Different coaches around the NFL have different opinions on joint practices but Panthers coach Ron Rivera is a guy who wishes he could do them more. Rivera said it's key that both teams have the same goals but when that is the case he sees a lot of value in them.
Via the Charlotte Observer:
“I would do a mix of them if I could,” Rivera said after two days of the Panthers hosting the Buffalo Bills at Wofford. “If you can get two teams together focused on working and developing, then you can help each other out a lot.”
The Bills were the perfect fit for a joint practice this season because Buffalo coach Sean McDermott used to be Rivera's defensive coordinator.
Rivera likes joint practices so much he thinks they might actually be more valuable than preseason games are in terms of coaching up players and teaching them little tips on helping their games improve.
“Training camp used to be where you had to bring everybody (someplace) and get them into shape. Now they’re in shape (entering camp) and it’s about managing” the balance of practice and injury risk, Rivera said.
“I’m not sure that playing as many (preseason) games is as important as it used to be. But things like (joint practices) are invaluable, as far as coaching tools.”
With Rivera's comments if he is still the coach of the Panthers next season it would seem only fitting that he finds a team to have another joint practice with.
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