Tag: David Tepper

Twitter reacts to hiring of new Panthers OC Ben McAdoo

As expected, Twitter clowned Matt Rhule and the Panthers upon news of the Ben McAdoo hire.

Last week’s initial link between the Carolina Panthers and Ben McAdoo gave the fine members of Twitter an incredible amount of inspiration. So, in a tribute to their exceptional work, we had to let you know about it.

Now, that inspiration has certainly grown with news of the actual hiring of the former New York Giants head coach on Friday. And, of course, we’ll let you know about that, too . . .

Panthers HC Matt Rhule reportedly likely to get vote of confidence from David Tepper

CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones believes Matt Rhule is likely to get a public vote of confidence from Panthers owner David Tepper upon filling out his coaching staff.

According to numerous reports from a few reputable insiders, the situation between the Carolina Panthers and head coach Matt Rhule remains quite fluid . . . or does it?

You won’t find many scribes outside of Jonathan Jones who have better connections to the franchise. After all, the current CBS Sports senior NFL reporter was the former team beat reporter for The Charlotte Observer from 2012 to 2016.

So if there’s anyone to believe in when it comes to the Panthers, Jones certainly isn’t a bad bet. And he, amidst this allegedly consequential hiring process, thinks Rhule will get a third year in 2022.

“I believe that Matt Rhule will get a vote of confidence—a public vote of confidence—from owner David Tepper once those assistant positions and that offensive coordinator position is filled,” he said this past week. “Then, the owner can point to that and say ‘There’s the change,’ and now it’s about winning or else in year three. But I don’t think Matt Rhule is going anywhere now or any time soon. I would very much believe he will be the Week 1 head coach of the Carolina Panthers.”

Rhule is currently going through the rounds in hiring for four key spots on his coaching staff. In addition to dismissing offensive coordinator Joe Brady during the team’s Week 13 bye, the second-year head coach let go of special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn, offensive line coach Pat Meyer and defensive line coach Frank Okam last Tuesday.

Fans have been wondering where Tepper has been since season’s end, particularly since the owner has gone on record saying he wants to be transparent. Well, they might not have to wonder for much longer.

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Panthers HC Matt Rhule says he hasn’t been told his job hinges on OC hiring

During Thursday’s interview on The Mac Attack, Panthers HC Matt Rhule said David Tepper hasn’t told him his job depends on finding a “rockstar” OC.

Much has been made of the Carolina Panthers’ ongoing search for a new offensive coordinator—including the job status of head coach Matt Rhule. If he reportedly cannot land a play-caller of owner David Tepper’s liking, it could mean curtains for his tenure.

But that doesn’t seem to be the case, at least according to Rhule himself.

This past Sunday, FOX’s NFL insider Jay Glazer reported that 46-year-old’s future with the team may hinge on him bringing aboard a “rockstar” offensive coordinator. Rhule, during today’s interview on WNFZ’s The Mac Attack, had a much different story.

“I’ve never been told that my status depends on who I hire,” he said. “In fact, every conversation I’ve had with David Tepper has been—I think I saw him twice Monday, twice Tuesday—it’s always been long-term vision, long-term vision, long-term vision,” he said. “‘Hey, we know what we need to do. We know we need to build the backbone of the team. Control the line of scrimmage. We need to solidify ourselves at quarterback. We need to get the staff where we want it.’ It’s all been that.”

Well, considering he’s now let go of four of his assistants, he’s certainly right about having to get that staff. In addition to the midseason firing of former offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Rhule dismissed special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn, offensive line coach Pat Meyer and defensive line coach Frank Okam on Tuesday.

Hopefully for Rhule, Tepper shares that “long-term vision” amidst what’s looking to be the development of some long-term issues within the organization.

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Panthers owner David Tepper reportedly ‘unhappy and embarrassed’ by state of team

This past Monday, Panthers HC Matt Rhule said owner David Tepper has shown him tremendous support and confidence. But that may be wearing thin.

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With all due respect to Matt Rhule’s body of work, his only prior NFL coaching experience before leading the Carolina Panthers was as an offensive line assistant for one season with the New York Giants. So jumping to make him one of the highest-paid head coaches in the game, as owner David Tepper did, was always considered a risk.

And, unfortunately for the billionaire hedge fund manager, his risk is not paying off.

In an additional bit from The Athletic‘s Dec. 31 report on the abysmal state of Rhule’s Panthers, author Joseph Person notes that Tepper is not exactly ecstatic with how his $62 million investment is coming along.

“Sources say owner David Tepper is unhappy and embarrassed after the $16 billion hedge fund manager gave Rhule a seven-year, $62 million deal to outbid the New York Giants for his services,” Person wrote, via Pro Football Talk.

Quite frankly, he should be.

In Rhule’s two-year run, Carolina has gone a sour 10-21. They’re currently skidding out on a five-game losing streak, with losses in 10 of their last 12 outings, and have fostered the league’s most volatile and perplexing quarterback situation.

