Takeaways From the Game

[Seltzer]

First off, thank God this was preseason.  What a boring game.  It truly is criminal the NFL coerces fans (including PSL owners like me) to actually pay money for this putrid product.

Pros:

• No injuries of note.  That makes a game like this ultimately tolerable.
• Jordan Scarlett- looks like he can be a capable backup.  Runs violently and with vision
• Overall RB depth- I think the Panthers will only keep 3 RB's (CMC, CAP, Scarlett), but I think Holyfield and Bonnafon are both guys they would like to develop.
• Marquis Haynes & Rashaad Gaulden- both guys showed they could be good rotational pieces in their 2nd year.
• Defensive Line- in limited snaps, the rotation of Addison, Irvin, Burns, Short, Poe, McCoy, & Love was getting pressure
• Joey Slye- Kid has a big leg and has made most of his FG's

 

Cons

• The entire team looked lethargic.  Buffalo seemed both better prepared and wanted it more.
• Backup QB's- plenty has been said, but it certainly doesn't seem like either Kyle Allen or Will Grier could step in and be effective in a regular season game, and Taylor Heinicke is an afterthought at this point to the coaching staff.  Everyone knew that the success of this season hinged on Cam being healthy.  It appears that without him, we are going to be neither competitive nor entertaining.
• Backup ILB's- There is a major drop-off here after Luke & Shaq.  Jermaine Carter, Andre Smith, and Jared Norris all look lost in coverage.  Buffalo moved the ball at will with Josh Allen just targeting Cole Beasley and the TE.
• Torrey Smith- couldn't come down with 2 catchable balls (although 1 of those would have been really tough).  Regardless, it's hard to justify him holding down a roster spot for another year when there are younger guys who could potentially contribute if he can't win deep and make tough catches.
• 3 Hours of My Life Wasted- I love the Panthers, but that was arguably the most unwatchable game I've ever set through (and I stuck it out during 2001 and 2010)

 

I really hope we come out better performance next week.  I'm not ready to give up my expectations for the season based on a preseason game where, in an ideal world, most of the guys getting a lot of reps won't be playing for us in 4 weeks, but this was the kind of performance that could dull the most eternal optimist.

 

[Proudiddy]

I'd like to add, idk what it is, but I've noticed several teams, us included, seem to be playing far less starters than we did in preseasons past and I think that obviously has an effect on the overall quality of the product.

[L-TownCat]

It’s hard to wait all offseason to have to look at whatever that was.  What a buzzkill right before the season.

[Seltzer]

4 minutes ago, Proudiddy said:

I'd like to add, idk what it is, buy I've noticed several teams, us included, seem to be playing far less starters than we did in preseasons past and I think that obviously has an effect on the overall quality of the product.

It's true... I read the Rams hardly played any starters last preseason, and it obviously didn't affect their season.

I really think Ron wanted to evaluate the depth at 3 position groups: RB, ILB, and QB.  The RB's did great, the ILB's did bad, and the QB's were horrible.

You got to tip your hat to Buffalo, but it was still a disappointing performance, and one that hardly justified being broadcast.  

I'm sure the joint practices this week were a lot more entertaining to watch

[LinvilleGorge]

I'll add OL as a negative. Pass protection by and large wasn't great and we had a ton of OL penalties tonight. That unit has a lot of gelling to do and not much time to get it done.

[Seltzer]

5 minutes ago, L-TownCat said:

It’s hard to wait all offseason to have to look at whatever that was.  What a buzzkill right before the season.

Exactly... and even though I logically know what happened tonight really makes little to no difference in how the team will perform in the regular season, it is hard to get excited and invest 3 hours of your life for that garbage.

[Carl Spackler]

It was largely a waste of time. Feel bad if you bought tickets to that one.

[Seltzer]

4 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I'll add OL as a negative. Pass protection by and large wasn't great and we had a ton of OL penalties tonight. That unit has a lot of gelling to do and not much time to get it done.

I agree... I am glad we got to go against Buffalo in a true game situation b/c that is a good group.  It is also a good litmus test for them to realize how much work they have to do.

I do believe if Matsko can get Chris Clarke to be a competent LT off the coach (at least for a lot of the season), he can work with the talent on this group.

But yeah it is a bad night when even Trai Turner and Taylor Moton are getting beat and getting penalties

[Panthera onca]

It's preseason my brothers, it means nothing.

[Seltzer]

5 minutes ago, Carl Spackler said:

It was largely a waste of time. Feel bad if you bought tickets to that one.

I gave them away, but yeah, I wasted a good bit of money and time on this...

Oh well, I'm an optimist... we came out healthy, and as long as we look good come September 8th, this will be a distant memory

[Proudiddy]

7 minutes ago, Seltzer said:

It's true... I read the Rams hardly played any starters last preseason, and it obviously didn't affect their season.

I really think Ron wanted to evaluate the depth at 3 position groups: RB, ILB, and QB.  The RB's did great, the ILB's did bad, and the QB's were horrible.

You got to tip your hat to Buffalo, but it was still a disappointing performance, and one that hardly justified being broadcast.  

I'm sure the joint practices this week were a lot more entertaining to watch

Agreed.  Your observation about Ron wanting to see depth reminded me of something else I noticed tonight too...  After running a lot of 3-4 last week, it appeared to me that we predominantly ran 4-3 tonight.  I'm wondering if tonight was more Ron not wanting to show his hand to someone in McD who could implement similar things in his defense due to familiarity, and/or maybe Ron wanting to see how specific guys performed in each look from week one to week two.

[BrianS]

Totally agree about our ILB's.  Once you get past our starters, we have NOTHING.  If we're going to run with two ILB's, we need more investment there.

[Carl Spackler]

Just now, Seltzer said:

I agree... I am glad we got to go against Buffalo in a true game situation b/c that is a good group.  It is also a good litmus test for them to realize how much work they have to do.

I do believe if Matsko can get Chris Clarke to be a competent LT off the coach (at least for a lot of the season), he can work with the talent on this group.

But yeah it is a bad night when even Trai Turner and Taylor Moton are getting beat and getting penalties

Pass plays were pathetic. Either the QB missed, the WR dropped it or the OL held (and still gave up a sack). Backups got no separation at all. Part of young QBs is missing passes though. Some reactionary mongoloids like to proclaim backups AllPro or grocery baggers depending on the possession. 

[TheSpecialJuan]

David NewtonESPN Staff Writer 

Time to give Taylor Heinicke some serious snaps in this backup quarterback contest? So far in the fourth quarter he's 8-for-11 for 78 yards and a touchdown. First up last season when Cam Newton was shut down, Heinicke has been reduced to basically a scout team quarterback during most practices while Kyle Allen and Will Grier battle it out. Don't forget Heinicke has the most experience in Norv Turner's offense, having been with him at Minnesota.