Ron Rivera
Ron Rivera
Ronald Eugene Riverais an American football coach and former player who is the head coach of the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League...
ProfessionCoach
Date of Birth7 January 1962
CityFort Ord, CA
anytime eight exactly great guys happen needed played sure tried understood weeks wonder
Anytime you don't play well, you wonder if something is wrong. But at the same time, you also have to say, 'We've played well eight weeks in a row.' Every now and then, you're going to have a letdown. You just can't let it become a big thing. We tried to make sure guys understood those things do happen and that we needed them back, needed a great effort, and that's exactly what they gave.
certainly credit game guys improve missed players running
We missed tackles, it's part of the game sometimes. You have to give credit to the running back, but in the same respect, I think some of the guys that missed tackles are some of our better players and we've most certainly got to improve on that.
add brought coming cut energy feed guys lead saw seemed team time
We saw the energy that Rex brought to the offense, and it spilled over to us. Him coming in was a lift, and the team seemed to feed off that energy. Any time you can get a lead and add to that lead, you can really cut the guys loose.
defense either guys outside particular problem
That's not a particular problem because in our defense a lot of the linebackers are interchangeable. The outside guys can play either spot.
athletic fit guys man played speed spot
He's a young man who will come in and spot our other two guys in pass-rush situations. He is athletic and comes off the end very hard, has speed and quickness, was productive, played in a big-time program, so he is used to this kind of football. We think he is going to fit us very well and give us flexibility.
counted group guys needing second stepping
Some of the guys we counted on stepping up or needing to step up really didn't show up, and that was disappointing. We can't have that kind of drop-off between the first group and second group.
cut gaps guys key line matter needed offensive running trying
Guys weren't in their gaps because they were trying to do more than they needed to or they flat-out got cut off, and that can't happen. It doesn't matter who the running back is, it doesn't matter who the offensive line is, you just can't give up the yardage in key situations.
complete extra gain guys individual maybe miss running somebody sure tackle yards
Guys are going to miss tackles and maybe it isn't just one individual as much as just the complete effort. You've got to make sure you've got all 11 guys running to the football, so if somebody does miss a tackle the guy doesn't gain the extra yards afterwards.
attitude believe guys next type until wait
These guys feel the same type of fervor. They can't wait until we get started for next season. ... I think there are a lot of pluses we can take from this. I believe that guys do have a defiant attitude because of what happened, and we'll be better for it.
bowl deal discussed fans goal hopefully media might people playoffs super talked talking ultimate until winning
It's not as significant as winning the division, winning in the playoffs and hopefully getting to our ultimate goal and that's the Super Bowl. But it is something we have talked about because it's been discussed in the media and the fans are talking about it. It would be neat. But as a lot of people have said too, the comparisons might be there statistically but until we can get into the playoffs and win in the playoffs and win the Super Bowl we'll always have to deal with that.
forward happy looking next opportunity
I'm real happy for the opportunity and if anything else comes about, that will be great. If not, I'm looking forward to next year.
continue deserves eventually guy happen happy hard personal plays works
I'm very happy for him on a personal level. He's a guy who works hard constantly. He deserves big plays to happen to him. If you continue to work, eventually you're going to get something big.
expected situation
In a situation like that, I would have never expected him to stumble.
certainly coach reminded smith stopped telling
I'm telling you, he said that. Wade reminded us of it and we all kind of chuckled about it. He never stopped believing. You look at those things and the things that coach Smith has done for us this year, and you most certainly have to say he is coach of the year.