Takeaways from Rivera's statements at the Combine

[Mr. Scot]

Just now, thomas96 said:

Or maybe there's a lot of truth to the fact that they were more like friends to Cam than coaches and didn't push him enough to get the most out of him and he's not in a position to easily see that...?

I definitely got the impression that Dorsey at least was more buddy than coach.

[Mr. Scot]

Rodrigue chimes in...

[t96]

4 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

Rivera made some comments the day it was announced that definitely seemed to indicate Newton wasn't happy about it.

How unhappy?  No way to know.

Kinda wonder how Newton will feel if we do indeed draft a 3rd to 5th round QB.  There's certainly a lot of hints that we're planning on it.

My guess is he won't be bothered, but he might also miss having Anderson around.

I'm hoping we don't draft a QB and go FA for backups. Glennon, Bridgewater, etc. could be solid options. Mainly though so I can feel good that we haven't had to draft a QB since 2011 and being the only team in the league who that's the case for...

[t96]

Just now, Mr. Scot said:

Rodrigue chimes in...

I think Wallace makes perfect sense here and I hope it happens, but he can't be the only addition whether draft or FA.

[Mr. Scot]

Full transcript of Rivera's presser: Panthers.com

[top dawg]

44 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

Written at the time of the trade (link)

There was plenty of discussion about this at the time it happened.

Of course there was plenty of discussion  because we were considering trading Benjamin (which Hurney didn't initiate I might add),  but it wasn't necessarily about the long term as much as it was about whether or not he could fill the immediate void (which is why it was said that his routes weren't necessarily going to change that much)  Indeed,  there are still questions whether or not he is a WR1 or WR2 by many NFL types because he is still a young, developing receiver, and that's  quite logical and totally understandable. 

[Mr. Scot]

David Newton on the possibility of drafting a quarterback

Panthers in the market for Cam Newton's eventual successor

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The Carolina Panthers aren’t planning to move on from quarterback Cam Newton anytime soon, but they are in the market for a future replacement for the 2015 NFL MVP.

Coach Ron Rivera said on Thursday at the NFL combine in Indianapolis that it may be time to develop a quarterback who one day can step into the shoes of the 28-year-old Newton, who was the first pick of the 2011 draft.

Rivera mentioned selecting a quarterback in the April draft and re-signing veteran Derek Anderson, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent. Anderson, who will turn 35 in June, has been Carolina’s backup since Newton entered the NFL out of Auburn.

This jibes with what Voth said.

 

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The Panthers haven’t drafted a quarterback since Newton. Last year they claimed Brad Kaaya, a sixth-round pick by Detroit in 2017, off waivers but ultimately settled on Garrett Gilbert to develop.

Gilbert was a sixth-round pick by the Rams in 2014 and bounced around three other teams before joining the Panthers last offseason. Based on Rivera’s comments, the Panthers aren’t convinced he is long-term solution.

The answer could be in the draft, considered a strong class for quarterbacks with three potential top 10 picks and as many as six slated to go in the first two rounds.

Gilbert fans, bad news.

 

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It’s highly unlikely the Panthers would use the No. 24 overall pick on a quarterback – probably not even a second-rounder -- with other more immediate needs at wide receiver, running back and defensive end. But they have two third-round picks and three seventh-round picks, so a QB could be in the mix somewhere.

Among those who could fall to the third round are Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph, Washington State’s Luke Falk and Marshall’s Chase Litton.

General manager Marty Hurney hasn’t had great success in drafting quarterbacks outside of Newton. He selected Jimmy Clausen in the second round and Tony Pike in the sixth in 2010; Stefan LeFors in the fourth round in 2005; and Randy Fasani in the fifth round in 2002. None was successful.

However, the quarterback the Panthers potentially draft this year won’t have the pressure to start immediately as Newton did in 2011, so that person will have time to develop.

Mason Rudolph is a local kid.  Previously thought he'd go higher than this.

 

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The more immediate goal is for new offensive coordinator Norv Turner to work on improving Newton, who statistically has gone backwards since throwing a career-best 35 touchdown passes in 2015.

Accuracy has to be at the top of the list. Newton completed a career-low 52.9 percent of his passes in 2016 and 59.1 a year ago. His quarterback ratings those two seasons (48.0 and 49.6) were the worst of his career.

“The biggest thing Cam needs to understand going into this is Norv’s not here to change him," Rivera said. “What Norv is here to do is help him."

Echos what we've heard elsewhere.

 

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One of Turner’s strengths has been developing young quarterbacks such as Dallas’ Troy Aikman and Phillip Rivers of the Chargers.

Rivera talked briefly to Newton around the meeting with Turner and liked what he heard.

“I asked him, ‘How are you doing?’" Rivera said. “He said, ‘Well coach, I’m excited and nervous.’ I said, ‘What are you nervous for?’ He said, ‘Coach, think about what he’s done for Troy Aikman and those type of guys.’

That's good to hear.

 

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Meanwhile, the Panthers will pick up the pace to find a future replacement for Newton and re-sign Anderson as insurance.

One thing Rivera learned watching the Philadelphia Eagles win the Super Bowl with backup quarterback Nick Foles was the importance of having a veteran at that position capable of winning.

“Derek has been a big part of what we’ve done," Rivera said. “He’s really kind of been like having a coach in the meeting room and sidelines."

Still not liking the idea of keeping Anderson.  He's no Nick Foles.

 

[top dawg]

Wallace as a veteran role model, who'd have thought that 5 years ago?

If he ends up here,  I just hope that he produces. J-Co wasn't on the field just to be a cheerleader. 

[Mr. Scot]

 

[Snake]

Why are we worried about QB when our MLB will probably fall apart first. Also it goes to show Cam once again will probably have no protection and no one to throw it too. We don't need Cotchery we need a number 1.

[RumHam]

i just read that the seachickens said they were "all in" last year. didn't work out too well. really worried about this year.

[saX man]

I am still rooting for samuel but man, I’m putting no stock in his expected impact with the injury bug with him. 

Would like:

Mike Wallace, Anthony Miller

[Jon Snow]

My take away is that they will throw poo at the wall to see what works.  Problem is they don't have enough time.

[Trill OG]

vet WR's and he compared them to Cotchery signing.

I hope it's not another over the hill WR as a mentor. We need a legit starting WR.