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Football Outsiders: Panthers are the most efficient running team in the league

frash.exe

By frash.exe,
in Carolina Panthers

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CRA Grand Master

CRA

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Posted

My ONLY beef with the running game as it currently stands is that I would really hate to see Cam get Culpepper'd as a result of his refusal to slide and penchant for cutting the ball back up field for an extra yard or two and taking unnecessary shots. I love his fire and his boldness, but guys up here will hit you to hurt you. The only reason I would advocate more designed HB runs is because I want Cam back there healthy. I can't think of a single QB in history that takes as many carries as Cam that was able to stay mostly healthy during his career. I mean, just take a look at Steve McNair and all the injuries he had to play through. I personally think that stunted his development as a passer.

Unlike most QBs though....Cam has conditioned himself to take hits. Not that he takes many.

When we drafted Cam. I was fine with it. I will not be fine with it if they try to take his running away out of fear. It is part of him. Taking that out b/c of fear....is simply Carolina can't do. They can be smart about when to run (not goal line and into piles often)....but Newton has to take off.

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CRA Grand Master

CRA

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It only takes one cut gone wrong to rip a knee up. Part of the reason that the RB position has been devalued to a degree is that there are very few that can handle the amount of carries they make and stay healthy. The occupational hazard of running the ball is higher than any other position. Cam is too valuable as a passer to be taking red zone carries. I think part of that is that Chud doesn't trust his arm inside the 20's yet.

and a bigger part of it is that it is a unique mismatch as they play the pass....which is why he practically goes untouched the first 10 or so yards. Ideal in the redzone...just not the goalline.

Look at how many of his redzone runs the past few weeks a defender never touches him.

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Vagrant Explorer

Vagrant

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Unlike most QBs though....Cam has conditioned himself to take hits. Not that he takes many.

When we drafted Cam. I was fine with it. I will not be fine with it if they try to take his running away out of fear. It is part of him. Taking that out b/c of fear....is simply Carolina can't do. They can be smart about when to run (not goal line and into piles often)....but Newton has to take off.

For sure. I wasn't advocating taking the running out of his game because that is part of what makes him perhaps the most dangerous threat in the league from the QB position as of today. I would just love to see Cam recognize that his health is more important than an extra two yards on a 12 yard rush. I would love to see him get out of bounds or slide after he has secured a first down. It's just not worth it to change direction at top speed for a guy with a 6-6 250 lb. frame and risk tearing something or getting hit helmet to knee.

At some point all great QB's have to realize how integral they are to their team's success. I understand right now he's trying to prove his toughness to his teammates, but you have to be able to recognize when to slide and when to get out of bounds to stay healthy in the NFL. He is our undisputed leader on offense and we need him on the field.

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panthers55 Grand Master

panthers55

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Designed QB runs count as running the ball. Scrambling for extra yardage does not.

Yeah just like runs by the running back through a designated hole counts but improvisation when the hole is clogged and you have to cut back across the grain don't, right??? Every run counts whether it was intentional or forced by circumstances. No football stat changes becauses of intentionality.

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