How The Panthers Offseason Fits The Changing Nfl Game

[Man Strength]

The NYtimes recently ran a 3 article series about how the NFL is changing, and what it means for certain positions. It really puts our offseason moves in perspective. Rivera/Hurney seem to be fully aware of these changes, very much so unlike when Fox was here. Some key points (lots more points could be taken from the 3 articles):

• Linebackers who can both play the run and cover the pass vs running backs, tight ends or the odd slot receiver, more like a safety, are increasingly more valuable. Putting more dbs on the field is not always the best answer to 3 and 4 receiver sets. --> Kuechly does exactly this
  
• Safeties are becoming much more valuable, in order to deal with guys like Sproles and Graham. They need to be totally adept vs the pass and run, just like linebackers --> Safety is the one position we really brought in lots of additional players in FA and the draft to compete with the entrenched starters. New guys: Nakamura, Smith, Cambell. Cant say these players will be an upgrade, but it is one position where an attempt to bring in lots of competition was surely made.
  
• Due to the spread offense, Offensive Guards are increasing in value, while tackles are decreasing in value --> means Amini could have been a position value pick in addition to general BPA.
  
• Running backs have not lost value, but their position is changing. Receiving ability is increasingly important. Running backs will likely begin to take on a lot of the role Tight Ends are currently playing. Versatility is the key --> Signing Tolbert, not (yet) re-signing Shockey
  

I urge everyone to actually read the articles before commenting, especially the article on defense.

QB/WR: http://fifthdown.blo...r-quarterbacks/

OL/TE/RB: http://fifthdown.blo...nd-other-myths/

Defense: http://fifthdown.blo...s-will-respond/

Some key quotes from the article on defense:

What’s most likely to happen is the linebacker and safety positions will blend into one. Linebackers will always play closer to the line of scrimmage, but with improved blitzes and certain offensive matchups, they’ll wind up playing just as much coverage as the safeties play

Another reason that finding versatile linebackers and safeties is vital for defensive progress is that the proliferation of shrewd presnap reads and quick passes from quarterbacks puts a hard ceiling on the impact of a pass rush. Not even Lawrence Taylor could make a dent on a play if the quarterback throws a perfect strike 1.5 seconds after the snap.

Throughout this examination of the N.F.L.’s evolution, we’ve said certain positions are just changing, not vanishing (the running back is the best example). Well, there is one position that might be vanishing: the traditional two-gap nose tackle. That may sound absurd considering more teams are running 3-4 schemes these days. And perhaps it is absurd considering that virtually all the film shows that nose tackles, when on the field, are still dominant forces. The “yeah but” here is that nose tackles today aren’t on the field. With so many offenses lining up in passing formations, true nose tackles are playing fewer snaps. And most of those 3-4 schemes are actually just 4-3 schemes in disguise. No matter what the defensive front looks like, most of the execution involves one-gap attacks –a classic 4-3 principle.

[CatMan72]

Funny how that worked out, maybe Rivera and Hurney know what they're doing after all?

[TruCatzFan]

Like I said when 90% of this board was falling in love with players pre-draft... I have total faith in this coaching staff and FO to select the proper personnel that they deem necesary.

Maybe now that the process has played itself out, and after the op's post... This makes more sense to you.

For some odd reason, damn near every opinion that I have about this team and personnel moves, along with the direction has been echoed by the Head Coach, GM, and now random articles on the NFL.

I'm not claiming to be a know-it-all by any means. It does shock me that I'm flamed for having said opinions, but when the coach says it then suddenly everybody wants to jump on the bandwagon. It's pretty much common sense... Which obviously isn't so common round these parts.

Excellent post OP

[Herbert The Love Bug]

Don't be so proud of yourself. I had total faith since day 1 when I saw Rivera's introductory press conference. He knows what he is doing so much more than Fox. Also he isn't afraid to tell Hurney what needs to be done like Fox was.

[panthers55]

Gee I wonder who has been saying that Kuechly will help the pass defense on the second level and is widely considered the best coverage linebacker in the draft this year which is one reason we picked him?

Oh that's right............. Mayock.

I just agreed with him.

[chknwing]

Funny how that worked out, maybe Rivera and Hurney know what they're doing after all?

nah that cant be it or everyone in this forum would be wrong. :)

[Argus Plexus]

What a difference a good coach makes

[The Huddler]

Fellas, the Panthers are about to have a breakout season... i feel it in my bones

[Fiz]

There's an alternate theory of how to deal with changing offenses, one that the Giants employ go great success.

Most posters on here couldn't name a single Giants linebacker, and to be fair none of them are worth mentioning.

The other theory is just to load up your defensive line with as many pipe hitting niggas as you can find and blow poo up before that tight end gets to the third level.

It's what I wished the Panthers would do but Hurney is stuck in his ways. Sigh.

[FirstRoundPick]

Some of this just isn't true. I'm glad we have our 7 round Safety who can stop the run and pass. I just don't know how he will get any PT with the our other two FA safetys that other teams foolishly let go for almost nothing.

I also didn't see anything about not getting pass rushers and having scrub DT's is fine.

First one hard to argue with. Last 3. I have issues.

[Man Strength]

There's an alternate theory of how to deal with changing offenses, one that the Giants employ go great success.

Most posters on here couldn't name a single Giants linebacker, and to be fair none of them are worth mentioning.

The other theory is just to load up your defensive line with as many pipe hitting niggas as you can find and blow poo up before that tight end gets to the third level.

It's what I wished the Panthers would do but Hurney is stuck in his ways. Sigh.

well, the giants were mentioned in the articles. Specifically, it was mentioned, that Rolle's ability to play the nickel cb/lb role with solid ability vs the run and covering receivers allowed their D to do what they did.

They key to all these was versatility, and to hide/change pre-snap. Thus having players on D who just play the run or the pass hurt your ability to be sufficiently versatile. The three wr, pass catching rb and pass catching te allow the offense to disguise their intent. The defense thus has to have the same ability. So a Nose tackle, run stuffing only lb or safety who only excels vs the run or pass all greatly hurt the teams ability to do this.

Our offense is generally fine with this new style of play, and it can be argued that we are leading the way. A better #2 receiver obviously would help, but we are more/less ok.

Some of this just isn't true. I'm glad we have our 7 round Safety who can stop the run and pass. I just don't know how he will get any PT with the our other two FA safetys that other teams foolishly let go for almost nothing.

I also didn't see anything about not getting pass rushers and having scrub DT's is fine.

First one hard to argue with. Last 3. I have issues.

Did you even read the articles? I was aiming to discuss how the Panthers are dealing with the league wide change in playing style. Nobody said we are perfect, in fact far from it. But, our moves did have solid reasoning behind them. Are safeties are still a major question mark? Definitely. But it is apparent that in their own way, they have thrown more resources to try and change that position that virtually any other.

[Fiz]

well, the giants were mentioned in the articles. Specifically, it was mentioned, that Rolle's ability to play the nickel cb/lb role with solid ability vs the run and covering receivers allowed their D to do what they did.

Antrelle Rolle the worst safety in the league last year Antrelle Rolle?

[Man Strength]

Antrelle Rolle the worst safety in the league last year Antrelle Rolle?

it was also mentioned that their success came after moving him to a new role late in the season.

[Fiz]

it was also mentioned that their success came after moving him to a new role late in the season.

Those PFF stats show he failed at basically everything he did last year.

Dude sucked.