Rivera Monday Presser 1/2

[boo7382]

Just wanted to post this...I didn't see it anywhere and they address a good amount of things. If its a re post my bad. Rivera is super optimistic for next season and the quality of players we have right now.

Love the way he talks about our team and the potential we have. Figured it was worth posting for everyone to read. Enjoy!

Starts out by saying "Nothin but optimism, folks" and everyone is sort of giggling in the room.

What are your thoughts looking back on the season

The potential. I really do mean that. There is a lot of reasons for it, we've done some great things this season, learned a lot, grown a lot, need to continue to do that. Its everyone's job to make sure we continue to grow and get better

Will the way we finished (losing yesterday) be used somehow?

Oh you bet. NO showed us the way a playoff caliber team should look. We will be reviewing the tape to see what happened. I think its important to realize we played a playoff team and they showed us what it takes.

During the off season do you envision any rule changes to help Defense?

No, its an offensive league, scoring, numbers being thee way they are. Just gotta be the best you can by the rules, play hard and physical. We had times yesterday where we didn't take advantage of good opportunities. Have some young guys that learned from this experience.

Players that are coming into this league are very offensive minded players. Receivers and QBs are getting some insane numbers in college. Looking at how college is evolving and affecting the NFL.

Are you nervous about your staff, guys that may leave on your staff, etc?

We can cross that bridge when we get to it, see how it pans out. Will start to get the permission slips and see where it goes.

Has anyone asked to speak with Chud?

We are in the process of that and once its confirmed we will let you guys know. The biggest thing is we don't want to talk about it until everyone is notified of the situation.

Is that a courtesy thing?

Yes, but again, we have a process, and as Marty talks to JR, its in the process, we will let everyone know afterwards.

Any chance you will extend him or more $$?

Those are things we will review and go through with him with the process, as I said,we will enlighten you throughout process.

Just one team?

Right now its just one.

One divisional rival (TB) has an opening, how uneasy would that be if they came after him?

It would be uneasy but at the same time, he knows that we know him and we know that he knows us, so he knows that we know he knows us...everyone busts into laughter.

A lot of chippyness yesterday after plays....(prob talking about SS)...is that division rivalry or what?

Yes, its just rivalry, that's the way it is no matter the division. Unfortunately as the game progressed, we were on the short end of it. The first half was very indicative of how we can play. Coming out in the 2nd half and having the big sack knock us back took some wind out of our sails.

Gross says he believes we will win a SB under you. how good does that make you feel to hear that?

That's the kind of guys we want on board. There are some very good players here, we just need to build around them. Its important for them to keep that attitude, but we have to continue to coach them up.

You would think a rookie starting at QB finishing 6-10 is considered a success. You have been talking in the past weeks about "what could have been"...does that say more about him or the team or both?

Both. You look at what's been done this year, SS has been outstanding, Rookie QB has done some tremendous things. You look at Dwill and Jstew towards the end of the year, both avging 5.4 ypc and Cam 5.6 you have 3 runners with +5ypc avg. Rookie QB throwing for over 4,000 obv something good is going on with our passing.

Look at the D, what Gamble did, what CJ was doing, what James Anderson did, we've got some people that have the ability to play well for us, its just a matter of developing the rest of the group.

ST improved from beginning of season to now. We kinda caught up to where we need to be based on earlier, but these guys are professionals we kept them for a reason and now they are having the chance to develop.

Any surgeries scheduled?

I know there are...Legadu just had his the other day. Dr felt good about it. I haven't had a chance to talk to anyone bc we're having exit interviews with players but I know there are some more.

Cam did so much, is there any one thing you'd like to point him towards with improvement?

Just keep workin. I met with him today and boy he's terrific, he's everything you want in a young QB. I know he does things differently and takes things harder than most people but that's just who he is and his makeup. Just his leadership, just keep developing it.

The one thing I got from him is how respectful he is towards the veteran guys and he doesn't want to step on toes, get int he way so I tell him next year he'll be the veteran. Honestly I can't wait until April, Im excited aboutt his group and what we can do and what we can become.

What about yourself? First year as a HC? What'd you learn.

I need my psychology degree. How to use it. Young group of guys you have to mentor and relate to on a different level. Found I have more patience than I expected in certain situations. I do know that I believe in everything I'm doing more than any other time. I think we are doing good things but there are things we can be better at. Being in the lead 14 of 16, playing the way we did in 4 of the last 6. This group gave me a very optimistic look on what we can become and I'm very excited about it.

In regards to Cam walking past/ignoring Shula....what was your take on that?

That was about his elbow. He hurt his left elbow and Mike was trying to get him to talk about it and Cam was trying to shake it off, that was what I understood. I don't think there was anything other than that.

Panthers invested a lot in CJ...assess him.

People get caught up in numbers, but there are other numbers that count and matter. Sure sacks are great but are they impact plays that make a difference? His tackles for losses were great...he was playing different techniques, he's an every down player....you don't take him out. He's always on the field and gives you what you want. A lot of guys don't play every down, coughpepperscough, but that's not who he is. We didn't get him to be a pass specialist, we got him to be the guy that angers the O Line. He and I talked about taking snaps off b/c he needs to be fresh when it comes down to it.

Concerns about his back?

No, it was muscular and sore. He was bumped up.

Favorite moment this season?

There were a lot. Everything from the first practice to leading team prayers after the preseason Giants game, that was a neat thing. It was powerful for me personally.

Having players come to me for advice whether it be personal or playing issues, means a lot they trust me to come to me about these things.

These exit interviews have been great. Talking to Cam and Lafell the young players, telling LaFell how much he has grown as a football player and knowing that he can get better. Someone like that, it means a lot to you because you know you are doing the right things to make him become a good football player. We are doing something right and continue to build on it.

[jtnc]

In regards to Cam walking past/ignoring Shula....what was your take on that?

That was about his elbow. He hurt his left elbow and Mike was trying to get him to talk about it and Cam was trying to shake it off, that was what I understood. I don't think there was anything other than that.

So you fugs can shut the fug up.

[CarolinaCatBrigade]

Cam, just like every other QB, will try and shake off a bad drive or bumbed arm. His attitude doesn't have to be all smiles when we are down huge late in the game. His anger is fuel. Those bullets in his gun. Let him fire them off. He will get better control of everything as he develops, but like everyone else, he is human and will grow and be one the best QB's the league has ever seen.

[jtnc]

Plus he was grimacing in pain.

[The Saltman]

lol coughpepperscough?? WOW

[jamos14]

I love that Rivera actually tells you how he feels and gives the fans some insight into how he and the team operates. None of that "the season was what it was" crap.

[boo7382]

lol coughpepperscough?? WOW

haha that was my add in, not his.

[YoungPanthers89]

People get caught up in numbers, but there are other numbers that count and matter. Sure sacks are great but are they impact plays that make a difference? His tackles for losses were great...he was playing different techniques, he's an every down player....you don't take him out. He's always on the field and gives you what you want. A lot of guys don't play every down, coughpepperscough, but that's not who he is. We didn't get him to be a pass specialist, we got him to be the guy that angers the O Line. He and I talked about taking snaps off b/c he needs to be fresh when it comes down to it.

lol coughpepperscough?? WOW

lol who threw that in there?

[The Saltman]

I was about to say