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Takeaways from MNF

lightsout

By lightsout,
in Carolina Panthers

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lightsout Grand Master

lightsout

Posted
Posted

Another week, another win. This time, the offense arrived. In a game where we simply demoralized an inferior team (for the first time since 2015), there is a lot to rejoice. However, there are some things to be concerned about moving forward. I know, I understand nobody likes negativity after a win, but objectivity is important and we need to remain level-headed because the next month is going to be deciding whether we're a playoff contender or if we're a wild card and 1 and done. 

- Cam is looking like MVP Cam. There were a couple of times where Cam made a check at the line that resulted in a first down, and one of those was a TD to Funchess. He's throwing the ball better than his stats are showing because of drops or receivers otherwise not doing what they should have been doing, but that doesn't matter because he's playing at the level we all know he is capable. He's definitely a streaky player, so this staff needs to keep setting this offense up to succeed early so he can get a feel for the game each week. That is what gives us this Cam Newton.

- The read option is our identity. I know several users over the past several years that have disputed this as a viable approach in the NFL. Well, this is what happens when you execute it. You simply do not have the numbers to stop it consistently. We didn't "call it in certain situations". It was the bulk of our ground game. It is what this offense does. It is what needs to be done. The reason it is working now and wasn't in other games isn't because the Miami defense is bad. Their run d is top 10. It is blocking. This was our best game run blocking and this is what we SHOULD look like when given those blocks. So, no more trash talking the option. It is absolutely unstoppable in the hands of this offense.

- CMC is still a driving force of this offense and it is starting to become more productive for the offense as a whole. McCaffrey is starting to find his groove and timing on his cuts with the ball in his hands, which is resulting in incrementally larger gains each time he touches the ball. It's almost like he's constantly saving and referencing data from past experiences and fine tuning his game. Really something to watch.

- Samuel is coming into his own. Sure, the drop and injury sucks. He should've had the TD. However, he's a rookie playing on Monday for the first time in his career. It's OK to have that happen now so long as he learns from it. Samuel will be big for us going forward as long as he stays healthy. Cam is developing a good connection with him.

- This defense is absolutely scary when it wants to be. Sure, a bad offense they faced....but oh my, was it fascinating to watch. The sheer numbers game we played against them on tackling. Now, the big TD run was painful, but that's just one of those runs that happen from time to time. We got caught being too aggressive and it bit us. Fine. You've gotta live with that, especially when your offense is firing like ours was tonight.

- Russell Shepard....where to start. The guy just didn't show up tonight. End of story. May not be indicative of his ability, but it hurt early. Had a couple of nice catches (towards the end had a big 3rd down catch). But when you're dropping balls early, you're getting the offense out of sync.

- Devin Funchess showed up tonight. Guy is absolutely comfortable in his new role and the offense is seeing the benefits.

- Shula is still inept at times, but coming around slowly. It's games like these that make you wonder if he's simply in the habit of being TOO basic early in the year and opening the offense in the back half of the season. This is both wise and completely ignorant. You're putting a LOT on your defense early in the season to keep games close if your offense doesn't get it done with your "smash head into wall" offense. However, you catch teams off guard late in the year pushing for the playoffs. If (BIG IF) this is by design for Shula, fair play. Don't agree with it, but I understand it. If this is simply Shula having his memory swiped at the end of every season and having to start from scratch each season, then we need to get somebody that understands this offense to call plays so Shula doesn't jeopardize the team in the first half of the season. All this said, Shula called an overall good-to-great game tonight and should be commended.

- I still hate Stoic Ron. Just a little excitement now that your team is dominating as they should wouldn't kill ya.

- Our secondary is still not quite where it should be. Some of it is simply the coverage. QBs eat us up in zone and we're not equipped to go man coverage too often. Zone coverage will leave gaps and the frustrating part of that is realized when you watch the eyes of our LBs and secondary players. They get in the habit of eyeing the backfield and not looking around for open guys and getting to them. The last TD they scored, find Luke Kuechly. If you watch his positioning, he can get to that man and make a play. He's eyeing Cutler (when at least 2 defenders are between he and Cutler) and never realizes how close he is to that man. Head on a swivel, find the open receivers. It's basic, and I know a lot of people think reading a QBs eyes is how you play the pass, but reading his eyes doesn't matter if guys are running free and you can't get there in time to do anything about it. We've got to find a way to keep pressure on teams or at least play with a lead more often than not so the secondary can focus their energy there. The garbage time TD doesn't count because well, it's garbage time. That being said, can't do that if it's a tighter game and that is concerning to an extent.

- Last but not least, Cameron Artis-Payne. Talk about a coming out party. Kid is solid. Showed the doubters that the fanboys were right. Showed the fanboys that their praise was worthy. Solid burst, solid vision, solid ball security. Absolutely a viable Stew replacement with runs like he had on that last drive. We're at least 3 deep at RB where we may have to change the approach depending who is in, but my goodness can we run it.



Tons to love here, folks. Feel happy. Feel proud. Enjoy that hangover at work tomorrow.

Last aside, how do you get a flag in the victory formation? He'll never hear the end of that.

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lightsout Grand Master

lightsout

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Just now, electro's horse said:

5th leading receiver, 4th leading rusher

The only thing he's driving is me to drink.



Forget the yardage. Look at what he gives us. Speed and elusive ability in the open field that we haven't had consistently since Smitty. A distraction for a defense that we lost when Greg was hurt. And a playmaker that you can lineup literally anywhere and he'll produce that we haven't had ever. CMC makes play after play and he opens up things for other guys. This is undeniable.

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electro's horse Grand Master

electro's horse

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3 minutes ago, lightsout said:



Forget the yardage. Look at what he gives us. Speed and elusive ability in the open field that we haven't had consistently since Smitty. A distraction for a defense that we lost when Greg was hurt. And a playmaker that you can lineup literally anywhere and he'll produce that we haven't had ever. CMC makes play after play and he opens up things for other guys. This is undeniable.

27 yards receiving

23 yards rushing

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electro's horse Grand Master

electro's horse

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Just now, uncfan888 said:

He's had an agenda since he was drafted. It won't stop now

lol CMC nearly breaks the 50 yard marker against a trash team and gets two gimme TDs

NOW IS THE BREAKING POINT

give me a break, he was outplayed by two running backs tonight and anyone else that caught the ball. dude is nothing. he's taking carries away from CAP

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