A New Start! (the Reboot) The Front Office, Ownership, & Coaching Staff Thread

[Professor_Nutter_Butter]

8 hours ago, Warhead36 said:

Rivera has his issues with in game tactics and decision making, but overall I can't imagine many other coaches having that much more success. 

 

With that said, if we finish with around 8 wins again, I'm perfectly fine with Harris hitting the reset button.

Not saying Rivera is a good coach, but it's actually been somewhat impressive he's been able to get at least 7 wins each season he's been here.

[Conn]

34 minutes ago, Professor_Nutter_Butter said:

Not saying Rivera is a good coach, but it's actually been somewhat impressive he's been able to get at least 7 wins each season he's been here.

Doesn’t feel nearly as impressive actually watching each game and seeing how it goes down along the way in a micro sense, right? In a macro sense sure, the bar is that low that it almost feels impressive when you zoom out. But I watched those games, as did you I presume. The way the wins and losses played out and why, in the moment, is not impressive by any stretch. Missed opportunities, lack of attention to detail, schematic blandness, no killer mentality, long stretches of conservative, almost cowardly decision-making punctuated by seemingly random or desperate attempts at aggressiveness that weren’t set up earlier in a strategic sense, and didn’t flow from any sort of consistent philosophy. I could go on. Many games were lost in the moment that could have been won, and better coaches eke out every edge rather than living in that .500 grey. 

[Die Hard]

3 minutes ago, Conn said:

Doesn’t feel nearly as impressive actually watching each game and seeing how it goes down along the way in a micro sense, right? In a macro sense sure, the bar is that low that it almost feels impressive when you zoom out. But I watched those games, as did you I presume. The way the wins and losses played out and why, in the moment, is not impressive by any stretch. Missed opportunities, lack of attention to detail, schematic blandness, no killer mentality, long stretches of conservative, almost cowardly decision-making punctuated by seemingly random or desperate attempts at aggressiveness that weren’t set up earlier in a strategic sense, and didn’t flow from any sort of consistent philosophy. I could go on. Many games were lost in the moment that could have been won, and better coaches eke out every edge rather than living in that .500 grey. 

I think you and I are totally on the same wave length these days. Nice to get to read my posts without having to write them. 😂😂

[BringMetheHeadofBruceAllen]

https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/2023/05/11/dan-snyder-sell-josh-harris-washington-commanders-team-president-jason-wright-one-day-wants-to-run-the-football-and-business-side-of-an-nfl-team/

 

Judging by Wright's performance in the FO so far: why would anyone in their right mind hire him to run the football side of the operation?? 🙄

 

He'd probably try to draft Ray Rice and Lawrence Phillips (RIP) at RB, Rae Carruth at WR, and Nate Newton at OT.

Edited May 11, 2023 by BringMetheHeadofBruceAllen

[Fan since a Fetus]

The thing that I think is really going to help Ron outside of Bienemy is that he will have a game management specialist now. I’m really hoping Eric will be aggressive, but Ron needs to know how to manage the game. Hopefully, with someone in his ear at all times, he can do that. 
 

Ron is a fantastic motivator. You root for him and will get behind him, but he does lack on the game management side. He needs to come out blazing to begin the year. Get ahead instead of trying to play catch up. 
 

 

Jason Wright can be a part of football operations, I think he is wonderful! He probably really knows his players. That’s why I suggest he goes to another team. Hopefully an NFC East team! Yes, I think he could be that good!

[TD_washingtonredskins]

16 hours ago, Riggo#44 said:

I am fine letting Rivera go, but this "crappy product" has been the most consistently competitive we've been under Snyder. Snyder has not had the cash flow, either, that Gibbs and Shannahan enjoyed. Yes, he was able to sign Jackson (bust) and Samuel, but those move pale in comparison so the spending sprees previous coaching staffes enjoyed.

 

Rivera's predecessor had a longer and more successful stretch (2015-2018) under this same toxic owner. Gruden actually made the playoffs and had back-to-back winning seasons. He had a 4-year run of 9-7 (playoffs), 8-7-1, 7-9, and 7-9 before cratering. That's more "consistently competitive" than Rivera since they made the playoffs one year and went into the final game of the next year with a shot. 

