Season in Review: Unsung Heroes #1

[mav1234]

what? Hardy is a beast, both on SP and D. Please return to the Cowboys forum or whatever team you really pull for.

First, Greg Hardy did quite well for a rookie and I don't know of anyone that would label him unsung. He was recognized by many fans as being quite exciting to watch. He made some great plays in his 15 games and I was impressed with him.

I also know few people that would really label him much of a hero, either. While he had a good rookie season, he wasn't the best DE we had (that would go to CJ), and he isn't quite at hero status yet. Next year maybe, though! He certainly made good plays and looks like he could be solid.

btw, EB was on his way to a decent season before his injury(no he wouldn't have been a hero either ). He'll never replace Peppers but he is improving.

[OneBadassCat]

I'm gonna go with Tony Fiammetta

[Carolina Mike II]

I would say the fans were the Unsung Hero, Overlooked or Unappreciated this year!

[vorbis]

I'm gonna go with Tony Fiammetta

good call. i think he quietly filled hoover's shoes quite nicely. had some injury issues toward the end of the season but i think he's a keeper.

[Cavscout]

Jon Beason...Played his tail off, switched positions, did what was asked of him, never said a bad thing about anyone, always positive...Now that's a leader

He's the hero of the Panthers

[Urrymonster]

Jon Beason...Played his tail off, switched positions, did what was asked of him, never said a bad thing about anyone, always positive...Now that's a leader

He's the hero of the Panthers

But everyone knows that, everyone recognises that he is the heartbeat of the defence. He played well this year and people saw that too and loved the fire he displayed regardless of the scoreline.

You can't be an unsung hero if everyone is worshipping the ground you walk on.

[Achilles]

2011 Stats:

* 29 Total Pressures (5.06% of pass plays) which was 6th amongst LT's (Long with 21)

* 6 Sacks (1.06% of pass plays) which was 21st amongst LT's (McNeil with 1)

* 8 Hits (1.40% of pass plays) which was 20th amongst LT's (Peters & Clady with 2)

* 15 Hurries (2.62% of pass plays) which was 5th amongst LT's (Long & Thomas with 12)

These stats, tell me one thing...when gross holds his block, the pass rusher does not get to the QB (hence, so few pressures) but if he loses his block and the guy gets past him it is almost certainly a sack (based on a 50% pressure-to-sack ratio) or an inc pass. THis is because of Clausen. Those sack numbers are a result of a QB that has very little pocket awareness.

THe reason why Gross looked bad was because if he ever lost his man, it was over, Clausen was going to be sacked or hit (or throw it away). It only happened 14 times, but it looked glaring because this awful offense never adjusted and the entire line was not in sync the entire season.

With a competent QB in there, and more consistent help from his teammates, Gross probably gives up maybe half that number. Also, Wharton wasn't really having a great year either. He definitely didn't help Gross get to the Pro-bowl. He did that despite the play of other OL.

Gross is still one of the best. Kalil is a decent center. We just need Otah back and a RG.

[Urrymonster]

Yup I think I agree with you there. Pretty sound reasoning and the line of thinking I had when I was looking into the details.

For the record Wharton was having a bad year, but not in pass blocking. He was actually the best pressure-per-play OL player. However he was abused in the running game.

However there is one area that you focused on that I feel needs to be addressed. You slapped Clausen's name around a lot, however it was actually Moore who was the recipient of most of the sacks and hits Gross gave up.

Moore - 2 sacks, 4 hits, 7 pressures

Clausen - 3 sacks, 4 hits, 8 pressures

Moore effectively played in around half the snaps, yet he experienced almost identical numbers. So it should probably be the other way round and the total Gross gave up whilst Clausen was in, was actually pretty remarkable.

The theory I think holds true is that Clausen has moderate pocket awareness (credited with being responsible for just 3 sacks and 2 pressures), however doesn't have a concept on his safety valve yet. So when he feels it he does one of three things, try to scramble out the pocket, throw it away of dump it off. He needs to know pre-snap about the pass rush and have his designated receiver in his mind already. I think this is where he struggles most, which is pre-snap reads.

Clausen may have helped our OL by getting rid of the ball before they get beaten, however in turn he was hurting the offense by not waiting that second longer to be more aggressive in his passing.

[DaveThePanther2008]

Yup I think I agree with you there. Pretty sound reasoning and the line of thinking I had when I was looking into the details.

For the record Wharton was having a bad year, but not in pass blocking. He was actually the best pressure-per-play OL player. However he was abused in the running game.

However there is one area that you focused on that I feel needs to be addressed. You slapped Clausen's name around a lot, however it was actually Moore who was the recipient of most of the sacks and hits Gross gave up.

Moore - 2 sacks, 4 hits, 7 pressures

Clausen - 3 sacks, 4 hits, 8 pressures

Moore effectively played in around half the snaps, yet he experienced almost identical numbers. So it should probably be the other way round and the total Gross gave up whilst Clausen was in, was actually pretty remarkable.

The theory I think holds true is that Clausen has moderate pocket awareness (credited with being responsible for just 3 sacks and 2 pressures), however doesn't have a concept on his safety valve yet. So when he feels it he does one of three things, try to scramble out the pocket, throw it away of dump it off. He needs to know pre-snap about the pass rush and have his designated receiver in his mind already. I think this is where he struggles most, which is pre-snap reads.

Clausen may have helped our OL by getting rid of the ball before they get beaten, however in turn he was hurting the offense by not waiting that second longer to be more aggressive in his passing.

Sounds like we had a rookie QB.....oooohhhh We did.

Good Post

[Urrymonster]

Sounds like we had a rookie QB.....oooohhhh We did.

Good Post

Basically. Most of the things I think he struggled with are the things that QBs pick up over time in the NFL. It's why most QBs are preferred to sit and watch as it gives them one less thing to learn on the fly when in the games. Pre-snap reads and adjustments would have helped our OLine a ton, I think we gave up around 20% of our sacks to unblocked defenders on blitzes.

Personally I don't have a huge problem with his accuracy, throwing motion etc. He didn't have as many passes knocked down as people make out, nor did he miss people wildly. He fitted a few deep throws really well, and when he did miss it was usually in a spot that prevented the CB making a play.

I just hope his confidence can re-bound. In my mind he is doing the right thing by getting away for a bit. Just hope he comes back and works his butt off. However I think that will be his greatest hurdle in improving.

That said, let's keep this thread about Jordan Gross

[mav1234]

Personally I don't have a huge problem with his accuracy, throwing motion etc. He didn't have as many passes knocked down as people make out, nor did he miss people wildly. He fitted a few deep throws really well, and when he did miss it was usually in a spot that prevented the CB making a play.

That said, let's keep this thread about Jordan Gross

Oh Urry, you tempt me so.

btw, is there any way to see if Gross got stronger as time went on? It may have been my imagination or it may have been Moore-to-Clausen switch, but it did seem like he was playing better as the season went on.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

He is not a bad tackle by any means and that actually goes for the entire line. They first need to find a quarterback that they can trust and get accustomed to. The line never got accustomed to Jimmy the entire year because of injuries and poor decisions by the line, the coach, and the quarterback. Fox needed to stick with one QB so the line new the tendencies of the QB but instead we saw nearly a new quarterback getting thrown to the grown each week because the line didn't know that particular QB's tendencies. The line also needs to get back to fundamentals based mainly on penalties. I would personally do what the Colts do. The linemen of the Colts have a little thing going on where if you cause a penalty you lose some money. Now it's not a lot money but it will definitely remind you to keep your head on a swivel. Finally everyone just needs to stay healthy.