Cam's new weapons

[run1stdownrun2nddown]

There was a 2-3 week period during the off-season when we almost literally had no WR's on the roster. So what? Last time I checked there aren't any football games played during the off-season. Last time I checked, in order to bring in new talent, you have to first make room. It was a tough call to make, but it was the right call.

 

Gettleman's cojones, chiseled from his time spent in that over-populated rat race of a hell hole called The Big Apple (also, ironically, another nickname for Gettleman's cojones) have served him well. They have served all of us well. SCP, you wonder why Gettleman wears those shorts so high? When you have balls of solid steel, you can't let them hang low and swing around, that's how people get injured.

 

Let's take a look at Cam's new and improved weapons compared to last year.

 

WR1: Kelvin Benjamin. I am going to agree with David Newton here, Kelvin Benjamin will be more productive than a 35 y/o Smith.

Verdict - WR1: Improved.

 

WR2: Jerricho Cotchery. I am going to compare Cotchery to LaFell. Wait a second, I can't. It's not even close. Let's not forget Cotchery had as many touchdowns as Steve Smith + Greg Olsen from last year.

Verdict - WR2: Improved.

 

WR3: Ted Ginn. Ah yes, Teddy "I can't catch deep balls even though I am a deep threat" Ginn. Needless to say, Underwood can stretch the field just as fast, and Avant can make those clutch 3rd down catches.

Verdict - WR3: Improved

 

WR4 (depth): Not too much to say about individual players here, but with McNutt and King having more time under their belt, plus our coaches being pretty high on them leads me to think we have some solid depth here should the need arise. The loss of Hixon hurts somewhat. Even though he just couldn't stay on the field, he had some solid production when asked to step in. The increase of two TE sets this year makes this not so important.

Verdict - WR4: Push

 

TE1: Greg Olsen. Nothing changed.

Verdict - TE1: Push

 

TE2: Dickson vs Williams. Needless to say, much improved over last year in terms of receiving targets for Cam. Gettleman clearly gave Williams a roster spot last year in the hopes he could become a vertical threat this year for Cam. We shall see if it works out.

Verdict - TE2: Improved

 

Offensive Line:

I am not going to go into the same detail here. The LT spot will have a noticeable drop off, however the interior of our line will be much improved with the return of Amini and the addition of Turner.

O-line overall: Push or slight drop off.

 

 

 

TL/dr:

The panthers come out in their new offensive set. Kelvin Benjamin at WR1, Greg Olsen at TE1, Brandon Williams at TE2, and the sure-handed Cotchery at WR2. Cam doesn't have any weapons? GTFO

[The Huddler]

Many are still cranky, but I for one am excited to see this offense. Especially considering our new wide receivers. I believe they fit what what we want to do on offense so much better.

I also think our inside run game will be much improved, considering we get amini back and add in Turner

I also think many will be pleasantly surprised how our OTs play

[jasonluckydog]

well when you put it that way....

[Panthercock]

Dickson was garbage last year, no way hes an upgrade he cant block or catch. How can you say the line will be better? The LT is one of the most important positions in football and we went from a top 5 LT in the league to a bottom 5. Not to mention RT is new. 

 

Not a huge fan of underwood either, i think thats a push. 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

One word craps all over this: shula

[The Huddler]

One word craps all over this: shula

Several game winning drives. Got it done when it mattered. I'll take that over stats any day.

We'll see a better shula now that we have a good interior line to run the ball and we have WRs that suit what we wana do. You know, guys that aren't 5'9 and we have receivers who can catch the ball ( lafell Ginn had the dropsies)

[Gabeking]

Watch out for king

[Happy Panther]

Unfortunately the reality is our OL is probably a little worse and our secondary WRs are still ragtag. Cotchery and Avant may be fun to watch but it is really going to be KB that determines this crew. Will be fun to watch for sure.

[Night Prowler X]

One word craps all over this: shula

Shula- 12-4

Chud- 13-19

[cardiackat88.]

I'm glad the title of this post isn't "Hardys new weapons".....

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

People are setting themselves up for failure thinking like this.

I don't think our offense will be worse but with Shula calling the shots, I'd be surprised to see us jump into the top 18 in total offense.

It's common knowledge that Cam struggles with his accuracy at times and that's perfectly fine because every quarterback does, however Shula does Cam no favors. He continually draws up deep routes that take way to long to develop, so not only is Cam usually on the run when he's making these throws (due to poor O-Line play), but he's having to throw the ball on the run accurately 15-20 yards down the field. Hopefully quick slants and screens are our bread and butter.

- As far as the roster goes, people really need to temper their expectations for Benjamin (Keenan Allen was an anomaly) Week in and week out he's going to be going against the opposing teams number one corners. Steve Smith may have lost some gas but he knows the nuisances of the game to in order still be effective. I think Benjamin will have more TD's than Smith did last year (due to being a red zone threat), but I don't expect him to put up 750 yards (I'm thinking 650). (Push)

- Regarding Brandon LaFell and Jerricho Cotchery, are both are below average WR2's. The only reason Cotchery gets the nod is because he is a red-zone threat. Realisticay you want your number two to get you between 750-800 yards and 7-8 touchdowns. I do however think that might be a possibility for Cotchery this year since he'll be relied on heavily. (Better)

Regarding Ginn, he brought so much more to the Panthers than just his receiving, and he was your prototypical WR3, he could stretch the field and on top that his ability to return kicks will be sorely missed. Avant will not be able to put up the 550 yards and 5 TD's than Ginn put up last year; mainly because Avant is a possession, slot receiver that provides no deep threat. (Worse)

Underwood is an interesting character but he doesn't have big shoes to fill because he's just replacing Hixon who is only known for his TD catch against the Saints (Push)

Regarding the tight end position, I actually don't feel like we got better at the tight end position but I do think the production will be better because Olsen will without a doubt be Cam's favorite target. I'm also expecting Williams to show up and be our blocking tight end this year. Oh and just to poke fun at the OP... you make fun of Ginn for drops but not Dickson? (Push)

As for the O-Line... You're replacing a perennial pro-bowl LT with Byron Bell and using a tight end turned defensive lineman, turned offensive tackle as your right tackle and somehow it's a push... Nope (Worse)

All in all I don't see much change, we improved our WR2 and and got worse at the WR3 position and at very important spots on the offensive line.

Next year I see our offense in the 20-22 range but defense is still going to carry us.

Our offense is eventually going to get there skill-wise in the next two to three years as we add newer and younger talent and our current young talent develops, but I've seen so many people proclaim that our offense is going to be much improved; I just felt the need to temper the expectations.

[run1stdownrun2nddown]

Dickson was garbage last year, no way hes an upgrade he cant block or catch. Agreed, that's why I have Williams at TE2. How can you say the line will be better? That's not what I said. I think you should re-read what I said. The LT is one of the most important positions in football and we went from a top 5 LT in the league to a bottom 5. Not to mention RT is new. 

 

Not a huge fan of underwood either, i think thats a push. 

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Shula- 12-4

Chud- 13-19

Check the defensive stats and the way Rivera coached in years one and two compared to three.

[*FreeFua*]

So does Shula call these plays expecting them to break down and have Cam make something happen with his legs on these game winning drives?