Zod

Bingo, and thats not a bad thing. Great QB coaches are hard to come by. The skill set for a QB coach and a good OC are vastly different. Shula fits one of the job descriptions, not the other.

It isn't hindsight for everyone

This past offseason when Ron Rivera needed to fill the void left by Chudzinski's departure, he had a choice to make. He could bring in an outside hire who would implement a new offensive scheme or he could promote Mike Shula and keep continuity in the offense. Both choices had their merits and their problems. An outside hire would have brought fresh eyes to the offense and could have been coached by someone with a decent track record. The problem was that Cam Newton and the offense would need to learn and implement a new offensive scheme. Ron Rivera knew 2013 was his last year to prove himself. A slow start in a new system would be quite a gamble. If there is one thing we know about Rivera, its that he doesn't like to take chances. Therefore, Rivera chose to promote Mike Shula. Shula was able to keep the playbook nearly in tact. The Panthers would not have to learn new terminology or plays. However, Shula also brought a history of less than mediocre coaching. His coaching stints in Tampa Bay and Alabama ended with poor results and firings. Rivera chose continuity over competency. Hopes were high this offseason and even up until now that Shula had learned from Chudzinski and from his peers since his days at Alabama. Shula's history of not being able to counter in-game adjustments or score points in the red zone surely were obstacles that he could pull through. The result? The Panthers offense is currently ranked 24th in total yards and 27th in points scored per game. Shula still has time to get the offense improved. Exactly how much time is unknown, however. So far this season the Panthers have lost to two teams (Buffalo, Arizona) who are in their first year of a new offensive scheme. It appears, for now, that competency has trumped continuity Click here to view the article

The rankings quickly show the Panthers have the 3rd highest ranked defense in the league. Unfortunately, they also show the Panthers have one of the worst offenses in the league. Week 5 Offense Yards per game - 24th No Change Points per game - 27th -10 Total Plays - 28th -15 Defense Yards per game - 3rd +7 Points per game - 3rd +1 3rd down % - 15th +2 It is easy to get bogged down into the minutia of games, concentrating too much on smaller things that only add to the big picture. It is helpful to step back once in a while and look from an impartial birds eye view. This week it is clear that the Panthers are a defensive ball club being held back by a lackluster offense. Click here to view the article

First things first. The NFL is an organic entity. It evolves. Coaching staffs look for weaknesses to exploit. They do so until those particular weaknesses no longer remain. Then they search for another. This is how it has always been. Once a team finds a weakness, you can expect others to follow suit. It is a guarantee. Going into the the Cardinals game, Cam Newton was being rushed by at least 5 defenders a league high 44% of the time. Newton, protected by a patchwork offensive line, saw more pressure than any other quarterback in the league. How did Arizona use this information? They doubled down, and the league was watching. Arizona rushed at least 5 defenders 60% of the total snaps. The result? Seven sacks, three interceptions, six points. The word is out, pressure Cam Newton and the Panthers offense will have no answers. This is not to say that Cam Newton is totally to blame. GM David Gettleman could have provided a better offensive line to protect him. Ron Rivera could have urged Mike Shula to find a way to get the ball out more quickly. Mike Shula could have anticipated the pressure and developed a counter strategy. The Offensive line could play with more heart and better communication. The blame can be spread around quite easily. It is now up to Mike Shula to realize that teams will be be bringing more pressure than ever before. It is up to him to counter the strategy with plays that quickly develop and make the defense second guess their approach. Can we expect to see more screens, draws, and hot routes? We can only hope. In short, Cam Newton can be a franchise player in this league, but not on his own. So far this season his team has let him down. Click here to view the article

So why not roll Cam out to the right and relieve some pressure?

Its cool when people bitch about plays that result in the Panthers getting the ball back

Not really. Any team with a coach on the hot seat does this kind of prep work in October. You don't want to be caught with your pants down in January when you need a head coach. Rivera can still very much save his job with at least 10 wins, IMO

I don't know. As a husband and dad I know you try to shelter them from stuff as much as you can. Until now it could have all been brushed off as speculation.

Is it a distraction for him to know? No Is it a distraction for him knowing now his family knows? Yep

Good lord this is one huge ass distraction for Rivera.

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet 6m Sources: #Panthers have begun laying groundwork for a possible coaching search, doing background checks on candidates. 1 candidate knows.

Who: Carolina Panthers (1-2) at Arizona Cardinals (2-2) Kickoff: 4:05pm TV: FOX RADIO: 1110WBT BYE WEEK = OVER AND DONE!!! Keys to a Panthers Victory: - Front four of the Panthers defense must get pressure in base packages and rattle Palmer early. - Ted Ginn must stretch the field and allow Greg Olsen to roam in the middle. - Whoever Patrick Peterson is not covering needs to step up and make some plays. Prediction: Panthers 24 - Cardinals 6 Click here to view the article

Yeah no retired jersey Sent from my SM-N900P using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

This x 10000000

New Panthers fan, aye?

