Watch the Game Again

[xerxes]

I wasn't able to watch the game live, so I went back and watched it on NFL rewind. After reading this forum and some media reports, I thought it would be like watching the 2010 Panthers, but it wasn't near that bad.

I think people are getting a little carried away because of the emotions involved, which is understandable. I really expected us to embarrass the Bucs. There's a lot of hope and hype coming into this season.

I encourage everyone to watch the game again if you get the chance. We aren't a bad team. We had a bad game. I believe TB really played above their level and we played below combine that with a few key mistakes, and it was enough for them to win.

Three things basically cost us the game, and they're all correctable to one extent of another.

1. There's a Reason Artists Starve, Not All "Creativity" Is Good

There's really no way to sugar coat it. Chud called a bad game. The read option was not working at all, but he just kept using it. Even when they didn't run the ball, Cam would play action, which was silly since they knew he wasn't going to hand the ball off. Where's the I-formation power running? Where were the screen plays to slow down the pressure? Where's the max protect to keep cam upright?

The frustrating part is that while there were vast improvements in the 2nd half, it was really a result of better execution not better play calling with the exception of one screen to Tolbert that went for 20 plus yards. Chud got out coached. Hopefully he'll do better against a team with some game tape to go on, but what really concerns me is his ability to make in-game adjustments. How many times last year did we have a crappy 2nd half offensively?

2. Holy Crappy Guards Batman!

I believe Amini is going to get better, so a bad game from him isn't the end of the world. Hangman looked bad. The trouble is that while Bell look decent. He's not good enough to compensate for bad guard play. Kalil can't hold things down if both the LG and RG are getting beat.

We need to take a hard look at the roster to see if someone can sub-in for Hangman. I expect Amini to get better from week to week. If we can't replace Hangman, I think we're going to need to do some things to compensate for this. Some QB bootlegs, stretch run plays with a pulling guard, and some a healthy dose of screen plays (see number 1).

3. Super Cam Needs More Clark Kent

Overall, Cam had a good game, but those two interceptions on back to back series just killed any momentum the Panthers had. Both times, he was forcing the ball downfield and he didn't need to. Sometimes it's okay to settle for a field goal. This will come with maturity and experience, so I'm not super worried. I don't think he has Bret Favre syndrome, so this should correct itself over time.

Short version - If you watch the game without the emotion of opening day, you'll see we're a good team that had a bad game on the offensive side of the ball. The mistakes are correctable, and we should still have a good season.

[SpeedOFLight]

I agree!. With all that being said, we only lost by 6 points. They game was still winnable. I won't lie, it hurt to lose to the Bucs (my buc friend is annoying) but I did see a few positives. Chud will call a better game sunday and I expect us to bring it!

[Darth Biscuit]

I didn't watch it twice, but I got the impression Sunday that Cam took it upon himself to "do it all" in a sense, and that's what led to those forced passes that ended in interceptions. You're right he's got to learn to be more patient, even when things aren't going great. A FG is ok, and a punt is way, way better than an INT.

[beastson]

I could go download it, but I don't want to watch it again

I don't.... I want to forget about it. On to the Saints*

[Kuech the Sneak]

As bad as we played we still could have won it....but starting off 0-2 is gonna be a killer because I don't know if we can beat the Saints*, at least it's at home

[Delhommey]

In short: An 8-8/9-7 team looked like an 8-8/9-7 team.

I think the big reason people are freaking out is because it was Tampa. As some on here pointed out before the game, this isn't the same squad as we faced at the end of last season. They're a lot more talented on both sides of the ball and, most importantly, they haven't given up.

We could have put Clausen on the field against Tampa at the end of last year and we would have won by two touchdowns. This year hopefully we figure it out and split with them. They certainly didn't look unbeatable, and we certainly didn't look hopeless.

Week 1 folks. It's gonna be a fun ride.

[thefuzz]

What Del said and what I am sticking with. Average team between 7-9 to 9-7.

[Growl]

Interesting how the same tards who thought they were the same team as last year are the same ones who rabidly defend Hurney and the front office for not actively participating in free agency!