[Riggo#44]

2 hours ago, TD_washingtonredskins said:

 

Rivera's predecessor had a longer and more successful stretch (2015-2018) under this same toxic owner. Gruden actually made the playoffs and had back-to-back winning seasons. He had a 4-year run of 9-7 (playoffs), 8-7-1, 7-9, and 7-9 before cratering. That's more "consistently competitive" than Rivera since they made the playoffs one year and went into the final game of the next year with a shot. 

 

Right, because the talent level was equal, wasn't it? Give Rivera that 2015-17 roster. You think honestly think he finishes with less than 9 wins? Gruden was also a major part of that Damned Fine Culture of Sexual Harassment here--see him and Kapri Bibbs (I think it was Bibbs, anyway). How many investigations did Gruden have to deal with? How many additional distractions did he have to manage, in addition to the toxic owner? You really think Gruden is capable coaching the team, assembling the roster, and dealing with the constant noise exponentially higher than "just dealing with Snyder?"

 

You're jumping through hoops to dump on Rivera and completely diminishing the impossible job he was given.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

4 minutes ago, Riggo#44 said:

 

Right, because the talent level was equal, wasn't it? Give Rivera that 2015-17 roster. You think honestly think he finishes with less than 9 wins? Gruden was also a major part of that Damned Fine Culture of Sexual Harassment here--see him and Kapri Bibbs (I think it was Bibbs, anyway). How many investigations did Gruden have to deal with? How many additional distractions did he have to manage, in addition to the toxic owner? You really think Gruden is capable coaching the team, assembling the roster, and dealing with the constant noise exponentially higher than "just dealing with Snyder?"

 

You're jumping through hoops to dump on Rivera and completely diminishing the impossible job he was given.

 

I'm not really promoting Gruden...simply pointing out that this isn't the most competitive this team has been under Snyder as was mentioned. It was MORE competitive with the regime right before him over a longer period of time. 

 

I was told earlier in this thread that the current roster was better than it's been in quite some time with Rivera building it up. Now Gruden had a better roster than Rivera does? That's either an indictment of Rivera the coach (unable to win as much as Gruden with his incredible roster assembly) or Rivera the roster builder (not able to build a better roster than Snyder and Vinny), isn't it? You can't have it both ways. 

 

Every coach under Snyder has been given an impossible job...they all have to work under the worst owner in organized sports. Rivera is just as poor as the rest of them, probably worse than all but Spurrier and Zorn because Snyder barely meddled after year 1. 

 

 

[Riggo#44]

2 minutes ago, TD_washingtonredskins said:

 

I'm not really promoting Gruden...simply pointing out that this isn't the most competitive this team has been under Snyder as was mentioned. It was MORE competitive with the regime right before him over a longer period of time. 

 

I was told earlier in this thread that the current roster was better than it's been in quite some time with Rivera building it up. Now Gruden had a better roster than Rivera does? That's either an indictment of Rivera the coach (unable to win as much as Gruden with his incredible roster assembly) or Rivera the roster builder (not able to build a better roster than Snyder and Vinny), isn't it? You can't have it both ways. 

 

Every coach under Snyder has been given an impossible job...they all have to work under the worst owner in organized sports. Rivera is just as poor as the rest of them, probably worse than all but Spurrier and Zorn because Snyder barely meddled after year 1. 

 

 

 

Did 88Comrade2000 commandeer your account?

 

Do me a favor, if you're going to quote me, stick to things I said. You believe that Gruden wins 7-9 games with Heinicke, Haskins, and Wentz? He had comparable QB rooms in 2014 and 2019. He won 7 games combined. Even in 2018 with Alex Smith before he got hurt was better than an QB Rivera has had. Now, part of that problem with QB is on Rivera. However, previous regimes all had QB issues outside of Cousins from 2015-17 and RGIII in 2012. Rivera is the only coach not to bottom out with a 3, 4, 5 win season because of it.

