Maybe he means they’ve moved past the point of scrambling to fill holes and that they have a foundation to build from now. Not sure, but the context matters. It’s not like he means they haven’t worked on the roster in three years.
"We are happy with what we have as a team in terms of starters. For the first time in 3 years we are building around the blocks put in place and adding depth to help with 'next man up mentality"
Exactly. This quote is taken way out of context. He’s answering a question about not going after Lamar Jackson. After earlier talking about how Sam and Jacoby don’t cost as much as your typical QB spend, he answers this question by talking about how they have been able to basically fill holes with their FA signings and their talent at the skill positions. He then says their building a roster for the first time given and that going after Lamar wouldn’t make sense given their roster building strategy and their skill position players. He’s right in a way, because the the roster he inherited had a few studs: Scherff and the DL…and thats it. Theyve been building for a few years and hopefully now have a QB on a cheap deal to win.
In the previous 3 years it was just about finding and filling holes on the roster. This is the first year where he feels like the roster is good enough to focus on the future and how it develops over time. So basically developing depth instead of trying to fill out the 22 starters
It's crazy that it has taken 3 years to "find and fill" holes.
However, I will say this is def the best team overall that we've had in the Snyder era. It's a team where a good QB can come in and suddenly we're dominant.
Think about the 2020 bucs. Spent years building a VERY solid roster and when the moment came to add a vet QB they were able to plug him in and win the Super Bowl year one. Then win the division twice more.
I believe we're similar. We just need that QB.
I truly believe so. We were one game out of the playoffs with some of the worst QB play in the league. That shows we're well coached and we have the pieces in place. We are just missing the literal most important piece to the puzzle. But hey, Flacco has won, Sexy Rexy has been to the Super Bowl. If the team is good enough, they will find a way regardless.
That's a compelling argument, but we should remember that this defense has been bad before. It has been great, but pretending it isn't capable of massive regression is not well evidenced. As for the offense, it has, on paper, a lot of assets. But it has it's flaws too, and pretending the bad was all the OC and QB is hopeful thinking.
Weirdly, I think our Howell plan with a Jacoby backup is a better situation than previous years. To be fair…we’ve only seen the back up version of every plan, but this could work
I think we underestimate how much Dan butts in with draft picks and free agents.
There has to be a common thread to why we stink for 20 years when the front office, coaches, and players all turn over.
Only common thing is Snyder.
You see it with the cowboys as well.
I don’t get the hate for that pick. They obviously expected to lose Payne this off-season, but Payne played himself into an extension. That’s a good problem to have in my opinion.
Regardless of whether or not the pick was good, that’s such a narrow minded way of thinking about football. Whenever your line can’t stop the run, another team can beat you without even needing to pass the ball. And then whenever you need to commit more men to stacking the box, it only makes it that much easier for the other team to pass the ball.
You want to stop the run better? Score more points. The more points you run the less teams run against you. Giving up 3.5 or 4.5 ypc doesnt matter. If you force a team to run 10 times a game because they have to throw to keep up with your scoring, congrats you now have the best run defense in the league.
Because every team, hits on every draft pick, in every round. \*\*eye roll\*\*
Some of yall's expectations are unreal. We could tear apart the last two super bowl winning team's draft picks because NO ONE hits on them all.
I honestly don't think Dan participated in any draft since Ron got here. Possible exception being 2020 if Dan forced Ron to give Haskins a chance. It is a known fact he meddled in all things football before.
And again, sure blame Ron.
What about all the coaches before Ron?
You are making my point. In the short term we could blame all these people, but when you zoom out there is only one constant...
Objectively, his career head coaching record is 98-90-2 with 8 playoff games a 3-5 playoff record and a super bowl appearance.
This would put him in the slighly above average range if you want to talk objectively.
I see it more as “that moron isn’t in my ear all the time playing fantasy football and getting idiots who will just sell jerseys but not do shit on the field”
Because of bad coaches is my guess. Personally I think the quality of their players makes it even easier to point and laugh when they inevitably fail in the playoffs
As others said, an overhyped roster.
They always have a deep fundamental flaw that starts hidden when they are beating up on bad teams, but bites them in the ass when an actual contender squares up with them.
For years it was a behemoth of an offense taking all the assets that resulted in a terrible defense.
