The Washington Redskins Hire Formers Panther’s Head Coach Ron Rivera

Ron Rivera was fired from the Carolina Panthers after 8 seasons with the team. In that time the team got to a Super Bowl, and became the first team in the NFC South to win the division in back to back years. After Rivera was fired close to the end of the 2019 season, he became the best coach avaliable. The team that won the Ron Rivera sweepstakes was the Washington Redskins. I think the Redskins got the best man avaliable. Rivera is a defensive guy, and with Montez Sweat there, and the high possibility of the team drafting Chase Young, this defense could get a major boost. I think Rivera could change the culture in Washington, and develop this team to be competitive in the NFC. I was surprised that Rivera didn’t spend more time on this decision. He was the most sought after coach, and it felt like he signed with the Redskins right away. I think Dallas was the best spot to end up, but something must’ve really attracted him to Washington. I think with Washington’s young core, and new coach, this team could create a new culture, a winning culture.

The Dallas Cowboys Hire Former Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy

The Cowboys also made headlines over the past week, as they fired Jason Garret, and hire former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. I like this hire by the Cowboys. Ron Rivera already signed with the Redskins, and McCarthy has a top-three playoff win percentage of active coaches in the NFL. There are concerns whether his pass-heavy playbook will upset the Cowboys identity, which I think the Cowboys need to embrace. The thing that I think most people are missing is that McCarthy never had a running back that had real production value. Eddie Lacy had a couple of good seasons, but then got out of shape, and McCarthy had to go back to the pass. Then when Ty Montgomery had a good season he fed him the ball, but Montgomery couldn’t take the hits that a running back has to take. He never had a full season with a healthy Aaron Jones, so he couldn’t use him. Now McCarthy has Zeke. He has never had a back like Zeke. Zeke can take the team deep in the playoffs and McCarthy knows it. I like the hire by the Cowboys because he has playoff experience and won a Super Bowl.

The Carolina Panthers Hire Former Baylor Head Coach Matt Rhule

The Panthers signed Baylor Head Coach Matt Rhule to a 7 year $60 million deal. Matt Rhule as a 19-20 record at Baylor, and 47-43 record throughout his college coaching career. He did bring both Temple and Baylor back, taking them to multiple bowl games. Rhule hasn’t been successful in those bowl games as he is 1-3. I think this signing this signing means one thing for the Panthers offense; it is going to resemble the college game. This means that the team can stick with Cam Newton, and go to a more efficient offense. However, sticking with Cam may be the wrong decision because the point is to keep Cam from taking hits, and triple options will do just the opposite. Justin Herbert may be a good fit. In the terms of this hire, I like it, but I don’t think the Panthers even needed to fire Ron Rivera. 

The New York Giants Hire Former New England Patriot Assistant Joe Judge

The Giants fired Pat Shurmur this offseason. The Giants hired a surprise name that not many people know. The Giants hired Joe Judge. Most of you may be going “Who?” Joe Judge has been a Patriots assistant coach for the last 8 years. He was most recently the Patriots Wide Receiver Coach and Special Teams Coordinator. Judge graduated from West Point and was an Elementary P.E. teacher before he went to New England. This is a shocking move as Patriots Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels has not been signed and was seen as a coaching favorite for most teams. I think this will be a good fit, as the two biggest stars on the team are on the offensive side of the ball. I do think the lack of experience of the Judge will hurt the Giants in the short term. The Giants will have to be patient with Judge. They will have to be okay losing for a bit. I don’t see the Giants being patient. They fired Pat Shurmur after only two seasons. If they wanted immediate results I think McDaniels would have been a better fit, but maybe the Giants need to take a risk. The Giants gambled on Daniel Jones and he seems to be the future, so maybe Judge can be the same.