Live Q&A tonight with NBC Charlotte's Nick Carboni and Kelsy Riggs

[Jeremy Igo]

At 8:00 we will have a live Q&A with Nick and Kelcy. These two do a great job and really know their stuff.

 

Please have your questions at the ready. I will open this thread a bit early to start the discussion.

 

 

[Mr. Scot]

Any info on the bizarre move of cutting CJ Anderson?

With the signings of Barner and Cadet, how would you order the runningback depth chart right now?

Do you believe we'll see less of McCaffrey as a blocker after the disaster last Thursday?

What are the chances of Torrey Smith and Matt Kalil returning to significant roles?

[Jeremy Igo]

This thread is now open.

 

What would you like to discuss?

[Mr. Scot]

3 minutes ago, Jeremy Igo said:

This thread is now open.

 

What would you like to discuss?

 Matt Patricia's beard vs Mario Addison's

[Nick Carboni]

4 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

Any info on the bizarre move of cutting CJ Anderson?

With the signings of Barner and Cadet, how would you order the runningback depth chart right now?

Do you believe we'll see less of McCaffrey as a blocker after the disaster last Thursday?

What are the chances of Torrey Smith and Matt Kalil returning to significant roles?

I'll take the first two, Kelsey's got the other two.

 

1. Anderson was definitely frustrated. I'm not sure there was anything contentious or not in his discussions w/ Ron Rivera, but Rivera admitted C.J. was frustrated. His role was certainly not what he envisioned, and I'm not sure the Panthers could have possibly envisioned using McCaffrey THIS much -- 96% of snaps. I do question why they did not explore a trade, because the writing on the wall was clear before the deadline. But I don't think they're terribly worried about where Anderson will end up, even if its with an NFC opponent they could face down the road.

 

2. I would say it's -- CMC, Cameron Artis-Payne, Barner, Cadet. CAP will get some looks where Anderson was before. Maybe more than Anderson? Not sure you're taking McCaffrey off the field much. There were times they ran two-back sets. I put Barner behind them since he camped with Carolina, and played for a very good team during *this* season. He can also help in the return game if needed.

 

[Nick Carboni]

4 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

 Matt Patricia's beard vs Mario Addison's 

Patricia says he's got gray hairs from defending Cam Newton. Addison gives quarterbacks gray hairs. I'll go with Mario.

[Mr. Scot]

I can add one other: What to make of Thomas Davis's statement to Mike Tomlin that the Panthers "needed to be humbled"?

[Guest Kelsey Riggs]

4 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

Any info on the bizarre move of cutting CJ Anderson?

With the signings of Barner and Cadet, how would you order the runningback depth chart right now?

Do you believe we'll see less of McCaffrey as a blocker after the disaster last Thursday?

What are the chances of Torrey Smith and Matt Kalil returning to significant roles?

Jumping on the second half of the questions....

I don't think we'll see less of him - in any areas - even blocking. I think a lot of things went wrong in Pittsburgh on both sides of the ball. Whether it was error or miscommunication up front, don't think McCaffrey should be alone forced to block some of those linemen... and think he's proved he can be effective pass blocker when needed. 

Torrey Smith was back at practice working on the side today, so that's a step in the right direction. He gives the line "Knee feels good" with a smile whenever he's asked about how he's doing and how he feels for the next game - but he's making progress so that's good. Think if he's healthy he'll be worked back in - this group has a lot of weapons - don't think success for DJ or Curtis means Torrey will no longer be used in significant role. Each player has made it clear they're going to do whatever is best for the team and working at the time. 

As for Matt Kalil... we'll see. OL obviously had issues at Pittsburgh but has looked really good otherwise especially for a group that just came together this offseason. The fact that we haven't even seen Matt working on the side at practice makes it seem like he still has a while before he's ready to return - but don't think they'll rush it or just throw him back into starting role if OL gets back on track.

[Nick Carboni]

Just now, Mr. Scot said:

I can add one other: What to make of Thomas Davis's statement to Mike Tomlin that the Panthers "needed to be humbled"?

He expanded on that today, and Rivera had some comments about it being "humbling" as well. They aren't saying they came in to that game cocky, or anything like that. Just sometimes you need a wake-up call. That you need to have focus and an edge at all times, or things like that are going to happen. It wasn't that they felt they were taking it too easy though.

