Why is Shula simplifying the offense?

[SCP]

How do we know Shula was a big part in simplifying the offense? Rivera finally grew a pair and said to change it.

[CRA]

Rivera and staff are trying to figure out the reason for slow starts in each of the last 2 years.  The complexity of the playbook is probably one of the factors. 

Silatolu seemed to start getting it when the Panthers hosted the Bucs.  McCoy ate his lunch during the first encounter, around week 2, but he played much better durng the second meeting around week 10.  From that point, he played well down the stretch.

 

It seems that the Oline improved more than any other unit as the team turned the corner, even though Kalil was injured.  Part of that was the strength of schediule down the homestretch, however.  How complex does the read option need to be for the OL?  That could be a factor.

 

This could suggest that we will expect the new additions (Barner, Kugbila, and Hixon) to hit the ground running.  Specifically, Kugbila.  Kalil, Gross, Bell, and Hangartner are pretty smart guys.  Now we have Silatolu and Kugbila.  Confusing them is not the best approach,  

offensively,we didn't start slow in 2011.

 

OL play was worse in 2012 IMO....that was the main reason.  Chud has always been overrated and not great.

[TheRed]

How do we know Shula was a big part in simplifying the offense? Rivera finally grew a pair and said to change it.

 

There's no way to confirm either of those scenarios, that I know of at least.

 

Hurney getting shitcanned helped.

[FootballMaestro]

The big picture:  The offense needed (seemingly) the most help, but it got the least amount of help through free agency and the draft.  Shula's presence suggests two things:  We want consistency over change and he has his hands on the pulse of the QB more than any other person on earth.  Another batch of Xs and Os could only enhance confusition.  Cam's comments about the change in verbage suggests that some players were confused by Chud's systemic wording. 

 

We already know that we are going to run the ball more.  That in itself is simplification, regardless whether or not it had anything to do with Tampa Bay last century.  They audtited the offense and determined a few things: 

• The were not getting their bang for the buck at RB.  Why have 2 top first round RBs and give them each 10 or fewer carries?
• It was taking too much time to learn the system.  In the first 20 games of the past 2 years, the Panthers are 4-16.  Was the learning curve too big? 
• The Panthers seem to feel confident that they can improve the offense with what is already on the roster.  Kugbila is a 2014 player for what it is worth.  We seem happy with Hangartner and GWilliams in the short term.  Hixon is a complimentary player, but an upgrade who should catch over 30 balls. 
• Barner gives them more offensive options, something that cannot be undervalued. 
• By not running the ball well last year, how significant was defensive fatique in the fourth quarter?  The defense is improved and the focus was on a DL rotation.  I think the offense's quick strike or three and out approach wore out our hog mollies.
• The focus on defense gives the offense better field position, so the offense simply needs to execute, not more fire power. 

So it would seem that the offense intends to improve by turning the players we already have loose, not by complexity of game plan.  It is a form of addition through subtraction.  With an improved running game, will Cam, Lafell, Smitty, and Olsen be better?  They seem to be banking on it.  Better field position for the offense, better clock management for the defense.  To me, this is the strategy.

 

Sure, some will scream about WRs and CBs, but remember, Gettlemen inherited bad contracts and was $16 million over the cap.  He did not have a third round draft pick.  Still, he put us in position to win without unrealistically finding a super star at every position. 

 

This is the reason we are simplifying.  We are not taking Cam out of the equation, we are balancing the offense to help Cam not feel as if he has to do it all himself.  Others will step up.  Cam will become a Captain and a complete QB when that happens.

 

Nicely written piece. Just a couple of tid bits and an additional compliment. 

 

1) As some said earlier, the team started off well with Cam in 2011

2) I don't think the team is going to run the ball any more than it did in 2012. I just think the team is going to run the ball more effectively; redistribute some of the yards, and through more traditional sets. However, I don't think that means the team plans to run it more. It will be situational, of course. Nonetheless, I think the Panthers will pass at their 53-55% to 45-47% pass/run ratio of the past two years. 'Balancing the offense', and 'taking more pressure off Cam', just means they'lll run the ball better, and make more use of the backs in the flats, than they'll run it any more than the Panthers did last year. I don't expect that to change, though I could be wrong. 

 

I love the 2nd bolded paragraph (you wrote). This is what I feel can happen in essence as well in 2013. 

 

It seems a lot of Panther fans forget about 2011, and what the team did in the second half of 2012. I just feel Rivera, has to grow a pair (both on offense and defense), to give the Panthers more TOP's and scoring opportunities to maximize their scoring and  yardage.  Why? Because, until things dramatically change, no matter what the Panthers do, the strength of this team will always be the offense. If you (not necessarily you MHS831), just count/compare the proven stars on offense vs defense, and you'll have your answer, regardless of Rivera's ability to 'coach them up'. 

