Tag: Chris Tabor

Chris Tabor recalls his most memorable moment of the season

Panthers interim HC Chris Tabor recalled his favorite moment of the season on Monday.

Monday morning was a particularly hectic one for the Carolina Panthers  . . . or at least whoever’s left of them. But that didn’t prevent Chris Tabor from answering the tough questions.

In what was likely the last press conference as the team’s interim head coach, Tabor was asked about his most memorable moment from an otherwise forgettable 2023 season. His answer may not surprise you.

“Didn’t like the way we played in New Orleans,” he said of Carolina’s Week 14 loss to the Saints. “Wasn’t real happy after the game on that one. And then to be able to look those guys in the eye and say, ‘Guys, we’re gonna win this next game.'”

The next game he was referring to was their Week 15 clash with the Atlanta Falcons—one that, despite the less-than-stellar conditions, gave Tabor his first win at the helm.

“And go through that process the next week, and then you show up Sunday and it’s a rainstorm, windstorm, everything else is goin’,” he continued. “And it’s all we have. And we end up winnin’ the game. And to be able to celebrate in the locker room because we all did it together.”

That celebration came after a walk-off field goal from kicker Eddy Piñeiro, who had previously spent time with Tabor back in Chicago. Piñeiro’s game-winner, his second of the campaign, also resulted in his second NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor as a Panther.

So, as Tabor himself has stated: The room will change, but the memories won’t.

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Chris Tabor to Panthers players after season finale: ‘This room will change’

Panthers interim HC Chris Tabor after Week 18 loss: ‘0-16 is horrible. This isn’t much better.’

Chris Tabor wasn’t being given an easy job when he took over as the Carolina Panthers’ interim head coach. But his messaging never wavered, from start to finish.

The finish came this afternoon, on a 9-0 loss to the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And now that the most embarrassing season in franchise history is all wrapped up, what did Tabor have to say to his players this time around?

“I just said that this room will change,” he stated after the game. “This room will now change. And I think the motto of character and compromise will still continue—for those kids, myself included. And I said you’ll probably pass that down to your kids as you become a parent. You can never lose sight of those lessons. Learn from it and move on.”

Not only did the Panthers become the first team in NFL history to go a full season without a fourth-quarter lead, but their 2-15 record made them just the second franchise to amass multiple 15-loss seasons. Ironically enough, Tabor was a part of the first franchise to hit that distinction—when he was the special teams coordinator for the 2016 and 2017 Cleveland Browns.

Those 2017 Browns, of course, finished an all-time worst 0-16 mark. So Tabor was asked about the parallels between then and now.

“I think everything that I’ve said since I’ve taken over—it’s about the tape,” he replied. “What does your tape say? I mean, yeah, 0-16 is horrible. This isn’t much better. How you go from here is obviously gonna talk a lot about how you are as a person.”

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Biggest storylines for Panthers vs. Buccaneers in Week 18

Bryce Young and the Panthers have a chance to end their season on a good note and the Buccaneers’ season on a sour one.

There isn’t a single thing at stake for the Carolina Panthers on Sunday—at least as far as the standings are concerned. But the 2023 regular-season finale will present them with quite an opportunity.

Here are the top storylines for Week 18’s showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

Chris Tabor on season finale: ‘We got a lot at stake’

Interim HC Chris Tabor believes the Panthers, even at 2-14, have plenty to play for in their regular-season finale.

Understandably so, the 2023 Carolina Panthers will be judged by the final two numbers in their win-loss record. But, as interim head coach Chris Tabor has stressed this week, they’ll also be judged by the names on their backs.

On Friday, Tabor took the lectern for the final time ahead of his team’s season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was asked how he and his players, who are an NFL-worst 2-14 to this point, can put their stamp on this last outing.

“Like I mentioned earlier in the week, you have your name on it,” Tabor replied. “And that’s a lot right there. At the end of the day, your name and your tape—those are important things.

