Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera wont go for vengeance against New Orleans Saints in new season - NFL News
The New Orleans Saints bounty program rewarded players for injuring opposition stars. Now that the cat is out of the bag, the Saints are about to face some very angry opponents who saw their names written in bold on the hit list.
One of those players who was targeted by New Orleans’ defensive unit was Carolina Panthers quarterback and 2011 number one draft pick Cam Newton.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera though wants to keep his players anger and emotions in check when they play the Saints in the new season.
Talking to the media Rivera on Wednesday said.
“I'd be surprised if there's any retribution, I really would,’’
He added further that even though one of his prized players was targeted, the Panthers will do their talking on the pitch and take revenge by winning their two games against the Saints and taking the division title.
“When we play them it's not going to be about that. It's going to be us playing them trying to win our division. And that's what it should be. It should be about the game, and not what happened.’’
Newton broke records upon records in his first season in the National Football League (NFL). The 22-year-old quarterback broke Peyton Manning’s rookie season passing yards record as he threw for 4,051 yards, completing 310 out of his 517 attempted passes.
Newton also threw 21 touchdown passes.
The young quarterback also broke the record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a season as he scored 14-touchdowns on the run.
New Orleans better watch out for Newton in the new season as the rookie is not going to take lightly being targeted by the Saints.
Rivera though is not one to raise emotions among his players and send them out screaming for blood and it is likely that the head coach will keep his young quarterback focussed on the game and will look to hurt the Saints where it hurts most by winning their
games.
The Panthers ended the 2011-12 regular season with a 6-10 record and could have one more if not for their inability to see out games in the final two quarters.
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