CRA's prediction - week 4

[PantherGuy]

I didn't feel good about week 1 - voiced to the board I thought many were overconfident in what would occur.

I felt great about week 2 heading in.

Week 3, I felt losing Stewart would make it tough to get rolling with that DL.

So what doesn't CRA think about week 4? Well, I am not sure about Stewart's health. Not sure about Chud's play calling or the D in general. But what I am sure about is Cam hasn't faced this type of negative heat and press except for 2 times since I have followed the young man. At Auburn and upon entering the league....the result was dominance. I don't really think much matters this week....bc I think Cam is mentally where he needs to be. He shines under hate. He excells when he is rooted against. Entering this season the winds were changing....those that doubted him were becoming fans....believed maybe they were wrong.

My point is simple. When gas is thrown on the Cam fire by the media....he does great things.

I'm actually a little worried about how much time we had off between the weeks. Obviously it gave us more prep time for the Falcons and extra rest. But we don't typically do that well coming off of bye weeks, and while this isn't a true bye week, it's not a regular week either. I really hope we don't come out flat, as we sometimes prone to do coming off an extra long week.

[raleigh-panther]

Interesting comments on NFC Playbook about the Panthers defensively, no identity...constantly out of position.., and McNabb showing how out of position the safeties where on several plays that cost the Panthers dearly with the TEs...in 16 years and 4 coaches this team just can't seem to cover a TE to save themselves. Offensively, of course the focus Newton, no interceptions 7-1, throwing interceptions well we all know.

This game Newton also needs to settle down to go forward. This time he does not need to be the focal point of that running game.

This team needs to run, and run and run some more straight ahead, I formation with a TE until that O line settles down and keep the Falcons off the field.

If the run game has 150+ yards and Newton manages the game with no interceptions, the Panthers can win this game; however, if they leave that Falcon offense on the field, it's over.

One thing I noticed, no QB likes getting hit, Ryan likes it least of all and he's not very mobile. Hit him every time.

However, if our O-Coordinator comes out with a throwing mind set, well, turn out the lights, the party's over. The Falcons will kill the Panthers.

[Marguide]

However, if our O-Coordinator comes out with a throwing mind set, well, turn out the lights, the party's over. The Falcons will kill the Panthers.

In general, I agree. But there's nothing wrong with using the short passing game to change things up a bit. We just can't rely on low percentage 20+ yard pass plays as much as we do now.

Start out with the lower risk passes and the running game, then once Atlanta brings up their safeties, we can take our deep shots. Of course all this depends on the D keeping it close. If Atlanta marches up and down the field like the Giants, our offensive play calling will look a lot like the Giants game as well.

More than anything, Chud has to be patient and not panic.

[Kuech the Sneak]

I agree with the no identity on defense moniker that playbill gave us, which is why we need to establish one this week and just blitz the hell out of them and play some tight man coverage. We need to be aggressive and set the tone on defense

[raleigh-panther]

In general, I agree. But there's nothing wrong with using the short passing game to change things up a bit. We just can't rely on low percentage 20+ yard pass plays as much as we do now.

Start out with the lower risk passes and the running game, then once Atlanta brings up their safeties, we can take our deep shots. Of course all this depends on the D keeping it close. If Atlanta marches up and down the field like the Giants, our offensive play calling will look a lot like the Giants game as well.

More than anything, Chud has to be patient and not panic.

I absolutely agree with you and nothing stops the rush more; but, those short passes don't happen, now swing passes, not slant passes which are almost always a guaranteed 5-6 yards. Not quick posts.

Everything is either run or throw it 30 yards and hope for a miracle catch.

I do not know if this is because:

1. they don't want Newton under center for those quick throws

2. Chud does not call them

3. , Newton can't throw them,

4. Newton can't see them.

5. ..the receivers can't run the routes.

6. they also do not roll Newton out and away from pressure.

I mean really, Lafell with that big body, a slant pass should be his bread and butter.

It's just freaking frustrating.