 

Likewise, all coaches have had an impossible job of dealing with Snyder. However, Rivera has that AND the name change, congressional investigations, league investigations, criminals investigations, less payroll, the team being sold, and ALL of the distractions that go along with them. You're completely and repeatedly ignoring that aspect. No other previous coach could have handled what he's had to handle and keep us in contention every year, except maybe Gibbs. In addition, do you think McLaurin, Payne, and Allen all resign here under anyone someone like Gruden?

 

There have been many faults under Rivera--and anyone with the Stink of Snyder needs to be blown out and start anew. However to honestly think he's the worst coach we've had outside of Spurrier or Zorn is simply ignorant of the additional layers of **** Rivera has had to swim through.

[MartinC]

3 hours ago, TD_washingtonredskins said:

 

Rivera's predecessor had a longer and more successful stretch (2015-2018) under this same toxic owner. Gruden actually made the playoffs and had back-to-back winning seasons. He had a 4-year run of 9-7 (playoffs), 8-7-1, 7-9, and 7-9 before cratering. That's more "consistently competitive" than Rivera since they made the playoffs one year and went into the final game of the next year with a shot. 

 

He had a QB who was a better than league average starter in Cousins. Ron doesn't.  I don't care who is coaching you can't be consistently successful without, at a minimum, effective QB play and probably even more than that. 

 

Now Ron bears at least some of the responsibility for the inability to (so far) address the QB position, but its not been for want of at least trying.

[skinzplay]

Slow start (as has typically been the case) + early bye equals sayonara RR. Eager to see when we have our bye.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

1 hour ago, Riggo#44 said:

 

Did 88Comrade2000 commandeer your account?

 

Do me a favor, if you're going to quote me, stick to things I said. You believe that Gruden wins 7-9 games with Heinicke, Haskins, and Wentz? He had comparable QB rooms in 2014 and 2019. He won 7 games combined. Even in 2018 with Alex Smith before he got hurt was better than an QB Rivera has had. Now, part of that problem with QB is on Rivera. However, previous regimes all had QB issues outside of Cousins from 2015-17 and RGIII in 2012. Rivera is the only coach not to bottom out with a 3, 4, 5 win season because of it.

 

Likewise, all coaches have had an impossible job of dealing with Snyder. However, Rivera has that AND the name change, congressional investigations, league investigations, criminals investigations, less payroll, the team being sold, and ALL of the distractions that go along with them. You're completely and repeatedly ignoring that aspect. No other previous coach could have handled what he's had to handle and keep us in contention every year, except maybe Gibbs. In addition, do you think McLaurin, Payne, and Allen all resign here under anyone someone like Gruden?

 

There have been many faults under Rivera--and anyone with the Stink of Snyder needs to be blown out and start anew. However to honestly think he's the worst coach we've had outside of Spurrier or Zorn is simply ignorant of the additional layers of **** Rivera has had to swim through.

 

He had a much better QB, no doubt. But he also had no defense whatsoever. Rivera has been given a very good defense in Washington that only one other regime has had. 

 

I don't think Rivera is a very good coach at all. I think his track record in Washington and Carolina prove that. He has what, 3 impressive seasons? And in 2 of those he had Cam Newton playing at either an MVP level or in MVP consideration...every other season he's been at or below .500. He is liked by his players and keeps the locker room focused. That's admirable. So while Snyder is off filming his cheerleaders in the nude, Rivera is able to keep his team galvanized. I like that in a person, but I don't really care about that as the BEST quality in a football coach if they can't ultimately win games. 

 

 

[Skinsinparadise]

When you have a good QB you got a shot.   The Jay Gruden -- Kirk era, 2015-2107 was oddly the heyday of this franchise under Dan as to consistency. 

 

As JP Finlay has said recently, that era was the last gasp as far as decent attendance for this team.    Thank you Bruce and Dan for thinking "meh" about that period, lets blow it up because "meh" would get redefined in ways they I bet never imagined after that run.  

 

Rivera IMO is a better coach than Jay.  Jay i think wouldn't have been the right guy to deal with the Dan dysfunction hitting all time lows which happened during Ron's tenure.

 

I think Rivera was the right guy to handle that phase.   Among other reasons, he is likeable, brings integrity -- and players want to play for him.

