PFF grades Sunday's game

[jtnc]

Carolina –Three Performances of

Note Cam You Dig It?

The progression of Cam Newton (+5.1) this year has been particularly exciting to watch. He made most of the headlines and highlight reels with his legs, carrying a season-high 14 times for 54 yards and three touchdowns to surpass the single-season record for quarterbacks. However, it’s what he can do with his arm that will define his NFL career. That’s why it’s such a good sign when he can step up in the pocket with confidence to find an open man on third and long, as he did on a connection to Legedu Naanee early in the fourth quarter. He also rifled a superb pass over the middle to Naanee in traffic to increase the Panthers’ lead to 21-6 midway through the second quarter. It wasn’t just his legs and his arm, though. Newton even made a play with his hands, catching a 27-yard pass from Naanee on a gadget play to set up their second touchdown.

Greg Gets Hammered

Lost in an impressive performance by the Panthers offense was a disappointing display by tight end Greg Olsen (-3.3). Although he only had one catch, it was mainly his blocking that left a lot to be desired. On a third and short play in the first quarter, he let Da’Quan Bowers beat him inside to stuff the run for no gain and then, early in the fourth quarter, he was overwhelmed and driven into the backfield by Bowers, who stuffed DeAngelo Williams in the backfield for a four yard loss, even though he was being held. Olsen also surrendered a pressure in pass protection and seemed to look uncomfortable all day. Olsen has never been known as a great blocker, but he doesn’t usually look this overmatched and, on this occasion, he didn’t make up for it in the passing game as well as he often does.

Time To Play McClain?

Carolina’s pair of third round rookies have been starting on the defensive interior all year for the Panthers, but that streak was broken when Sione Fua suffered an injury in pre-game warm-ups. Terrell McClain (+1.6) responded with his best game of the season, even though they reduced his workload to a season-low 16 snaps. He made two particularly good plays against the run in this one but, more importantly, he didn’t have a negatively graded play for the first time all year. McClain seemed to respond well to having a veteran alongside him (usually Andre Neblett) rather than a rookie, so perhaps that’s something the Panthers coaching staff should bear in mind for both McClain and Fua.

:(

http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/12/06/re-focused-buccaneers-panthers-week-13/

[pantherj]

I'd like to see how other TEs have done trying to block Bowers.

[mav1234]

too bad Mcclain is now on IR.

[Jackofalltrades]

I was really impressed with Bowers, looks legit.

[CLG]

Olsen hasnt been involved much lately, i almost forget about him on gameday.

[fieryprophet]

Olsen hasnt been involved much lately, i almost forget about him on gameday.

I think that collision he had with Seyi has left him hurting a little.

[CLG]

Pregame is gettin dangerous apparently.

[Riverboat Ron]

I was really impressed with Bowers, looks legit.

Bowers looked very good against the Panthers. I've watched a couple Bucs games, and he really didn't show up very much. I wonder how much playing the team that could have drafted him first overall put a fire under him, or maybe it's just Byron Bell.

[CatMan72]

Bowers had enough talent to be in the discussion for the # 1 overall pick, it was the knee injury that damaged his stock.

I wouldn't expect Olsen to win that matchup.