened.)

Or is it Jerry Richardson himself? Does he really just want the bottom line to grow and not have any success when it comes to owning an NFL franchise. He just wants the money to keep rolling in.

I know there are lots of things that can be said for each and every one of the above mentioned people. But, Seriously. Who is the one that should get the changes started?

Shula would be my guess... when it comes to coaching staff changes.

Gettleman has to know that with an OC change the philosophy of the Offense will change. Is that what they have been moving towards all season without tipping their hats at all?

Rivera just got an extension, and as it's been pointed out, he most likely won't end up Booted. But, who knows. Maybe he's the one that would get the new ball rolling? Let Gettleman bring in his own staff.

All these changes that could, should, would happen... how will it all boil down for Cam? The guys that's supposedly to dumb to read defenses while he's on the field would now start learning another new Offense, in the last year (extended even) of his rookie contract?!

There are a lot of different things that will happen this off-season... but where to start? Who to blame? who's the real issue or who might be the scape goat?

I'm just asking because the more I read, the more I get the feeling (at least from a large handful of Panthers fans) that we should gut the whole team and start a new again. I mean if the OC/DC/HC/QB/GM and then whatever players ya wanna hand toss, out onto the street.

Isn't that what's then being asked?

Who really wants that?

Anyone that can give me an idea what we should seriously look forward to possibly happening this off-season in a realistic sense, that would be great to read. For me anyway.

This a great point, all of these changes happening once isnt even feasible, why would you want that either. Lol if that happened Cam would have to feel left out to dry, take his receivers, his oline retires and then they clean house coaching wise. I agree coaching changes are needed, but we mine as well give up on ron going anywhere, hopefully he can turn it around cuz JR is not gonna give that quick with only a 3 yr extension. But shula, hes gotta go. He couldnt call his way out of a paper bag. I honestly think he just throws plays in a hat, he has no feel for the game or sense of urgency what so ever. We can replace him, and hopefully the next guy can come

In and help put cam in a position to win. I think losing shula is what will happen just my two cents.

[PanthersAlv]

Yeah, the "fabricated myth" of the salary cap is probably the funniest comment I've read.

I agree with a lot of points in this thread, and I thank you all for the input.

 

Personally I agree that the GM needs more time and less fabricated myth issues... (Remember this this guy is look to GET more money opened up for the future to SPEND on talented people that can be here for awhile)

 

I still think one of the things that still isn't mentioned enough when talking about the Offense is Ramsdell. When/If Shula gets the boot... IS Ramsdell the new OC? Or will there be someone else? Was Gettleman the guy who said "gets get this guy"? or was it someone else? (Maybe Ricky Prohel)

IF/When Rivera goes bye bye... who would Gettleman get to replace him? is there "an answer on the roster" already? Or will there be someone new coming in?

Granted JR, being the owner, has some say in what's happening with his organization. But him hire'n someone to scout a new GM for him. Doesn't that kinda the point to the fact that he's opening up to someone else making calls to better the team? Sure he has final say on things I'm sure. But, they hired a guy with experience in scouting and that has been "ready" to move up for a few years. I personally can blame the history on JR, but the present? I dunno. Maybe a few things. But, not the GM and motions moving forward at the moment.

Rivera makes the depth chart right? he's got what he's got per him and DG making decisions with current players. (being FA's are few and far between that are any good or any better is seems than what the Panthers already have) And I'm speaking mostly Oline.

We know there isn't a DE out there in the FA market that the Panthers can get and make the Dline 2013 equivalent. So the secondary isn't going to get any better than it is.

Maybe there is no "Blame" to be dealt...? Maybe it's just the situation the Panthers are in money wise. Who knows.

But with Luke and Cam's contracts coming up, and 14 UFA's next season, 3 RFA's and 7 ERFA's (Per http://www.spotrac.com/free-agents/nfl/carolina-panthers/)

About $7.5 Million in Dead money next season, with $133 Million as 2014's Cap ceiling (that could go up per reports earlier in the year... but not set number out there as to what, or even IF it will be more)   and a Cap Total for 2015 of just about $128 Million... (Including Dead Money)  (Per http://overthecap.com/salary-cap/carolina-panthers/ )

That leaves about $5 Million to mess with next season.

Cutting either one of Double Trouble or Nate Chandler will cost the team Salary money next season, AND add to the dead money list.

What cap hell?

(per current contracts into 2016... (per OverTheCap.com as well) the Panthers have just about $67.5 used up in Cap Space. With No Dead Money.

Think about that)

I am still wondering what changes can be made really. But, it might just come down to a lot of cleaning house again to save cash... and move forward.

Who knows I guess.

[Ezrider1423]

Edited: deleted comment.