 

As a FO guy, I think he's solid.  B minus give or take.  As a coach, also solid -- C plus or so.  Overall, the culture felt improved under his watch versus Jay.  Overall considering what he put up with, he did a good job IMO.  But he's not the right guy IMO moving forward.  Too low of a ceiling with him at the helm.  And a B minus front office to me is overmatched by arguablly three A level FOs in their divison -- yeah Jerry Jones sucks, but Will McClay is considered one of the best personnel guys in the league and they have drafted very well. 

 

His days felt numbered even before this off season with new ownership.  I think the low key off season finished off any chance of him returning unless of course they have a surprisingly big year. This off season felt like a strange combination of showing little urgency to take the roster up a notch -- to giving no lifeline to a fanbase desperate for some pizzazz.

 

I listened to his interview with Keim.  He came off in some of that interview resigned (tone wise) to the idea that they don't make strides this year and accepts that he's gone.  But wants some credit for the next regime to take that next step with this roster.  It's clearly on his mind at a minimum that this season might not be hot.

 

Feels like Ron seeing the series of takes from everyone from PFF, Vegas, national media, mock draft types who expect this team to suck, let alone tread water where they repeat a medicore season -- has gotten to his psyche some.   And we know he reads that stuff based on other comments he has made.

 

The funny thing is I do agree with his implication that he will set up the next regime well.    I do think you can ramp up this roster.  The odd thing is Ron could have done better on that front himself this off season..  But I do think a new regime would be inherting a good roster.  Fix the O line.  And maybe they need to find a QB depending on Howell -- but if Howell's the dude, just fix the O line.   they can tinker with other things.  But sans O line -- and the mystery at QB, its one of the more stacked rosters we've had IMO in eons.

 

https://www.audacy.com/thefandc/sports/washington-commanders/junkies-ron-rivera-latest-roster-building-comment-reaction?utm_campaign=www.audacy.com%2Fthefandc&utm_content=1683826144&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_term=WJFK-FM

Ron Rivera joined John Keim on the latest edition of his podcast, and the Junkies played some of the audio, including Ron’s comments about changing coordinators and the team “having the opportunity to do a pure roster build that leaves the roster in a good position, even if they let me go.”

“The roster is being built, and if I leave, it’s in a good position,” was Rivera’s final quote played.

 

Edited May 11, 2023 by Skinsinparadise

[Redwards]

6 hours ago, Fan since a Fetus said:

The thing that I think is really going to help Ron outside of Bienemy is that he will have a game management specialist now. I’m really hoping Eric will be aggressive, but Ron needs to know how to manage the game. Hopefully, with someone in his ear at all times, he can do that. 
 

Ron is a fantastic motivator. You root for him and will get behind him, but he does lack on the game management side. He needs to come out blazing to begin the year. Get ahead instead of trying to play catch up. 
 

 

Jason Wright can be a part of football operations, I think he is wonderful! He probably really knows his players. That’s why I suggest he goes to another team. Hopefully an NFC East team! Yes, I think he could be that good!

Is he though?  

 

I think the question was answered in the second sentence.

 

A great motivator knows how to get his/her team to start the season ready for action.  Ron has had major problems with this dating back to Carolina.   I don't give too much credit to those mid-season runs for landing in the "motivation" column.  It's not that hard to motivate a team that is entering a desperation point in their season because they've pissed away the first part of it.  Anyone can have a survival instinct.  

 

They started off bad last year (again) in an easy schedule season, bounced back a bit in the middle portion because desperation had taken hold, and then all but fell apart the last part of the season.  I'm not trying to dump on Ron here, but facts are facts.  A great motivator doesn't have these issues season after season, and with multiple teams.  Do his players respect him?   Absolutely, and not every coach can boast that.  I give him major credit on that front.

 

For me, I appreciate certain things that Ron has done here under Dan, for sure.  I think, however, the major disappointment I have in the man (aside from his defending Dan), and the anger I feel towards him has to do with his horrible crybaby routine when things have not gone right.  Over his tenure he has thrown players under the bus, double-talked way too much, and all but cried as he publicly lamented oh, how much better we'd be if only we could just have all of our guys healthy at the same time.  These things made me lose a ridiculous amount of respect for Ron the coach.  I can respect a coach that just isn't that great.  It's a hard freaking job.  