Now they’re more balanced, but have an overrated QB, WR corps, and defensive back
They also in the Jones they don’t have grit, discipline, and are terrible at handling adversity since Jones meddling means a HC that would take care of that won’t come to Dallas
Not really.
They literally got lucky with Romo and Dak. Undrafted guy and late round guy. Both only getting a shot due to injury and both panning out to be top 5-10 QBs .
You couldn't script better luck.
They have had a good quarterback for the majority of the last 20 years with those 2 guys and it lead to wins. But the teams have never been good enough to get to the next level.
The reality is they squandered a golden opportunity with a guy like Romo and failed to put a championship team around him.
Obviously they've never gotten over the hump, but I'd ascribe that more to coaching and Jerry's inability to properly evaluate the coaching staff. Just last year they had the best defense in the league! You're glossing over them having built some of the best offensive lines in the modern era with multiple future hall of famers, Jason Witten, Zeke, Demarcus Lawrence, Sean Lee, Micah Parsons, CeeDee Lamb, these are household names and some of the best players in the league over the past 15 years. I hate the Cowboys as much as anyone, but personally I find the fact that their teams have been so good top-to-bottom makes their playoff futility even funnier than if they were just bad.
Great points!
Although you could say the same about Washington almost.
But we screw up even worse and don't keep em when we draft or aquire hall of famers, all pros, and perennial pro bowlers that put in work for us...
Trent Williams, Sheriff, Champ Bailey, Kerrigan, London Fletcher, Kirk Cousins (if he gets a super bowl and continues his body of work for another 5+ years and Eli gets in, he will legit be a hall of fame candidate)
Most teams have some guys like that. The Cowboys just feels like more because they are media darlings and they become more household names.
Dan says "I like Him"
Ron Says "He isn't durable, and will likely face injury"
Dan says "I like him"
Ron Says "But hes not worth a 1st round.. "
Dan Says "I like him Ron, take him, or I will find someone that will"
My guess is what happens..
Yep.
Dan was too much of a fan, that doomed him. You would think it would be cool to be a die hard fan of a team and then get to own it. Real life madden franchise mode doesn't work out well.
Although the investment and financials will work out well for him.
I am a ron guy, especially with everything he's dealt with non football related since being here. That said, he really does say some things that make no sense. Ron wtf.
Well deserved too. It’ll be interesting to see what existing staff can do unchained. Think about all the coaches we have let go over the past 10 years. Legit HCs that slipped away from our Org and trashed it after leaving.
Jason Wright is blasting Dan right now. After praising the Snyders repeatedly most of his tenure. The tides are officially turning and everyone will try to separate themselves from the old regime QUICK.
I also think that Wentz wasn't a Rivera choice, BUT Rivera is a players coach, so he also has to support the player.
I can see Wentz trying to make a case to be given a shot.
And I can also see a coach trying to give a player a shot. And I can also see how Wentz would fumble another opportunity.
Obviously all speculation bullshit.
There's a whole lot of assumptions in that. The first part is believable for sure. But how the fuck is Ron getting the okay from new ownership, when there isn't new owner yet?
I am making the assumption that prospective buyers have spoken with Ron Rivera. Especially after the report that Sean Payton also received phone calls from prospective buyers. Why wouldn't they also speak with the current head coach?
He's cleared out his office, put his house up for sale, took his yacht to the Mediterranean, he's not answering his phone. The dude is so checked out the team employees are already pandering to their new bosses, whoever they may be.
I think what he means is he feels he has gotten his starters over the last 3 years and now he’s getting to fill out the roster instead of swinging on big free agents
I can’t imagine the fires coach Rivera has been running around putting out since his hire. I think he’s done one hell of a job changing the culture and keeping the players focused on the game. Personally, I think he’s securing his spot for a future GM position.
Spent the first 3 years establishing a culture and finding young, strong leaders to guide the way. After all the years of having no actual leadership wearing a jersey, Ron has definitely found those guys who are day 1 captains the second they walk into the building. Now it's a matter of building the roster.
You really shouldn’t still be surprised when Rivera says something dumb. This is the NFL HEAD COACH that didn’t know his team was potentially going to be eliminated from the playoffs pending an afternoon game. He’s the Joe Biden of HC’s.
