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

[hepcat]

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

Maybe I'm overstating it, but the team has talent. I don't think Hurney was the issue. Yes, a few bounces go the other way, maybe the team wins a few more games. But maybe they don't.

I look at the Bears game, when Ron Rivera admitted he called the soft zone coverage on the final drive when the Bears walked down the field and scored to win the game at the end. Rivera didn't use the final timeout he had when the Bears kept running the same play up and down the field. Good coaching?

[hepcat]

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

Maybe I'm overstating it, but the team has talent. I don't think Hurney was the issue. Yes, a few bounces go the other way, maybe the team wins a few more games. But maybe they don't.

I look at the Bears game, when Ron Rivera admitted he called the soft zone coverage on the final drive when the Bears walked down the field and scored to win the game at the end. Rivera didn't use the final timeout he had when the Bears kept running the same play up and down the field. Good coaching?

[PantherTrain84]

It also depends who we replace him with. If Chip Kelly wants to coach here and JR and GM are fully convinced Kelly is the next Harbaugh, I say you have to hire him. If not any good candidates avaliable, you also weigh your options

[Kevin Greene]

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.

The 49ers, Broncos and Colts would like to have a word with you.

[Darth Biscuit]

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.

We have the talent... I don't doubt that. I also think maybe hepcat misspoke...

It wasn't really a "few bounced balls" away from some early wins... if was "a few bad decisions" away from some early wins.

I have wanted to see Rivera go for a while, but this is good momentum we have and it is true that learning a new system and new coaches next season will be a BIG hurdle for the team. I can see him staying for that reason alone.

[unicar15]

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.

The 2011 49ers, 2007 Steelers, 2006 Saints, 2007 Packers all disagree. Those are just a few teams off the top of my head who made the playoffs in the first season with a brand new head coach. The Packers actually went to the Playoffs in the 2nd season under McCarthy but went 13-3 in the process and were a Brett Favre pick six in OT away from the superbowl. It's not really that difficult to adapt to a new system...it's a hell of a lot harder to win with a sucky system that is already installed.

[Mr. Scot]

The 49ers, Broncos and Colts would like to have a word with you.

All teams that did indeed have pretty good talent, and all of which play in pretty crappy divisions.

You can debate talent vs coaching for the Panthers, but a weak division is something we definitely don't have the good fortune to be in.

[Mr. Scot]

The 2011 49ers, 2007 Steelers, 2006 Saints, 2007 Packers all disagree. Those are just a few teams off the top of my head who made the playoffs in the first season with a brand new head coach. The Packers actually went to the Playoffs in the 2nd season under McCarthy but went 13-3 in the process and were a Brett Favre pick six in OT away from the superbowl. It's not really that difficult to adapt to a new system...it's a hell of a lot harder to win with a sucky system that is already installed.

The Steelers are perennial contenders who had a lousy season largely because Cowher's mind was on retirement. The Packers were also pretty good too but had a crappy 2005. I'll give you that the Saints had a miraculous turnaround with the addition of Payton and Brees, but that's not the norm.

I don't want Newton having to start from scratch in a new system just as he's hitting his stride in this one.

[ItsPantone278]

Good teams aren't built in an offseason. There are so many things that are going for us now that weren't before. Remember when every special teams play was a disaster? When our run defense was swiss chess? When we got 0 pressure on the QB? Blame the coach but give him no props for the things he has done?

[Darth Biscuit]

I don't want Newton having to start from scratch in a new system just as he's hitting his stride in this one.

Agree 100% with this EXCEPT for the fact that the dipshits completely changed what we were doing last season at the start of this season for some reason and that was the same staff...

[CarolinaNut]

i dont expect it to be any different...that's why it is so frustrating coming on the huddle and seeing so many people wanting to give rivera another year...we are winning meaningless games against scrub teams

[Kevin Greene]

All teams that did indeed have pretty good talent, and all of which play in pretty crappy divisions.

You can debate talent vs coaching for the Panthers, but a weak division is something we definitely don't have the good fortune to be in.

One team in the NFC South will finish over .500 this year.

At 6-9 we challenge for 2nd place.

[Marguide]

I admit to some mixed feelings on this issue. What Ron and his staff has done with our defense has been exemplary, and I hate the thought of changes on that side of the ball. On the other hand, our offense was so mismanaged for the first half of the year that I don't know if I will ever regain faith in our offensive staff. And yes, Ron, like it or not, you bear responsibility for that side of the ball too.

There are a couple other things that bother me regarding coaching:

1) Watching our special teams on extra point and field goal attempts by the opposing teams, I see players just going through the motions. We never seem to make any extra effort to block or disrupt a kick. Yes, these are low percentage plays, but teams are so close in this league that every single edge counts. If our guys half-ass these plays, maybe they are giving less than 100% in other areas.

2) Ron has a bit too much John Fox in him, in that he tends to stick with certain players too long. I saw this as a problem last year with Naanee and McClain and Fua. This year, it was sticking with an underperforming Beason until there was no choice but to put him on IR. We stick with Nakamura virtually all year, then when he goes out, we see an instant improvement by inserting DJ Campbell and moving Godfrey to FS. We stuck with Norman too long, imo, as well. Seeing what Thomas has done after Gamble went out, it is clear he should have been playing opposite Gamble early while Norman got his reps in practice. Ron seems to only make changes once he's backed into a corner.

I just don't see us ever having a complete team with Ron at the helm.

[unicar15]

The Steelers are perennial contenders who had a lousy season largely because Cowher's mind was on retirement. The Packers were also pretty good too but had a crappy 2005. I'll give you that the Saints had a miraculous turnaround with the addition of Payton and Brees, but that's not the norm.

I don't want Newton having to start from scratch in a new system just as he's hitting his stride in this one.

This team is not all about Cam Newton. I would argue that that mindset from the current coaching staff is one of their biggest problems. They basically put this team on his shoulders and its not working.

We need a more balanced approach on offense and a HC that doesn't suck with critical situations. Bottom line is that Rivera has only beaten bottom-feeders since he got here. He has ONE quality win...