NFL notes: Panthers coach Rivera not worried about losing team over decision to discipline Newton
Panthers coach Ron Rivera is not worried about losing the faith of his players in the locker room after his decision to bench Cam Newton for the start of Sunday night’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Rivera said Monday in hindsight he’s “very comfortable” with his decision to keep the reigning league MVP on the sideline after he failed to wear a tie on the team flight Saturday, as required by team rules.
Derek Anderson replaced Newton in the starting lineup and threw an interception on Carolina’s first play from scrimmage. Newton entered the game on the second series, but things continued to spiral downhill and the injury-riddled and struggling Panthers (4-8) lost 40-7.
Rivera said there was no underlying message to Newton because he has enforced similar dress code violations in the past.
“It’s not the first time and it probably won’t be the last time,” Rivera said. “At the end of the day everybody gets treated the same.”
Rivera made the decision to bench Newton on Saturday night when he was unable to come up with a shirt and tie for the team flight to Seattle.
The sixth-year coach was well aware his decision would get a lot of media attention – and generate some criticism – because of his quarterback’s high profile, but felt like he had to enforce the team’s long-standing rule.
“I knew it was going to be a feeding frenzy – that’s just the way it is,” Rivera said. “I’ve addressed it and (Cam) has addressed it. So I’m done with it.”
Carolina players were off on Monday following an early morning flight back from the West coast and were not available for interviews.
Forsett to Broncos
Justin Forsett is reuniting with Gary Kubiak in Denver.
The Broncos claimed the 31-year-old running back off waivers from Detroit to replace Kapri Bibbs, who went on IR with a high left ankle sprain.
Over his career, Forsett has averaged 5.5 yards a carry in Kubiak’s offenses and 4.4 yards elsewhere.
With Kubiak as his offensive coordinator, Forsett set career highs with 235 carries for 1,266 yards and eight touchdowns in 2014. He averaged a career-best 5.9 yards a carry for Kubiak in Houston in 2012.
Forsett averaged 3.1 yards per carry in five games this season, three with the Ravens and two with the Lions.
Quick kicks
The Chicago Bears have placed quarterback Jay Cutler on injured reserve because of a season-ending right shoulder injury. Cutler injured his shoulder during a loss to the New York Giants on Nov. 20, but finished the game. He made five starts this season and completed 81 of 137 passes for 1,059 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions. … Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has returned to the team and is expected to travel with the team this weekend to Jacksonville. That’s a three-hour flight, a little bit more than a week after Zimmer had an emergency operation to repair a detached retina.