The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly & Resisting Judgment

[top dawg]

The game against the Bills seemed at times like the epitome of throwing poo against the wall and seeing if it sticks.  It seems like we have some good pieces here and there, but the 2014 Panthers are still very much a work in progress. 

 

I don't usually care for impressions this early in the game, but what the hell, a few general impressions aren't gonna hurt anything.

 

 

The Good:

 

Kelvin Benjamin's unbelievable, epic catch showcased his size (catch radius), balance, concentration, determination, great hands, etc. Sure, he doesn't have great speed, but he simply doesn't need it for the way that controls his body and ability to suck balls out of the air that few people could probably get a hand on.  Benji looks hungry and is making us hungry to see more, as is Tavarres King.  

 

Much like Benjamin, King was known for making some drops here and there in college, but he was also known for making some big plays (Go Dawgs). Last night King grabbed a ball or two out the air pretty much effortlessly as well, and one has to wonder what he would do if he could grab one in stride.  We need to  get him some looks with the first team, opposite KB, with Jericho Cotchery or Jason Avant in the slot. King may absolutely be a play maker, particularly with other potent weapons on the field, including our now deep Tight End group.

 

Greg Olsen was his usually good, dependable Greg Olsen and Ed Dickson was solid, but it was ol' Swole Bones---Ballin' Brandon William---that made a big impression against the Bills.  Just like King, Williams needs more opportunities with the first team as well.  A generous helping of Greg Olsen and Bones may be just what the doctor ordered to keep our offense moving.

 

 

The Bad:

 

Speaking of offense moving, our run game was not last night.  Now I am sure some of you want to put it on the fact that Deangelo was out and Kenjon Barner was in (yeah it was all Barner's fought), but I was looking at the push of the O-line and the lanes that were created, but neither Barner or Darrin Reaves had much to work with last night.   The O-line, though decent in pass protection looked a little less than pedestrian and showed little power against a rock solid Bill's D-line.  To me, a running back shouldn't be expected to be a bus or bulldozer (or Tugboat) EVERY time they touch the ball, but perhaps Dengelo Williams and particularly Jonathan Stewart can make more happen.  Barner, bless his heart, is never going to be that guy, so why Mike Shula, Ron Rivera (Ghostbusters, or someone) won't make more of an effort to get Barner in space is beyond me...But, it's early, and perhaps I am being too critical.

 

 

The Ugly:

 

I have no compunction whatsoever saying that Matt Blanchard's play was just horrendous.  And it was a shame that Brenton Bersin (or any receiver) was made to go out there and play with Blanchard in what was effectively solitary confinement.  There was no redeemable value in his play whatsoever.  Marcus Lucas' bobble and pitch drill leading to the opposition's game-ending interception was ugly, no doubt, but at least Lucas made a nice play or two. Blanchard's play just awful.  The only thing that I saw as nearly ugly as Blanchard's implosion was the coverage of our special teams (which didn't look so special), but that was just the first preseason game...

 

 

 

Of course I believe that impressions---good or bad---should be held in check this time of year, but overall I think that we can be pleased with our overall direction. Once our defense settled in it was stout.  The first team looked like it will resume its form. Kawann Short made his presence known last night, as did Kony Ealy and Wes Horton to a lesser degree. Our offense looked a little disjointed, but King and Williams were balling out there for a minute much to the delight, if not surprise, of many.  Can the duo do it against first team competition?  I think that we'll be doing ourselves a disservice if we don't find out.  The O-line didn't get too much of a push against a stout Buffalo defense, but did a decent job keeping the QBs on their feet.  We seem to have some good pieces to work with on both sides of the ball, it's just that the coaches will have to figure out the pieces of the puzzle (the least of which is Josh Norman, but that's another story).  We'll see what they come up with next week.

[Jeremy Igo]

Quality post.

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[Ruff]

Blanchard was absolutely terrible. If he lasts through first cuts, I'd be amazed.

[nctarheel0619]

Watching Blanchard play QB made me drink more beers.

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[Razeyfingers]

thanks for the write up.

[csx]

I wouldnt let Matt Blanchard affect your opinion of this team if I were you. A passing thought about him is time wasted.

And the first pre season game is literally and intentionally throwing poo against a wall.

[Gucci Mane]

another Ugly was our starting safeties getting punked in their cover 2 calls.. safeties too deep and the dbs werent re-routing outside

[MtnJax]

Joe Webb could be listed as honorable mention Good I think. If he had played in Blanchard's place, that 2nd quarter wouldn't have been horrendous

[Darth Biscuit]

Benjamin looks like a beast.

Blanchard who? I'd never even heard of the kid and suspect we won't for much longer.

Aside from individual performances I don't think you can read too much from last night. They're still in the "who fits where stage" at this point. I'm confident we'll see vast improvement as a team over the next two weeks.

I will say that Webb was pretty damned impressive.

[Happy Panther]

The thing about Webb is he seemed very comfortable with the speed of the game. Throws darts too.

[CPcavedweller]

Was no one else impressed by Fozzie. The dude is very Darren Sproles like and it got to the point where I expected him to break one of the swings or check downs if he had even a little seam.

[CPcavedweller]

Also, that play to Benji doesn't show he has great balance considering he tripped and he had the corner beat.

[Guest Barry McCaulkinor]

He looked more like he was shoved to the ground than tripped...and still ended up teabagging gilmore. 

[firstdayfan]

Was no one else impressed by Fozzie. The dude is very Darren Sproles like and it got to the point where I expected him to break one of the swings or check downs if he had even a little seam.

Agree...I was impressed and reminded that he did this a lot with Cleveland last season

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