observer running game breakdown...A MUST READ!

[nosuchthingasapanther]

• The Panthers’ most “successful” rushing plays have been broken plays that quarterback Cam Newton has turned into positives. Newton’s 13 scrambles through six games have resulted in gains of 108 yards, an average of 8.3 yards per attempt. But scrambles imply receivers’ inability to get open on a passing play or Newton’s ability to find a target. And Newton has been sacked 15 times for 102 yards in losses.

• Of planned running plays, the zone-read has been used most often, on 80 of the 148 rushing attempts (54 percent). The zone-read involves Newton sticking the ball in the running back’s stomach and either giving it to him or taking it back. When he takes the ball back, he can either run himself or pitching it, based on his read of the defense.

• The zone-read has also been the team’s most effective rushing play, accounting for 407 of the team’s 682 rushing yards (59.7 percent).

• Of those zone-read yards, 319 have come from runs by Newton or the running back in the zone-read action. The other 88 came on six option pitches, when Newton pulls the ball from the running back’s grasp and pulls left or right, then pitches the ball.

• Who is the most effective on zone-read plays? Newton, who averages 5.8 yards per zone-read carry, DeAngelo Williams averages 5.0 yards on those plays, and Jonathan Stewart gains 4.0 yards.

• The statistics support using Stewart more often than Williams on traditional handoffs. Stewart averages 5.7 yards per carry on traditional handoffs, with Newton starting under center. Williams has 30 yards on 18 carries on that type of play, a 1.67-yard average.

• Both Williams’ carries Sunday against Dallas were on traditional handoffs. They gained 4 yards. Williams played only five of the 62 offensive snaps against Dallas. Rivera acknowledged Friday the team would like to use both backs for longer periods rather than in rotation, but with more balance.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/10/26/3624389/coach-ron-rivera-still-searching.html##storylink=cpy

[Rubi]

If it wasn't for Cams scrambles...how booty would our running game be lol

[Mr. Scot]

Zone Read has been a very big "feast or famine" for us. I fear as the season goes on that balance will tip further and further toward famine than feast.

[ItsPantone278]

i'm just hoping the talk of more power runs are true. None of these stats should matter if we just try to play to our strengths and not continue to try to over exploit Cam's abilities.

[rayzor]

zone read has been the most productive overall because...well...it's been run a whole lot more than anything else.

meanwhile the offense as a whole is getting shut down and kept out of the endzone or from even going down the field.

[jtnc]

It's because of Cam's long runs.