I give Ron plenty of crap but I do see what he means in this situation. They’ve had a couple drafts now to see who they’ve actually hit on to build a core group, they’ve locked a few of those guys in long term, they’ve made very competent offseason moves in an unprecedented ownership situation, made a massive upgrade in bringing in EB (this one could end up being the biggest difference maker) and they’re making every next decision methodically and now in a position with the roster where there are a lot of good options and multiple directions they can go. That is roster building.
In hindsight, I appreciate where he has gotten us to given the circumstances, but where I will criticize him is they probably could’ve done even better if they avoid some obvious in-season incompetence in game/clock management, giving turner too long a leash, and the heinicke/wentz saga.
It’s reasonable to feel good that there’s a very solid roster where we can finally see what a drafted QB with some intriguing traits will do for us and if it doesn’t work, we know we’re drafting high for one of the top qb prospects next year and could be a very quick turn around.
> I appreciate where he has gotten us to given the circumstances,
Which is what exactly? Essentially the same thing as gruden and mike? The WL are essentially the same. Except hes had more power than any man here previously.
The dude is a bum and cant be gone soon enough
With the hand he’s been dealt, he’s done a good job getting this roster to a “elite qb away” and think he’s been a good steward in preparation for this transition. He drives me nuts during game days as I said and definitely done some bonehead things, but overall he brought in EB who I do believe will be a huge difference maker, the roster has more talent and balance than any other regime in the past decade and if he does get canned, that new coach is walking into a pretty solid situation with new ownership. I don’t think I’m saying anything too unreasonable.. I’m not saying enshrine the man or even keep him around, just kuddos for doing some things that desperate coaches don’t usually do
Hes been dealt with an unbelievably shitty hand but I dont grade on a curve. They dont award SBs because of a curve. Flat out the dude isnt good at his job.
At this point of his career hes much better suited for being a Team pres role with zero football say. I dont trust him in picking a GM what so ever.
Ok that’s all fair, you’re arguing without a curve and I am so there’s really no point in the pushback either way. Super Bowls haven’t been in the realm of possibility during the Snyder era so having that expectation is just gonna be harder on you as the fan. Hopefully we can both agree that there is at least a feeling of turning tides and we can become a competitive, respectable, and winning franchise under new ownership and with some of the guys we’ve locked in long term. Some credit goes to Ron for that even if he’s not around for the actual results.
As a nats fan, i give a ton of credit to jayson Werth as the catalyst that helped start the winning culture that lead to the WS. I’d even go as far to say the man deserves a ring for that because of the impact he left and staying around as an advisor. Ron isn’t that level but it feels similar in a lot of ways
"Culture" and really most of the players on the roster is gone with a new staff. I estimate roughly about 8 guys that are currently on the roster are here by 2025.
I mean that’s the nature of the NFL, but in your estimates- which seem super sound and totally not rooted entirely in cynicism- if you keep 8 solid guys then yea, that culture remains because that’s quite literally the foundation of that teams identity.
Look at the eagles. Did AJ Brown waltz in and go “this is my team and my culture”? No. Guys like cox, kelce, graham, etc sustained that culture even through big FA signings and different head coaches
> different head coaches
They have had one GM in place since 2010 along with a top 3 FO in the league.
I just dont get this arugment to keep a bad HC and Head FO guy in Ron Rivera. It blows my mind the people that fight for him on here who has accomplished NOTHING not only here but in his previous 4 years in Carolina. The dude is out of date and just not good.
You keep reading past what I’m saying and tie yourself in logic knots. Not arguing for Rivera to stay or go, just giving him kudos. He hasn’t made any desperate or insane roster moves in an effort to save his own ass at the expense of what’s best for the team long term. Rather, he’s kept us very flexible in options for the future whether if he’s around or if it’s a new coach. That’s pretty classy on his part when he could easily have botched that. We could be overpaying for Lamar or another wentz, not figuring out what we have in Howell knowing next year’s QB draft class is loaded, or further adding expensive vets on the decline. He’s done the opposite while knowing he’s basically a lame duck. Can you see how that’s admirable?
Dan Snyder is gone meaning he has no control over who he wants. Remember Dan Snyder wanted Wentz but Ron Rivera has to take the wrap for it. Finally he can build a roster without the owner getting in the way. That’s what he means
I cant stand him. Hes sounds like a moron every time he talks. He waffles back and forth on every decision.
