Matt Harmon: Why Pairing Cam Newton And Christian McCaffrey Will Revolutionize The Panthers

[top dawg]

As much as Harmon wants to make it about stats, after all is said and done, this evolution, revolution or whatever you want to call it, has to be taken upon faith in Rivera's words. That's my take.

Hopefully there is the follow through. Drafting McCaffrey and Samuel appear to be a good start, but we'll see if it's real or smoke and mirrors in September.

[vorbis]

I can appreciate that the formatting in the quote post is a little off so the article feels a bit dense and challenging to follow, AND the article has quite a bit of projection based on Rivera's quote at the end of the season, BUT

that was an exceptionally well-written article IMO. this is what stat-driven football content should look like. very clear set up of the argument, ample supporting of that argument through relevant stats and comparisons, and perfectly reasonable conclusions. good stuff.

not sure if I 100% agree with the conclusions but they are fair and well thought-out. 

as for my opinion, I think getting McCaffrey and Samuel was about creating options for Cam to mitigate the pounding from deep drops and slow-developing routes from WR with less-than-blazing speed. I'm not sure it will be a complete overhaul of the offense like this article seems to point to, though.

However, Samuel in particular will slide right into that 2015 Jerricho Cotchery role where he does a lot of slot WR work while also motioning into the backfield for those option plays that you can run a RB off of it, run Cam off of it, run the motioning slot guy off of it, or throw a swing pass to the WR, RB, or even an outside WR or inline TE.

you knew it was a big conceptual part of the offense when they ran it even with the less-than-blazing Cotchery playing the role of the dot in the I-formation set. having that many options off of one set, when you've already had the defense play their hand a little bit in response to Cotchery motioning into the backfield, really clarifies the pass protection, and gives the QB a headstart on making their reads. 

the Panthers would be very smart to take a look at putting that concept back into the offense in a big way in 2017.

[UpstatePanther]

1 hour ago, thomas96 said:

Got a little too statsy for me

lol poor @KB_fan. i guess thomas96 isnt one of your followers. 

[Devin]

I feel like Harmon used about 1000 extra words to explain something simple.   Carolina is going to take the load off Cam by giving him options early in the play.  Drafting CMC and Samuel validate that.  

[Hogmolliesmaht]

1 minute ago, Devin said:

I feel like Harmon used about 1000 extra words to explain something simple.   Carolina is going to take the load off Cam by giving him options early in the play.  Drafting CMC and Samuel validate that.  

IKR, lol? All you have to do is ask yourself who were the playmakers on offense last year? You have Olsen and Ginn could make one every once in a while but he has never been able to consistently catch the ball in clutch situations. So basically, it was just Olsen, and he's a TE. Now we finally have a couple of guys with Steve Smith type abilities is space.

[Hoenheim]

4 minutes ago, Hogmolliesmaht said:

IKR, lol? All you have to do is ask yourself who were the playmakers on offense last year? You have Olsen and Ginn could make one every once in a while but he has never been able to consistently catch the ball in clutch situations. So basically, it was just Olsen, and he's a TE. Now we finally have a couple of guys with Steve Smith type abilities is space.

"steve smith type abilities" when you say that I think stiff arms and unbelievable YAC with attitude, is that what you think McCaffrey and Samuel bring? haha . Maybe you just referring to the yards after catch for the most part. None of these two dudes were outpowering dudes like smitty was for a WR

[Mvp2014]

I knew it was different with MCM but when we picked Samuel it was obvious the old offense is out.   I can't remember a more exciting Panthers draft ever.  

[Hogmolliesmaht]

Just now, Hoenheim said:

"steve smith type abilities" when you say that I think stiff arms and unbelievable YAC with attitude, is that what you think McCaffrey and Samuel bring? haha . Maybe you just referring to the yards after catch for the most part. None of these two dudes were outpowering dudes like smitty was for a WR

Yeah, I'm talking about YAC and the ability to turn a 3yd pass into a 70yd TD. Steve Smith was a one of a kind are far as that gigantic chip he had on his shoulder and his desire to destroy opponents. That's a whole different thing.

[Hoenheim]

38 minutes ago, Hogmolliesmaht said:

Yeah, I'm talking about YAC and the ability to turn a 3yd pass into a 70yd TD. Steve Smith was a one of a kind are far as that gigantic chip he had on his shoulder and his desire to destroy opponents. That's a whole different thing.

YES okay now I get you. Yeah I miss that ability. I was always amazed how smitty could catch like a 3-5 yard pass, make people miss or just shrug them off and leave em the dust lol

[Hoenheim]

There hasn't been anyone on the team with that level of spirit or attitude since he left besides Cam, and obviously Cam wasn't feeling it last year. 

[KB_fan]

1 hour ago, Hogmolliesmaht said:

Yeah, I'm talking about YAC and the ability to turn a 3yd pass into a 70yd TD. Steve Smith was a one of a kind are far as that gigantic chip he had on his shoulder and his desire to destroy opponents. That's a whole different thing.

Yeah, our receivers are usually near the bottom of the YAC tables.  I haven't looked at the stats since the end of the 2015 season, but agree some YAC will be very very welcome!

Bookmarked this article to read in full later.  I actually saw it linked on twitter before I realized it was being discussed here.  Been a long day, so I might not really be able to focus on it until tomorrow when my brain is fresher.  But I like Matt Harmon's stuff, and was glad to see his take on this.,

[uncfan888]

I love that the golden calf of bristol is in that list

[General_Purr]

I wish we would practice Cam scrambles on broken plays.. I think thats when his running is best but he is always alone with no blockers.. our WRs have size and could block but once they run their route they act like the play is over for them. 

 

Remember those bullshit formations with fuging Cotchery in the backfield? I can see tricky triple option type poo with movement from Samuel, Christian and Cam in the backfield. Who's getting the ball? Or are we going to ISO K Benji with all the focus in the backfield and let Cam chunk a high ball? This year could be a great year but I think the biggest factor is our coaching and prep. Evolving in ALL areas, workouts, nutrtition, mental training, its the NFL. Get these guys the best modern coaches for their well being and their body. KEEEEEP Pounding

[mc52beast]

Basically it took Cam almost being killed before Ron and Co figured out that the offense had to "evolve".