Rizzuti sums up goal line decision on point

[top dawg]

Personally, Panthers Wire is one of my favorites for a few reasons when it comes to their analysis, least of which was the fact that they weren't too hot on Darnold last winter (due to his body of work and potential price), and in fact said that if we were going to try somebody new that it should be Gardner Minshew. Now, Anthony Rizzuti has added a little food for thought on Rhule's decision to use Darnold on 4th and inches. 

I was only thinking about the decision in terms of how idiotic it was from a purely football perspective (which Rizzuti got at), and how it reflects Rhule's bad judgement and apparent inability to put the best players situationally in the best position to succeed. But Rizzuti also mentioned how Rhule blew perhaps a last opportunity for Cam and Panthers fans. 

 

"You’d also think, at a time where his popularity is at an all-time low, that he’d throw the fans a bone and give them one final Cam Newton moment. The Carolina faithful, particularly throughout the course of Newton’s comeback, have grown to appreciate their franchise’s greatest player more than they ever had.

"If that was indeed his final day suiting up in the black and blue, wouldn’t you want your fans to have that lasting image? What are you trying to prove in keeping with Darnold in such a high-risk, low-reward choice?

"Sadly, Rhule may have been trying to prove he’s been right on his choice of quarterback when he’s been absolutely wrong. His and the staff’s continued stubbornness not only cost Newton at least a slither of a dignified sendoff, but it also potentially cost his team a chance at winning and you—the fans—of a beautiful memory in what has otherwise been a hideous season."

I hadn't thought of that, but I believe Rizzuti is absolutely right. Cam will never say it, but Rhule dogged out Cam in Charlotte by not allowing him to come in deep in the red zone, and he dogged Cam out in Tampa by not calling his number at the damned goal line. And by robbing Cam, Rhule also robbed Panthers fans of those moments. And Coach Clueless really didn't have anything to lose by putting Cam in. I mean, he obviously wasn't going to lose his job win or lose. He may have believed he was saving face by letting Darnold get the score (which Sammy didn't), but what Rhule has only achieved is to lose whatever pocket lint's worth of credibility that he had with some Panthers fans. It's just a prime example of his misunderstanding of the bigger picture, and a lack of appreciation for the part that Newton has played in the franchise's history (if not NFL history). And the same either directly or indirectly is a reflection of David Tepper's tone deafness or maybe even indifference to faithful fans. 

https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2022/01/10/panthers-matt-rhule-stubbornness-cam-newton/

[therealmjl]

It was as equally disrespectful as it was stupid from a football standpoint.

[davos]

Matt Rhule blows

[OneBadCat]

Yeah it was dumb but frankly I’m glad Cam didn’t go in hindsight. It’s an affront on Cams legacy to make him a gadget QB or simply a short yardage player. At least on this team. 
 

He should have started the game. Cam is just simply better. He’s the best QB and the better passer. Wasting all this time and assets with Sam is just so strange. I get giving a raw talent a second chance but time and time again his flaws are the worst ones you want to see. 
 

Rhule didn’t really care about winning the game because he started Sam. He wanted Sam to get his layup short passes to Chubba so he could get his 9/9 and maybe one solid 3rd down throw so he could take it to Tepper and say “Hey Boss look things are improving.”

[rippadonn]

He shtted all over Cam. He deserves to be fired for being so damn selfish and f'n clueless. THAT'S why he'll NEVER succeed in the NFL and Tepper looks like more of a fool every day. 

 

 

[X-Clown on 1]

I was optimistic when Rhule was hired...I was so ready for a new, fresh approach that I fell for the misdirection, while he ushered Cam out the door. Fast forward to them bringing Cam back and I was elated, but watching Rhule blatantly disrespect and throw subtle jabs at Cam while he's continuing to push his favorites in Sam and PJ has really soured my mood. Cam is my favorite Panther of all-time and Rhule will always be the ass hat the ended Cam's tenure with the Panthers in the most disrespectful way TWICE. Don't let me catch you hustling across the crosswalk, Rhule, because you ain't going to make it.

[BIGH2001]

It’s hard to believe that tepper is this disinterested in his 2 billion dollar product. 

[hepcat]

I’ve never seen the fanbase so united

[Jackie Lee]

51 minutes ago, therealmjl said:

It was as equally disrespectful as it was stupid from a football standpoint.

Even putting Cam in for 1 handoff to a TE or whatever was disrespectful. I do agree Rhule is trying to force his decisions into success. Like running Chuba who is super average on 80% of the preseason drives, then they pick up Abdullah off the street with no knowledge of the playbook and it's basically a wash. I still don't understand why he wants to force a couple of guys into success and at the same time not accept the fact that BC and Deonte Brown were better options on OL all year long. I've had some crazy bosses that just didn't like certain people for no particular reason before tho so maybe he's just that kinda person, or so stubborn and in his own ego he can't accept admitting being wrong even if it's to the detriment of the team

[Call Me James]

They don't care. Their view, and rightly so, is that panthers fans will overlook everything if we start winning. 

[PantherNation123]

1 hour ago, Jackie Lee said:

Even putting Cam in for 1 handoff to a TE or whatever was disrespectful. I do agree Rhule is trying to force his decisions into success. Like running Chuba who is super average on 80% of the preseason drives, then they pick up Abdullah off the street with no knowledge of the playbook and it's basically a wash. I still don't understand why he wants to force a couple of guys into success and at the same time not accept the fact that BC and Deonte Brown were better options on OL all year long. I've had some crazy bosses that just didn't like certain people for no particular reason before tho so maybe he's just that kinda person, or so stubborn and in his own ego he can't accept admitting being wrong even if it's to the detriment of the team

He’s a trash coach that’s why. Surrounding himself with Baylor/Temple products is an embarrassment.   Robbie Anderson yesterday putting blame at the QB’s (which yes Darnold sucks), but also having an outrageous drop average, is an immediate cuttable offense.  This franchise has turned into a joke under Rhule.  It won’t be done until he’s gone

[PantherNation123]

1 hour ago, Call Me James said:

They don't care. Their view, and rightly so, is that panthers fans will overlook everything if we start winning. 

When, in 2045?

[Cpt slay a ho]

I don’t want a coach who treats player like that whether it’s cam or the 53rd man on the roster, that along with several other reason is the reason he should be fired, too much ego to just do the smart thing in a meaningless game imagine what decisions he’d make if the stakes were higher 

[kungfoodude]

7 hours ago, hepcat said:

I’ve never seen the fanbase so united

There are only maybe 3-4 Tepper/Rhule alt accounts and 2-3 trolls against the unified "fug this poo" front.