This column was started with the intent of highlighting the worst kind of coaching that has haunted Ron Rivera’s tenure with the Carolina Panthers: the aggressively conservative decision making masked as “playing not to lose.” The Panthers’ Week 2 loss to the Falcons actually featured the opposite to that
Daryl Williams Jersey , so today we salute Rivera for making the right decisions — even if they weren’t enough in the end. All we’ve ever asked is that he try.Last year, in a Week 3 loss to the Saints, the Panthers lined up Michael Palardy to punt the ball on a 4th and 5 from the Saints’ 35 yard line. At the time, the Panthers were trailing by 18 points. We started this column this year because I am, apparently, still mad about that play and the similar decisions that Rivera has made in similar situations before and since — in spite of his once-earned reputation as a “riverboat gambler.”The Panthers found themselves in two situations on Sunday where the safe bet would have been on another Palardy punt. Instead, Rivera made the wise choice both times and kept his team competitive in what would turn out to be a close game.On the opening drive, Cam Newton and the offense stalled out. Graham Gano was sent out to kick a field goal on a 4th and 3 from the Falcons’ 36 yard line. Technically
http://www.pantherscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-dontari-poe-jersey , a field goal is the safe call there. A more aggressive coach might have called on the best short yardage back in the league, Newton, to get those three yards and keep the drive alive. Bet let’s give credit where it is due for clearing the bar set last season: the Panthers didn’t punt. Huzzah.Early in the second quarter, the Panthers were stopped to set up a 4th and 4 from the Falcons’ 33 yard line. This time they went for it and Newton performed his standard magic to convert the first down. This is the much discussed play that saw Damontae Kazee ejected from the game for one of the dirtiest and dumbest hits I’ve ever witnessed. This play also set up the Panthers first touchdown of the game.What was the difference in those two, largely identical downs and distances on essentially the same part of the field? I don’t know. I can’t tell you if there was a consistent decision making process that ended the one drive in a field goal attempt and let the other stay alive for a touchdown. I can tell you that I was happy to see the Panthers consistently not punt in those situations. I don’t know what it is supposed to look like when a turtle comes out of its shell, but I can tell you that kind of naked certainly suited Rivera on Sunday. The Panthers ultimately lost that game by a single touchdown. This week’s post-game analysis would have been decidedly less optimistic without the 10 points they earned by trying to win the game in the first half. Kudos, Ron, and keep it up. I’d love to cancel this column.Carolina Panthers acquire OL Marshall Newhouse from the Buffa
lo Bills The Carolina Panthers have endured a lot of injuries on their offensive line so far this season
Cheap Ryan Kalil Jersey , and are using the bye week to try and find more depth at the position. To that end, Marty Hurney appears to have called up his old buddy Brandon Beane up at Carolina North (the Buffalo Bills) and worked out a trade for G\T Marshall Newhouse.Terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed, but we will update you when they are. Chances are it is another trade of the conditional late pick variety.UPDATE: The Panthers traded a conditional 2021 7th round draft pick, and have waived OT Corey Robinson to clear a roster spot. The waiver of Robinson reclaims the conditional 2020 7th round draft pick sent to the Detroit Lions.Newhouse has had a long NFL career spanning nine seasons and making around 70 starts across various teams. He was drafted by Green Bay in the fifth round back in 2010 where he played out his rookie contract, then bounced around as a journeyman to the Bengals, Giants, Raiders, and finally the Buffalo Bills.Newhouse has the ability to play at both tackle spots as well as both guard spots
Cheap James Bradberry Jersey , giving him quite a bit of versatility. His time in Buffalo was pretty unremarkable however, and the general feeling amongst their fan base seems to be “don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”That said... John Matsko is currently on fire as far as turning lumps of clay into fine art, so let’s hope he can do it again, and the Panthers have added a decent depth piece to a front that needs it.
