The moments before the moment of truth on the evolution

[top dawg]

Well here we go guys. The preseason is among us, and vanilla extract will be added to offenses everywhere. True, but not so fast. We will see something of this evolution. It just can't be avoided if practice is any indication, as Ron Rivera points out in David Newton's morning article.

 

"That's one of the really good things about it," Rivera said. "We come here and do start with the basics. But the thing that always seems to happen is you get right into the complicated. If you can handle those early on, it's going to benefit you.

 

 

Reading between the lines, the "complicated" has bled into the basics. Moreover, the fact that the coaches seem eager to put some of their new theory in practice, what better way to put it to the test than against the league's top rated defense? But it's not like the Panther's defense is bottom of the barrel, and if they see these new wrinkles as challenging, then perhaps we really do have a lot to look forward to. Experienced and savvy veteran Kurt Coleman seems impressed.

 

 

"If you see a fastball over and over again, you're going to be able to time it up and hit it," Coleman said. "So it's the off-speed, being able to change directions, being able to manipulate the defense the way you want to.

"That's what this offense is really evolving into. They have the pieces and the makeup to be able to run the up-tempo, run the slowdown, hit you with one formation and then with the same personnel hit you with a totally different formation. It's really tough right now for us to get a hold on what they're doing."

 

What Coleman is saying and experiencing really jibes with a comment by Mike Shula in the reprogramming of Cam article by Jonathan Jones:

 

“What we have to look at is, offensively they can’t take everything away. When they take this away, you have to be ready for that.”

 

So as we get that very small sample size (the quarter and a half) of McCaffrey and the other starters tonight, even without Cam Newton, look for the counterpunching and keeping the opposition off balance. It may be somewhat imperceptible with only so short of a period of time and without key players, but keep it in my mind.

The evolution is apparently almost here.

 

 

http://www.espn.com/blog/carolina-panthers/post/_/id/26448/panthers-eager-to-see-retooled-offense-in-action

 

[Pantha-kun]

I'll believe it if I see it in Game 1 . 

[therealmjl]

#Shula

[Hogmolliesmaht]

I'm pretty sure RR was talking about practice, not pre season games. I would be shocked if they actually show anything during the pre season.

[csx]

They aren't showing new stuff in preseason. That's preseason 101.

[yasuhara2241]

Going to be pretty vanilla tonight especially without Cam. But in saying that DA does get the ball out quickly so we might see small glimpses. 

[CPcavedweller]

I very seriously doubt there will be much that is different than from years past. You will probably see some plays where the running back runs a route out of the backfield instead of the obligatory "head to the flat". Other than that, it will be much of the same, at least until Week1. 

[gmonjimbo]

I'm not necessarily looking for new sets or formations but to see if there is any flow to the offense. Can they play with energy and sustain drives.