A few months back, before training camp started, I did a commercial photo shoot for RSP Nutrition that featured Jon Beason in product placement shots. Jon arrived with a friendly smile and handshake. He looked liked the Jon Beason of old. But did he feel like he Jon Beason of old? I have had a few photo shoots with Jon among other social interactions. I'd consider him more of a friend than an acquaintance. "How ya feeling Jon" I asked, expecting his usual upbeat "ready to go" or "getting better every day". If Beason is anything, its an optimist. Instead he replied with a "We'll see" with a hint of unsureness. I knew then something was up. Since then, Jon Beason has worked through the pain of micro fracture surgery. He already has done what most people could not do in making it back to the NFL playing field. Motivation has never been a problem with Jon. Last night's trade announcement, while heartbreaking for Panthers fans, is probably the best thing for all parties involved. Once his salary was restructured to allow Beason to become a Free Agent at the end of the 2013 season, I knew this would be his last season as a Panther. Beason is a middle linebacker, and a good one at that. With the rise of Luke Kuechly as the best MLB in the game, Beason staying in Carolina would mean he would not be in a situation to be the very best football player he can be. If you know Jon Beason at all, you know that fact would not sit well with him. The New York Giants give Beason a real opportunity to get his career back on the middle track it needs to be on. In return, the New York Giants get a linebacker with tremendous leadership, work ethic, and a willingness to play through pain. The Panthers gain a late round draft pick. In a 2014 draft that will be heavy in offensive line for the Panthers, that is nothing to laugh at. Considering starting right tackle Byron Bell was never even drafted, a seventh round offensive line gem of a pick is not too hard to imagine. Win - Win - Win Will there be a leadership void left on the defense? You bet. But with Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly on the team, it won't take long for it to be filled. All in all, we should all be grateful to Jon for the good memories he provided over the years in a Panthers uniform. I know I'll be pulling for 52 in New York, and so should you. Click here to view the article

Have you guys seen Ricky lately? He could suit up and play this weekend if needed.

I think that is a fair assessment. The fact that he is getting playing time again is a step in the right direction and an improvement over last season for him. If he can just produce a few catches a game and a long bomb here or there, it will help the whole offense tremendously.

Steve "cross me and I will fuggin end you right here right now you pussy" Smith

I'm not 100% sure Steve still has the speed to do that.

That is, perhaps, until now. In Carolina, Ginn has found a quarterback and a system that is not afraid to go vertical to him. Cam Newton may be the biggest difference maker for Ginn at this point in his career. Ginn says so himself... "A guy like Cam, he has a big arm and he's not scared of the speed. You get a guy who doesn't have a big arm sometimes and after you get two steps on a guy, he is scared he might under throw you and the defensive back might pick it off." Ginn currently has a pair of 40+ yard touchdowns from Cam Newton.This week against the Arizona Cardinals, Ginn has a chance to further cement his place as a legitimate NFL threat. Cardinals shutdown cornerback Patrick Peterson will cover Steve Smith for most of the game. If the Panthers plan on putting up points against their highly ranked rushing defense, they will need another receiver to step up and make plays. With Brandon Lafell being more of a possession type receiver, it will be up to Ginn to stretch the field. Just a single big play of 20 yards or more will help keep the Arizona defense honest and open up the passing lanes for Olsen and Lafell to cash in on. I believe he is up to the task. This Sunday Ted Ginn can tell the rest of the league that his career is just beginning. Click here to view the article

Yep, I really do. Its scary to think that they will be playing better by the end of the season as Star and Short gain experience.

Here is a look at how the Carolina Panthers match up against the Arizona Cardinals: Quarterback: Carson Palmer vs Cam Newton. One is a pocket passer on the downward slop of his career. The other is one of the most dynamic play makers the NFL has ever seen. This is an easy call, Advantage: Panthers Running Backs: Arizona starter Rashard Mendenhall is having an awful year. Last week against the Bucs he averaged less than 3 yards per carry and fumbled twice. The backup is a 6th round rookie. Carolina has Deangelo Williams averaging 4.7 yards a carry and features one of the best running games in the NFL. Advantage: Panthers Offensive Line Neither unit is considered good. Carolina's saving grace is Cam Newton's mobility. Arizona's downfall is Palmers concrete feet. Advantage: Push Receivers Fitzgerald, Floyd, and Roberts vs Smith, Lafell, and Ginn... I would take the former over the latter, as would any coach in the NFL. Jim Dray vs Greg Olsen? No contest, Olsen wins hands down. Advantage: Cardinals. Defensive Line While the Cardinals defensive line is nothing to sneeze at, it just can't compare with what may be the best defensive line Carolina has ever had. Rookie Star Lotulelei is performing at a pro bowl level, making all the difference this season. Advantage: Panthers Linebackers Daryl Washington makes his return after his four game suspension on Sunday, and will play next to Karlos Dansby in their 3-4 scheme. They will see improved linebacker play than against the Bucs last week, but I still would take Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis any day of the week. Moch vs Blackburn is a push. Advantage: Panthers Secondary I'd trade the Panthers entire secondary for Patrick Peterson and Honey Badger. Advantage: Cardinals Bottom Line: The Panthers have the better players on the field and given adequate coaching and game planning should win this game. Overall Advantage - Carolina Panthers Click here to view the article

They have yet to face a top 20 rushing attack this season. Panthers are a top 5 rushing attack. I think we will have success.