John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

While head coach Ron Rivera did not offer any more clues as to what Barner’s role will be in Charlotte, he did call Barner and fifth-round Iowa State Cyclones linebacker A.J. Klein “value picks”. From the Charlotte Observer, ““We really do feel that was a value pick. We feel our last two picks (Klein and former Oregon RB Kenjon Barner) were value guys.”

The interesting thing is that Rivera praised both Klein and Barner for their consistency in college, and he said that both will be “contributors”  but that they “may not be superstars”. That isn’t giving us much, but I feel like the Panthers are going to use Barner in different ways and alignments to throw off defenses; I think Barner is going to be used as the Panthers sparkplug in the backfield.

By the way, I would highly recommend reading the post above due to the quotes from A.J Klein, as he talks about the fact that he had a chip on his shoulder when he went to play for Iowa State.

Cam Newton, like most quarterbacks, is the biggest figure on the team, but that’s even more stated in Carolina due to the fact that this team’s success truly hinges on the polarizing, high upside QB. Rob Chudzinski’s departure to take on the head coaching position with the Cleveland Browns left former quarterback’s coach Mike Shula promoted to the OC gig, and it leaves Panthers fans with questions. Will Shula be able to work with Newton mentally? (Chud had a huge role working with Newton in that regard.) Will Shula be able to successfully lead this offense and further help Newton succeed?

The most important thing with Newton is likely how he approaches the game mentally, especially after some apparent lapses early on in 2012. Shula shed some light on that with some great info, ”Probably the biggest thing for him is maintaining that balance. Because everything around you during the football season is going to be up and down.”

The more you can continue to stay on an even plane and lead the group of guys around you, the more effective you are going to be as a quarterback,” said Shula.

Shula said he enjoys coaching Cam Newton, and I like the continuity there and apparently good connection that both coordinator and quarterback have going on. It sounds like Shula wants Newton to stay relaxed, be more consistent, focus on moving the chains, and also focus on being solid and not turning the ball over. It sounds like Shula wants to reign in Newton a little bit, and I think this is the next step for Newton in fulfilling his potential.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter for more NFL updates and analysis @SorianoJoe.

Feb 21, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera speaks during a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

We’ve all heard of the “one and done” college players, but now that trend seems to be making it’s way into the NFL. The market for free agent players have been down and players have been taking smaller and shorter contracts than they would’ve liked. Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera went on WSCR in Chicago to talk about the new trend in the NFL.

“The biggest thing that a lot of people ended up doing is just kind of wading through the first two days of free agency and let all the high-priced players sign,” Rivera said, via Sports Radio Interviews. “And then you start to see the prices drop, and then what happened was people started signing to one-year deals.”

The flat cap era we’re in has forced NFL teams to get creative, restructuring deals in the offseason to clear cap space or cutting players they’d prefer to keep.

“That’s kind of going to be the trend for a while, it looks like, based on the way the salary cap is. And the money structure that a lot of guys are expecting these big deals, and right now only the elite guys are getting them. So everybody else is just going to have to [wait] for a year or two and then try to earn their next big paycheck.”

Dec 16, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Mike Wallace (17) prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera went on NFL on “NFL AM” live from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Many think that the Panthers’ offseason plans revolve around getting weapons for quarterback Cam Newton. Many think they could draft a wide receiver in the April, others think they might take a more immediate approach by signing a free agent like Mike Wallace, Dwayne Bowe or Greg Jennings.

NFL.com’s Steve Wyche asked more directly if Wallace was on Rivera’s radar.

“You’re warm, but you know what’s going to be interesting is how things unfold once we get to March 12,” Rivera said. “There’s a lot of things that are out there that we have to really take into consideration. You know, we’ll see how things are going to affect us when we get to the 12th.”

As it is with seemingly every team in the NFL the Panthers are struggling with cap space. Reports though say they Panthers are in the process of trimming about $10 million off the payroll.

Regardless of what happens it wouldn’t be surprising for the Panthers to still look at taking a wide receiver in the draft. The draft is deep at that position, and a rookie wide receiver with limitless upside might be a deal at rookie prices. But at the same time, you might not get the quality one of the free agents would bring.

Dec 16, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera talks into his headset during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The head coach carousel got off to a fast start this offseason. Seven different head coaches lost their jobs on Monday, but Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera won’t be one of them.  Charlie Dayton, spokesman for the Carolina Panthers, said that owner Jerry Richardson and Ron Rivera met Saturday morning to discuss next season.

‘He’s going about normal preparations for next season,” Dayton said.

Jerry Richardson had put Rivera on notice earlier in the season after firing the general manager after a 1-4 start. Rivera led the Panthers to a 6-4 record after that. Tha 7-9 finish was good enough for a second place finish in their division.

