Panthers coach Matt Rhule just made some interesting comments during his Monday Zoom presser with the media. Rhule seems to be taking issue with the idea that his team should be tanking in order to improve their position in the 2021 NFL draft. Obviously, Sunday’s win over Washington didn’t help – it dropped them from the No. 4 pick down to No. 9.
The point he seems to be making is that you can’t count on tanking. Rhule took a shot at the Philadelphia 76ers’ popular tanking mantra from a while ago, infamously labeled “trust the process.” Rhule notes these Sixers haven’t won a title yet.
More from Rhule: "I was in Philadelphia when the Sixers were in the 'trust the process,' tanking thing, and they haven't hung one in the rafters, yet."
— Joe Person (@josephperson) December 28, 2020
On the surface, Rhule is correct. NFL teams don’t tank and if the last couple of weeks hasn’t convinced you nothing will.
It’s a little strange that Rhule picked Philly to harp on, though. Perhaps Rhule is just a long-frustrated Knicks fan given his background and we shouldn’t think too much of it.
The details matter, though. That’s why it’s worth mentioning that those Sixers have made the NBA playoffs three years in a row and are expected to be a contender in the Eastern Conference again this season. Further, if they’d been smart enough to keep Jimmy Butler and build around him rather than the as-yet unfulfilled potential of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons they might already be on the cusp of a ring.
Anyway, the relevant question here is if Rhule really understands just how far away his team is from being in that same position in the NFL. He can and should try to win every single game he can, but if he’s overestimating how far his QB1 can carry him, then this rebuild might take a bit longer than the three years it took at Baylor and Temple.
After yesterday’s game Teddy Bridgewater made an interesting comment of his own, saying it felt good to put in a “complete game” for Rhule’s behalf.
Teddy Bridgewater: "I think it was time to put a complete game together for Coach Rhule, and we did just that."
— Joe Person (@josephperson) December 28, 2020
As some Twitter folk have pointed out, Sunday’s win was a far cry from a complete game. Bridgewater’s performance continues to regress, especially when it comes to ball security. He’s also not making up for his costly mistakes by fully using the considerable receiving weapons he has at his disposal.
The Panthers also have major question marks at left tackle, linebacker, cornerback and kicker. Put it another way, they’re much more than just-a Jimmy Butler away from being a winner. That said, until they make a change at QB, it will be understandably difficult for Carolina fans to trust this process.
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