CPantherKing

running at Brown

YGM for the L

The OL is the best at run blocking in the NFL. A traditional 5 man OL drop back pocket is a problem because Moton struggles against speed rushers when he has no help and Ekwonu is horrible at pass blocking against speed rushers even with help. Edge rushers have it easy and can pick the inside or outside on just about any given pass play. Shrinks the pocket for the QB and they hitch up to a small pocket with no lanes. Only option for the QB is to run up the middle or take the sack. If they set to pass on a 5 or 7 step drop, they get destroyed. Panthers QBs have made some nice completions while getting leveled this year.

GL on that. I'm going in this week. I see what Wilks is doing and the run defenses in the NFL have gotten weak. It's a bunch of misfits and a good run blocking OL with nothing to lose and it makes them dangerous. The Panthers seem to be all in on a miracle finish or bust. Wilks has told the league they are going to load up the formation with 7 OLs and run it down their throat from here on out. They will gladly throw it deep if they man up DJ or Marshall.

No. You know Shenault is not running it between the tackles or going out on a wheel route or down the sideline. Maybe if they used him in a no back set. If there is a RB in the backfield, defenses have 2 less receivers to worry about. With a Marshall Faulk/Sony Michel like RB you have to defend 4 other receivers while defending the run, flats, underneath zones, or sidelines. With Shenault and Foreman on the field a defense only has to worry about 3 receivers while ignoring the RB in passing situations. One way a defense has to commit 6 defenders to 5. The way with Shenault a defense can commit 6 to 3. Defenses will easily use some underneath zone coverage if Foreman or Shenault touch the ball. Big difference in how you can pressure a defense.

Panthers are +25000 to win the SB, +12500 to win the NFC, and +400 to win the NFC South. That NFC South line looks like a possibility. If you do not think the Panthers will face the Ravens, Titans, or 49ers in the playoffs, taking a swing for the fences on those long shot lines may be something to consider. I believe Wilks can beat NFC East teams and the Vikings. Rhule almost beat the Giants.

play action, screens, and 3 step drops with Darnold running after 2 reads is the only passing game this team has against playoff teams. Run Darnold and cross your fingers. Be ready to run through every QB and lose them to injury. Darnold and Walker can both make this work if you are not trying to keep them for the future.

Panthers Y/A is 4.5. They are 17th in the NFL. They were 4.9 Y/A against the Seahawks. The run defense in the NFL this season are bad. Most are around 4.5. The only 3 run defenses you need to be concerned about with Bozeman at C are the Ravens, Titans, and 49ers. The only thing the Panthers need behind that Bozeman led OL in the playoffs with the poor run defenses this season is a playmaking RB who can also be a receiving threat out of the backfield. A power back will only get you to the playoffs behind a good OL. When you are up against the Ravens, Titans, or 49ers, you will need a dynamic RB. You can hope the rotation of Blackshear and Hubbard will be enough to make the plays for 1st downs. You can also hope the Panthers do not face any of these 3 teams. The run offense and pressure defense is good enough against all other teams to execute Wilks time of possession strategy while Wilks protects against the teams weaknesses.

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