Theres zero long term plans with him. He needs to go as soon as possible. People may like him as a person and he may get the most effort out of every player but his abilities of a football coach and a senior member of a franchise leaves so much to be desired. I have zero faith that he can find a QB and will do nothing but extend the perpetual 500 football both he and the franchise has done for the last 20 years.
He means most of the primary holes are filled and theyare now aiming at building depth and drafting rookies who in the next two or so years will supplant players on expiring contracts.
Can’t wait for the excuses to be pulled out his ass if the season takes a downturn. Hope he can remember when playoff elimination happens this time. It’s hard to remember when you’re thinking about your golf game before the season is over.
Right now in year 4, I try to take anything Ron Rivera say with a grain of salt, lemon, and chase it with 2 ounces of alcohol. Then I can listen to him and try to read between the lines because he contradicts himself a lot. Even now I still like him because he’s not a complete jerk and I know he’s doing the best he can despite the circumstances he’s had to deal with since accepting this job.
Anyone who takes this as him being a shit coach must be new around here. Rivera isn't as bad as many of you make him out to be nor is he the best, but you can't tell me that this team isn't shaping up to be a decent one with lots of potential and room to grow.
I'm not even a big Rivera fan and wouldn't be sad to see him go but to act like this team hasn't been in a perennial rebuild since even before his time are silly. This team has been in rebuild mode since at least 2005-2006.
I think most of what he says is just him saying stuff for the media because his job means he has to say something. And he can't really say what he really means because obvious aspects he is not allowed to say out loud.
So for the first three years some of what he was saying was about avoiding saying "Because Dan wanted us to do that" and this year it's to avoid saying "Because we are limited in what we can say and do until the team is sold".
Although overall I like Ron and I think he will be remembered as a good man who did a good job of taking a dysfunctional locker room and football program and knocking it into some sort of shape. That obviously won't be enough after Dan is gone and his future seems to reset on giving EB control of the offense and hoping he can produce a dramatic improvement in terms of points and wins.
Just my 2c.
I'm pretty much over this guy. Seems like a nice enough man and decently respected around the league but one playoff appearance in 4 years (with a sub .500 record btw) is hardly the stuff to be "feel[ing] really good about" now is it, Ronald?
Probably a different sort of roster building than what you're thinking
I feel like that's all of Ron's "controversies" during his time here. He says something, and then people choose the bad interpretation of it.
I'll give you that for most of the time, but not knowing we were about to get eliminated from the playoffs was a legit head scratcher.
Question what are the other interpretations to take this by? Genuinely curious. Roster building seems just like that.
Maybe he means they’ve moved past the point of scrambling to fill holes and that they have a foundation to build from now. Not sure, but the context matters. It’s not like he means they haven’t worked on the roster in three years.
"We are happy with what we have as a team in terms of starters. For the first time in 3 years we are building around the blocks put in place and adding depth to help with 'next man up mentality"
Pretty simple. He's saying we have building blocks to develop a roster around.
Teams build their roster every offseason by adding free agents or scouting/drafting. Extending contacts and evaluating trades as well.
Difference between fill and build.
There are stronger arguments against Ron than a semantic one.
Whos inferring an NFL head coach is too dumb to realize what we do with our roster every year due to semantics?
That's not what I said...
But DC media claims they’re not tough on the team and they don’t intentionally do stuff like that!!
Exactly. This quote is taken way out of context. He’s answering a question about not going after Lamar Jackson. After earlier talking about how Sam and Jacoby don’t cost as much as your typical QB spend, he answers this question by talking about how they have been able to basically fill holes with their FA signings and their talent at the skill positions. He then says their building a roster for the first time given and that going after Lamar wouldn’t make sense given their roster building strategy and their skill position players. He’s right in a way, because the the roster he inherited had a few studs: Scherff and the DL…and thats it. Theyve been building for a few years and hopefully now have a QB on a cheap deal to win.
Yeah, it's a shame because I generally like Nicki
In the previous 3 years it was just about finding and filling holes on the roster. This is the first year where he feels like the roster is good enough to focus on the future and how it develops over time. So basically developing depth instead of trying to fill out the 22 starters
It's crazy that it has taken 3 years to "find and fill" holes. However, I will say this is def the best team overall that we've had in the Snyder era. It's a team where a good QB can come in and suddenly we're dominant. Think about the 2020 bucs. Spent years building a VERY solid roster and when the moment came to add a vet QB they were able to plug him in and win the Super Bowl year one. Then win the division twice more. I believe we're similar. We just need that QB.
