Credit where Credit is due

[Khaki Lackey]

Magic Mike's play calling still makes me scratch my head sometimes, but second guessing play calling can be a fool's errand.

I wish we would do more short passing. I know we have the prototypical QB and backfield for a Coryell O, but with our OL and WR corps the long ball just doesn't seem to be there this year.

It seems like we pass on 1st downs too often for a clock control type offense. The passing plays on third and short drive me nuts, but you can't argue with the results. Mike remains magic for the time being.

[dos poptarts]

This you are wrong on Shula.  It is not the numbers but that ability ot keep the offense on a even keel.  When you are tops in 3rd down conversion you get noticed.

 

Shula is from a good bloodline and his ability to low down put this offense on an even keel wil get him noticed.   Whether he gets a job might be a long shot but he'll get a look.

 

Didn't mean for my post to come across as Schula was lacking. just that GMs may overlook because our Defense gets the accolades.  I've been critical, but have supported his game plans (except for maybe Buffalo) each week. This offense has been ranked tops in the league since week 2. (in 80+ yd scoring ability) Even after the 10pts scored on the road @SanFran, the Panther offense is scoring @38% of all offensive drives where they need to drive 80yds or more. (4 FGs, 10TDs, 37 drives). Tied for the lead is GreenBay & SanDiego @41%.

 

To give it some perspective. If I were to add in Gano's miss (@SF) and Cam's end of half INT vs ATL back into the scoring #'s the Panthers would be scoring at 43%. That would be league best. So the combo of Schula and Cam should scare the living fug out of every defensive coordinator.  The Panthers had 4 drives of 80 yards in both the Atlanta and SanFran games. Only scored 1 once in each so 25% scoring ability. But each of these had two relative easy misses. Cam's INT from the ATL 20 and Gano's miss. Fix those and the Panthers are back to 50% in those games respectively.

 

It ain't FGs propping up this stat. TD drives of 80+yds. Panthers are #2 in the entire NFL (27%). Denver(33%) keeps holding on to that top spot.

 

The reason I'm using 80+yd drives is that it requires your offense to move the ball consistently. You can get short fields with your defense and special teams play, but it is possible that an opponent can make you start at your 20 yd line on every possession. There has been a few NFL games this year where one team has had to start nearly the entire game at their 20yd line or worse. Almost all these teams lost. The Car@Buf game is one of the outliers. (that game still pisses me off)

 

So back to my post....Schula's efforts @Tampa and Alabama may still haunt him when it comes to the offseason. GMs are a strange bunch.

[DaveThePanther2008]

I didn't mean to attack how you write. It's just that I keep seeing these post suggesting the coordinators are so good that they will soon be HC's someplace. If all it takes is a one good season, then there are a lot of coaches who would have been hired already.

 

I do agree that some of the success the Panthers have had this year is because of Shula and McDermott but again, I just think your getting ahead of yourself. As Fox use to say, your never as good as they say and your never as bad as they say.

 

I can appreciate you wanting to give credit where credit is due and again, I do agree they deserve recognition. Hopefully I'll have to come back to this post in a couple of months and eat my words!

How many seasons was Jack Del Rio with us.  ONE!!!!

 

 McDermott has been with us three and every year improved our defense.  Shula has but Ws on the board and put use with a  balanced offense.  While you don't agree about pedigree.  Mike learns alot from his HOF father.   I don't think he will be selected but he will get some consideration.

 

I pray they don't get signed because keeping these coordinators is only going to make us stronger.   Maybe McDermott knows his role and stays like his mentor Jimmy Johnson. as a full time defensive coordinator.