4 Carolina Panthers who deserve coal in their Christmas stocking
By Dean Jones
David Tepper – Carolina Panthers owner
David Tepper couldn’t get enough of the cameras and doing interviews once upon a time. That has not been the case this season as the team continues to find any sort of identity under the current regime.
Tepper was keen to change the culture and turn the Carolina Panthers into an industry leader on and off the field when he bought the team from Jerry Richardson. But another disappointing defeat at the Buffalo Bills confirmed a fourth-straight losing season under the owner.
It’s pretty clear Tepper is very hands-on. The constant pursuit of Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson despite his legal problems told fans plenty about what his priorities are – winning at all costs.
One piece of credit Tepper deserves is mending fences with Cam Newton. Even if it hasn’t brought much in the way of success on the field given how late the iconic signal-caller came into the franchise.
The Panthers’ plans for a phenomenal new headquarters at Rock Hill are progressing well. But unless Tepper is overseeing a winning organization by this point, then his ability to effectively run things will continue to come under the microscope.
There’s no excuse now. Tepper has his men in place and not removing Marty Hurney before Matt Rhule’s appointment only complicated matters in hindsight.
These are problems Tepper can fix. But admitting mistakes is never easy.