Person’s story, in addition to Tepper’s supposed discontent, details numerous red flags of the Rhule regime. Those concerning developments include a show of favoritism towards guys Rhule coached in college, skepticism from the locker room about the process, a disconnect on Rhule having final say on roster decisions and an alleged instance where Rhule told players he chose them over the higher-paying collegiate opportunities he could have left for.

This past Monday, Rhule refuted there being any uneasiness on Tepper’s part, saying his conversation with the owner after the team’s Week 16 defeat was a positive one.

“I talked to Dave today. He’s been unbelievably supportive,” Rhule said following the 32-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “All of our conversations this morning were about ‘Best thing to do moving forward.’ So he’s been tremendously supportive and shown me a lot of confidence.”

Let’s see how much longer that support and confidence lasts as Tepper’s product continues to crumble.

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Panthers lacking harmony, continuity amidst Joe Brady firing

The firing of Joe Brady is yet another sign of a greater problem with Matt Rhule’s Carolina Panthers.

About a month and a half prior to firing his offensive coordinator in Joe Brady, head coach Matt Rhule spoke of finding a new identity for the struggling Carolina Panthers. He sought a fresh response to the listless and directionless team they had settled into being.

“We’re gonna redefine who we are,” he said following a Week 6 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings. “And we’re gonna run the football and we’re gonna protect our quarterback and we’re not gonna turn the ball over anymore. That’s just the only way we’re gonna win.”

That disappointing outcome, a 34-28 upending that sent them to their third straight loss at the time, didn’t see Carolina do any of those things. But it was the miss on the first checkmark, even in the absence of star rusher Christian McCaffrey, that seemingly irked Rhule the most.

“We came in saying we were gonna run the football,” Rhule continued in that morning-after presser. “Early on, we weren’t running it great. We’ve gotten better running the ball every week when you look at the tape. I just don’t know if we’re not doing a good enough job as coaches of committing to it and staying with it. So I came into this week saying I wanted to run the ball 33 times. We didn’t get that done.”

They didn’t get it done, having run just 23 times on the afternoon. They wouldn’t get it done in their very next game either, as an embarrassing 25-3 thumping at the hands of the New York Giants resulted in an ever fewer output of 17 carries.

It was here where the first seeds of a schism were publicly planted. And it was here—even despite totaling 203 rushing yards on a gaudy 47 tries in the following outing along with the subsequent denials of any personnel changes—that once again showed us the disconnect within the organization.

Brady’s departure is just the latest sign in what’s been a laundry list of lapses and backpedals since Rhule was hired to head this rebuild. Under his watch, the Panthers have released and signed back Cam Newton, signed and shipped away Teddy Bridgewater and traded for Sam Darnold, who the team would probably love to move on from in 2022.

Except—on top of bringing in and taking out Brady—they’ve also switched general managers, extended McCaffrey on what’s so far been a nightmare contract and picked up Darnold’s weighty fifth-year option for next season. This has all gone down, mind you, in just 23 months’ time.

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Rhule’s constant failures at filling the quarterback spot, obviously, have been the most apparent of those missteps. You’re probably not going to succeed without a legitimate, constant presence at the most important position in all of North American sports.

Starting out by unceremoniously dumping the franchise’s most accomplished player in favor of a pricey pact for a very limited passer was not, well, great. So when that project met its inevitable end, they moved on to the next one—a former third overall pick who even the New York Jets realized was too volatile to continue with.

Now—through these ill-fated decisions—the Panthers are left with paying $7 million for a guy to play for the Denver Broncos, an incoming $18.8 million for a broken (literally and figuratively) investment and are left without second and fourth-round picks this spring as a result. Oh, and they’re back to square one at the will of Newton.

By the way, shall we also mention Rhule’s regime passed up on Justin Fields and Mac Jones back in April? Owner David Tepper may want us to . . .

Again, Sunday’s axing of the offensive wunderkind proves anything other than a sturdy, steady-minded, united front. While debating whether Brady did enough as a play-caller himself is a worthwhile discussion to have, that may pale in comparison to the greater underlying problem.

Rather, the more prudent issue to address is the lack of harmony and continuity that has and will continue to sidetrack this rebuild.

The only harmony this process has seen, as a matter of fact, is the perpetual tone of mistakes this regime has played in its two lousy years. And as the 5-7 Panthers head down their final stretch of this largely dull 2021, Rhule may have to find another note to hit before that bald, bold businessman upstairs redefines his identity.

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Four Verts: The Browns’ Baker Mayfield problem and a chaotic end to the NFL season

The Browns and Baker Mayfield are at a crossroads while the Colts are racing to the finish line.

The NFL season is rapidly approaching its end with just six weeks left on the schedule. It’s a bittersweet moment to realize, but at the same time, this is a great time to spin topics forward and look at how the current happenings might affect the near-future of the league.

Not every team is concerned about getting to the playoffs right now. Some teams are just trying to get to the end of the season after blowing it in the first 12 weeks. Others are trying to figure out how in the world they got to a dark point after a hot start.

Quarterback problems, organizational problems, a rising AFC power and a wild playoff race are big themes as the 2021 season begins to hit the back nine.

