The biggest issue with our offense nobody is talking about

[Floppin]

What the hell is this? A rational discussion in the panthers section of the huddle? I haven't seen this since...hell I don't know, a long time.

[footballisasport]

Cam is very pedestrian, borderline terrible when we have a lead. We've had a lead in every game except Chicago, yet once we're up on the scoreboard our offense becomes inept.

I took the time to manually extract Cams stats from the game data, and here's what I found, keep in mind this is only when we have a lead (not tied):

Cam is

21/40 194yds 0 TD 1 INT

We've had 14 possessions with the lead.

11 punts, 1 INT, and 2 FG's

Both FG's came against Green Bay, which means in every other game when we've led we've had to punt all but one time, against Arizona when Cam threw an INT.

Our defense has some well documented issues and certainly is the weak link on this team, but this is still concerning. Cam has been well above average and I love watching him play but when we get a lead he turns into a pumpkin.

What's the deal Cam? :jc:

Actually ur posting is flawed. U spoke about the offense, yet u made it all about Cam. What happened to the rest of the players? What was their role and how well were their jobs executed? A QB is only as good as those around him.

[footballisasport]

I've noticed this too. I wonder if the play calling changes once we get the lead. people keep complaining about our defense and I admit that i'm one of them, but with the success and weapons we have on offense we should be able to outscore any team in the NFL.

Hell the "The greatest show on turf" the 99 Rams didn't have an above average defense. they just went out there and scored 30+ points a game. I believe we could be this successful and we have shown it throughout the year

What are u snorting...please pass it around.

Have u truly watched ur offense play?

How many guys would u honestly say are SOLID go to guys?

[footballisasport]

The offense has not been as good in the second half versus the first half and even worse in the fourth quarter. Most games are decided in the fourth quarter and we have not done much outside of Jacksonville in that respect.

Some of it is Cam, some is lack of second half adjustments to the other team's adjustments after halftime, some of it is penalties, and special teams qand porous defense makes up the rest.

I really don't think this is news to anyone, but most of us are trying to decide how much should be put on a rookie quarterback to win games in the fourth quarter. I would like to see him move the ball and have some game winning drives but am not sure that is realistic. Without a good defense pulling out games late might be a stretch. We need to keep working to score points but we have to eliminate the mistakes and be more opportunistic when we do get the ball in the second half. Most of all not give up big momentum shifting scores on special teams and defense like we have done the past few weeks.

So what happen to the rest of the team. ublame Cam, the other team, the special team and penalties...What happened to the rest of the o-line and defense?

Do u guys serious watch anyone else on the team beside Cam when ur watching the game?

[mav1234]

What the hell is this? A rational discussion in the panthers section of the huddle? I haven't seen this since...hell I don't know, a long time.

Oh don't worry, we'll be rid of it soon enough! :reddevil:

[Floppin]

Oh don't worry, we'll be rid of it soon enough! :reddevil:

I'm pretty sure Footballisasport has already raped it into submission.

[panthers55]

So what happen to the rest of the team. ublame Cam, the other team, the special team and penalties...What happened to the rest of the o-line and defense?

Do u guys serious watch anyone else on the team beside Cam when ur watching the game?

First, we are talking second half not the whole game so that is why the lack of second half adjustments. Secondly I mentioned porous defense which you apparently ignored. Thirdly, special teams has been a much bigger issue than the offensive line in the second half with the exception of when Bell was in there last week which would fit under the category of injuries to Otah which is the only major issue.

Do you have any idea what you are talking about when you post??

[mav1234]

For those who want to look at his stats when winning/losing, head over to http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/splits/_/id/13994/cam-newton and scroll down. Should make it easier than picking them out manually.

Without going back and watching the videos, I frequently felt like the offense was going for home run shots too often when it was up, instead of methodically working down the field.

[footballisasport]

FYI this isn't a bash Cam thread folks.

When we have a lead he's a different player. I have my theories as to why, I want to see what you guys think.

but yeah lets just attack each other instead of discuss a topic

Attacking each other is more fun. How many "I did an analysis on Cam" threads have u guys started?

Cam is human. He will make bad passes. All QBs do. He will have some bad decision making moments. All QBs do. He will have Sundays where he's just not into it...All QBs do. That is when the rest of the team is suppose step IN and help him no matter what the score is. The problem is, everyone seems to be depending on CAM to help them look good..Not a good way to run a team.

A QB is as good as those he play with.. Cam isn't the entire Panthers team.

[mav1234]

edit: deleted given footballisasport's post following this one, don't want to start the flame war.

[footballisasport]

I'm pretty sure Footballisasport has already raped it into submission.

Okay, I'll behave myself...:reddevil:

[panthers55]

For those who want to look at his stats when winning/losing, head over to http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/splits/_/id/13994/cam-newton and scroll down. Should make it easier than picking them out manually.

Without going back and watching the videos, I frequently felt like the offense was going for home run shots too often when it was up, instead of methodically working down the field.

Obviously working methodically down the field and running the clock makes sense when you are ahead. Taking shots down the field makes sense when you are behind or you feel you have to keep scoring because the defense can't be counted on to pick you up if you fall behind.

I don't know that we have figured it out yet. The offense is still in flux though it has gelled more than the defense which is shuffling in bodies across the board every week. It doesn't seem we can keep enough folks healthy to have any consistency on defense from week to week.

[mav1234]

Obviously working methodically down the field and running the clock makes sense when you are ahead. Taking shots down the field makes sense when you are behind or you feel you have to keep scoring because the defense can't be counted on to pick you up if you fall behind.

That doesn't explain the difference between the offense's output when we're ahead versus when we're tied or behind. When tied, you would think the pressure is still on to keep scoring, and he certainly finds ways to, and you'd think the pressure is still on the defense to hold us, whereas maybe they ease up a bit when they've got a decent lead.

I dunno, it is a bit of a strange enigma, but I think it plays into the entire offenses seeming inability to finish drives and games. I think a decent part of this falls on the coaching staff and the plays being called.

Another major part that I can't really be sure of now is that it is very possible defenses dial up the aggressiveness when they are down to try to cause mistakes. It does feel like he gets sacked more when we have the lead, but that may just be perception.

[panthers55]

That doesn't explain the difference between the offense's output when we're ahead versus when we're tied or behind. When tied, you would think the pressure is still on to keep scoring, and he certainly finds ways to.

I dunno, it is a bit of a strange enigma, but I think it plays into the entire offenses seeming inability to finish drives and games. I think a decent part of this falls on the coaching staff and the plays being called.

Most teams play it differently when they are ahead or tied versus being behind. It is simple psychology. When you are ahead or tied you usually become more conservative knowing you don't need to score to keep up or get ahead. Almost all teams back off the pedal. Sometimes that bites you in the butt. When you are behind there is a natural tendency to try harder, take more chances, and risks with the idea that if you don't do something you are going to lose.

So I wouldn't agree that most teams are as aggressive when things are tied versus when they are behind. In fact I would think it is the very opposite.

As for why I think we are more successful when we are ahead is because most of the time that is in the first half when we don't know how things will turn out so we keep the hammer down to try and get a big lead. I don't think the psychology or being ahead or behind really comes into play until the second half which is usually when we fall apart.