Talk to me about out-of-pocket passing

[ItsNotGonnaBeAlright]

One of the big things that people looked forward to about Newton was the notion that he would keep plays alive with his feet. That bled into one of the primary knocks against him...the idea that he would take off and run at the first hint of pressure, not letting plays develop from the pocket.

With the Cards bringing the house every other play and Cam sticking to the play often enough to put up obscene yardage numbers, that tired out complaint should be put to bed for the moment. But I have heard a number of analysts and commentators mention that they thought Cam looked better on the run than he did in the pocket.

Now, I didn't notice it. I was too busy believing and hoping and drinking and doing all the other stuff a fan does on game day to make much a difference between how Cam performed in the pocket versus out of it. The only play I remember when he was on the run was the pass to Olsen that set up his touchdown run. Haven't rewatched the game yet, and I haven't gone highlight hunting yet.

So, what say ye? How do you think he did when he had roll-out and extend the play a few seconds?

[tiger7_88]

He had a fantastic pass to LaFell while rolling to his left to get a 1st down. Bullet, right on the money, rolling AGAINST his natural throwing motion.

[CarolinaNCSU]

I was actually impressed with how he did stay in the pocket a lot of the time. I figured he would roll out more, or be designed to roll out more in the first couple of games to ease him into the action. As far as his throws rolling out, I remember the Olsen play like the OP but not much else. Seeing Cam using the roll out as a "last resort" of sorts was nice to see as it was one of the big fears that he would do it all the time. Let's hope he keeps it up and becomes the polished pocket passer who can use the roll out as a threat.

[PantherFanForLife]

I didn't see anything wrong with either. He can do both and I saw both and was very pleased with both abilities.

The only thing I noticed is he was a little hesitant and indecisive at times when he had to decide between staying in the pocket and taking off with the ball, which may have limited his running opportunities. I think that has everything to do with timing, and just getting used to the speed of the game.

Once he gets that down, I actually expect and HOPE to see more out of pocket passing as well as rushing with the ball. It looked like he was holding back. Can't wait for him to get more comfortable.

[Krangthebrain]

We (Cardinals) tried to keep him in the pocket, and when Cam freaked out he ran right up the middle for no gain. Where we failed was putting the game in his hands instead of playing a more balanced defense, forcing your running game to beat us.

I'm really impressed with Newton, he's like a young Michael Vick, but bigger and a much better passer.

[ItsNotGonnaBeAlright]

I didn't see anything wrong with either. He can do both and I saw both and was very pleased with both abilities.

The only thing I noticed is he was a little hesitant and indecisive at times when he had to decide between staying in the pocket and taking off with the ball, which may have limited his running opportunities. I think that has everything to do with timing, and just getting used to the speed of the game.

Once he gets that down, I actually expect and HOPE to see more out of pocket passing as well as rushing with the ball. It looked like he was holding back. Can't wait for him to get more comfortable.

I've noticed the hesitation too, both in this game and through the preseason. I can't tell if that's because he's unintentionally holding back, because of game speed, or because he's being told not to do it (i.e. stay in there and make the pass, don't run first, your an NFL quarterback now dammit!). Conventional wisdom would say its the last option, but what I've seen sure as hell just looks like a timing thing.

[Razzy]

The man has radar in his head. I have never seen a rookie with such pocket presence and it should only get better. He also has the talent to do a lot of good things out of the pocket, like Big Ben or Aaron Rodgers, seeing how he consistently keeps his eyes up field when scrambling.

This is the first time since I have been a Panthers fan where I don't quake with fear anytime I see the pocket falling apart. Delhomme and Clausen were both particularly bad at avoiding pressure.

[YoungPanthers89]

He actually steps up in the pocket, which is refreshing. He didnt get much of a chance to throw out of the pocket aside from the lafell first down. I think he will get quite a few chances this week considering how GB blitzes.

[PantherFanForLife]

I've noticed the hesitation too, both in this game and through the preseason. I can't tell if that's because he's unintentionally holding back, because of game speed, or because he's being told not to do it (i.e. stay in there and make the pass, don't run first, your an NFL quarterback now dammit!). Conventional wisdom would say its the last option, but what I've seen sure as hell just looks like a timing thing.

That's a possibility too. It just seemed that if he wouldn't have hesitated, and just took off, he would have pulled away from his defenders a lot more when he was under pressure. I think that made him look slower than he really is when rushing and allowed a few guys to put a hand on him that otherwise wouldn't have touched him.

[panthers55]

Cam is obviously trying not to run and waiting until the last minute while he hunts for a receiver. He is going through his progressions until he actually crosses the line of scrimmage or is foced to run. That is the reason he has been getting sacked as he waits until he is surrounded before attempting to run.

If he took off sooner he actually would be able to get a lot more running room and make bigger plays. In time he will figure it out and will likely use his feet as well as his arm. In the meantime, I am glad he is trying to work on his pocket passing and his read progressions. After all that is what needs practice, the running part is more instinctive and he already has that down pat.

[lightsout]

Here is my theory. The QB Cam Newton is a creature of survival. He will do what he has to do to gain yardage. If that is take the snap, wait 2 seconds, and take off with his legs or if that is sitting in the pocket and delivering a good ball. Now, I think he is trying to tame this creature into something a little less from the reaction side to more the cerebral side. Sit back and pick teams apart methodically, while still using his big play ability and his abilities in the clutch (like the drive before halftime). Part of this is Cam understanding the NFL is a different game, part of this is Rivera, Shula, and Co. telling him to be a little more patient and let the receivers do what they get paid to do.

He is still getting comfortable. You will see him run a LOT more soon. One thing I did notice, and I haven't seen it mentioned, we DID run 1 read-option play with D-Will and Cam. He handed it off for a 1 yard gain, because the DE stayed at home. But more designed runs for Cam will come as we see how DC's prepare for him and the read-option will be common place by season's end (I believe, anyway). With this, Cam will become more comfortable, since they will have to respect his running (if they don't already). And when THAT happens, as Cam learns the ins and outs of this offense, you will see adjustments, audibles, etc. and Cam will become a legitimate threat in and out that NO DC in their right mind will ever want to defend...ever.

Again, this is all theory and speculation (mostly, fantasy, I know). But if it works out like this, we will be Superbowl bound in a matter of 5 years.