CPantherKing

Panthers have a good pressure defense, a run blocking offensive line, and a punter who can win the SB. The return game is not playoff ready with Shi Smith. There is no offensive playmaker to keep up with a good offensive team in a shoot out. The receivers are not playoff caliber. The QB is not playoff caliber, and is unreliable in GWD situations. The OTs are not good enough in their pass blocking to fend off playoff caliber edge rushers and give the QB time. The defense does not score points off turnovers to win a game on their own. This team has one shot at the SB and that is how they won against the Seahawks. They need to execute flawlessly and take their chances early in games to run up the score in the 2nd quarter. They need to control the clock for 40 minutes and keep their defense fresh. This hasn't ever happened, and the Ravens with Dilfer at QB would be the closest example, but that team could create turnovers and score more than their offense. Wilks and McAdoo as coaches can position this team to do the impossible, but the players will have to be disciplined and execute with the ball bouncing the Panthers way for the next 8 games.

Shenault is a good option for a 3 and 4 receiver set. He is not a 1 or 2. I wanted Zylstra back. I want Shenault back. I would be happy if Zylstra and Shenault were the #3/#4 WRs. I am happy with DJ Moore as a #2. The Panthers need a #1 playmaking WR with good hands. Wanted them to grab that receiver in the draft to role out the miracle season formula. No such luck with this front office.

DJ Moore is a #2 WR. The Panthers front office has had their chance to bring in a #1 WR that would have opened up the offense.

Tepper had this move in play with Wilks from the start. He wanted Wilks under Snow and in place for a change. Wilks was not picked by Rhule or Snow. This is a long play on attracting Byron Leftwich to reunite with Wilks. Leftwich becomes the HC. Wilks stays on as Leftwich's choice for DC.

This is not a win win league. The team that makes a move that gets them closer to a SB and dominating their conference is the W. The other team is the L until they prove their haul is better at winning a SB than what they gave up. If the Panthers struggle to overcome the 49ers for the remainder of CMCs career, than the "haul" will go down in history as one of the biggest Ls in the Panthers front office history.

The Panthers will likely win the NFC South. That will make the CMC trade look even worse come playoff time. The 49ers will be a force and the Panthers won't have the offensive playmaker needed for playoff success. The Panthers will have the OL and a better disciplined defense going in to the playoffs, but the front office did a lot of damage to the Panthers in the offseason and waiting too long to make changes during the season. That CMC trade to strengthen the 49ers with a Panthers playoff run should get the front office fired.

I see Wilks grooming the team for Byron Leftwich. Leftwich would keep Wilks as DC/Assistant head coach. Going 6-0 to end the season and winning the NFC South under Wilks is very possible. Any chance at a miracle run in the playoffs was lost when the Panthers traded CMC to the 49ers.

Panthers could very well close out the season going 6-0 and winning the NFC South with a soft schedule to end the season. Then you have a team going in to the the playoffs without a playmaker to lean on because they traded him to the team that will likely beat the Panthers in the playoffs and find themselves in the SB. Trading away CMC may be the death knell to what may have been a miracle season with the late changes in the coaching staff, dropping Anderson, and a Bozeman led OL.

Wilks is not trusting his pass blocking and receivers lol

In the running game. Yes. Passing game is not so good

Am I seeing disciplined defense and a patient running game finally closing out a close game for the Panthers? Is Wilks actually transforming this team?

Any patient RB will look good behind this Bozeman led OL

This OL is a run blocking monster. Love that part of the team. It should be clear starting Elf easily cost the Panthers 1 or 2 wins.

The passing game can't do anything in close games if your OTs can't pass block without help and your receivers can't get separation, fight for position, and have poor hands. You are correct. Too many refuse to see it and then want to complain why there are so many screen passes, check downs, and 3 step drops. The OTs and receivers cannot execute in the pocket passing game needed in the redzone, on 3rd and long, and in GWD drive situations. The only option a QB has is to step up in the pocket because Elf is no longer there and force a quick pass into tight coverage or run it for a short gain and get hit.

OTs were the drive killers on that drive

QB is getting pushed off his spot and can't roll out of the pocket at the goalline because of both OTs

Ekwonu and Moton can't hold up on islands against the pass rush. Ekwonu on 3rd and Moton on 4th. How are you suppose to win close games with that kind of pass blocking?

Like have the WRs catch balls in their catch radius and OTs not getting whooped with their pass blocking. Dedicating an extra 2 or 3 players to help out these OTs on pass plays is unacceptable.

Burns in hero mode. He is not an every down DE. No discipline

He is a great run blocker and a decent pass blocker on play actions and screens. He just sucks and has terrible technique on pure passing downs and drop backs. Makes for a huge weakness in 3rd and long and GWD situations in the 4th quarter. Tired of seeing RBs, TEs, and BC desperately hustling to clean up Ekwonu's pass blocking. When all is said and done he will be playing at OG and be one of the best in the NFL. His pass blocking is not going to improve at the NFL level. BC is a better pass blocker at LT.

Icky has been getting beat and getting QBs hit all season. Need to roll out away from him or give him help on obvious pass plays. Baker got smacked hard because of Ekwonu against the Ravens. PJ was abused against the Falcons. Darnold made a TD pass this season when Ekwonu got him pasted to the turf. These QBs have been completing passes while taking punishment from Ekwonu's side. It's all there to watch if you decided to go back and look.

Ekwonu was the drive killer

Ekwonu beat bad the last 2 plays on pass rushing... you were saying?