Matt Rhule interview

[MHS831]

7 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

 

Is it safe to assume that the draft will be handled by Marty, but the decisions will be Rhule's.  He has made comments that lead me to believe he was behind the free agency signings too.  It seems Marty will be doing the contracts and possibly engineering trades, but the players Rhule wants seem to be what we are getting.  Not sure how it was before, but I am under the impression that Rhule knows what he wants and will get it.

[JARROD]

This is a train wreck. Cam had basically been on the way to being checked out healthy and Teddy has yet to prove he can make it a full season, throw more than 14 touchdowns while throwing less than 12 picks...

meanwhile “he’s a better fit”, gets hitched for 3 years for the same money that Cam would have cost. Teddy hasn’t played a full season of football under center in years... but he’s signed to the same money but more guaranteed than Cam?

train wreck. 

 

[Bytes]

9 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

There was talk of the Panthers parting ways with Newton looooooooong before Covid-19 came into play.

And a whole lot of other players were traded ans signed via FA. Heck some havent even taken a physical yet and were signed. 

[Soul Rebel]

1 hour ago, JARROD said:

This is a train wreck. Cam had basically been on the way to being checked out healthy and Teddy has yet to prove he can make it a full season, throw more than 14 touchdowns while throwing less than 12 picks...

meanwhile “he’s a better fit”, gets hitched for 3 years for the same money that Cam would have cost. Teddy hasn’t played a full season of football under center in years... but he’s signed to the same money but more guaranteed than Cam?

train wreck. 

 

Best case scenario for us would have been for Cam to play 2020 and prove he is recovered from injury and re-sign him to a 3-4 year deal. That being said, if you think Cam's next contract would have been for anything less than $33M per, you are kidding yourself. Teddy is much cheaper and that money for Cam is going to be spent elsewhere..... extending CMC, Moore, whomever. 

The long-term $$ spent on an aging Newton had to be part of the decision making process, especially when the organization has turned over the roster and coaching staff. Other than a handful of players and Marty, this team looks nothing like they did at the start of 2019. They decided to rip the band-aid off this offseason in order to plant the seeds for the future..... unfortunately, they ripped the band-aid off in a very sloppy way and disrespectfully. 

I say all this as a Cam stan.

[MHS831]

Reading between some lines--making assumptions based on what was not directly stated, perhaps not even implied.  So bear with me.

1.  Rhule got rid of some strong influences on the team--Cam and Reid, but knew that they were not going to like the new schemes.  On offense, it seems we want a QB that can deliver the ball quickly to skill players (He mentions WRs a lot).  Cam is not that player--he can do it, but it makes him average at best.   On defense, we do not need a S with Reid's limitations.  He cannot play one position completely, much less multiple positions.

2. When addressing needs, Rhule mentioned CB and DLine.  He referenced WR and QB.  At no point did he mention OL.  I think I know why--but it would be a guess.  OK OK, I will tell you.

a. Rhule (and I do too) likes Miller and Reed.  They are good run blockers and pretty decent pass protectors.  I think, knowing Daley can compete at LG, that Rhule feels that we have addressed the OL.  I think he feels that Okung and Paradis are veterans that he needs to replace soon.  Little should be Okung's apprentice this year.

b.  If we are getting the ball out sooner, then dumping a ton in OL is not smart.  I think he will add 1 good OL in this draft and another in the next one. Re-sign Moton, and if Daley or Little steps up--solid.

Does Rhule think we are set at S?

How much of this talk was smokescreen?  He mentioned WR--we have about 30 now.

[t96]

9 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

I liked him a lot in college but was scared he might not be able to stay healthy in the pros.

That's my biggest concern still.

He’s had 1 fluke injury... Judge his timidness and lack of deep ball but not his health.

[t96]

7 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

I don't know enough about him to make that kind of judgment.

I do think, even if he has a great season, other teams would be stupid to give him a head coaching job based on a single year.

There are plenty of really stupid teams out there who would do this... Steve Wilks (who by all accounts was a huge let down at DC from McD—who himself took 8 years of being a coordinator before HC) got a job after 1 year as DC and then Cardinals gave up on him 1 year in without even really giving him a shot.