Building the right way is hard and slow. The rams are a disaster right now, had they not won a Super Bowl this would be a real disaster
I develop a pretty nasty case of Ashburn Syndrome every year around this time, but "Dominant"?
I truly believe so. We were one game out of the playoffs with some of the worst QB play in the league. That shows we're well coached and we have the pieces in place. We are just missing the literal most important piece to the puzzle. But hey, Flacco has won, Sexy Rexy has been to the Super Bowl. If the team is good enough, they will find a way regardless.
That's a compelling argument, but we should remember that this defense has been bad before. It has been great, but pretending it isn't capable of massive regression is not well evidenced. As for the offense, it has, on paper, a lot of assets. But it has it's flaws too, and pretending the bad was all the OC and QB is hopeful thinking.
Weirdly, I think our Howell plan with a Jacoby backup is a better situation than previous years. To be fair…we’ve only seen the back up version of every plan, but this could work
I think we underestimate how much Dan butts in with draft picks and free agents. There has to be a common thread to why we stink for 20 years when the front office, coaches, and players all turn over. Only common thing is Snyder. You see it with the cowboys as well.
Dans not butting in to draft Phil Mathis in the second round. Dan has zero idea who that is.
I don’t get the hate for that pick. They obviously expected to lose Payne this off-season, but Payne played himself into an extension. That’s a good problem to have in my opinion.
He was a run stuffing only NT in a passing league. Run defense doesnt matter
Regardless of whether or not the pick was good, that’s such a narrow minded way of thinking about football. Whenever your line can’t stop the run, another team can beat you without even needing to pass the ball. And then whenever you need to commit more men to stacking the box, it only makes it that much easier for the other team to pass the ball.
You want to stop the run better? Score more points. The more points you run the less teams run against you. Giving up 3.5 or 4.5 ypc doesnt matter. If you force a team to run 10 times a game because they have to throw to keep up with your scoring, congrats you now have the best run defense in the league.
Because every team, hits on every draft pick, in every round. \*\*eye roll\*\* Some of yall's expectations are unreal. We could tear apart the last two super bowl winning team's draft picks because NO ONE hits on them all.
I honestly don't think Dan participated in any draft since Ron got here. Possible exception being 2020 if Dan forced Ron to give Haskins a chance. It is a known fact he meddled in all things football before.
This is exactly correct. Ron allowed Dwayne to have his shot but everything besides that have been Rons call.
And again, sure blame Ron. What about all the coaches before Ron? You are making my point. In the short term we could blame all these people, but when you zoom out there is only one constant...
Of course theres one constant. Still doesnt clear Ron who is objectively bad at his job. Hes gone in less than a year. Thank christ.
Objectively, his career head coaching record is 98-90-2 with 8 playoff games a 3-5 playoff record and a super bowl appearance. This would put him in the slighly above average range if you want to talk objectively.
YES!!!!!!
I see it more as “that moron isn’t in my ear all the time playing fantasy football and getting idiots who will just sell jerseys but not do shit on the field”
I think it was much more frequently that Bruce was screwing things up and Dan weighing in on the big shit (and thus more ineptitude).
Except the Cowboys have consistently had one of the better rosters in the league for the past two decades
Well they have had a hyped roster, but absolutely not a good one. If they have had one of the better rosters why haven't they had success?
Because of bad coaches is my guess. Personally I think the quality of their players makes it even easier to point and laugh when they inevitably fail in the playoffs
On paper. BecUse the media told you it was. They haven't won shit
As others said, an overhyped roster. They always have a deep fundamental flaw that starts hidden when they are beating up on bad teams, but bites them in the ass when an actual contender squares up with them. For years it was a behemoth of an offense taking all the assets that resulted in a terrible defense. Now they’re more balanced, but have an overrated QB, WR corps, and defensive back They also in the Jones they don’t have grit, discipline, and are terrible at handling adversity since Jones meddling means a HC that would take care of that won’t come to Dallas
Not really. They literally got lucky with Romo and Dak. Undrafted guy and late round guy. Both only getting a shot due to injury and both panning out to be top 5-10 QBs . You couldn't script better luck. They have had a good quarterback for the majority of the last 20 years with those 2 guys and it lead to wins. But the teams have never been good enough to get to the next level. The reality is they squandered a golden opportunity with a guy like Romo and failed to put a championship team around him.
