Officially Concerned about the Offense

[Ruff]

People forget that the Ravens averaged 20.8 points a game on offense and allowed 10.3 on defense.  The most points they gave up on defense in any game during the playoffs was 10 points.  Truth is that we can only hope to be that dominant.  Their offense was ranked 14th in points scored so people only think they had a defense which isn't totally true.

 

True, but they also had times where their offense like totally inept. During the month of October that season, they only score 1 TD. 5 games. 1 TD. It wasn't like they were the greatest show on turf.

 

Which is what I was saying. We need to try and mirror them. There are going to be games where we won't look like we know what we're doing, i.e., the first quarter of the Atlanta and all but one drive of the New Orleans game, but we're going to need our defense to carry us when that happens. Which they have, so far.

[mcdougal]

I'm not so down on the oline in protection. They are bad but consistent. Cam knows he doesn't have time vs. elite pass rushers and he should be able to work with that.

 

What I don't like about our oline is the running game. I see interior lineman blowing up our run plays in the backfield way too often. Cam is constantly in 3rd and 11 because we lose yards on 1st down. We need to be able to get 4 yards on first down every time and we often get nothing.

 

 

So Kendrick, if you were the Panther's GM, after the season, what moves would you make in the draft or free agency?

[KendrickPanther]

So Kendrick, if you were the Panther's GM, after the season, what moves would you make in the draft or free agency?

 

I haven't looked at the draft yet but if I see a guy I like in the late first or second round I draft an Offensive tackle. My second draft priority would be a tall jump ball receiver. My third priority would be Corner back but I would consider doubling up at tackle or WR first.

 

Late in the draft I would look for a Guard and project OT. Maybe a DE with talent but slips for reasons I am comfortable with (like Gregg Hardy).

 

I would try to resign key players and pick up bargain free agents. Restructure big contracts. I really don't have hope for us to make major upgrades for next season, we have cap issues we need to deal with.

[jptaylor84]

Hey guys first time to the forum so it's my first post. I'm currently living in England the United Kingdom. Just thought of have an opinion of that's ok.

I'm no expert so I won't pretend to be, watching the panthers all season the offense compared to most teams isn't pretty to watch, it's slow moving methodically boring at times but all said and done it has got the job done albeit with help from an amazing defence, the one area that has been critical is cams ability and first time in his short panther career for him to become a clutch qb, he has constructed four or five game winning drives and audibled at the line himself and been crucial for wins, I have gone away and looked at a few stats and I think the argument can be labelled at both play calling (mike shula) and execution by an ageing veteran who's losing a step smitty, and a receiving corps that's just not thy very good, lafell is probably a fourth receiver for most other teams and ginn well we know where he's been in his career but still he has delivered some critical catches so I'll be easy on him, also the poor offensive line we know we have which either doesn't block well for cam or open up holes for the backs, as is known we are ranked 29th I think in total offense , I looked a little into this and we have made 32 attempts all season at throws of over 20+ yards, that's the lowest in all of pro football, going deep was one of cams characteristics coming out of college but we have seen little of it this season, but we were also ranked 8th in first down completion percentage so I guess both sides of the coin can be looked at, with a lack of there talent on the offense all round and a conservative play caller on the sidelines, I guess the offense you get is the one we are kinda seeing.

[TheGreatestOfAllTimeCam]

Lack of weapons causes a lot of the issues. The offense unit as a whole needs beefed up and a change of philosophy is needed, the power running has to go, we need to pass to set up the run game and be able to do either well....

 

Why we can't see some shotgun passing downfield to Olsen? We really only throw it past the sticks when we're playing from behind. And by the way, if we get down by more than a score it's typically game over.

[mav1234]

Lack of weapons causes a lot of the issues. The offense unit as a whole needs beefed up and a change of philosophy is needed, the power running has to go, we need to pass to set up the run game and be able to do either well....

 

Why we can't see some shotgun passing downfield to Olsen? We really only throw it past the sticks when we're playing from behind. And by the way, if we get down by more than a score it's typically game over.

 

Meh, we've overcome 10 and 16 point deficits this season - once yesterday, then against Miami.  

 

I think we can move the ball, it's just taht the style of offense we try to play doesn't really put an emphasis on big chunks, but deliberate drives... but I think we need to more proactive in the passing department

[panthers55]

Meh, we've overcome 10 and 16 point deficits this season - once yesterday, then against Miami.  

 

I think we can move the ball, it's just taht the style of offense we try to play doesn't really put an emphasis on big chunks, but deliberate drives... but I think we need to more proactive in the passing department

Some folks keep criticizing us for not having an explosive offense but look at how many times we have marched down the field for a winning drive in whatever time was left.  It almost seems as if the players and Cam in particular seem to bear down on those critical drives and will themselves to make the plays in order to win.  Who would have expected Cam to go the length of the field in under a minute to win the game against New Orleans as tough as it was to move the ball.  When he had to be he was amazing.  Like he turned on a switch or something.

[KendrickPanther]

We did have a 90 something yard drive against the Falcons. The problem is we don't get tons of big plays, that means 10-15 play scoring drives. If Cam has a hiccup or our line has a holding penalty the drive is over. Cam just really lacks consistency throwing the ball and we aren't good enough without him being on point.