“I think people, when there’s change that’s gonna take place, people are gonna come in—and as I’ve always stated and I’ve stated it to the players—they’re gonna look at: How did you play those last games when the adversity was at its highest? And I always say, that says a lot about a player . . . and a coach. So, we got a lot at stake on this game.”

Tabor, who has led the Panthers to a 1-4 mark since taking over in Week 13, was then asked how he’d evaluate his stint as the team’s interim head coach.

“Obviously, you always wanna win more than you lose,” he said. “But with regards to tryin’ to show some improvement—I think we have done that. Disappointed in how we played last week. That’s why I’m so excited about this last opportunity.”

In addition to building off last Sunday’s shutout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Panthers also have a chance to spoil a third straight NFC South title for the visiting Buccaneers.

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Chris Tabor is 2023’s 2nd-highest rated ST coordinator in NFLPA survey

Like OC Thomas Brown, Panthers interim HC/special teams coordinator Chris Tabor is quite admired by his players.

Chris Tabor has had a bit more on his plate than the run-of-the-mill special teams coordinator in 2023. But according to his players, he’s handled his extra servings quite well.

As the 2023 season draws to a close, the NFL Players Association asked over 1,700 players to rate the coordinators they’ve played under on a scale of one to 10. The results released on Thursday—and Tabor, who has also had to serve as the Carolina Panthers’ interim head coach for much of the campaign, comes in at No. 2 amongst all special teams coordinators.

The locker room’s respect for the 52-year-old is no secret in Charlotte, as he was one of the few holdovers during the team’s transition from Matt Rhule to Frank Reich. Tabor then transitioned into a dual role for the Panthers after just 12 weeks, taking over head-coaching duties from the fired Reich.

As is the case for offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, who also rated second amongst his peers, Tabor’s work hasn’t pushed the Panthers to many victories. The 2-14 record, however, doesn’t do either man justice.

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Chris Tabor on Derrick Brown: ‘I don’t call him DB, I call him Pro Bowler’

Panthers interim HC Chris Tabor on Derrick Brown’s 2023 season: “I don’t call him ‘DB,’ I call him ‘Pro Bowler.'”

To Carolina Panthers interim head coach Chris Tabor, Derrick Brown is a Pro Bowler—even if that title isn’t official by tonight.

At 8 p.m. ET, the NFL will announce the full rosters for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games. And although his standout defensive tackle hasn’t been getting the credit he deserves for a phenomenal campaign, Tabor heaped praise upon Brown this afternoon.

“Oh, I think he’s havin’ a heck of a year,” Tabor said. “What is he? Three tackles short of 100?  I mean, think about that. That position, and to have the opportunity to get over 100 tackles.

“I’ve said it for weeks—I don’t call him ‘DB,’ I call him ‘Pro Bowler.'”

As an appetizer to tonight’s announcements, the league released the top-10 vote-getters for each position. Brown was not listed amongst the defensive tackle group.

Nonetheless, the fourth-year force is on the doorstep of history. Brown is just three takedowns shy of breaking the NFL’s single-season record for the most tackles by a defensive lineman (98).

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Chris Tabor asked about David Tepper’s drink-tossing incident

Panthers interim HC Chris Tabor was asked about owner David Tepper’s drink-tossing incident for the first time on Wednesday.

As expected, Carolina Panthers interim head coach Chris Tabor just wanted to stick to football on Wednesday.

Tabor spoke with reporters for the first time since the video of owner David Tepper’s drink-tossing incident emerged. Upon opening up his post-practice press conference this afternoon, he was asked if he had any impressions of the clip.

“I don’t have any impressions,” Tabor replied.

Tepper, towards the end of Sunday’s 26-0 loss, was captured angrily emptying the contents of a cup in the direction of Jacksonville Jaguars fans. The NFL has since fined him $300,000 for what they deemed as “unacceptable conduct.”