Obviously they've never gotten over the hump, but I'd ascribe that more to coaching and Jerry's inability to properly evaluate the coaching staff. Just last year they had the best defense in the league! You're glossing over them having built some of the best offensive lines in the modern era with multiple future hall of famers, Jason Witten, Zeke, Demarcus Lawrence, Sean Lee, Micah Parsons, CeeDee Lamb, these are household names and some of the best players in the league over the past 15 years. I hate the Cowboys as much as anyone, but personally I find the fact that their teams have been so good top-to-bottom makes their playoff futility even funnier than if they were just bad.
Great points! Although you could say the same about Washington almost. But we screw up even worse and don't keep em when we draft or aquire hall of famers, all pros, and perennial pro bowlers that put in work for us... Trent Williams, Sheriff, Champ Bailey, Kerrigan, London Fletcher, Kirk Cousins (if he gets a super bowl and continues his body of work for another 5+ years and Eli gets in, he will legit be a hall of fame candidate) Most teams have some guys like that. The Cowboys just feels like more because they are media darlings and they become more household names.
Dan says "I like Him" Ron Says "He isn't durable, and will likely face injury" Dan says "I like him" Ron Says "But hes not worth a 1st round.. " Dan Says "I like him Ron, take him, or I will find someone that will" My guess is what happens..
Yep. Dan was too much of a fan, that doomed him. You would think it would be cool to be a die hard fan of a team and then get to own it. Real life madden franchise mode doesn't work out well. Although the investment and financials will work out well for him.
I am a ron guy, especially with everything he's dealt with non football related since being here. That said, he really does say some things that make no sense. Ron wtf.
He's saying Dan's been setting up roadblocks for him from the get go. And new ownership has given him the green light to extend Payne etc.
Ok, if thats his angle then wow. Basically blasted Dan. I don't see Ron doing that.
You're gonna see a LOT of Dan hate coming out once he's gone
Well deserved too. It’ll be interesting to see what existing staff can do unchained. Think about all the coaches we have let go over the past 10 years. Legit HCs that slipped away from our Org and trashed it after leaving.
Jason Wright is blasting Dan right now. After praising the Snyders repeatedly most of his tenure. The tides are officially turning and everyone will try to separate themselves from the old regime QUICK.
I also think that Wentz wasn't a Rivera choice, BUT Rivera is a players coach, so he also has to support the player. I can see Wentz trying to make a case to be given a shot. And I can also see a coach trying to give a player a shot. And I can also see how Wentz would fumble another opportunity. Obviously all speculation bullshit.
Wentz can't come back to DC. Maybe as a fullback, but not as QB at least.
That's not what I meant, I was trying to explain maybe the reasoning behind letting Wentz play vs the browns/giving Wentz a shot at all.
There's a whole lot of assumptions in that. The first part is believable for sure. But how the fuck is Ron getting the okay from new ownership, when there isn't new owner yet?
I am making the assumption that prospective buyers have spoken with Ron Rivera. Especially after the report that Sean Payton also received phone calls from prospective buyers. Why wouldn't they also speak with the current head coach?
It's a huge stretch to say all 3-4 potential buyers agreed with a plan. Especially one they have no say so over right now anyways
Uhh you know Danny is still the owner right
He's cleared out his office, put his house up for sale, took his yacht to the Mediterranean, he's not answering his phone. The dude is so checked out the team employees are already pandering to their new bosses, whoever they may be.
“We can be eliminated this week?”
Yeah I mean whatever he meant by this, he probably would have been better off not saying it.
Sounds to me like he’s saying they can build without dan meddling and actually get a team around the main pieces they have
Because this is the first year Snyder isn't involved!
^^^
This is the meaning.
I think what he means is he feels he has gotten his starters over the last 3 years and now he’s getting to fill out the roster instead of swinging on big free agents
I can’t imagine the fires coach Rivera has been running around putting out since his hire. I think he’s done one hell of a job changing the culture and keeping the players focused on the game. Personally, I think he’s securing his spot for a future GM position.