 

What truly hurts me, and honestly blindsided me, is that I never ever thought I'd see and hear those things from Rivera.  I never thought he'd be a great coach that could take us to a championship, Dan or not, and I was fine with that.  But the level of respect I had for the man at the start just took an absolute beating.  I pass no judgement on anyone who feels otherwise, but....I've just been painfully disappointed in what I've seen and heard from him.  

Edited May 11, 2023 by Redwards

[BringMetheHeadofBruceAllen]

I'm not so sure about Rivera being a great motivator. He strikes me as the kind of guy who initially may have that kind of impact, but that players eventually start to tune him out because he's a 'grumpy old man' and probably repeats himself a lot. This kind of dynamic happens all the time in the NBA, although that's a little different since the players have more influence in that league than in the NFL.

 

Of course, some of that has to be on the players...Chuck Noll never said his job was to motivate the Steelers, that they should be pros and motivate themselves, and if they couldn't they should "get on with their life's work." I don't think Rivera feels it's his job to motivate players either...but there's something missing if they've winning 7 or 8 games every year and not improving...so that's either the coaches can't coach (which doesn't mean motivating) or the players have character issues and don't put their full efforts in.

 

Coach John Thompson once said "If you need to have a lot of rules for your players, then you've got the wrong players."

Edited May 11, 2023 by BringMetheHeadofBruceAllen

[FootballZombie]

O.K. time for another installment of Trademark fun-time w/ Zombie.

 

When trademarks are rejected you are given a set period of time to respond to the rejection. (fight it, give up) In most cases, that time frame is 6 months. We had at least 2 Commanders centric trademarks rejected in late November.

 

#97251275 and #97251276

 

We have yet to file a response for the rejection of these trademarks, and if you don’t respond at all, the trademarks are then abandoned. Obviously something needs to happen here.

 

Expected Outcome: We file to fight the ruling in the next 2 weeks. At minimum that buys you several months for a new ruling and then another 6 months to reply should you lose. That is a whole ‘nother year of trademark protection. Or we file for an extension of time, not guaranteed you get one, but you can ask.

 

Coke fueled fever dream scenario: Snyder intentionally lets the trademark lapse. It moves to abandoned status. Once there, anyone can pay to assume ownership of the trademark. Snyder could then own, outside of the team, necessary Commanders trademarks. With that, he can leverage it against the new administration who would them have to pay to rent the needed trademark rights from Snyder. Muh-ha-ha-ha-ha!

 

 

Hopefully there are people not dumb enough to let drug fueled scenario occur. Our trademark situation is already a mess, don’t make it worse. *pokes Front Office*

[Conn]

33 minutes ago, skinzplay said:

Slow start (as has typically been the case) + early bye equals sayonara RR. Eager to see when we have our bye.

Not convinced of this at all (unless things turn ugly in the locker room, which isn’t a Rivera thing really). Harris doesn’t make moves hastily, and Rivera is a respected guy. He may let the whole season play out with dignity before parting ways. 
 

Plus…Caleb Williams, etc. are on the menu and Harris is well acquainted with the concept of losing now to win later. If Rivera is absolutely beefing it there’s really no reason to get in the way, that staff won’t leave its stink on Harris even if they totally bottom out…so why not let them if they start ugly? 
 

The main exception to this will be if Harris really wants to give EB a chance to lead the roster to see what he’s got. I’m not convinced he will particularly care about that whole narrative with EB, since Harris demonstrably believes in starting with a hot ticket GM first and building an organization from there. So I’m not sure EB will have that much allure to Harris as a potential successor to Rivera, the order of operations doesn’t work that way for him imo. 

[Conn]

It seems that even Rivera understands and borderline accepts that he’s been merely a steward of this roster and organization during a tumultuous time. He’s no Denethor, though. He seems to understand that Aragorn has come and his time is ending. And he’s intentionally not rocking the boat or desperately trying to go all-in (within his powers outside of ownership) to save his job or anything. He’s continuing to steward things as long as circumstance demands. 
 