 

During the first half of 2012, the defenses 'bend but don't break' strategy, really hurt the offense, cause the team allowed the opposition to score almost at will during their first drive, and many times it took 7-11 minutes before it happened. That has to stop. Either stop the opposition, or even you're going to let them score a TD, you might as well have them score it in 3min, than in 10. That approach and affect was severely overlooked by many observers of the Panthers season last year (cause so many focused on Chud, and the read option, along with the offensive line, etc.), but it really hampered the team, and subsequently the offense.  

[MadHatter]

Why do so many Huddler's think Shula is going to 'pound it up the middle'???

I think many here (not saying you SCP) long for the days of John Fox and "Double Trouble", don't trust/see the ability of Newton, or remember Cam end of last year or his Rookie Season.

Shula, knows the strengths of this team are Cam. And I think that Cam will throw deep, throw short and intermediate (including to his backs), hand off in more traditional sets, as well as the read option. How does any of this mean he's going to have a ground and pound offense??

Shula knows that utilizing Cam, is the best way for this team to have success. At least I would like to hope so.

I understand many are fearful of Shula's past. So was I. Shula certainly wasn't my first, 2nd or third even third choice as OC. Nonetheless, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, and rely on his experience being the QB coach (remember guys, he wasn't the "running backs" coach), that he'll get the best out of the passing, as well as the running game for the team.

We'll see?

Maybe because Shula has said several times that we will run the ball more.

Or, that Tolbert said publicly that Shula said the RB's were going to run more

Some people just refuse to accept that we are going to be a balanced offense with a power running game, play action pass, and some read option.

[CRA]

Maybe because Shula has said several times that we will run the ball more.

Or, that Tolbert said publicly that Shula said the RB's were going to run more

Some people just refuse to accept that we are going to be a balanced offense with a power running game, play action pass, and some read option.

Do you have a link to anything where he said that? I could see us running more like we did in 28 of our 32 games but not shifting to more of a RB focused team

Where we not a balanced attack under Chud overall over two seasons.....in the offense Shula was promoted to keep?

Situationally, we can call better plays to help our QB out....but why on Earth would anyone want to reduce the percentage of the time the ball is on our best players hand (Cam)

[Mage]

Why we are where we are.  Aim for 350 and hope the defense carries you to victory.  PERFECT.

 

 

As Cam says the Sky is the limit.  

 

What in the hell are you talking about?

I'm not talking about what we should aim for.  We should AIM to score every possession.  Guess what, though?  That ain't going to happen and expecting us to, AT LEAST, average 425 YPG is setting yourself up for disappointment.  Not saying it won't happen.  But don't act like it is our floor.

[FootballMaestro]

Maybe because Shula has said several times that we will run the ball more.

Or, that Tolbert said publicly that Shula said the RB's were going to run more

Some people just refuse to accept that we are going to be a balanced offense with a power running game, play action pass, and some read option.

 

We'll see?

 

I never heard, read Shula expressly say they "were going to run the ball more". 

 

Yes, I think Cam may run less (or that may be the intention). 

Yes, I think Tolbert, Dwill and Stew, should/will have more activity, including catching out the backfield 

Obviously, the team plans to run more EFFECTIVELY (compared to the first half of last season, and the read option/slow play calling of last year). 

 

Nonetheless, even if what you wrote were true, they would only be goals and intentions at this point. Pressure, games, coaching (especially with a new OC, who hasn't coached in over 10 yrs), and what "the defense gives you", can breed something else, of course?

 

Even if the Panthers run more, it doesn't mean they won't throw at the same rate as last year, or even more than before? If the team speeds up the offense (which we HAVE heard), they can both throw and run more, etc.... Remember 2011 (4200 yds passing, 2100 rushing)?

 

I think many Panther fans read into a lot of things, and (and maybe we) should just wait for the season to start (if we ever could). 

 

The situation is fluid (at least from our end and perspective). And I'm sure we'll hear, see and read a lot of things (and interpret them how we wish), until the season starts.  Once again, we'll see? 

[Zod]

Is it possible to simplify the terminology without simplifying the offense itself?

[TheRumGone]

^is that a serious question?

[CRA]

Is it possible to simplify the terminology without simplifying the offense itself?

You can put more reponsibilty on the positional players IMO....to know and look for different things. That would support mentioning everyone knowing what they are suppose to do....when talking about him shortening his barking orders of a play

[Zod]

Think about it. Chud didn't have extra long terminology for the plays, just lots and lots of variations on the plays. How do you cut down the terminology without cutting down the number of play variations available.

[mbarbour21]

Yeh, it is possible. Lol! However, simplifying the terminology does simplify the offense 'in the sense' it is easier to relay/communicate. But of course you don't have to actually change the plays, just what they are called.

[Zod]

Yeh, it is possible. Lol! However, simplifying the terminology does simplify the offense 'in the sense' it is easier to relay/communicate. But of course you don't have to actually change the plays, just what they are called.

Give me an example. I'm not so sure.