Should we run the ball more this year?

[CRA]

the difference between this year and last was Chud/Rivera coming right out and proclaiming they will be passing A LOT to get Cam used to the NFL as he goes out and makes mistakes while learning from them..

This year they will be going out with the intention of winning games and with Cam's ability to pass, I expect them to lean on the run game every chance they see 7 in the box...

They said they would take the Phillip Rivers approach. Put the load on the QB early.....and let him experience everything.

Teams would be wise to continue t crowd the box and double Smitty. Make Cam Olsen and LaFell beat you

[Tarheels23]

I like what we were doing with Tolbert against Miami. Spread them out to get a look at the coverage, if they don't stack the box motion Tolbert into the backfield for a run play, and a easy gain.

[toldozer]

We have also set up A LOT of screens. This may be what this line is better at vs opening up huge running lanes. Fast and athletic with the exception of bell.

[bleys]

They said they would take the Phillip Rivers approach. Put the load on the QB early.....and let him experience everything.

Teams would be wise to continue t crowd the box and double Smitty. Make Cam Olsen and LaFell beat you

oh, that's what I was referring to... I expect they will make Cam pass, especially after having the offseason to dissect his weaknesses last year..

[jarhead]

oh, that's what I was referring to... I expect they will make Cam pass, especially after having the offseason to dissect his weaknesses last year..

I think Chud understands this and will have a better answer this year versus Tenn"s success doing it last year.

[bleys]

I think Chud understands this and will have a better answer this year versus Tenn"s success doing it last year.

definitely agree.. also that day the team was as lifeless as I never want to see again...

[iamhubby1]

All I know is that Cam was in for three series Fri. nite. Scored 17 points and did not attemp a run. Not sure that trend will continue. But it was interesting to note. We can score without Cam running.

[Herbert The Love Bug]

I say we do whatever Chud wants us to do

[jarhead]

I think everything is in place to win this way but the defense cannot let these prolific teams score every possession, we have to reduce the penalties on offense, and Cam needs to reduce the interceptions.If these three things happen we have a shot at the playoffs.

I know we are short on defensive talent but I think we can be good enough and score enough to compensate.We have so much riding on Norman at the number 2 cb but he looks like he is up for the challenge.

[Marguide]

you know damn well we are going to run the ball more this year.. A LOT MORE.

I'm not so sure. I think the RB's, including Tolbert, will see more touches this year, but many will be in the passing game. DWill, Stewart and Tolbert can all catch the ball effectively. In many cases, they are more dangerous once they get outside the tackle box, so take advantage of that.

Also consider that Cam has worked hard this offseason on short accuracy. So let them double Smitty, pay a lot of attention to Olsen and LaFell, and we can kill them with the short passing game. There really isn't much defenses can do to stop us if we can execute plays with consistency.

[bleys]

On the NFL Draft Tracker Podcast, I asked Panthers general manager Marty Hurney about the team's decision to emphasize the running game in an increasingly pass-happy league. Hurney said a hard-nosed, physical running attack can set the tone for the game.

Like Rivera has stated, he wants to be able to run the ball when he wants to run the ball and be able to pass the ball when he wants to pass the ball.. I agree, we'll pass as much as we need/want to pass, but I do think the run game will be much more of an emphasis than last year...

[ed bell]

We were 23rd in pass attempts in 2011...

Where do you want us to be?

30th?

I totally understand what you are driving at here, but I don't understand why this stat is some sort of benchmark. There are many more factors that mix in with making total pass attempts significant, and worthy of comparing our total attempts with every other offense in the league.

[The Huddler]

I feel like the opposing Defenses will respect the run so much that they will leave recievers open on a regular basis. And if they dont respect, we gash. What the Hell are you gunna do against this Offense? My guess is Play action's going to be there ALL DAY

[rayzor]

we will be running more...but mainly because we'll be running more plays altogether just because we'll see more sustained drives.

i expect pretty close to about the same run:pass ratio as last year....which should make us more "respectable" in the all important league pass attempts ranking, except that we'll still be ranked in the 20's because although we'll be passing more (just like we'll be running more) every game, cam will be more efficient thus cutting down the pass attempts keeping us from being ranked better in pass attempts (damn having an efficient QB and an effective and balanced offensive scheme holding this team back in pass attempts).