Do you think that Rivera has changed his coaching philosophy?

[FootballMaestro]

Exactly. He has nothing to lose now and he knows it.

 

My fear is what we would see from Ron if he ever starts to feel comfortable in his job again.

 

Plus, it's easy to be aggressive when the games don't mean anything (in the standings, or the actual games themselves).

 

However, next week the Panther will have a chance to be 3-3 (and theoretically in the layoff hunt). So what will Ron Ron do if/when he has a close game against an underdog  with a possible playoff run on the line?

 

That's when I want to see his decision making. And even then, it must be sustained. A lot of Huddler's thought he turned the corner last year--down the stretch, when the Panthers were already out the playoff hunt and the games didn't count. Then Buffalo happened this year. 

[SpeedOFLight]

I don't know if he changed. More so, I think it is him trying to brand himself or get an identity.

[hepcat]

As I recall he went for it twice on the opening drive.  I think that made sense the first time because of the field position, and the second time because we had committed to scoring the TD, not the field goal.

 

The next time the situation arose, he punted because of the field position, and it was two yards to go, not one.

 

All in all, I think the three decisions were all correct.

 

The time he punted on 4th and 2, from around the Vikings 45? yard line, the Panthers were already leading in the game and the defense had forced a turnover.  The first two times he went for it, they were trying to set the tone.  Had Steve Smith not dropped the TD pass against the Cardinals, the game could have gone an entirely different way.  An early TD on the road goes a long way.

[stankowalski]

As I recall he went for it twice on the opening drive.  I think that made sense the first time because of the field position, and the second time because we had committed to scoring the TD, not the field goal.

 

The next time the situation arose, he punted because of the field position, and it was two yards to go, not one.

 

All in all, I think the three decisions were all correct.

 

But in the past, RR would have went for the field goal on those 4th down plays.  One of those 4th downs were in Gano's range.  The second one we were near the goal line.  This is the first time I can think of that he chose to go for the TD instead of the FG. 

[thunderraiden]

But in the past, RR would have went for the field goal on those 4th down plays. One of those 4th downs were in Gano's range. The second one we were near the goal line. This is the first time I can think of that he chose to go for the TD instead of the FG.

you must have missed the giants game and cardinals game where lafell dropped a pass that hit him in the hands too on 4th and 1.

[stankowalski]

you must have missed the giants game and cardinals game where lafell dropped a pass that hit him in the hands too on 4th and 1.

 

Didn't miss it, just didn't mention it.  But there is another example.  Maybe he went for it more on 4th down the past couple of years and I just didn't remember, but I've always thought of him as a conservative coach.  This year he's slowly becoming more aggressive.  Not just on offense either, it seems like we blitzed more in this past game than we have in multiple games going back to when RR first took over.

[Frank Hollywood]

I think he is finally changing.

I started to notice a Change when we played the giants. More so at the cardinals and even more so this week. I like it. I really hope he has figured it out and is ready to win.

[Ace_Aladdin]

He starts coaching "to win", that is what we need and what we can. No more "play not to lose" crap. Mike and Cam are so good in short yardage situations, we have to continue to use the weapons we have in situations where the are needed. Show balls and you get rewarded!

 

We are usually good in short yardage situation given the weapons we have but the more we do it the easier its going to get for the players in critical situation. 

[camtheone]

Will the real Rivera please stand up....KEEP POUNDING!!!!!!  

 

 

I think he finally put it all together....

[nickzz]

there is no all-encompassing philosophy when it comes to 4th down. it's called situational football, you have to possess the ability to consider all things and make the right call. i don't think rivera possesses that ability. i think his thought process is something along the lines of "herp derp we need points let's go for it herp derp."

 

take the buffalo game for example. he didn't go for it on 4th down because he thought of it simply as an aggressive call vs a safe call. what he should of been thinking is "gee, our ENTIRE starting secondary went down with injuries in this very game. maybe these backups aren't quite ready to stop the bills' offense. maybe the two best short-yardage backs in all of football can pick up a couple of feet."

 

IMO, we aren't going anywhere notable with rivera at the helm.

[TheGreatestOfAllTimeCam]

no, I say... I guarantee that puss rivera will rear its ugly head again when its all on the line...

[Gabeking]

I think he has to a degree... would he have gone for it on 4th and 1 before the Bills game? Obviously not... now he is, so there's that.

As The Huddler said though, we haven't had a game since Buffalo that was close in the 4th. Until we do, I reserve judgement.

I agree but I'm mad at you for crushing me in fantasy which is the only reason I'm quoting you obviously > : (

[osd22]

We are usually good in short yardage situation given the weapons we have but the more we do it the easier its going to get for the players in critical situation. 

 

Sure you are right, we have to keep a balance, which we should and will do. But (especially in the red zone) Cam is so good on Draws/Keepers, we have to continue with it. And Tolbert just runs over DTs like they are little dolls.

[tiger7_88]

Actually I think, no, he hasn't changed his philosophy. I think every cell in his body was screaming against taking those calculated risks in the Vikings game.

And I think if BY CHANCE he keeps taking calculated risks and we run off a few wins, he'll get comfortable and fall back to his old habits.

I don't trust the "new and improved" Ron Rivera. I don't think Ron Rivera trusts or likes the "new and improved" Ron Rivera either.