Pitching it to DeAngelo isn't a gimmick; the dude's got speed off the edge. Moreover, the redzone is one of the areas where we should still utilize the read option, and the sweeping option plays where Cam can pass, keep or pitch seem to work better than the one's where he's got the ball in the RB's gut trying to make a decision.
Also, it's 1 pass, 1 pass/run option and two runs, so pretty balanced all and all. At that, I take issue with all the people on here knocking on the redzone passing game. Greg Olsen is a big target and should be used as such. Not to mention, Steve Smith is a freaking ballerina and can catch the ball while his body is at a 45 degree angle, falling over the out of bounds line where the DB can't get him before tapping his toes in bounds to make a catch. That's indefensible, and should be used.
Good post...the zone read generally is very good in the Red Zone. It presents tremendous problems for the opposing defense in short yardage situations.
The loonie reactionaries who blame all of Carolina's problems on the read option are laughable.
You are pointing out Carolina's mian problem in the Red Zone, actually.
They have some tremendous weapons that could be utilized: Good, big target tight end....brusing fullback...stud halfbacks...acrobatic, hall of fame flanker...tall, lanky #2 wide out...
the zone read leaves all those options on the table....
someone's just got to get the ball into the hands of the playmakers...
Any ideas???