I would bet he retires after the season and there never needs to be a big “firing” moment. He’ll graciously hand the roster over to the new GM and talk a lot about how he’s proud of what his men accomplished under extreme adversity, he’d go to war with them any day, etc. etc. and he’s proud to have set the team up for its brighter future. And Harris and the new GM will say all the right things, thanking him for doing so.
 

It’ll then be an expected massacre of assistant coaches of course, though. 

[Skinsinparadise]

19 minutes ago, Conn said:

It seems that even Rivera understands and borderline accepts that he’s been merely a steward of this roster and organization during a tumultuous time. He’s no Denethor, though. He seems to understand that Aragorn has come and his time is ending. And he’s intentionally not rocking the boat or desperately trying to go all-in (within his powers outside of ownership) to save his job or anything. He’s continuing to steward things as long as circumstance demands. 
 

I would bet he retires after the season and there never needs to be a big “firing” moment. He’ll graciously hand the roster over to the new GM and talk a lot about how he’s proud of what his men accomplished under extreme adversity, he’d go to war with them any day, etc. etc. and he’s proud to have set the team up for its brighter future. And Harris and the new GM will say all the right things, thanking him for doing so.
 

It’ll then be an expected massacre of assistant coaches of course, though. 

 

Feels a lot like this.

 

I comes off like he is lauding himself for not making short term win now moves.   Losing the battle to win the war but it will be another general set up to win the war.  I get the vibe that he expects to move on -- either retired or gets fired -- and wants to get some credit for what the next regime inherits.

 

And i don't think he's wrong on that front to some extent.   I do think he misses the point though about it -- feels like him arguing that hey what team doesn't need 5 years to build a roster.  that notion is ironic because it was sort of Shanny's mantra on his way out.   Even though, we know plenty of teams go from 0 to 60 fast.  It doesn't have to be this methodical slow play.

Edited May 11, 2023 by Skinsinparadise

[ixcuincle]

They have a new preseason TV broadcast team this year

 

Chick Hernandez, Logan Paulsen and Brian Mitchell

 

 

Nerds will recall that the crew for years was Kenny Albert and Joe Theissman

[Skinsinparadise]

Doesn't feel like much prime time games based on the leaks so far and that's most of the schedule.  I don't count Thursday because i believe every team does Thursday still.

 

Daboll comes in, in one season wins a playoff game, has an off season with some pizzazz.  Many predict a playoff season for them again.

 

Juxtaposed that with Logan Paulsen who works for the team referencing on the radio tonight that this fan base clearly isn't enthused about this team's off season and he finds that understandable.  Ditto the lack of national buzz.

 

The irony is Ron brought so little pizzazz to this off season that if the season starts off poorly the easiest pizzazz move Harris could do is fire Ron.   The odd duck aspect to it all is that Ron set himself up for this. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 12, 2023 by Skinsinparadise

[FootballZombie]

2 hours ago, ixcuincle said:

They have a new preseason TV broadcast team this year

 

Chick Hernandez, Logan Paulsen and Brian Mitchell

 

 

Soo.... No Doc Walker brain damage this year?

[Riggo#44]

2 hours ago, Skinsinparadise said:

 

 

 

Definitely the latter. I've been sick of them for decades. I think I might hate the Giants more than the Cowboys at this point. Possibly the Eagles too.

[Fan since a Fetus]

5 hours ago, Redwards said:

Is he though?  

 

I think the question was answered in the second sentence.

 

A great motivator knows how to get his/her team to start the season ready for action.  Ron has had major problems with this dating back to Carolina.   I don't give too much credit to those mid-season runs for landing in the "motivation" column.  It's not that hard to motivate a team that is entering a desperation point in their season because they've pissed away the first part of it.  Anyone can have a survival instinct.  

 

They started off bad last year (again) in an easy schedule season, bounced back a bit in the middle portion because desperation had taken hold, and then all but fell apart the last part of the season.  I'm not trying to dump on Ron here, but facts are facts.  A great motivator doesn't have these issues season after season, and with multiple teams.  Do his players respect him?   Absolutely, and not every coach can boast that.  I give him major credit on that front.

