Officially Concerned about the Offense

[Ken]

Our WRs consistently bailing out Cam? lmaoooooooooo funniest thing I've read on the huddle for awhile.

[mav1234]

If we all know that short passing would help the offense then why aren't we doing it?  Because we don't want to or because teams are playing us in man press coverage off the line to take away the short passing? As for 2 minute drills consider that when you are playing in a 2 minute drill you are wanting the short pass and to keep things in front of us. You are letting the offense move the ball hoping that time will run out.  What happens in a 2 minute drill is not really the same as what happens the rest of the game. We don't run the hurry up because we are trying to control time of possession and keep the other offense off the field.  Maybe we should honestly.

 

I think we should.  It's a lot harder for a defense if they can't get set, and it creates a huge mismatch with Cam back there.  Also, he seems to be much more comfortable operating the passing game out of the shotgun right now (which isn't to say he can't drop back from under center, but given the OL and the awful running game I don't think it does him any favors, pass-rush wise, to drop him back from under center with a playfake.)

[*FreeFua*]

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap2000000305598/Week-17-Panthers-vs-Falcons-highlights

:32 second mark....this is a perfect example of what I was talking about.

How is this a perfect example?

Hixon didn't bail Cam out at all

[panthers55]

Atlanta played their best defense against us? What a coincidence.

 

And also, they weren't all that pumped up. I'd say they were very average as far as energy and enthusiasm goes from what I saw first hand.

The announcers repeatedly talked about how they were making plays and doing better than they had seen them do all year. I wasn't there so I am just pointing out what others have said.  As for the offense, we never seem to play that well against Atlanta at their house. I was more worried about this game than I was against the Saints. Traditionally we beat the Saints at home whereas in Atlanta not so much.  I used to go watch them in Atlanta since my brother had season tickets but after repeatedy watching them beat us regardless of whether they were 13-3 or 3-13, I stopped going.  The straw that broke the camel's back was when Vick levitated for 5 yards to steal one from us, I was so angry on the way back.

[mav1234]

actually I have to say I thought Hixon's diving catch in the front corner of the endzone to beat the Saints was a nice catch, he did go to the ground for it and adjusted to the ball in the air so yay him.

[panthers55]

I think we should.  It's a lot harder for a defense if they can't get set, and it creates a huge mismatch with Cam back there.  Also, he seems to be much more comfortable operating the passing game out of the shotgun right now (which isn't to say he can't drop back from under center, but given the OL and the awful running game I don't think it does him any favors, pass-rush wise, to drop him back from under center with a playfake.)

The hurry up is a double edge sword.  When it works and moves the ball it really puts Cam in a rhythm and helps him.  But like last year when we had so many 3 and outs, it keeps the defense out on the field all game.

[mav1234]

The hurry up is a double edge sword.  When it works and moves the ball it really puts Cam in a rhythm and helps him.  But like last year when we had so many 3 and outs, it keeps the defense out on the field all game.

 

That's true, but a traditional offense that can't get first downs also leaves the defense on the field all game, as we've seen lately.

[PhillyB]

me too. 148 yards passing in the playoffs isn't going to cut it.

[g5jamz]

How is this a perfect example?

Hixon didn't bail Cam out at all

 

You're mixing points.  I'm saying Cam has a tendency to throw the ball high...A LOT.  The Hixon pass was the perfect example.  I cannot show you examples of the instances where the WRs bail out Cam on a lot of high throws simply because I don't have access to every throw Cam made in the game.  I'm looking, but if you have game film from the past 3 weeks...put out the link and I'll show you what I'm talking about.  It was even mentioned by the commentators yesterday on FOX.  Don't believe me?  Most balls are completely uncatchable when they're high.  That particular one was high enough to where Hixon actually could touch it, but deflected high into the arms of the Atl db. 

 

Cam knows this...which is why he knows the offense has a lot of work to do to prepare.  Even coachspeak with reporters yesterday intimated that Cam needed to calm down.  When he does...he can make plays.  But there are just certain types of passes that Cam is having some real difficulty with right now.  If defenses know this, they're going to simply force our WRs to adjust their routes to Cam's weakness areas and take advantage of it and force 3 and outs if our running game isn't there.  Gotta make those quick slant throws accurately to keep chains moving.  Something elite QBs do.  We cannot rely on Cam's legs all the time. 

[Newtcase]

Cam throwing the ball equally 3 yards over someones head whether it's a screen or a deep ball certainly affects our offense.

[rayzor]

I'm tired of hearing how they have to settle him down and how he was to excited at first. That poo needs to go. They need to do a better job easing him into the game.

i guess they could try hypnosis.

[Evengelion]

Insert Mike Shula. Take a top 5 offense to bottom 5. We all knew it was going to happen at the beginning of the year.

People can argue execution all they want but the OC needs to be calling plays that puts the players in the best position to gain yards. He hasn't done that consistently.

I think the play calling was pretty methodical for the type of skill players we have. We have no one that we're underusing so we can't really blame the play calling. We just don't have the talent. All the down filed crap Chud did last year almost got Cam badly injured in many occasions with an OL that can't really handle it. Every throw have to be perfect for our WRs to catch them. Olsen is the only reliable skill player we have. I think we're doing with what we have. I think if any team play us close or give the ball back to us we'll beat them because Cam would eat them alive.

[DaCityKats]

I can't remember if it was the first play or second when Bell's guy blew by him, ran over DWill then hit Cam. But if Cam had another second Ginn had a step or two on his man down field.

DWill's inability to run through a arm tackle cost this offense many times, as far as I'm concerned Tolbert should be the full time back. Can't ever question Tolberts desire to fight for those extra yards.

The play calling is awful. The last drive they handed the ball off to Deangelo twice and ran Newton on a 3rd and 10. Before that there was a 3rd play that where Shula called for a short swing pass, play never had a chance.

The designed Cam runs are good for a 3rd and 4, 3rd and 5. Shula called one on 3rd and 8 I think. In order for Cam to get the first he's most likely going to be taking a shot.

I was wrong about LaFell and ill admit that. This was his time to step up with Smitty out an he didn't do a thing. Burkhead and Lynch gave credit to Hixon for his blocking yesterday, well if Hixon can block there's almost no reason to pay LaFell.

I seriously don't mean to come off as a negative person but these issues are alarming in the bigger picture. I'm happy as hell to be 12-4, but now I want more! With a QB like Cam there shouldn't be so many issues on offense. He can only bail out Shula so much.

 

seen that as well, and Cam did too. missed opportunity because the blocking was terrible. also with more reps going towards Tolbert, i would much rather have him pass blocking instead of Williams on a play like that.

 

i still do not understand the non usage of Brandon Williams in certain sets. Barner in screens or space plays would also be something that should happen .Williams  is a better blocker then Olsen, and even had decent blocking when Hartsock got injuried.

[g5jamz]

actually I have to say I thought Hixon's diving catch in the front corner of the endzone to beat the Saints was a nice catch, he did go to the ground for it and adjusted to the ball in the air so yay him.

 

That was a great throw...because we had the tie in the bag so can't risk interception.  Cam's completely physically capable of making the throws.  It's more of an experience issue that's the key.  Cam's essentially in his "senior year" of college ball experience being played out in the NFL.  I think that's huge and a testament of what kind of athlete he is.  He's matured as a NFL QB tons this season.