Coaching staff has to get secondary personnel decisions right.

[Nate Dogg]

As much as I would like to see moRON and Shula out on their fat butts at the end of the season if we continue our downward spiral, I still think we have a great shot at the playoffs. One thing that's going to be vital to our success in these last 5 games is the play of our secondary. Our ability to put the right combination of guys on the field is going to make or break our back-to-back playoff hopes.

 

This week our secondary will get a huge boost with the return of Benwikere who has been out with a high ankle sprain since week 5. First, let's take a look at the performance of our defense when Bene was starting at nickel corner.

 

@ Tampa Bay surrendered 183 passing yards.

vs Detroit surrendered 291 passing yards. (To a healthy Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate.)

vs Pittsburgh surrendered 191 passing yards.

@ Baltimore surrendered 327 passing yards. (Most coming on the outside to 1 on 1 coverage before Josh Norman's emergence.)

vs Chicago surrendered 289 passing yards. (100+ to Forte out of the backfield and 97 to Jeffery. Again, before Norman was being used correctly.)

 

Now Josh Norman has played his way into the #1 corner spot. He's made some impressive plays and had some tough assignments over the last few weeks.

 

vs New Orleans Marquese Colston 3 catches on 3 targets for 36 yards 0 TDs

at Philadelphia Jeremy Maclin 3 catches on 7 targets for 38 yards 0 TDs

vs Atlanta Julio Jones 6 catches on 11 targets for 59 yards 0 TDs

 

 

My advice to the coaching staff would be to USE OUR BEST PLAYERS! I do not want Roman Harper to even think about putting his helmet on. Ron benched White. Now I want to see him bench one of his own boys Cason who has been horrible! When we are in the 4-3 I would promote Benwikere to CB2. I think it should be obvious he is one of our top corners considering how abysmal we have been versus the slot with him out of the lineup.

 

4-3

 

Josh Norman CB1

Bene Benwikere CB2

Thomas DeCoud FS

Colin Jones/Tre Boston SS

 

Nickel

 

Josh Norman CB1

Bene Benwikere/Melvin White CB2

Colin Jones/Bene Benwikere NB

Thomas DeCoud FS

Colin Jones/Tre Boston SS

 

If our coaches actually do their job and put the right unit on the field then our secondary play will be vastly improved. This would help rejuvenate our defense out of last place and allow us to do so many more things. We might actually be able to blitz and create some pressure up front if our linebackers don't have to sit in zone coverage all day. Better play from our secondary would directly impact so many things; more turnovers, better run defense, better field position, more scoring opportunities.

 

I truly believe with that secondary we would win in Minnesota. Star gets another week of RR and comes back the following week and we put ourselves in position to win the game in New Orleans.

 

My gut tells me in 5 weeks we could be hosting a playoff game, but my brain tells me I fully expect to see just as much Roman Harper and Antoine Cason and conservative, moRONic play-calling. I hope the coaching staff proves me wrong.

 

 

 

 

[Gallagher]

Bro, I've had these same thoughts. We need to be in Nickle most of the time with Norman, White, Benwikere, Jones and Decoud back there. Harper and Cason are liabilities, and honestly we might have won a few more games had we pulled the trigger on these changes earlier.

[KSpan]

I'd say they suck at getting the primary personnel decisions right as well.

[London Loves Luke]

Didn't really read it all but pie for picture of Jones fugging Brees in the pooper. 

[CPF4LIFE]

Agreed with this. I have felt the same way.

[Mr Mojo Risin]

Cason is a pretty solid tackler. I wonder if he'd be able to slide into a safety spot in a big nickle package. I doubt it would ever happen but I think it could be pretty effective

[Ruff]

When your best CBs are Josh Norman and a 5th round rookie coming off a prolonged injury, you're in dire straits.

[Panthers Fanatic]

I like it. It's logical and based on facts, statistics, and what gives us the best chance: therefore, our coaching staff will probably ignore it.

[Nate Dogg]

This coaching staff has no hope whatsoever. We continued to see more abysmal play from Cason and Harper.

 

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/12/01/refo-panthers-vikings-week-13/

 

 

Antoine Cason, CB, -2.2

Breakdown: He has Minnesota’s play calling to thank that his grade isn’t worse, as Cason earned his licks in just 14 coverage snaps. Targeted four times, the former first round pick allowed all four to be completed for two first downs and a touchdown. He’s now allowed six touchdowns on the season and an 80.3% catch rate.

Signature Play: Q2, 0:23. In prime position to make a stop in bounds and force third down, Cason overran Greg Jennings on a shallow out, allowing the veteran wide receiver to turn up field and score.

 

 

Bené Benwikere, CB, +1.6

Breakdown: One of five rookies who played at least 22 snaps, the San Jose State product wasn’t tested frequently but responded well when he was. Benwikere allowed just one catch, though he forced a fumble in the ensuing tackle attempt.

Signature Play: Q3, 14:21. Lined on the outside across from Cordarrelle Patterson, Benwikere read the screen to Patterson quickly enough to dodge Jennings’ block and break up the pass.

 

[IamSoClutch]

We're a true #1 away from a very good corner group. Norman would thrive as cb#2 and bene would be great in the slot

[Darth Biscuit]

Cason played over Benwikere yesterday didn't he?  That's not "getting it right" imo...

 

 

Also, Norman may be murdered on the field by TD if he keeps doing stupid poo.