5 big talking points from the Panthers’ pitiful loss at the NY Giants
By Luke Gray
Carolina Panthers HC Matt Rhule is on the hot seat
Matt Rhule has been skating on thin ice through the last three weeks with some questionable coaching decisions and press conference comments. After defeat to the New York Giants on Sunday, some fans are ready to see the back of the former Baylor man.
During the week, Rhule said that the Carolina Panthers wanted to establish themselves as a team that run the ball, aiming for 33 carries a game. They averaged just over half with a paltry 17 carries for a measly 56 yards.
The head coach’s constant coddling of Sam Darnold is something that has drawn the ire of fans. Rhule claimed he didn’t bench the signal-caller earlier in order to not “embarrass him”, yet somehow keeping a struggling quarterback in the game failing to make plays is better.
Media reports stated that owner David Tepper was seen entering the Panthers locker room post-game. The reasoning behind that obviously isn’t known, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out the owner cannot be happy from what he’s seen from his head coach.
Tepper spent a lot of money to bring Rhule into the NFL. Although we’re only in Year 2 of a supposed rebuild, we aren’t seeing much to suggest the coach has the skills and nouse to turn this franchise around.
Rhule has plenty on his plate. Whether he can pick this team up from the brink of despair is another matter.