The Stakes Have Been Raised For Cam

[CRA]

RBs are also check down targets should they be short passing options. Deeper down the field is not a checkdown.

I completely and totally disagree with your assumption that an eligible receiver is not a target, but I completely and totally agree with the assessment about the 2 TE sets. I was hoping that Barnidge would develop, but now with him and Hartsock being free agents next season, my fingers are crossed that we'll sign a reliable free agent or draft a young stud TE (I like Dione Sims out of MSU, but mostly because he's huge).

I'm trying not to get too far ahead of myself though. There's still 11 games left to be played and anybody can step up.

TEs running mid level routes are more Cam Newton specific checkdowns. The worst throw in his game is to a RB in the flat or a screen type throw. Plus he hates doing it. It is why the 2 TE sets were perfect last year and Cam targeted TEs more than most QBs in the NFL last year.

Shockey wasn't that important but running 2 TE sets was.

[CatMan72]

The protection calls don't fall totally on Cam now, Hangartner can make them - he talked about the challenge of making them as part of stepping in for Kalil.

Losing Kalil is a big loss no doubt and the stakes have been raised for Cam - but it won't be up to Cam now to make all the protection calls.

[rayzor]

Don't leave out our 3 backs that have all missed easy passes and/or fumbled. I also can't remember Kalil letting so many guys get by him on the rush in the past.

That's why I say it's a system problem. We are seeing too many guys that have performed very well in the past playing like crap.

wouldn't call it a system problem. it's crap that's going on between these cat's ears that has been a lot of the problem. just dumb mistakes that absolutely should not have been made. it snowballs. one guy blows it and then they all start with the "uh oh...here we go again" crap.

it's mental. the system isn't helping, though. it's not working very well, but it's no excuse for the brain farts. the guys just aren't getting the proper focus.

i believe, though, that when things start going right, it will be just as infectious as when things go wrong. they just have to build some momentum in a positive way. i REALLY hope that this happens during the bye.

sad thing is, we'll probably be able to tell from the tone of interviews and presser comments from players what to expect before the cowboys game. if they sound unsure of themselves, they'll probably come out essentially shell shocked just like they did against seattle. if they feel confident (and not forced a confidence) then they will probably come out fired up like they did against atlanta. if they can do that, i think they win.