Regarding Ron Rivera...why would next year be any different?

[hepcat]

There's a lot of talk that Ron Rivera has shown enough in the past few games to warrant keeping his job one more year. Granted, the team is playing well right now. A three game winning streak is nothing to sneeze at. But why should we think 2013 is going to go any different than 2012 or 2011?

The 2011 and 2012 seasons are mirror images of each other in terms of team performance. In 2011 the team lost a lot of close games early in the season (many due to defensive meltdowns) but finished strong by feasting on a weak schedule late in the year. 2012 is shaping up to finish the same way. The 2012 team lost a lot of close games, and several due to defensive meltdowns. Both teams beat a playoff contender late in the year (Houston in 2011, Atlanta in 2012). Only way it could change is if the Panthers manage to scrape together a win against the Saints in the Superdome.

Why, after two seasons of the exact same trends, should we as fans think that the team will perform any different next year? Because Cam will be a year older/more mature and have another year in the system? Because a new GM is going to bring in better talent than Hurney did? Because Ron Rivera took a long time to figure out how to win as an NFL head coach and the third years the charm? I'd love to be wrong but I just see 2013 being the same as 2012 and 2011 if Ron Rivera stays...why should we think anything will change?

tl;dr - If Ron Rivera remains HC of the Panthers in 2013, why should we as fans expect the results to be any different than the previous two seasons. What would change?

[Mr. Scot]

New GM. Hopefully better talent.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Not this sh*t again...

Same thread, different title.

[megadeth078]

I'll keep it simple. We lost close games. It might not happen again.

[hepcat]

New GM. Hopefully better talent.

My response to that is...the Panthers already have the talent to be a winning football team. A few balls bounce the other way and the Panthers are staring down a wildcard spot. Hurney left the team with plenty of talent...and I don't really think that was the main issue when the team was losing close game after close game the past two seasons.

[KJ89]

Tl:dr

But in answer to the title: It wouldn't.

[TheGreatestOfAllTimeCam]

Yea I still think he's got to go.

[Mr. Scot]

My response to that is...the Panthers already have the talent to be a winning football team. A few balls bounce the other way and the Panthers are staring down a wildcard spot. Hurney left the team with plenty of talent...and I don't really think that was the main issue when the team was losing close game after close game the past two seasons.

If we're really only "a few bounced balls" from a wild card spot, isn't that an argument for Rivera?

For the record though, I'm not as sold on our talent level as you are.

[ItsPantone278]

Easier schedule? Better luck with health? A decent kicker? Cam's 3rd year in the same system? Luke's 2nd? Just to think of a few..

[SuperJTheGreat]

No Rivera is some dirt. It pisses me off.

[Kevin Greene]

Lose games poorly when you have a chance at a season.

Win meaningless games late.

Proven formula.

[PantherTrain84]

It all comes down to the Saints game. The Saints game is Ron Rivera's super bowl. If we lose, that means we go 6-10 again and are the same ole Panthers from last year. A team that can beat the bottom feeders but not much else. If we lose, I dont see Ross having a strong feeling toward keeping him.

If we win however. It will vindicate Rivera and the Panthers, it will say the 3 game win streak wasnt meaningless and we have finally arrived by finishing 7-9 by beating a hot Saints team in the superdome and Rivera would earn another season.

Im sorry, but beating a sorry Chargers team and a Leinart led Raiders team doesnt say squat. Sure we beat the Falcons. big deal, the Cardinals also beat the Patriots earlier in the year.

[Mr. Scot]

I think people believe we can just stick our existing players in a completely new system and they'll absorb and adapt to it immediately.

It's generally not that easy.

[unicar15]

Exactly my point...

I've been saying this since we started 2-8 and I saw that we were going to end the schedule with a bunch of crap opponents. In order to go to the playoffs you HAVE to beat quality teams and Rivera can't do it. If he's back next year expect 8-8 or so for the season and no playoffs.