[Mr. Scot]

3 minutes ago, Kelsey Riggs said:

Jumping on the second half of the questions....

I don't think we'll see less of him - in any areas - even blocking. I think a lot of things went wrong in Pittsburgh on both sides of the ball. Whether it was error or miscommunication up front, don't think McCaffrey should be alone forced to block some of those linemen... and think he's proved he can be effective pass blocker when needed. 

Torrey Smith was back at practice working on the side today, so that's a step in the right direction. He gives the line "Knee feels good" with a smile whenever he's asked about how he's doing and how he feels for the next game - but he's making progress so that's good. Think if he's healthy he'll be worked back in - this group has a lot of weapons - don't think success for DJ or Curtis means Torrey will no longer be used in significant role. Each player has made it clear they're going to do whatever is best for the team and working at the time. 

As for Matt Kalil... we'll see. OL obviously had issues at Pittsburgh but has looked really good otherwise especially for a group that just came together this offseason. The fact that we haven't even seen Matt working on the side at practice makes it seem like he still has a while before he's ready to return - but don't think they'll rush it or just throw him back into starting role if OL gets back on track.

I'd seen some speculation that Pittsburgh saw something they could exploit when McCaffery was set up to block. Hence, why they sent linemen after him.

Kinda hoping that if other teams follow suit, we make a few adjustments. CJ Anderson was said to be a pretty good pass blocker, but that's obviously not an option anymore.

[tarheelpride]

Two questions:

 

1: What's with the slow starts after halftime? I've seen a stat recently that had the Panthers last or next to last in 3rd quarter scoring, at 13 points. What adjustments need to be?

 

2: What do you make of the Panthers' struggles on the road this year? I'm concerned about our road performance, especially with another 3 out of 4 on the road, plus the Saints at the end of the year.

[Nick Carboni]

1 minute ago, bull123 said:

What does coach Rivera plan to do to make our defense better, more specifically our DL and pass rush?

does coach think we are playing tough enough and can this be fixed?....now?

Well for one, I think the level of competition over the next month is going to get this defense going a bit. Their next 4 opponents (DET, SEA, TB, CLE) are in the bottom half of the league in sacks given up. That d-line is going to be getting plenty of opportunities for "feel-good" games, and the receivers they'll face don't look all that daunting either.

Question is, will they be able to get to Brees, Ryan and Brees to close the season? I think they need to use these next four weeks to gain some momentum on defense heading in to that stretch.

[Nick Carboni]

1 minute ago, tarheelpride said:

Two questions:

 

1: What's with the slow starts after halftime? I've seen a stat recently that had the Panthers last or next to last in 3rd quarter scoring, at 13 points. What adjustments need to be?

  

2: What do you make of the Panthers' struggles on the road this year? I'm concerned about our road performance, especially with another 3 out of 4 on the road, plus the Saints at the end of the year.

1. Good question. I think it depends on the game. But when they've had big leads at half, i.e., TB and Baltimore, they've slowed up a bit. Maybe that's got something to do with it.

 

2. The road woes are concerning, particularly because of that last game @ the Saints and how well they play at home, and also because Carolina is likely to have a road game to open the playoffs. Their drive at Pittsburgh to start the game was fantastic, but then things unraveled. Again, these next four weeks are against lower-level opponents, especially on the road (@ DET, vs. SEA, @TB, @ CLE). Should be some "feel-good" opening drives in those games. But can they do it in New Orleans? And then punch back when the Saints inevitably do? That's what everything's building to right now as the season comes to a close.

[Guest Kelsey Riggs]

6 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

I'd seen some speculation that Pittsburgh saw something they could exploit when McCaffery was set up to block. Hence, why they sent linemen after him.

Kinda hoping that if other teams follow suit, we make a few adjustments. CJ Anderson was said to be a pretty good pass blocker, but that's obviously not an option anymore.

Possible - they definitely found plenty to exploit... but seemed like some of these scenarios were guys not identifying the front the same and led to chaos and matchups that shouldn't have been happening....

Will need to make adjustments though for sure... Although Anderson was good pass blocker - Panthers seem confident in CAP and what he'll be able to do if needed.. He's been with the team since 2015, and although he hasn't gotten the opportunity to show much outside of the preseason Rivera was very complimentary of him and his potential.