Panthers interim coach Wilks on Anderson's expulsion: 'No one is bigger than the team'
Carolina Panthers interim coach Steve Wilks says 'no one is bigger than the team' after sending off Robbie Anderson midgame in their 24-10 loss to the Carolinas Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
The Panthers wide receiver was seen in a heated argument with position coach Joe Dailey late in the first half, before resuming their verbal exchange midway through the third quarter. Anderson had been benched during the third quarter and was sitting alone on a cooler, before the second argument.
Wilks, who was taking charge for the first time after Matt Rhule was fired midweek, stepped in and sent Anderson to the locker room.
“Nobody is bigger than the team,” Wilks told reporters. "I'm not going to focus and pay a lot of attention to one individual...I don't put a lot of energy into one individual."
Anderson has been linked with a trade away from Carolina and Wilks said when asked about the 29-year-old's future: "Right now everyone is being evaluated, including me- same.
"We have to figure out what the right chemistry will be to put on the pitch, offensively and defensively."
Anderson spoke proactively to reporters after the game, saying he was "honestly confused" by the situation.
“I wanted to be in the game. Nobody ever yelled at me to get out of the game,” Anderson said.
“Honestly, I was confused and upset by this. I should be. I don't see anyone who is a real competitor, who knows the value they bring and who has a real passion for the game, who will accept being told not to do something or being removed from something when 'he didn't do anything wrong."
Anderson failed to catch in Sunday's game, coming into the game with 13 receptions for 206 yards.
The former New York Jets wide receiver signed a two-year, $29.5 million extension through 2023 before last season, but only had 53 receptions for 519 yards in 2021.< /p>
"I wouldn't say I want to be traded," Anderson said. “I will let God follow his plans for my life. I'll let things take its course in its time.
"I've been the victim of trade rumors before. It's part of the game. I don't let it affect me."
Carolina Panthers interim coach Steve Wilks says 'no one is bigger than the team' after sending off Robbie Anderson midgame in their 24-10 loss to the Carolinas Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
The Panthers wide receiver was seen in a heated argument with position coach Joe Dailey late in the first half, before resuming their verbal exchange midway through the third quarter. Anderson had been benched during the third quarter and was sitting alone on a cooler, before the second argument.
Wilks, who was taking charge for the first time after Matt Rhule was fired midweek, stepped in and sent Anderson to the locker room.
“Nobody is bigger than the team,” Wilks told reporters. "I'm not going to focus and pay a lot of attention to one individual...I don't put a lot of energy into one individual."
Anderson has been linked with a trade away from Carolina and Wilks said when asked about the 29-year-old's future: "Right now everyone is being evaluated, including me- same.
"We have to figure out what the right chemistry will be to put on the pitch, offensively and defensively."
Anderson spoke proactively to reporters after the game, saying he was "honestly confused" by the situation.
“I wanted to be in the game. Nobody ever yelled at me to get out of the game,” Anderson said.
“Honestly, I was confused and upset by this. I should be. I don't see anyone who is a real competitor, who knows the value they bring and who has a real passion for the game, who will accept being told not to do something or being removed from something when 'he didn't do anything wrong."
Anderson failed to catch in Sunday's game, coming into the game with 13 receptions for 206 yards.
The former New York Jets wide receiver signed a two-year, $29.5 million extension through 2023 before last season, but only had 53 receptions for 519 yards in 2021.< /p>
"I wouldn't say I want to be traded," Anderson said. “I will let God follow his plans for my life. I'll let things take its course in its time.
"I've been the victim of trade rumors before. It's part of the game. I don't let it affect me."
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