Keys to the game

[firstdayfan]

With the first game of the season quickly approaching I was wondering what everyone thought the keys to the game were. Also list what you think the best matchup will be. Here are mine...

Keys to the Game:

1) Pressure from the Front Four. McNabb will try to complete the quick passes and underneath routes to lull the safeties up. Then they will run a play action to DeShaun Jackson deep, the pressure generated by the front four will dictate how effective this strategy is.

2) Field Position. With the uncertainty of our kick returners the battle for field position will be crucial. The offense needs to put up points and the defense needs every chance to not give them up. Winning field position could help that a ton.

3) Offense needs to be Sharp. Typically the defense is ahead of the offense at this point in the season as timing and rythm plays a huge part in the offense's effectiveness. Look for Jake to try some short passes and hopefully get some good runs by DWill and possibly stewart. A solid running game will open up the middle of the field for the tightends and the deep routes for Smitty.

Key Matchup, Smitty vs Asante Samuel. With the Panthers looking to run the ball against the Eagles (and pretty much everyone else) we will continue to see 8 man fronts. This means that Smitty will be covered one on one by Asante Samuel, if he can make them pay for doing this then they will begin to roll the safeties his way which will clear the lanes for Dwill and Stewart.

[tim]

Ball security, especially on special teams. Fumbling, bumbling return men + a new long snapper could lose an otherwise winnable game. If we don't give the ball away we can keep up with their offense even if our D-Line isn't clicking yet.

[firstdayfan]

I definitely agree with that. I think a lot of talk is centered around our defensive line and secondary but I really believe they will be ok. However, I wonder if the return game will cost us a game or two during the year that we could of won.

[panther4life]

Keys for a Panthers victory imo..

1.Keeping Mcnabb in the pocket so our corners can stay focused on the deep ball.

2.Limiting Westbrook long gains

3.Recievers other than smitty getting open for Delhomme

4.Being able to run the ball consitently from start to finish

5.Special teams not allowing the big play

[Peppers90 NC]

We cannot let them win time of possession. I do not fear their rush attack, but I am worried about the dinkin and dunkin that McNabb is capable of. Teams have had success in the past with 3 step drops and quick releases, hitting their guys underneath with our CB's giving them space off the line. Our Cover 2 scheme will require physical play on the LOS by our CB's, disrupting their timing and not letting their WR get off the line, and then picking up their backs in the flats. If McNabb gets hot, we are in trouble, he can change a game, sometimes for the worse, but with his legs, he is still capable of busting a nice run when needed. They also love playaction for deep passes, play smart and dont fall for the bait, keep our safeties over top so their speedy receivers dont get wide the f**k open.

Offense, just pick up their blitzes, take what we can get underneath against their mediocre LBing core. Bait them into blitzing then a nice screen to a RB can gash them for big yardage, and make them think twice before bringing more blitzes. Jake needs to look at his checkdowns, as they have three very capable DB's in Brown, Samuels and Mikeal. Take advantage of the rookie safety, start small and get big.

[firstdayfan]

We cannot let them win time of possession. I do not fear their rush attack, but I am worried about the dinkin and dunkin that McNabb is capable of. Teams have had success in the past with 3 step drops and quick releases, hitting their guys underneath with our CB's giving them space off the line. Our Cover 2 scheme will require physical play on the LOS by our CB's, disrupting their timing and not letting their WR get off the line, and then picking up their backs in the flats. If McNabb gets hot, we are in trouble, he can change a game, sometimes for the worse, but with his legs, he is still capable of busting a nice run when needed. They also love playaction for deep passes, play smart and dont fall for the bait, keep our safeties over top so their speedy receivers dont get wide the f**k open.

Offense, just pick up their blitzes, take what we can get underneath against their mediocre LBing core. Bait them into blitzing then a nice screen to a RB can gash them for big yardage, and make them think twice before bringing more blitzes. Jake needs to look at his checkdowns, as they have three very capable DB's in Brown, Samuels and Mikeal. Take advantage of the rookie safety, start small and get big.

Great Post! Finally, we can talk some football!!!!

I agree completely and I don't think the offense will have trouble moving the ball it will merely be whether or not they get enough chances, as you allude to with the time of possession. The offense needs the defense to hold Philly under probably 17 points if we have a chance of winning.

[Peppers90 NC]

Thanks, oh and double Trent Cole. I know he got injured a few weeks back, but he is the one man on the defensive line that plays hungry and is very disruptive. Gross will have his hands full. We also have to be discipline on the OL, we are known for false starts, especially Gross. If we can do that, maybe extend the snap count and have them jump off the line early.

[Fireball77]

Philly has had Red Zone scoring issues last year IIRC. They move the ball well between the 20s though.

Another key CAROLINA HAS TO STOP PUTTING THEMSELVES IN INSANE DOWN AND DISTANCES ON OFFENSE DUE TO PENALTIES. Like YESTERDAY. THIS HAS DRIVEN ME BAT...SH*T CRAZY FOR YEARS.

[pstall]

Jake not giving away plays with his body langauge.

The D paying attention and staying home on trick plays.

ST coverage when the Panthers kick the ball.

Obviously pressure on McNabb.

Not letting Westbrook get into the secondary.

King/Rosario/Barnridge exposing the seam on the Philly's D.

Jake and SS exploiting the rookie DB. Lining up SS in spots to get that matchup.

Getting 2nd and 3rd short yardage. Try to avoid 2nd and 7+ etc.

I say it every game and I won't stop, screen passes to DeA and whoever is back there.

Panthers come out with some intensity and never let up.

Panthers do some serious chewing of the clock.

[firstdayfan]

Thanks, oh and double Trent Cole. I know he got injured a few weeks back, but he is the one man on the defensive line that plays hungry and is very disruptive. Gross will have his hands full. We also have to be discipline on the OL, we are known for false starts, especially Gross. If we can do that, maybe extend the snap count and have them jump off the line early.

I agree with you on Cole. Another aspect of pass protection that I think will be important is the backs being able to pick up the blitz. Goodson might be in there on a third down or two and he needs to get an effective chip on the defender before going out on his route. He struggled with that some during the preseason, although he also proved to be a capable blocker when he stuffed Ray Lewis.

[Fireball77]

Most of the Eagle receivers including BW are great YAC guys so that little tackling issue is gonna be big. They need to rally to the ball and tackle IMMEDIATELY and not allow YAC a la what Meeks wants to see.

[firstdayfan]

I agree with the tackling as well and while I like the tendency for the players to try and strip the ball carrier it was pretty ineffective during the preseason as the #1 defense didn't cause any turnovers. I think we should wrap up, gang tackle, and let the ball do what its going to do. A good hit will get a ball on the ground faster than three guys ripping at the ball.