Report: Panthers willing to trade Christian McCaffrey in deal for Deshaun Watson

According to @JasonLaCanfora, the Panthers are reportedly back in for Texans QB Deshaun Watson and are willing to trade RB Christian McCaffrey to get him.

If you’re surprised that the Carolina Panthers may now be back in for Deshaun Watson, then you probably haven’t been paying attention.

A report on Friday night from Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports suggests the Panthers are still in pursuit of the Houston Texans quarterback, noting that a trade “remains a priority ahead of Tuesday’s deadline” for team owner David Tepper. And they’re so in, in fact, that their superstar running back may be on the table.

“League sources said the Panthers are willing to part with three high picks and All Pro running back Christian McCaffrey in a package for Watson; the Texans are very high on several of the Panthers’ young defensive standouts (still on their rookie contracts and younger and cheaper than McCaffrey), and the sides have yet to reach a compromise,” La Canfora writes.

This latest bit comes just two days after the Panthers, according to numerous outlets, abandoned the race for Watson. Houston’s asking price and Carolina’s inability to meet with the 26-year-old quarterback, who is currently facing 22 lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct, were reportedly the deciding factors.

La Canfora adds the Panthers have a few advantages over the Miami Dolphins, including their appealing crop of young defenders.

“The Panthers have more proven young talent than the Dolphins, one other factor that could lead to them, and not Miami, landing Watson. Panthers executive Steven Drummond is very close with Texans top exec Jack Easterby, the Texans would prefer to ship Watson to the NFC, all things being equal, and Tepper’s motivation to land Watson should not be overlooked. He has made it clear throughout his organization for some time that he covets the Texans’ franchise QB, he is looking to expand the Panthers as a regional brand deeper into South Carolina, and believes that adding Clemson star players could help in that cause.”

Whether this potential development holds water or is just a game of chicken being played through the media between Houston and Miami, the Panthers are very much in the market for a passer. We’ll know in a few days where this seesaw is actually tipping.

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Panthers react to their Week 1 victory over the Jets

Twitter is a fun place when you win. Luckily for the Panthers, they won in the 2021 opener.

Lighting up social media after a loss isn’t really a great look. But fortunately for the Carolina Panthers, they didn’t lose. Hit those phones, boys!

Here’s how some of your favorite Panthers celebrated, via the Twitter machine, their 19-14 Week 1 win over the New York Jets on Sunday.

Linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. may be right. His fellow backer Shaq Thompson led the charge this afternoon, registering ten total tackles, a sack, an interception and three pass deflections.

And it’s safe to say that Shaq may agree with that sentiment.

Rookie wide receiver Terrace Marshall, after his first pro game, and linebacker Haason Reddick, who had a sack and a half, gave some of the credit to their faith.

Offensive coordinator Joe Brady kept things simple.

Plus, for a bonus treat, we have a beautiful chorus serenading a couple of birthday boys in defensive end Morgan Fox and owner David Tepper.

2021 is off to a feel-good start for the franchise, one that’s still digging upwards in its rebuilding stage. So even though it wasn’t a perfect performance, this opening triumph is certainly worth getting hyped up about.

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Panthers announce relief efforts towards Hurricane Ida recovery

The Carolina Panthers organization is pledging support in the recovery from Hurricane Ida.

Football is family. And when family needs help, they come together.

On Wednesday, the Carolina Panthers announced the organization will be providing relief in the path to recovery from Hurricane Ida. Carolina Panthers Charities, the Nicole & David Tepper Foundation and the David A. Tepper Charitable Foundation are donating $1 million to the efforts in New Orleans and its surrounding areas.

The Teppers have also pledged their support for the areas more local to the state of North Carolina that have also been affected by the hurricane.

Ida has now been recorded as the second-most powerful hurricane to ever hit Louisiana. Firms estimate, according to The Wall Street Journal, damages of up to $15 billion across the states of Lousiana, Alabama and Mississippi.

The New Orleans Saints, who gave a tip of the cap to the Panthers for their support, will not be playing the season opener in their home of the Caesars Superdome as a result. They will, instead, meet the Green Bay Packers in Jacksonville at TIAA Bank Field for their Week 1 matchup.

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Watch: Panthers owner David Tepper boldly drops expletive on live TV

Apparently, Panthers owner David Tepper doesn’t give a sh . . . darn.

Even before he purchased the Carolina Panthers, David Tepper was known for having “brass balls.” No, really. He used to have a statue of giant brass genitals in his office at Appaloosa Management.

Well, after his appearance on Friday night, we know now he actually owns two pairs of those.

While hitting the team broadcast booth for a halftime interview with commentator Taylor Zarzour and franchise legend Steve Smith, Tepper dropped some thoughts on his players. He also (*warning*) dropped an s-bomb.

Welp.

There’s no doubt Tepper has a ton of confidence and fortitude to spare, obviously. The only question is which part of that interview was more astonishing, the fact that he preemptively dropped the expletive or that he nonchalantly told Smith he could afford any fine coming his way for it?

With Tepper’s most recent reported net worth at $15.8 billion, he’s certainly right. He can afford that fine. And another one. And another one. And another one . . .

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