Given the choice...

[bleys]

Hmmm.. would I rather be Denver or Carolina?

[JJT]

I agree. I'd rather have a rookie HC making rookie mistakes instead of a 9 year vet HC making rookie mistakes

There's a difference between 9 years of experience and one year of experience 9 times.

[rayzor]

this year is frustrating, but fun, esp. considering what we've got to look forward to.

i'm loving it. i'm seeing everything i was hoping for this year (except for wins).

i'm seeing an exciting football team who is incredibly talented and very high octane who will only be getting better.

i can't wait to see what this team looks like next year and going forward.

[bleys]

O rly?

[EMSMedic79]

You also have to remember...The Panthers were given one of the hardest schedules in the NFL this season. Three of the last four teams we have played went to the playoffs last year and we have hung in there each game. That is a huge factor.

[AceMan]

man Harbough has the Niners at 4-1 and they just trounced the bucs 48-3.

http://www.carolinahuddle.com/forum/carolina-panthers/53478-colin-cowherd-again.html

Do you guys really believe that he is going to coach in Carolina next year with the Denver and SF jobs available?

Hes either going to SF, Denver or Michigan if Rich Rod is fired. I honestly dont understand why anyone thinks that hes coming to Carolina just b/c Luck is going to be the first pick. Who the hell would want to coach us with our roster and front office? If he goes to SF he can win immediately. In Carolina its going to take years

Damn...:o

[lightsout]

I had a bit of a knee-jerk reaction yesterday. Just gets frustrating being so close. A lot of us, like myself, remember how 2002 felt. You know you have a good team, but you keep coming up short. And even 2001, where it seemed like all the losses were within 1 TD and had that ONE play happened/not happened, you would have won.

Rivera and staff will learn, as will the rest of the team. Things will get better. Every week, we're seeing improvement somewhere. This week, it was ST (outside of the blocked PAT) and run d. Offense is still explosive and we seem to be getting down the field with ease more times than not. Just gotta stop shooting ourselves in the foot, really. I'm still excited. Season is early. Lot of things to be happy about as a Panther fan.

[Mr. Scot]

Lots of things about this season remind me of 2002, for sure.

To co-opt one of Rivera's favorite images, I'll take a "little brother" season this year to build for the future.

[Proudiddy]

I admit, the timeout was one of the worst calls I have EVER seen.

That being said, in the chat after the game when the forum went down, I basically said the same thing Scot's saying here... With Fox, he played so conservatively we never would have had to worry about any controversy because he wasn't willing to put himself in a position like that.

Rivera has the respect of the players, and he's a guy who has been there before, and they love that...

Being a rookie HC, I expect there to be some bumps along the way, but he'll learn from them... Look at a guy like Belichick and how much heat he has gotten for certain calls. I'll take that any day over a guy who's scared to put himself out there. Big risks can equal big rewards, taking no risks usually gets you the bare minimum.

[chknwing]

I understand the whole rebuilding thing, but Rivera and company came out of the preseason without the interior defense line help they needed and have pretty much sat on their hands since. A personnel move should have been made to get a decent DT. I understand letting the rooks play to get experience, but when too many rookies are playing in key positions, the other vet players on the field who have to make up for that lack of experience, have a higher risk of getting injured. (Beason, Davis)

[DaveThePanther2008]

I have yet to figure out that decision by Rivera. Trying to get the right personnel on the field? Worried about a flag. Why? If he gets tagged with a flag they still are going to try for the field goal. We have those points back and the extra point that we missed and Carolina comes away with a stunning victory.

But as far as Rookie HC vs Stubborn Vet HC. I will take the Rookie.

[Snake]

I understand the whole rebuilding thing, but Rivera and company came out of the preseason without the interior defense line help they needed and have pretty much sat on their hands since. A personnel move should have been made to get a decent DT. I understand letting the rooks play to get experience, but when too many rookies are playing in key positions, the other vet players on the field who have to make up for that lack of experience, have a higher risk of getting injured. (Beason, Davis)

I dont think anyone in the front office expected us to be playing this well so moves were not made. Next year I expect us to come out in FA in a big way.

This year was meant for learning but our offense has been so good that learning is getting in the way.

[Proudiddy]

Reed with some perspective that I agree with:

carolinagrowl Steve Reed

Ron Rivera uttered the words "it is what it is" during Monday's press conference. Oh, no. Please God, no! LOL!

some speculate it was a shot at the old regime, but I doubt it.

carolinagrowl Steve Reed

Ron Rivera still beating himself up over the timeout before halftime. He said he made a mistake, learned a lesson.

carolinagrowl Steve Reed

Will say this: Ron Rivera is extremely honest and that's refreshing. It takes a man to step in front of a mike and admit he make a mistake.

carolinagrowl Steve Reed

Remember, Rivera is new in terms of being a head coach. Different responsibilities than a coordinator. But think he's done a tremendous job.

Agreed.

A huge problem with the old staff was a lack of accountability - asked a tough question virtually shrug it off with a corny one liner. Not Rivera.

[monstercat]

I just hope Rivera is learning from his mistakes, because he is definitely making his share so far. I still believe that rugby punt strategy was a bad move as well. Baker punted it the normal way yesterday and it worked fine. I still wish he would put it out of bounds though.