[GRWatcher]

Let me start by saying that I hate what they did to Cam and Reid and Olson. I'm also feeling that they wouldn't have kept Kuechly either if he hadn't retired. That's history, it's done. And I don't think they have any step up on the NFL's college scouts for the draft. Everybody watched the same games, went to the same combine. The rest is just blah-blah-blah.

BTW does our new HC have braces? With blue bands?

Especially with missing the April 6th offseason workout programs for new coaches, what I want to know is what are they doing to get the players, all new to Rhule and his staff, ready for the season? You can't have a culture without a team and, seriously, right now they have men signed to contracts but they don't have a team. Have Brady and Snow sent playbooks? How often do they zoom with them? Do they have virtual meetings or one on one? Is the NFL or NFLPA allowing anything like this? 

I'm afraid that without any of the usual early physical, face to face, meetings and practices, especially with a new coaching staff from the college ranks, we're gonna fall flat on our face.

[Jon Snow]

2 hours ago, GRWatcher said:

Let me start by saying that I hate what they did to Cam and Reid and Olson. I'm also feeling that they wouldn't have kept Kuechly either if he hadn't retired. That's history, it's done. And I don't think they have any step up on the NFL's college scouts for the draft. Everybody watched the same games, went to the same combine. The rest is just blah-blah-blah.

BTW does our new HC have braces? With blue bands?

Especially with missing the April 6th offseason workout programs for new coaches, what I want to know is what are they doing to get the players, all new to Rhule and his staff, ready for the season? You can't have a culture without a team and, seriously, right now they have men signed to contracts but they don't have a team. Have Brady and Snow sent playbooks? How often do they zoom with them? Do they have virtual meetings or one on one? Is the NFL or NFLPA allowing anything like this? 

I'm afraid that without any of the usual early physical, face to face, meetings and practices, especially with a new coaching staff from the college ranks, we're gonna fall flat on our face.

I think most of us expect this coming season to be ugly, I mean really ugly.  Only the most diehard believers think otherwise.   I'm not expecting anything other than entertainment as we watch them flounder around trying to get their footing.  My only expectation is to see gradual progress and some toughness as the season plays out.   This team has been too soft over the last few years and it's high time that changed.

[MHS831]

1 hour ago, GRWatcher said:

Let me start by saying that I hate what they did to Cam and Reid and Olson. I'm also feeling that they wouldn't have kept Kuechly either if he hadn't retired.

I would like to offer the flip side of this--  I think you keep Kuechly and the reasons they moved on from the other three were not applicable to Luke.

Let me say this--I am ENCOURAGED by the moves.  The best franchises know when to move on from players, even if they have something left in the tank.  While it (arguably) could have been handled better, I can add that we only really know one side.  We paid the three you mention for their services.   They will always have a place in our hearts, but to me, a real fan is one that supports the organization as a whole over any player.   The fact that they felt the need to do this and did it was a step up, in my opinion, not a negative.

Cam's style of play is not a great fit for Brady's offense; he wanted Bridgewater.  This is not about winning pro bowls, this is about winning super bowls.   Think of it this way--Cam running the football at age 31 is nothing compared to DJ Moore, CMC, Samuels, etc.  Brady wants the ball in their hands--a QB nearing 70% completion rating and a strong running game.  That should be obvious by now.

Cam deserved a proper sendoff, and the fact that he did not get one may be on him more than the Panthers.  What if you walked into your boss's office after 2 years of being out sick for weeks at a time and under-performance due to that illness and demanded a raise--demanded that he showed you some commitment.  Yes, you won the employee of the year award five years prior and you had a good year just 3 years ago, but since then, only flashes here and there and a lot of sick leave.  Then you took the matter to social media.  Cam is not the victim here.   The front office did what they felt they had to do--I wish they had handled it better, and I think they will give Cam his due acknowledgement, but if it comes during a failed marriage, it is a bit phony.  No divorce is without awkwardness and animosity.  We just did not keep it in house.  I am not saying the Panthers were without flaws, but those of us who could see what was happening realized that the Panthers were attempting to dodge the obvious question.  We all predicted it was the end of the line, while some were taking their presser fluff and trying to use it to prove that he was returning.  Oh well.

