Panthers announce Special Teams Coach

Jeff Rodgers

 

by the tags name at bottom i'm guessing this isn't a popluar hire? what's his back ground

 

Panthers

 

Well, hard to think we'd attract much with Fox in limbo, so no real surprise. The main thing is, Crossman is gone.

If we get him some talent to work with, things should improve.

 

I didn't realize he'd only been here one year.

 

I have no idea if it's popular, but I'd guess not. It's not exciting, but then fans wanted Ricky Proehl as WR coach (clearly, that means Shipley should be the next one). They wanted Spurrier and got Fox. Those are extremes, but I don't think it's damning that he's an existing coach.

They've done well with most hires like this. They did just this with Crossman, but Crossman wasn't shitty because he was an internal hire (and truthfully they got him with a top resume' - I never figured he'd be this bad). He was shitty because he was shitty.

I guess it depends on whether you want to say he's the next Crossman because he took the same path. I would've preferred an outside hire, but sometimes change is change.

 

I like the props he got about K-State

Panthers stay in-house for special teams coach

Posted by Evan Silva on January 30, 2010 2:59 PM ET
The Panthers have stayed in-house for their new special teams coordinator. Formerly a "special teams assistant" for Carolina, Jeff Rodgers was promoted Saturday into the full-time gig. He replaces Danny Crossman, who was fired and landed with the Lions.

Rodgers was the special teams coordinator at Kansas State in 2008, when the Wildcats led the country in blocked kicks and scored six touchdowns on returns. Rodgers oversaw the development of KSU receiver/return ace Brandon Banks, who would go on to earn Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year honors as a senior.

Banks, a decorated former high school sprinter, projects as a slot receiver with lots of return value in the pros and is eligible for April's draft. Fittingly, the Panthers need upgrades at both positions. Rodgers' hire may increase the chances they use a mid-round pick on the versatile homerun threat.

 

Rodgers previously worked in San Francisco from 2003-2007, serving as the special teams quality control coach for two seasons before being promoted to special teams assistant coach in 2005. He helped Pro Bowl punter Andy Lee finish first in the NFC and second in the NFL in net punting with an average of 41.0 yards and set a league record with 42 punts inside the 20. The 49ers also ranked first in the NFL in kickoff coverage with an opponents’ average drive start of the 24.9-yard line.

 

That has to be the most profound statement I've ever heard.