One thing is certain to me as I watch the games. The guards are not holding up. The chemistry between the Centers, Tackles and guards is not there. It is like a bull rush constantly. The defense of the Bucs and Giants used that approach. New Orleans did not. Expect

Atlanta to put 8 men in the box against Newton and get in his face constantly and until the Panthers

fix it with scheme or play calls, expect to see it over and over and over again.

[Marguide]

I absolutely agree with you and nothing stops the rush more; but, those short passes don't happen, now swing passes, not slant passes which are almost always a guaranteed 5-6 yards. Not quick posts.

Everything is either run or throw it 30 yards and hope for a miracle catch.

Something I noticed...

When they do throw it short, it's often by leaking a back or the TE out after the WR's have cleared out the underneath coverage. Even though these are short passes, they are still slow developing plays because you have to wait for Steve and Brandon to pull the coverage downfield.

We have seen the occasional quick out to Smitty in which he catches the ball within a yard of the LOS, but we seem to have very few 5-8 yard patterns in the play book.

[raleigh-panther]

...and, the opposing teams DC knows this.

Unlike last year, there are no surprises. There really isn't a lot of diversity.

Add those short passes with 3 step drops and suddenly, play action works, many things work.

...and it neutralizes the 8 man pass rush.

I swear, I get so frustrated watching the Panthers. They are just not a smart football team. The Cleveland Browns starting multiple rookies (QB, Tackle, RB) played smarter offensive football this past week then the Panthers have in years.

[Marguide]

I swear, I get so frustrated watching the Panthers. They are just not a smart football team. The Cleveland Browns starting multiple rookies (QB, Tackle, RB) played smarter offensive football this past week then the Panthers have in years.

Here's an amazing number for you. Cleveland has either 25 or 26 (don't know if they dropped one when Fujita came back) rookies or 2nd year players on their 53 man roster. Yeah, they may be 0-4, but they have been very competitive. Somehow, they seem to be able to coach their guys up enough to have them ready to compete.

[CRA]

Here's an amazing number for you. Cleveland has either 25 or 26 (don't know if they dropped one when Fujita came back) rookies or 2nd year players on their 53 man roster. Yeah, they may be 0-4, but they have been very competitive. Somehow, they seem to be able to coach their guys up enough to have them ready to compete.

Clev also has been steadily building a defense.

[Anybodyhome]

Carolina is going to get housed by at least 13 points.

Carolina has not won in Atlanta since 2007.

Atlanta is one of the top 5 teams in the NFC right now and Carolina is a bottom 5 NFC team.

The Panthers will be a perennial mediocre football team until they decide to start playing an NFL offense instead of the college read option. If the Panthers coaching staff have not yet figured out that every team in the NFL knows how to defend this style of offense, they should all be fired.

[King Taharqa]

Carolina has not won in Atlanta since 2007.

I was at that game. Maaaaaan that was a long time ago. Its funny, of the 3 (or is it 4) times we've won at the GA DOME, I've attended 2 of them. Both times we were heavy underdogs going into the week if it means anything.

[CRA]

Carolina is going to get housed by at least 13 points.

Carolina has not won in Atlanta since 2007.

Atlanta is one of the top 5 teams in the NFC right now and Carolina is a bottom 5 NFC team.

The Panthers will be a perennial mediocre football team until they decide to start playing an NFL offense instead of the college read option. If the Panthers coaching staff have not yet figured out that every team in the NFL knows how to defend this style of offense, they should all be fired.

You do realize when healthy, Carolina has been one old the best offenses in the NFL when using the read option?

We will be mediocre when we can't stop the run OR pass.....AND have a ST unit hurting our chances.

Atl won't stop the read option. Stewart is back. It isn't this complicated issue people make it out to be. Issue is what this team does when Stewart is hurt

[DaCityKats]

Clev also has been steadily building a defense.

1st round CB, DT

2nd round S, DE

[Anybodyhome]

Carolina began using the read option with Cam when he was drafted. They are 7-12 using this offense, how is that "one of the best offenses in the NFL?"

"We will be are mediocre when because we can't stop the run OR pass.....AND have a ST unit hurting our chances." Fixed that for ya.

And why don't you think they'll stop the read option? They did it twice last year, remember?