"LYK zomg I'm so tired of you guys saying that adding talent in free agency helps your team!!! Hurney said it isn't and he is the expert and you are not!!! Rawrr!!!"

It was a different Tampa team. That was apparent to anyone paying attention prior to the game. Anybody kidding themselves into thinking they weren't because they didn't go through a torturous five year process (waste of time) of team building and because Tampa participated in the horrid, sacrilegious act of free agency is just as delusional as... Well. Marty Hurney.

[PantherPhann89]

I don't think that we're a bad team, we just have a few holes that were overlooked.

DE - we knew we needed more pass rush and all we got was F. Alexander

CB - we know that we did not have a #2 CB and we passed on every FA CB that came available and picked up Norman in the 5th

DT - we needed a DT, but other than Melvin and Brockers, I didn't think any of them deserved a 1st round pick or at least 9th overall

In addition to this, our defensive scheme isn''t working. Yes we held the Bucs to 16 points, but they're the Bucs. I'd start by replacing McDermott as soon as the season is over.

[Marguide]

First, I think the OP's analysis was spot on.

Second, for those wanting McDermott gone after a game in which we had a horrible offensive game plan, please explain your reasoning. If you want to call for heads to roll, you'd have to start with Chud this week.

[xerxes]

I don't think that we're a bad team, we just have a few holes that were overlooked.

DE - we knew we needed more pass rush and all we got was F. Alexander

CB - we know that we did not have a #2 CB and we passed on every FA CB that came available and picked up Norman in the 5th

DT - we needed a DT, but other than Melvin and Brockers, I didn't think any of them deserved a 1st round pick or at least 9th overall

In addition to this, our defensive scheme isn''t working. Yes we held the Bucs to 16 points, but they're the Bucs. I'd start by replacing McDermott as soon as the season is over.

On paper it sounds like you're making a good point, but based on game 1, I can't agree.

DE - number 90 had two key deflections, and I think he may be starting by the end of the year. He dropped because of a heart condition that turned out to be a false alarm. Don't sleep on the young man.

CB - And how has Norman played so far? Except for a questionable PI call, he had a great game. Sounds like a steal in the 5th to me.

DT - I'd like to introduce you to Edwards & Edwards DT at law. One of them had 2 sacks on his first game as a Panther FYI.

You may be proven right on future outings, but for this game at least, defense did not lose us this one.

[Delhommey]

Interesting how the same tards who thought they were the same team as last year are the same ones who rabidly defend Hurney and the front office for not actively participating in free agency!

"LYK zomg I'm so tired of you guys saying that adding talent in free agency helps your team!!! Hurney said it isn't and he is the expert and you are not!!! Rawrr!!!"

It was a different Tampa team. That was apparent to anyone paying attention prior to the game. Anybody kidding themselves into thinking they weren't because they didn't go through a torturous five year process (waste of time) of team building and because Tampa participated in the horrid, sacrilegious act of free agency is just as delusional as... Well. Marty Hurney.

Last year's Bucs didn't get blown out due to lack of talent. They had given up on their coach.

[Darth Biscuit]

The Bucs had more fire in them Sunday, esp the defense, than I think I've ever seen.

[SOJA]

good post. I wrote this in another thread, but here are my feelings on the INT's

just rewatched Cam's two INTs

1st) Yes it was a tipped ball, but Cam was going to have to make literally a perfect throw (a very difficult one at that too) to complete that pass. Deangelo, the dump off option, was open. Cam has to learn that we don't need a 30 yard pass every time we get down.

2nd) I actually don't mind this one as much. To begin, it was 3rd and12, with the 3rd quarter ending. Second, no one, I mean zero of others receivers/tight ends were open. Third, the Bucs brought a blitz and it would have taken some magic for Cam to scramble out of it. Hindsight being 20/20 Cam should have tried to scramble as the middle of the field was pretty wide open, but when you have Steve Smith in one on one coverage its hard to pass up. Safety also did a great job of reading Cam and making a play on the ball.

another note: when Cam had time, he made good throws for the most part (save for the first INT). I honestly think this loss falls on the O-line. I don't know if I can blame Silatolu exclusively because pressure was coming from all directions. Defense played well enough to keep us in the game, offense has to put up at least 17-20 points every game.