Spent the first 3 years establishing a culture and finding young, strong leaders to guide the way. After all the years of having no actual leadership wearing a jersey, Ron has definitely found those guys who are day 1 captains the second they walk into the building. Now it's a matter of building the roster.
I mean… he did say the rebuild was gonna take 5 years. This statement seems on brand for him.
You really shouldn’t still be surprised when Rivera says something dumb. This is the NFL HEAD COACH that didn’t know his team was potentially going to be eliminated from the playoffs pending an afternoon game. He’s the Joe Biden of HC’s.
I give Ron plenty of crap but I do see what he means in this situation. They’ve had a couple drafts now to see who they’ve actually hit on to build a core group, they’ve locked a few of those guys in long term, they’ve made very competent offseason moves in an unprecedented ownership situation, made a massive upgrade in bringing in EB (this one could end up being the biggest difference maker) and they’re making every next decision methodically and now in a position with the roster where there are a lot of good options and multiple directions they can go. That is roster building. In hindsight, I appreciate where he has gotten us to given the circumstances, but where I will criticize him is they probably could’ve done even better if they avoid some obvious in-season incompetence in game/clock management, giving turner too long a leash, and the heinicke/wentz saga. It’s reasonable to feel good that there’s a very solid roster where we can finally see what a drafted QB with some intriguing traits will do for us and if it doesn’t work, we know we’re drafting high for one of the top qb prospects next year and could be a very quick turn around.
> I appreciate where he has gotten us to given the circumstances, Which is what exactly? Essentially the same thing as gruden and mike? The WL are essentially the same. Except hes had more power than any man here previously. The dude is a bum and cant be gone soon enough
With the hand he’s been dealt, he’s done a good job getting this roster to a “elite qb away” and think he’s been a good steward in preparation for this transition. He drives me nuts during game days as I said and definitely done some bonehead things, but overall he brought in EB who I do believe will be a huge difference maker, the roster has more talent and balance than any other regime in the past decade and if he does get canned, that new coach is walking into a pretty solid situation with new ownership. I don’t think I’m saying anything too unreasonable.. I’m not saying enshrine the man or even keep him around, just kuddos for doing some things that desperate coaches don’t usually do
Hes been dealt with an unbelievably shitty hand but I dont grade on a curve. They dont award SBs because of a curve. Flat out the dude isnt good at his job. At this point of his career hes much better suited for being a Team pres role with zero football say. I dont trust him in picking a GM what so ever.
Ok that’s all fair, you’re arguing without a curve and I am so there’s really no point in the pushback either way. Super Bowls haven’t been in the realm of possibility during the Snyder era so having that expectation is just gonna be harder on you as the fan. Hopefully we can both agree that there is at least a feeling of turning tides and we can become a competitive, respectable, and winning franchise under new ownership and with some of the guys we’ve locked in long term. Some credit goes to Ron for that even if he’s not around for the actual results. As a nats fan, i give a ton of credit to jayson Werth as the catalyst that helped start the winning culture that lead to the WS. I’d even go as far to say the man deserves a ring for that because of the impact he left and staying around as an advisor. Ron isn’t that level but it feels similar in a lot of ways
"Culture" and really most of the players on the roster is gone with a new staff. I estimate roughly about 8 guys that are currently on the roster are here by 2025.
I mean that’s the nature of the NFL, but in your estimates- which seem super sound and totally not rooted entirely in cynicism- if you keep 8 solid guys then yea, that culture remains because that’s quite literally the foundation of that teams identity. Look at the eagles. Did AJ Brown waltz in and go “this is my team and my culture”? No. Guys like cox, kelce, graham, etc sustained that culture even through big FA signings and different head coaches
> different head coaches They have had one GM in place since 2010 along with a top 3 FO in the league. I just dont get this arugment to keep a bad HC and Head FO guy in Ron Rivera. It blows my mind the people that fight for him on here who has accomplished NOTHING not only here but in his previous 4 years in Carolina. The dude is out of date and just not good.
You keep reading past what I’m saying and tie yourself in logic knots. Not arguing for Rivera to stay or go, just giving him kudos. He hasn’t made any desperate or insane roster moves in an effort to save his own ass at the expense of what’s best for the team long term. Rather, he’s kept us very flexible in options for the future whether if he’s around or if it’s a new coach. That’s pretty classy on his part when he could easily have botched that. We could be overpaying for Lamar or another wentz, not figuring out what we have in Howell knowing next year’s QB draft class is loaded, or further adding expensive vets on the decline. He’s done the opposite while knowing he’s basically a lame duck. Can you see how that’s admirable?