Rivera has had a mediocre start to his time in Carolina but he does bring championship pedigree to the organization having won a Superbowl in 1985 as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears. And a former Chicago Bear was one player to applaud the decision to bring Rivera back.

”I’m very happy he’s back,” tight end Greg Olsen told The Associated Press. ”Obviously the season wasn’t what we were looking for, but I think the way we finished showed that we’re heading in the right direction.

”The guys have a lot of faith in coach Rivera and guys didn’t want to let him down. I think the way we finished, winning four straight, shows a lot about the direction we’re headed and our faith in him as our coach moving forward. I’m glad that things worked out.”

While staff members were under a gag order, other players chimed in on the decision to bring Rivera back for a third season.

”That’s awesome news,” offensive lineman Geoff Hangartner said. ”I’m excited about it. I think Ron has done a great job and I think he will be the first to admit he’s learned a lot since he was hired. He definitely has the respect of the guys in the locker room because he’s played the game and he treats guys the right way.”

And the Associated Press is also reporting that the Carolina Panthers are looking extensively at several members of the New York Giants’ staff for a replacement GM:

“Richardson hired former New York Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi to serve as a consultant for the GM search and the team has already received permission to interview two members of the New York Giants staff – college scouting director Marc Ross and senior pro personnel analyst Dave Gettleman – and others are expected to meet with him as well. Interim general manager Brandon Beane is also expected to get an interview.”

Could Cam Newton be the next JaMarcus Russel or Peyton Manning?

Gil Brandt, former Dallas Cowboys personnel guy turned NFL.com analyst, believes Auburn University quarterback Cam Newton should be the No. 1 overall pick. Not only that, but Brandt fully expects Newton to be a Carolina Panther.

“It would shock me… if he’s not the first player picked,” Brandt told the Fort-Worth Star Telegram. “If I was drafting and I had Carolina’s [No. 1] pick, I’d feel really good about who I was getting as far as ability. I just hope he realizes how hard he needs to work. You can have all the ability in the world but if you don’t work like Drew Brees, Peyton Manning or Aaron Rodgers, you’re only going to be semi-successful.”

And that’s really the point. If Newton brought no off-field concerns with him — like the compensation scandal with his dad and the accusations of theft, along with a perceived immaturity — he likely would be the No. 1 overall pick. So all Brandt is doing is pointing out what we already know.

I’m not one to pretend like I know more than a guy like Brandt who has the experience and has been successful, but drafting Newton doesn’t seem to make much sense to me.

The Panthers just drafted Jimmy Clausen in the second round last season, and anyone saying they already know he’s not the answer is full of themselves, an idiot, or both. He might not be the answer, but to say that for certain after one season is ridiculous and it’s not even worth recounting the Hall of Fame quarterbacks who struggled in their rookie season.

New head coach Ron Rivera isn’t married to Clausen because he didn’t draft him, but I highly doubt Rivera targets a quarterback with so many other concerns.

Given the fact that Rivera is a defensive guy, I expect him to slap the franchise tag on defensive end Charles Johnson and then draft defensive tackle Nick Fairley.

Newton could wind up being the first quarterback off the board if he throws well at the combine and impresses teams in the interview process, but I would be blown away if Newton is the No. 1 overall pick and winds up a Panther.

Williams' career in Carolina is likely over.

According to Adam Schefter via Twitter, the Carolina Panthers will not use the franchise tag on running back DeAngelo Williams.

Instead, the team will decide between either center Ryan Kalil or defensive end Charles Johnson.

Given the fact that new head coach Ron Rivera is a former defensive coordinator, odds are the tag will be applied to Johnson, even though Kalil is much more worthy.

Not tagging Williams probably means the Panthers are willing to move forward with Jonathan Stewart as their primary runner and will worry about finding a backup for him in the draft or free agency as their current roster likely doesn’t have enough talent behind Stewart.

The only way Williams returns is if he’s willing to accept backup money and limited carries behind Stewart, and there’s no way he even considers doing that. Behind even just an average offensive line, Williams can still be a top five or top 10 running back.

Was Harbaugh the right option for the 49ers?

Grading a team when hiring a head coach is like grading a team after the draft in that it’s nearly impossible to get a real good understanding of how well the team actually did until some games are played.

The only thing really to go off of is past performance as a coach — whether that be as a head coach, coordinator, etc. — and how well the coach’s personality and philosophy meshes with the current roster.

So far this offseason, the San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, and Denver Broncos have hired new head coaches. Only the Oakland Raiders remain without a head coach and, with Al Davis calling the shots, they might not have one until the middle of August.

With all that in mind, let’s do some grading.

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