Greg Cosell On "shutdown Corner" Podcast

[Icege]

http://media25.podbean.com/pb/520ac34c2a2d5fcf77c7b606dedc1382/4fbe6a08/blogs25/329295/uploads/GregCosellNFCSouthDraft52312.mp3

Talking about the NFC South quarterbacks and recent draft class. Starts talking about Carolina around 14:40.

* Cam Newton transcended the runaround label; Rivera met Newton halfway for the season.

* Newton was a joy to watch, most people were wrong about him, he didn't have a record season just because he's a good athlete but because he played exceptionally well from the pocket. Poised, composed, accurate. Stands tall and makes difficult throws into tight coverage--only ran if it was the last and only option, or designed playcall (zone read calls).

* Newton was somewhat inaccurate sometimes, but he'll be able to work on it in the offseason. Accuracy shouldn't be an issue moving forward. He is understanding pocket reads and is showing the designs of a top quarterback. No bust in Canton yet, but he can be special.

* Progression from combine, to Pro Day, to preseason, to regular season, Newton's development has been fast and amazing. Everyone knew he could throw a football, but the question was if he could throw it the way you need to with everything that goes with that. Not backyard football play, but all of the elements into being a pro quarterback. Newton met a large amount of those factors and moreso.

* Kuechly somewhat questionable selection in the first? Cosell loves him. The more he watched him, the more he loved him. Played with his eyes more amazing than anyone else in the draft. Will he do that in the NFL? Cosell believes he thinks so, because Kuechly won't suddenly stop watching tape. Far more athletic than given credit for, more impressed with Kuechly's abilities in coverage and pursuit. Kuechly is a quick reactor with sideline to sideline range and a 3-down linebacker.

* Frank Alexander and Joe Adams: Cosell pleased with Adams because he's a dynamic slot receiver and the Panthers need that. Comfortable with LaFell, and need a true slot receiver and Joe Adams is an explosive lateral and vertical player. Might need some time to develop, but that kind of player is something the Panthers need. Alexander is someone who Cosell loves seeing drafted because no one talked about him, even guys not drafted very high. Cosell likes him, probably has no special athletic qualities, but the more tape you watch the more you realize he's a pretty good football player. Alexander has quickness, range, played with leverage, and just did a lot of things well (but not spectacular).

* Silatolu: Division 2 kid, Panthers are power blockers and Sila fits in that Otah-like role who can pull out on some zone line stuff. Pounds people on the ground, and that was the appeal to the Panthers. A mauler who will need to adjust, clearly, but is someone who could lead a play for Newton more than once. Goes from D2 teams to go against the Falcons, it's going to be an adjustment. Many gave him a late first round grade. Quality QB, two quality RBs, quality Tolbert pickup...

* Drooling over Tolbert.

* ... Should never ignore good OLine play.

* Panthers more in the 49ers camp than throwing it 60 times in a game. This is an offense that wants to revolve around the run, and oh by the way Cam Newton can throw for 450 yards. Building an offense that can win any way, any week, and not every team can do that. All teams would WANT to do that, but the Panthers have the players to make that happen. No one talks about their RBs because neither are a "feature back" on that team. Both can be feature backs, but because they're not no one really talks about them but they have those skillsets.

* Panthers have that third dimension option X Factor that bridges the gap between the two, so the Panthers are entirely capable of playing however they want. With an offseason, they will be able to work on things they couldn't implement last year.

[Real Emotional Trash]

* Cam Newton transcended the runaround label; Rivera met Newton halfway for the season.

* Newton was a joy to watch, most people were wrong about him, he didn't have a record season just because he's a good athlete but because he played exceptionally well from the pocket. Poised, composed, accurate. Stands tall and makes difficult throws into tight coverage--only ran if it was the last and only option, or designed playcall (zone read calls).

* Newton was somewhat inaccurate sometimes, but he'll be able to work on it in the offseason. Accuracy shouldn't be an issue moving forward. He is understanding pocket reads and is showing the designs of a top quarterback. No bust in Canton yet, but he can be special.

* Progression from combine, to Pro Day, to preseason, to regular season, Newton's development has been fast and amazing. Everyone knew he could throw a football, but the question was if he could throw it the way you need to with everything that goes with that. Not backyard football play, but all of the elements into being a pro quarterback. Newton met a large amount of those factors and moreso.

* Kuechly somewhat questionable selection in the first? Cosell loves him. The more he watched him, the more he loved him. Played with his eyes more amazing than anyone else in the draft. Will he do that in the NFL? Cosell believes he thinks so, because Kuechly won't suddenly stop watching tape. Far more athletic than given credit for, more impressed with Kuechly's abilities in coverage and pursuit. Kuechly is a quick reactor with sideline to sideline range and a 3-down linebacker.

* Frank Alexander and Joe Adams: Cosell pleased with Adams because he's a dynamic slot receiver and the Panthers need that. Comfortable with LaFell, and need a true slot receiver and Joe Adams is an explosive lateral and vertical player. Might need some time to develop, but that kind of player is something the Panthers need. Alexander is someone who Cosell loves seeing drafted because no one talked about him, even guys not drafted very high. Cosell likes him, probably has no special athletic qualities, but the more tape you watch the more you realize he's a pretty good football player. Alexander has quickness, range, played with leverage, and just did a lot of things well (but not spectacular).

* Silatolu: Division 2 kid, Panthers are power blockers and Sila fits in that Otah-like role who can pull out on some zone line stuff. Pounds people on the ground, and that was the appeal to the Panthers. A mauler who will need to adjust, clearly, but is someone who could lead a play for Newton more than once. Goes from D2 teams to go against the Falcons, it's going to be an adjustment. Many gave him a late first round grade. Quality QB, two quality RBs, quality Tolbert pickup...

* Drooling over Tolbert.

* ... Should never ignore good OLine play.

* Panthers more in the 49ers camp than throwing it 60 times in a game. This is an offense that wants to revolve around the run, and oh by the way Cam Newton can throw for 450 yards. Building an offense that can win any way, any week, and not every team can do that. All teams would WANT to do that, but the Panthers have the players to make that happen. No one talks about their RBs because neither are a "feature back" on that team. Both can be feature backs, but because they're not no one really talks about them but they have those skillsets.

* Panthers have that third dimension option X Factor that bridges the gap between the two, so the Panthers are entirely capable of playing however they want. With an offseason, they will be able to work on things they couldn't implement last year.

[Ivan The Awesome]

"I think they are trying to build an offense that can win any way each week."

I like that, makes me feel giddy thinking about it.

[fieryprophet]

"I think they are trying to build an offense that can win any way each week."

I like that, makes me feel giddy thinking about it.

I like the analogy of the Panthers offense being like Cleavon Little in Blazing Saddles: "Excuse me while I whip this out. . ."

Everyone runs screaming ;)

[jarhead]

Great article.Now we if we can sure up our defense

[Catweisers]

Great recap thanks!!

Can't hardly wait to see this TEAM again!!!!!!

[Snake]

"I think they are trying to build an offense that can win any way each week."

I like that, makes me feel giddy thinking about it.

More like build a team.

4-3 to 3-4 on defense with speed at both. A platoon of WRs and RBs that can hurt you. Both sides are smart and adaptable just like Rivera wants it to be.

[Ivan The Awesome]

More like build a team.

4-3 to 3-4 on defense with speed at both. A platoon of WRs and RBs that can hurt you. Both sides are smart and adaptable just like Rivera wants it to be.

True. I hope the defense will get to the point that it's capable of scoring at any given moment there's a turnover.