Let's talk about the running game

[Ruff]

As of right now, with one game left to finish and one more to go tomorrow, we're ranked 6th in the NFL with 132 rushing yards per game. As usual with our Cam Newton team, those numbers are incredibly deceiving. Cam right now is the second leading rusher on the team, with 144 yards rushing. (Which, btw, is more than any other QB in the league. The next closest is Russell Wilson with 109 yards rushing).

The rest of our rushers look like this:

Tolbert - 11 carries / 59 yards
CAP - 3 carries / 6 yards
Fozzy - 3 carries / 5 yards
Philly Brown - 1 carry / 12 yards

So, basically we're using Stewart to carry the majority of the carries (he's at 49, with 170 yards, right now, while Cam is at 31) while also using Cam. This, to me, is a major problem. The fact that the rest of our running backs, combines, have 14 less carries than our QB, along with almost 80 less yards combined, is ridiculous. Sure, we use our QB heavily to run the ball, which is definitely a staple of our offense. But, what our running game is doing is relying on Cam to bail us out when we get back in a hole. But, there's a bigger problem than that.

"But, that's Shula's plan. Let Cam create. Cam is a playmaker." I totally agree. And it's definitely a legitimate gameplan. (I would say that Cam, right now, would be my favorite for MVP. He and Brady are running a close race, imo.) Here's what we're looking at for the long haul of the rest of the season. If we take the data we have now, this will be the end of the season result:

Stewart - ~261 carries / ~907 yards
Cam - ~165 carries / ~768 yards
Tolbert - ~59 carries / ~302 yards
CAP - ~16 carries / ~32 yards
Fozzy - ~16 carries / ~30 yards

That's by season's end. If you're wondering where those numbers stand, as far as carries go, let's take a look. 261 carries would be 40 more than Stewart has ever had in a season. With someone who has had injury problems in the past, isn't that concerning. Oh, and when did he have 221 carries? In 2009. That's six seasons ago. Since then? He hasn't had more than 178 carries in a single season. At this rate, he would have almost more than 100 carries than he has in a single season than last year. 

How about Cam's numbers? Cam has rushed a lot in his career. Eclipsing more than 100 carries in each of his professional seasons. But, where would 165 carries be on that list? How about almost 40 more than he has ever rushed in a single season? Right now, his most attempts in one year was in 2012, when he rushed for 127 times. 2012, you might remember, was when Chud was full-on using the read-option offense to keep defenders guessing. But now we're opening Cam up to taking, potentially, 40 more hits in the regular season than he has ever. And 62 more than last season (in which, obviously he missed a game). 

Remember when I said there was a bigger problem? Well, there definitely is. We're running at a very good clip right now. But, we're doing it at a cost that is incredibly high in the long-term. We're risking the health of our best running back, who has been known to be injured, along with the health of our entire offense in Cam Newton. That's without a lot of read-options plays mixed into the fold, also. So, we're full-on in the, "PLS GOD LET CAM SAVE US OUT OF THIS THIRD AND FIVE" mode than has ever happened in Carolina, at least through the first few games.

I'm not dissing Rivera, or Shula, or anyone else. We've faced defenses that are very good. (Well, we thought they were good until the Patriots dropped 50 on them) We've gone up against JJ Watt. But, what we're doing now, in this stretch that should be easier than after our bye, is sacrificing our team in the long term. At some point we either have to a) get CAP and Fozzy involved or b) change the ideas on the offense up. 

[LUUUUUKE]

I read the first two paragraphs, but it got kind if muddled, so I'll just say this.

Let Stew rest this week, that gives him two weeks for his knee to heal before we face a formidable opponent and we'll need him during that stretch.

Next week, a heavy dose of Fozzy/CAP/Wegher (or pick 2) and let's see why they made this squad. 

We'll be fine without Stew this week. No need to push the issue. I'm curious to see what life after Stew looks like. 

This IMO makes the most sense to me

[gorillamilitia13]

A lot of negativity coming from you today OP. We won, were 3-0 stop over analyzing everything. 

[the butch]

My whole concern is with Tolbert. What in the Sam hell does he provide this team?

[Ruff]

My whole concern is with Tolbert. What in the Sam hell does he provide this team?

That's my main concern, as well. Is he a FB? Not really. Is he a bulldozer? Well, Kenny Vaccaro tackled him by himself in the open field at least twice today. Is he a pass catcher? I mean, what exactly is he? 

Is it because he's a fat guy that dances? I know a bunch of fat guys that dance...

[Metalli_cat]

Stew is being paid like a workhorse back. If he can play, he's getting the bulk of the carries. Run blocking has been a bit of an issue, but I think stew has been slow to feel when to cut up field on some of his rushes.

would rather not see Cam running a bunch, but he's gotten better with sliding, and doing other things to protect himself.

 

[shreddingdefense]

To be fair though our oline hasn't opened up many running lanes. Perhaps it is the plays being called, talent, teams looking to stop the run, or a combination of all three. Pass blocking; however, the oline is doing extremely well.

[GoobyPls]

Our running game is nothing without Cam

[Matthias]

I wonder what we could get if we traded Stewart?

[KJ89]

Everyone is pissing and moaning like we lost or something and I'm just over here recovering from tailgating and yelling a lot at the stadium.

It's week 4 and we're undefeated. Enjoy it. 

[gtanaka]

That's my main concern, as well. Is he a FB? Not really. Is he a bulldozer? Well, Kenny Vaccaro tackled him by himself in the open field at least twice today. Is he a pass catcher? I mean, what exactly is he? 
Is it because he's a fat guy that dances? I know a bunch of fat guys that dance...

idk how you can be hating on Tolbert right now. He has been really solid the last two games. Picking first downs and having a couple 10+ yard reception/Rushes

[The Lone Panther]

Like to see CAP get more carries.  I mean come on, they're paying him, might as well play him.  

[CPantherKing]

Defenses are sitting on the running game and challenging Cam Newton to beat them.

Cam now has the keys to the offense and is changing plays up a lot to get out of running plays. As soon as defenses start playing Cam Newton breaking the pocket, doubling Olsen over the middle, and making sure they have a safety over the top with Cam's deep ball, then the running game will start gashing defenses.

Teams are putting 8 in the box and at times sneaking a 9th in the box.

If Cam keeps taking the top off of the defenses and making them respect the deep ball, then defenses are in trouble with Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert.

[Jangler]

The running game was last on the list of things Gets had to fix. Once DWill and and now JStew are gone, then he will focus on it. But CAP could be the answer. already on the roster. :)