Tidbits from the interview with Rivera

[FootballMaestro]

Rivera did not fumble on 3-1, did not throw the ball in the dirt in the endzone.  Just those 2 things give us a winning record.  I do not understand the hate, let the guy learn a little.

 

No. You're right. He just made about 10-15 other bad decisions, that cost the Panthers close games the past two seasons. 

 

Let's just hope they're all mitigated, with the Panthers on the same page. 

[CRA]

I don't know about 34 points to beat them but I got your point. I think we are going to have a very stingy defense.

I am almost as excited to see our defense as I am our offense under a OC that has his head on straight.

I don't think our secondary is anywhere near good enough for our D to be stingy.

I think we will have flashes....but the pass rush realistically can't mask the secondary all game, all season

[iamhubby1]

Your Defense can still be stingy without being perfect. We expect our D to make it difficult for teams to go on extended TD drives. Unless they are patient, which is tough to do. We score and it puts pressure on them. They try and do too much and it could bite them.

We don't have to be perfect on D. If the O plays as expected, the D can just do its thing and we should be good to go.

[DaveThePanther2008]

I don't think our secondary is anywhere near good enough for our D to be stingy.

I think we will have flashes....but the pass rush realistically can't mask the secondary all game, all season

 

We have upgraded and players do improve from year to year.  I think Norman is going to be far more disciplined and improved. Josh Thomas will hold his own. 

 

I think your concern is based on the past and not necessarily what we have done to improve.   

 

 

Your Defense can still be stingy without being perfect. We expect our D to make it difficult for teams to go on extended TD drives. Unless they are patient, which is tough to do. We score and it puts pressure on them. They try and do too much and it could bite them.

We don't have to be perfect on D. If the O plays as expected, the D can just do its thing and we should be good to go.

 

I agree with you.   As I said above, I think we have upgraded at the DB position and the secondary will be improved regardless of the front four.  The improvement of the front four only enhances their improvement.

 

We have one of the best young defensive coaches in Wilks and now in his second season will show improvement.   Once again, in shorts, but they are excited about what we have on the field this year.  Stay healthy and I believe we'll be just fine.

 

I respect CRA opinion but, I always feel that is it based on the past and not what has been done to improve.

[Snake]

Hopefully its all walk and no talk this year.

[CRA]

We have upgraded and players do improve from year to year. I think Norman is going to be far more disciplined and improved. Josh Thomas will hold his own.

I think your concern is based on the past and not necessarily what we have done to improve.

I agree with you. As I said above, I think we have upgraded at the DB position and the secondary will be improved regardless of the front four. The improvement of the front four only enhances their improvement.

We have one of the best young defensive coaches in Wilks and now in his second season will show improvement. Once again, in shorts, but they are excited about what we have on the field this year. Stay healthy and I believe we'll be just fine.

I respect CRA opinion but, I always feel that is it based on the past and not what has been done to improve.

I don't think we have improved much.

Florence isn't a noteworthy improvement IMO. We also added talent in terms of a nickel CB.....but we had Capt there.

Where is the improvement at CB. Florence IMO is a Nakamura type addition. A body at this stage.

[DaveThePanther2008]

I don't think we have improved much.

Florence isn't a noteworthy improvement IMO. We also added talent in terms of a nickel CB.....but we had Capt there.

Where is the improvement at CB. Florence IMO is a Nakamura type addition. A body at this stage.

 

Josh Norman issue wasn't talent it was discipline.  Now it his second year and time to grow-up.  The staff seems to think he got it. Should play better.  Florence is a veteran,  I am sure we didn't sign him for special teams.  His prescence should make a difference and from the few tibits of news we have had about it.  He has.

 

Nakamura was a crutch for the entire defensive backfield.

 

Finally, when I say DBs I mean safety and cornerbacks.  And we have improved and it will show.

 

It's your story.  You feel the team is doomed because we haven't improved.  Hope your wrong.  I don't see it as a spot QBs are drooling to take advantage of. 

[iamhubby1]

Josh Norman issue wasn't talent it was discipline.  Now it his second year and time to grow-up.  The staff seems to think he got it. Should play better.  Florence is a veteran,  I am sure we didn't sign him for special teams.  His prescence should make a difference and from the few tibits of news we have had about it.  He has.

 

Nakamura was a crutch for the entire defensive backfield.

 

Finally, when I say DBs I mean safety and cornerbacks.  And we have improved and it will show.

 

It's your story.  You feel the team is doomed because we haven't improved.  Hope your wrong.  I don't see it as a spot QBs are drooling to take advantage of.

I think you hit the hail on the head. Two reasons to believe our CBs will be better this year. 1) A full offseason working and growing. 2) A top level coaching staff.

The kids should know the system so much better this year. They can play without thinking about there assignments. Because we have Wilks and Rivera teaching them proper technique and alignments.

I see a year of growth and confidence. With Florence helping out, which has already been reported, plus Wilks and Rivera. I see no reason not to think there should be better play by the CBs.

Godfrey is back at FS where he fits best. The only weak spot is SS. And if Lester can push for a spot, that position should be better as well.

I ain't worried all that much. Rivera has done more with less. And don't let CRA get to you. Most of his arguments are the, if he can think it, it can happen variety. No substance whatsoever.

[jarhead]

I don't think we have improved much.

Florence isn't a noteworthy improvement IMO. We also added talent in terms of a nickel CB.....but we had Capt there.

Where is the improvement at CB. Florence IMO is a Nakamura type addition. A body at this stage.

 

After a year under their belt some the young guys will be better but is that good enough? This is why Gettlemen gets paid the big bucks. We have the money to make a couple of moves.

 

At this point we need a cb ,ss, and OG so lets see..... what Rivera said we may make a couple of moves.

[jarhead]

I assume you mean there is no way we win with 17 points against these teams.  These teams are all beatable.  Our team is good enough to beat them all.  I am actually looking forward to the Giant game.  Carolina is going to have this one marked on their calendar. 

 

Depends on whether we control the ball like we can.  If your running game is solid and you have 7,8 or 9 minute drives and you score TDs.  You keep the ball out of those guys hands.  They cannot score points sitting on the bench watching us.

 

I would take 20 and our defense being improved keeping ANYBODY under 20.

 

 

Not one team that averaged scoring 20 points made the playoffs. Our defense would have to be stacked at every position to even imagine that. We really need to average 7 additional points to make the playoffs. I view that as attainable if we can add another OG so we can run the ball more.

 

The interesting discussion is where will these 7 points come from.