 

For me, I appreciate certain things that Ron has done here under Dan, for sure.  I think, however, the major disappointment I have in the man (aside from his defending Dan), and the anger I feel towards him has to do with his horrible crybaby routine when things have not gone right.  Over his tenure he has thrown players under the bus, double-talked way too much, and all but cried as he publicly lamented oh, how much better we'd be if only we could just have all of our guys healthy at the same time.  These things made me lose a ridiculous amount of respect for Ron the coach.  I can respect a coach that just isn't that great.  It's a hard freaking job.  

 

What truly hurts me, and honestly blindsided me, is that I never ever thought I'd see and hear those things from Rivera.  I never thought he'd be a great coach that could take us to a championship, Dan or not, and I was fine with that.  But the level of respect I had for the man at the start just took an absolute beating.  I pass no judgement on anyone who feels otherwise, but....I've just been painfully disappointed in what I've seen and heard from him.  

 

5 hours ago, BringMetheHeadofBruceAllen said:

I'm not so sure about Rivera being a great motivator. He strikes me as the kind of guy who initially may have that kind of impact, but that players eventually start to tune him out because he's a 'grumpy old man' and probably repeats himself a lot. This kind of dynamic happens all the time in the NBA, although that's a little different since the players have more influence in that league than in the NFL.

 

Of course, some of that has to be on the players...Chuck Noll never said his job was to motivate the Steelers, that they should be pros and motivate themselves, and if they couldn't they should "get on with their life's work." I don't think Rivera feels it's his job to motivate players either...but there's something missing if they've winning 7 or 8 games every year and not improving...so that's either the coaches can't coach (which doesn't mean motivating) or the players have character issues and don't put their full efforts in.

 

Coach John Thompson once said "If you need to have a lot of rules for your players, then you've got the wrong players."

You can be a motivator without being a rah rah guy. You can motivate with leading by example. He’s had a lot of challenges since he’s been here and he has handled them very admirably I believe. 
 

I don’t think he has thrown a lot of players under the bus. He has made comments about a few to the press, but a lot of coaches do that. I believe he said some things about Haskins and Davis. Unfortunately, praising Haskins didn’t work. Maybe Davis needed the tough love? He was raised with a military background so maybe he needed to be more harsh with him. These are guesses at best, I really don’t know, I am not in these players shoes.

 

Just because you start the season slow doesn’t mean you are not a good motivator. That is not a sole reason to start the season slow or fast. As far as not having to motivate these professionals, well that’s nice in theory, but I believe you do. Maybe you don’t need to give them stickers and pats on the butt, but it could just be the energy you bring to the team. For example, Scott Turner was not known to be energetic and it showed in the offense. They looked slow and lethargic quite often. But, maybe bringing on Bienemy, who is known to be energetic, will light a fire under some of these players butts. Maybe our offense will pick up the pace now.

 

A guy that is not good with Xs and Os can be a good motivator. He just needs to surround himself with the proper people. Yes, it sucks to have to have rules for players, but at the same time you need to be able to lead these men to be the best they can be. If you have some numbskulls on your team, it doesn’t mean you’re not a good motivator, it means your talent evaluation has sucked and it’s time to cut bait. 

[Conn]

Idk, I’m a little skeptical as well. I definitely think he’s respected by the players. Idk about that hard-to-define “motivator” label though.

 

Allegedly one of the negatives with Scott Turner was that he was an X’s & O’s brain (of questionable value) without a personality to motivate players or get any oomph out of his guys. 
 

Shouldn’t having a motivator HC who just delegates the playcalling offset that so it doesn’t matter? Seems like it has been reported as mattering, if we’re trusting the articles talking about what EB brings that Turner didn’t, that we sorely need. 
 

So…he’s not calling plays. He needs a helper for game and clock management. It’s questionable whether he’s motivating anybody beyond the norm in this league. What exactly is he bringing to the table other than a respectable face for the media who bonds with the players as men behind the scenes? I’m serious, I’m not trying to be a jerk here. 

Edited May 12, 2023 by Conn