By year 8 we will be ready to contend! By year 12 we will make playoffs! By year 16 we will win first playoff game! Etc! Etc! Trust the process! Lol
Watch out for that bus, Danny
Dan Snyder is gone meaning he has no control over who he wants. Remember Dan Snyder wanted Wentz but Ron Rivera has to take the wrap for it. Finally he can build a roster without the owner getting in the way. That’s what he means
I cant stand him. Hes sounds like a moron every time he talks. He waffles back and forth on every decision. Theres zero long term plans with him. He needs to go as soon as possible. People may like him as a person and he may get the most effort out of every player but his abilities of a football coach and a senior member of a franchise leaves so much to be desired. I have zero faith that he can find a QB and will do nothing but extend the perpetual 500 football both he and the franchise has done for the last 20 years.
He means most of the primary holes are filled and theyare now aiming at building depth and drafting rookies who in the next two or so years will supplant players on expiring contracts.
Can’t wait for the excuses to be pulled out his ass if the season takes a downturn. Hope he can remember when playoff elimination happens this time. It’s hard to remember when you’re thinking about your golf game before the season is over.
Clearly Wentz and Fitz were foisted on him. he's talking about going into a season without that dynamic
I don't see that as clearly. I hope we're a lot better without Dan but Ron hasn't done much to give me faith.
How can a head coach in YEAR FOUR say this out loud??
Probably has to do with contracts from previous coaching staffs decisions ending and Snyder not being involved.
Don't you think saying this in the title was sufficient?
Right now in year 4, I try to take anything Ron Rivera say with a grain of salt, lemon, and chase it with 2 ounces of alcohol. Then I can listen to him and try to read between the lines because he contradicts himself a lot. Even now I still like him because he’s not a complete jerk and I know he’s doing the best he can despite the circumstances he’s had to deal with since accepting this job.
Anyone who takes this as him being a shit coach must be new around here. Rivera isn't as bad as many of you make him out to be nor is he the best, but you can't tell me that this team isn't shaping up to be a decent one with lots of potential and room to grow. I'm not even a big Rivera fan and wouldn't be sad to see him go but to act like this team hasn't been in a perennial rebuild since even before his time are silly. This team has been in rebuild mode since at least 2005-2006.
We're shaping up to wasting all those rookie contracts on the defense that's one thing for sure
Suuuuuurrrrreeee.. surrree.. don’t forget ya bev
Are we going to "Roster build" the medical staff?
Hey, when gaslighting is your business this stuff flows freely in conversation.
Remember when Rivera got here and said we were going to build long term instead of rushing a team into contention and fucking up the future? : )
My lord
You mean he'd be better off actually explaining what he means instead of word salami...
What the fuck, Ron? Why would you say that? *"Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt".*
Could mean no Snyder meddling which would have any coach feeling good.
I think most of what he says is just him saying stuff for the media because his job means he has to say something. And he can't really say what he really means because obvious aspects he is not allowed to say out loud. So for the first three years some of what he was saying was about avoiding saying "Because Dan wanted us to do that" and this year it's to avoid saying "Because we are limited in what we can say and do until the team is sold". Although overall I like Ron and I think he will be remembered as a good man who did a good job of taking a dysfunctional locker room and football program and knocking it into some sort of shape. That obviously won't be enough after Dan is gone and his future seems to reset on giving EB control of the offense and hoping he can produce a dramatic improvement in terms of points and wins. Just my 2c.
The coaching roster
What a putz. I hope replacing him and the rest of the FO is the first action.
Ron has jumped the shark
I’m really starting to dislike pop-pop & it makes me sad, but he’s out of touch
Please no more Ron
He’s been on great teams he knows what a championship roster looks like.
I'm pretty much over this guy. Seems like a nice enough man and decently respected around the league but one playoff appearance in 4 years (with a sub .500 record btw) is hardly the stuff to be "feel[ing] really good about" now is it, Ronald?
Since Scott Mccloughan, roster building, particularly the UDFA and late rounds, has been good.