Tabor was then asked what he would have done if a player had acted similarly.

“I stick with the team,” he replied. “What I will say is this—I’m responsible for the guys in the locker room at this time and that’s what I’m doin’. I’m gonna stick to that and I’ll answer any questions on Tampa if you’d like.”

Well, it’s on to Tampa Bay—at least for Tabor.

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Biggest storylines for Panthers vs. Jaguars in Week 17

Bryce Young and the Panthers have a chance to spoil the playoff hopes of the Trevor Lawrence-less Jaguars in Week 17.

The Carolina Panthers and the Jacksonville Jaguars have ended up on two different paths this season. But if all goes right for the former group of cats this weekend, the latter may be joining them.

Here are the biggest storylines for the Week 17 matchup:

Chris Tabor: ‘We’re not the Washington Generals playing the Globetrotters’

Panthers interim HC Chris Tabor on Week 17 matchup vs. Jaguars: “We’re not the Washington Generals playing the Globetrotters.”

Since being eliminated from playoff contention almost one month ago, the Carolina Panthers have relished the chance to play spoiler. They did it successfully against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15 and nearly did it against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16.

Luckily for them, they’ll have another chance at it on Sunday.

Interim head coach Chris Tabor spoke to reporters for the final time ahead of his team’s matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was asked how the week leading into the Week 17 clash has gone.

“I think the guys have put themselves in a good position to give themselves a chance,” he said. “I like where we’re at, I like how they’re practicing, I like how they’re playing. And now, it gives you an opportunity to set yourself up for success. We’re playin’ a really good team that is fightin’ to go in the playoffs. So, this is a big game for us and a big game for them.”

Despite entering the contest on a four-game losing streak, the 8-7 Jaguars remain atop the AFC South. But that “lead” is only by virtue of tiebreakers, as the 8-7 Indianapolis Colts and 8-7 Houston Texans are breathing down their necks.

So, Tabor was asked if there’s any extra incentive to keep playing spoiler at the expense of Jacksonville’s postseason lives.

“Yeah, I don’t think we need outside motivation,” he replied. “But at the same time—like I’ve always said—if we’re gonna compete and we’re gonna play, let’s win. We’re not the Washington Generals playing the Globetrotters. We wanna go down, compete, play and win the game.”

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Chris Tabor on Bryce Young: ‘He has all the things older QBs have’

Panthers interim HC Chris Tabor praised Bryce Young’s impressive and consistent work ethic.

The numbers in 2023 haven’t always been good for Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, but the work ethic has.

It may have taken 16 weeks, but this year’s No. 1 overall pick finally produced like a No. 1 overall pick. Sunday’s heartbreaking loss to the Green Bay Packers saw Young complete 23 of his 36 throws for a career-high 312 yards and two touchdowns.

That performance, which is currently up for a couple of weekly honors, was preceded by his most clutch outing of his rookie campaign. The week prior, Young led a game-winning 17-play, 90-yard drive (in the pouring rain, no less) to push the Panthers past the Atlanta Falcons.

Interim head coach Chris Tabor was asked how Young’s recent play will help him start fresh in 2024.

“His work ethic is outstanding, and that hasn’t changed,” Tabor replied.
I see it all the time. In fact, he was in the weight room super early this morning gettin’ his lift in. The guy stays late and watches a lot of film. He has all the things you see older quarterbacks have.

“Now, you’re seein’ a guy take a fourth-quarter drive in the Atlanta game, and then to the next week to where it wasn’t going as well offensively at the very beginning in the first quarter—but then saying, ‘Let’s stop, now let’s start playin’ and get everybody goin.’

“You’re seein’ a lot of those intangibles. I see it in practice when he commands the huddle. And he’s just gonna continue to get better and better as he goes through these experiences.”

Hopefully for Tabor, Young and the Panthers, they’ll have two more worthwhile experiences to take into next season.

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