Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich got right down to business on Wednesday afternoon.
Knowing that the topic of the team’s play-calling duties would come up, Reich—who had been non-committal about keeping the responsibility with offensive coordinator Thomas Brown—began today’s presser with this:
“Just to get started, because I know someone will ask, regarding the play-calling. I am gonna resume the play-calling duties. This is not about Thomas. This is about me, it’s about the team. I’m in the position I’m in because of years of being a successful offensive coordinator and play-caller. We have eight games left, and I just wanna give my attention and everything I can do and everything I can bring to bear to help the offense take a next step.
“It’ll still be collaborative. Thomas is still runnin’ the show as far as the offense and all the install meetings and game-planning. He’s still right at the center, me and him workin’ together like we’ve been all year. I trust Thomas more than anybody, and he’s helped me become a better coach and a better man. So this isn’t about that. This is about the team, this is about us all playin’ the role that we think can help us these last eight games.”
Brown had been given the honors as the team entered their Week 7 bye. In the three games under the first-year coordinator, the Panthers scored just two offensive touchdowns.
As a whole this season, Carolina ranks 30th in total offense and 29th in scoring.