[jptaylor84]

I think the panthers are upthere on possession of the ball and ranked 8th on first down conversion that's positive but there is a lack of a deep threat, I think Steve smiths 44yard reception against saints last week was the longer play of the season? I maybe wrong. I just think it would add a lot more to this offense if we made a few explosive plays, and it takes pressure off the offense and cam especially having to drive the length of the field to score all the time! He is lucky the defense has given him short fields to work with a lot this year

[mcdougal]

I haven't looked at the draft yet but if I see a guy I like in the late first or second round I draft an Offensive tackle. My second draft priority would be a tall jump ball receiver. My third priority would be Corner back but I would consider doubling up at tackle or WR first.

 

Late in the draft I would look for a Guard and project OT. Maybe a DE with talent but slips for reasons I am comfortable with (like Gregg Hardy).

 

I would try to resign key players and pick up bargain free agents. Restructure big contracts. I really don't have hope for us to make major upgrades for next season, we have cap issues we need to deal with.

 

 

So essentially you want to use our primary resources (possibly the first three picks according to you) to upgrade our role players on offense. It makes little sense to me that you are saying that Newton needs to step up because "well we all know his the talent around him is crap" and he is the "star" so he should just get it done.

 

It seems to me by your own admission, the talent surrounding Newton is so inadequate that we need to spend at least 2 high picks and possible a 3rd to correct it.

 

Maybe the "star" can only do so much.

[mcdougal]

One other thing, Kendrick, it is thinking like yours why Lebron James is now in Miami. This idea you can EXPECT great (or mediocre) players to carry sub par cast EVEN for ONE season (much less one playing the QB position in his 3rd season) is disturbing and it needs to end immediately in Panther-land.

 

And if it does not, I would support said player "Lebroning" us.

 

We did not/do not EXPECT Luke to carry the defense (hence we gave him two Dline men who could keep Oline men off of him).

[Evengelion]

Who on here doesn't know we are 12-4?  If that is all you have to add to the conversation then save it, we know it.  As for your question, there were a lot of open receivers during the game.  On at least 5 plays the receiver was wide open and the pass was poorly thrown.  On at least 4 more game shots where they showed the field from the quarterback perspective there were receivers open but Cam was under duress from pass rushers. He didn't throw it early when he could and didn't have a chance to throw it late. Cam is not one of the best going through progressions but he is much better than he was a year ago. He is not good at throwing to a spot before the receiver comes out of his break.  That is why he gets picked.  Too often he tries to throw to a receiver who is open but by the time the ball gets there the defender has recovered or the ball is inaccurate. Sometimes he does what he did with Olsen which is bullet the pass so fast the defense couldn't react in time. Sometimes your negativity towards others clouds your judgement as well.  

 

Go back and watch the game again and get back with me. Let me reiterate, we all know we are 12-4.  Fortunately the team isn't content sitting on their laurels as you presumably are. They know what we fans know which is that when the playoffs start everyone increases their intensity.  Which means the offense will have to play better.  Starting this week everyone is on the same footing.  Win or go home. So concerns about getting better on offense are germaine if we were 17-0. Seems the Patriots found that out against the Giants. In the playoffs great defense beats great offense most of the time.

You're funny dude. Throwing a receiver open is just situational awareness and instinct, and the play dictates it. Everyone knows how to do it. It's natural human ability. It's not just a football thing, guy. It's not something a coach can be like "this season we're not gonna throw direct to receivers, we're gonna thrown them open". In fact, every single catch that was defended was thrown open to the receiver. You see, you probably heard the announcers mention 'throwing receivers open' then you start looking for it in panthers game and start yapping about it when it's not too obvious to you.

 

For example, on a slant pass if the QB throws the ball directly to the receiver he'll overrun it and will be behind him. So the QB normally throw it ahead so the WR can run to it. Every QB know how to throw a slant.

 

And, what if that receiver could not come out of his break, what do you think would happen to that pass? You seem to be ranting about a specific in-completion instead of using logic. You rant would be well-founded if you were referring to a QB who couldn't complete 60% of his passes.

[footballisasport]

My only issue with Cam is consistency on throws, I don't know whether it is the o-line making him hurry or his internal clock. He needs to get that down pat. Against the niners/saints/seahawks cam has got to hit those routes.

 

Positive is that Cam has developed into a full field reader :) that makes me very pleased

What is with some of  you Panthers' fans? You're always seem obsessed with fixing the least of your team's problems while ignoring the big ass holes. Is it because the media isn't dictating to you how you should think?

 

You are concerned about Cam's inconsistents throws? Like WTF? Every damn week you folks come up with some damn fictious concern over Cam. Why is it that you folks are such experts with everything Cam but can't ever seem the least bit interested in deal with your team's real issues.

 

If you folks have so much problems with Cam so called inaccuracies that every week all you do is sit and find something to bitch about, then GET RID OF HIM. Let him go to a team that don't mind his so called "inconsistent" throws and can deal with them by PUTTING WEAPONS AROUND HIM.

 

I bet your asses would be pissed if he does leave and take another team to the SB and WIN. Clueless..

[KendrickPanther]

So essentially you want to use our primary resources (possibly the first three picks according to you) to upgrade our role players on offense. It makes little sense to me that you are saying that Newton needs to step up because "well we all know his the talent around him is crap" and he is the "star" so he should just get it done.

 

It seems to me by your own admission, the talent surrounding Newton is so inadequate that we need to spend at least 2 high picks and possible a 3rd to correct it.

 

Maybe the "star" can only do so much.

 

Steve Smith and Jordan Gross are aging out. We need young guys to replace them. Absolutely Cam needs better players around him. But he is capable of playing better today, tomorrow, next week. Byron Bell isn't getting better, Domenick Hixon isn't getting better. Brandon Lafell can make fewer mistakes but he is near his ceiling. Cam can fix his accuracy. To me it's mental. Missing windows is mental.