Again, it was a tough decision--a ballsy decision, considering the fact that they are going to lose--bringing down the wrath of the fans for a year or two.  However, Cam's age, contract situation, and playing style were not a good match.  We would have been locked in to a question mark.  It was rather obviously the only thing to do---I, like you, only wish that it had unfolded with more dignity.

[MHS831]

2 hours ago, GRWatcher said:

Let me start by saying that I hate what they did to Cam and Reid and Olson. I'm also feeling that they wouldn't have kept Kuechly either if he hadn't retired. That's history, it's done. And I don't think they have any step up on the NFL's college scouts for the draft. Everybody watched the same games, went to the same combine. The rest is just blah-blah-blah.

BTW does our new HC have braces? With blue bands?

Especially with missing the April 6th offseason workout programs for new coaches, what I want to know is what are they doing to get the players, all new to Rhule and his staff, ready for the season? You can't have a culture without a team and, seriously, right now they have men signed to contracts but they don't have a team. Have Brady and Snow sent playbooks? How often do they zoom with them? Do they have virtual meetings or one on one? Is the NFL or NFLPA allowing anything like this? 

I'm afraid that without any of the usual early physical, face to face, meetings and practices, especially with a new coaching staff from the college ranks, we're gonna fall flat on our face.

Good job putting it out there.  I appreciate the perspective.

[rippadonn]

16 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

One potential downside is that the rest of the division knows it well and we don't have their talent level.

The new coaches and owner don't understand how bitter a rivalry it is.

Don't join em' BEAT EM'!

Like I've said, Rhule, Brady, Tepper see New Orleans Saints as a beautiful woman while we see her as a drunken mistress.

 

[rippadonn]

So much a New Orleans Saints copycat you sign basically their third best QB.

 

SMH

Forgive them and bless us again

[rippadonn]

18 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

I would like to offer the flip side of this--  I think you keep Kuechly and the reasons they moved on from the other three were not applicable to Luke.

Let me say this--I am ENCOURAGED by the moves.  The best franchises know when to move on from players, even if they have something left in the tank.  While it (arguably) could have been handled better, I can add that we only really know one side.  We paid the three you mention for their services.   They will always have a place in our hearts, but to me, a real fan is one that supports the organization as a whole over any player.   The fact that they felt the need to do this and did it was a step up, in my opinion, not a negative.

Cam's style of play is not a great fit for Brady's offense; he wanted Bridgewater.  This is not about winning pro bowls, this is about winning super bowls.   Think of it this way--Cam running the football at age 31 is nothing compared to DJ Moore, CMC, Samuels, etc.  Brady wants the ball in their hands--a QB nearing 70% completion rating and a strong running game.  That should be obvious by now.

Cam deserved a proper sendoff, and the fact that he did not get one may be on him more than the Panthers.  What if you walked into your boss's office after 2 years of being out sick for weeks at a time and under-performance due to that illness and demanded a raise--demanded that he showed you some commitment.  Yes, you won the employee of the year award five years prior and you had a good year just 3 years ago, but since then, only flashes here and there and a lot of sick leave.  Then you took the matter to social media.  Cam is not the victim here.   The front office did what they felt they had to do--I wish they had handled it better, and I think they will give Cam his due acknowledgement, but if it comes during a failed marriage, it is a bit phony.  No divorce is without awkwardness and animosity.  We just did not keep it in house.  I am not saying the Panthers were without flaws, but those of us who could see what was happening realized that the Panthers were attempting to dodge the obvious question.  We all predicted it was the end of the line, while some were taking their presser fluff and trying to use it to prove that he was returning.  Oh well.

Again, it was a tough decision--a ballsy decision, considering the fact that they are going to lose--bringing down the wrath of the fans for a year or two.  However, Cam's age, contract situation, and playing style were not a good match.  We would have been locked in to a question mark.  It was rather obviously the only thing to do---I, like you, only wish that it had unfolded with more dignity.

I don't have an issue with any of this but why not release Cam soon after firing Rivera? Why play coy games?