Cat Crave
FanSided

Kalil promotes Panthers Rivera as ‘Coach of the Year’

By Brandon Scott

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 24: Ryan Kalil #67 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates with the George Halas Trophy after defeating the Arizona Cardinals with a score of 49 to 15 to win the NFC Championship Game at Bank of America Stadium on January 24, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 24: Ryan Kalil #67 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates with the George Halas Trophy after defeating the Arizona Cardinals with a score of 49 to 15 to win the NFC Championship Game at Bank of America Stadium on January 24, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Veteran Carolina Panthers center Ryan Kalil is campaigning for coach Ron Rivera to be the NFL Coach of the Year…

A day after Pro Bowl teams were announced, the Carolina Panthers found themselves with only one nominee. Linebacker Luke Kuechly was the lone Panthers player to be selected for his role in the defense and high caliber of play throughout the season.

Sidelined for a game due to a concussion, Kuechly has dominated opposing teams with 107 tackles in addition to leading his group, routinely positioning them to succeed. Being the only teammate recognized for his accomplishments, there were a number of other potential candidates.

Fellow defensive members Julius Peppers and Mario Addison both have double digit sacks, in addition to other quarterback pressures and hits. Offensively, both Daryl Williams and Andrew Norwell could make a case along the offensive line but Kuechly remains the only nominee.

Carolina is 10-4 and one win away from reaching the playoffs, their fourth trip in the past five seasons. Calling the shots for each of those opportunities has been coach Ron Rivera, who has been patrolling the sidelines for the Panthers since the 2011 season.

Without numerous standout individual performances, the Panthers have been built with quality players at every position, including serviceable depth along the roster. At least one of those players, center Ryan Kalil, is already beginning a campaign for Rivera to be Coach of the Year. An award he has won twice during his tenure.

An intriguing question, when Rivera won his previous awards in 2013 and 2015 the Panthers had seven (one injury replacement) and 10 players nominated respectively. Each year Carolina finished the regular season 12-4 and 15-1. With two games remaining the Panthers could equal their 2013 record with just one Pro Bowl player.

More from Cat Crave

Other potential candidates include: Bill Belichick (New England), Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh), Doug Marrone (Jacksonville), Doug Pederson (Eagles), Sean McVay (Rams) or Mike Zimmer (Vikings). The fewest Pro Bowl players selected from these teams is four from New England, Jacksonville and Minnesota with the most at eight from Pittsburgh. Rivera has one.

Potential Pro Bowl players who have their teams advance to the Super Bowl are excused from participating. As Panthers quarterback Cam Newton recently said, “I only have one bowl game I’m laser-focused on.”

Next: NFL Power Rankings - Week 16

Coach of the Year or not, if Rivera brings a Super Bowl to Carolina, his legacy will be firmly cemented in franchise history.

Home/Carolina Panthers News