Analysis of the response to losing WR1s as seen by Bob McGinn

[top dawg]

Earlier this year, I created a thread (http://www.carolinahuddle.com/boards/topic/117479-panthers-pack-the-difference-in-reactions-to-the-injury-of-a-wr1/) about the stark difference of media perceptions regarding the Panthers and Packers losing Kelvin Benjamin and Jordy Nelson respectively. I found it interesting that there was doom and gloom as it pertained to the Panthers pretty much across the board. Likewise, many analysts said that the Packers would be able to compensate for the loss with pretty much flying colors.

Well about half the season is over for both, and the Packers have pretty much found a way to keep their winning ways, but the Panthers have kept up and even bested the Packers' mark, much to the surprise of many. There are probably more than a few reasons for this, but Bob McGinn, well-respected writer for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, has broken it down here in this excellent article by basically saying the Panthers---specifically Ron Rivera and Mike Shula---have basically out-coached  the Packers' Mike McCarthy and Tom Clements.  Here are a few tidbits:

Quote

 

McCarthy, the offensive specialist, has struggled to compensate for the loss of Jordy Nelson with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the second exhibition game.

Rivera, the defensive specialist, has succeeded in overcoming the loss of Kelvin Benjamin with a torn ACL three days before the second exhibition game.

 

Quote

The Panthers almost never line up in conventional formations where their deficiencies on the perimeter would be exposed. Shula incorporates motions and shifts on almost every play, usually from clusters of wideouts and tight ends aligned close to the tackles.

Quote

McCarthy and Tom Clements, the 10th-year assistant coach and first-year play-caller, have the wherewithal to be anything they want. Instead, they can't locate the path to success.

 

There is a whole lot more in the article worth considering, but I am not gonna sit here and quote the bulk of the article (as some may do with others' works) out of respect for McGinn (and the law), but suffice it to say that in my estimation that this is a must read for any Packers fan AND Panthers fan because it gives a lot of food for thought as to the relative success of the Panthers' ability to compensate for the loss of losing Benjamin, and the relative failings of the Packers to meet their offensive goals notwithstanding the loss of Nelson.  It basically suggests that Rivera, Shula, and Dave Gettleman have a better understanding and pulse on the team and the franchise's bigger picture than all of us, and basically says in regards to these two leading NFC championship contenders that Rivera and Shula are doing more with less (an argument that is usually attributed around here to one Cameron Jerrell Newton). 

On an off note, it's kind of ironic and "funny" that McGinn and probably others are sounding alarms (as well they should be after the epic beat-down by the Broncos), while homers in Panthers land are largely "cheesing" without a care in the world. I mean, it's not like the offenses are that far apart according to the rankings. But, like MCGinn and the unnamed GM in the article suggest, the Packers talent at wide-out is superior to ours on paper and in theory. Moreover, I don't believe that Aaron Rodgers and his offensive cohorts are coming to BofA in a few hours to lay down and secede victoryin what should be a competitive match-up. But, that's an aside. Read the article!

 

[MadHatter]

But we hate Shula and he is the worst coach to ever walk the face of the earth.

[Dex]

Shula da best!

[top dawg]

We don't have to be sarcastic, hyperbolic, or whatever about the situation. It's like I told @panthers55, I will have to see more before I label Shula as a genius. But, he has done well, and I believe in giving credit where credit is due. Some wanted to fire Gettleman (believe it or not). Many wanted to jettison Rivera. Most probably wanted to ax Shula. No one has been right 100 percent of the time. But, the Panthers seem to be making it all work notwithstanding deficiencies. 

 

[LUUUUUKE]

Great dig @top dawg

[top dawg]

The article is a thumbs up to Shula, Rivera and Gettleman, really. I will be the first to say that I have been as critical of Shula as anyone (though not irreverently as some, as that is not my way). I certainly haven't agreed with every move that Gettleman has made, but I am smart enough to know that I can't see his bigger picture, and I have to respect some of his personnel moves even if I disagree with them.  I have never ever faltered in my support of Riverboat Ron, though I have been critical of him in reference to Shula.  But sometimes time and patience are a good thing. I have always been willing to extend that to Gman and Riverboat, and now I am more willing to give a little more to Shula, though it is admittedly still peppered with skepticism. 

On an off note, I am even willing to give more patience and time to Corey Brown; not because I believe that he will ever be a star, or that there aren't better options (at least in my mind), but because sometimes time and patience will bear at least some fruit, even if it's as not as sweet as it could be, or as sweet as you'd like. Don't get it twisted, there are many spurious arguments as it pertains to me and Brown, but I don't hate him as much as I believe that he is upgrade-able. But he is what he is, and one of the things that he is right now is a Panther that needs to do like Shula, and show me more on a much more consistent basis. If he can do that, much like Shula, I will give him some praise as well. 

After last week's game, @Match.com created a thread about the evolution of Philly Brown (which is at the moment premature and unsubstantiated in my estimation), but what we are really seeing is the real evolution of the Panthers as a whole. Let's hope that we continue to overcome. In the long term, I think that we will.

[LUUUUUKE]

"Corey Brown is a nice young man, Philly Brown is a football player"

-HC Ron Rivera

[top dawg]

And this saga continues.  McGinn was pretty much spot on in his analysis. If Cam lhad not left so much meat on the bone, the marked difference between the efficiency of the teams' respective play calling would have been even greater in our favor.