The bright side

[Diehardpanther02]

Correction*****************

No one has forgot about 2010 and 2011. What it seems like to me is that some of you forgot our defense wasn't top 5 in the league those years either. we were giving up 4 tds a game so we pressed more...now that we have a top notch d it doesn't really hurt to take shots becuz you know your d will have your back, just making suggestions and not downing the team or Shula so don't get your panties in a wad...we jus were a little to predictable, when it came down to it everyone knew what we were doing, only on rare occasions did Shula Actually change it up a bit...I think that's what bit us in the ass in the San Fran game, their d knew we were going up the gut the first two downs (when inside the 5)when a simple play action might of worked on either down...jus wanna see more out of them on first and second down so, the o doesn't have to work so hard on third and 4th...love the philosophy but don't like the implementation, if it wasn't for Ron getting aggressive going for it on 4th Shula would have sit back and handed some of those wins away by punting or being conservative **** sorry for the grammar, and illiteracy lol I promise I'm not ignorant ,just typing from my iPhone with sausage fingers when fired up doesn't quite work to well

[Pejorative Miscreant]

My only question on this team is the OL. I think we pretty much improved or stayed about the same everywhere else. I think the receivers will surprise. Despite Shula's faults, this team moved the ball pretty well last year and now we seem to have, on paper at least, more red zone threats. If the patchwork OL holds I think this team can do great things.

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[FootballMaestro]

Wow, A well written, thoughtful post in the off season!?? :startle:

 

My only real comment is #8 (though you can carp about Thomas Davis being and Stewart staying healthy, your certainty of Star and Short improving, etc.):

 

I really don't think running the ball and controlling the clock is Rivera's philosophy. That was last year. I think the Panthers played that way cause the offense line couldn't hold blocks long enough, and/or the receivers couldn't get separation. Remember, Shula tried to throw the ball deep many times (especially the first half of the season), to no avail. At some point,  you gotta know what you're team can do. If the Panthers would have connected on more of those, it would have showed up in the stats, and they would have probably kept doing it more. 

 

I know it's not a popular opinion around here, but I don't think the Panthers will be married to the same offense they had last year. I think they would really like to mix in some intermediate, and especially deep throws with the short stuff (passing or running) when they can. Isn't that one of the reasons they brought Ramsdall (hope I spelled it right)?

[FootballMaestro]

I can get with most of it.

 

Of course the part that I take issue with is Shula.  Perhaps it's not all his fault, but the offense took a step back with Shula---plain and simple.

 

Sorry, man. All of this his offensive philosophy complements our defensive philosophy is just drivel in my eyes.  It's a way to rationalize a mediocre offense. No reason to be a Shula apologist. It is what it is. Hopefully our new consultant, as well as our new receiving corps will help Shula to raise his game.

 

This is what I pointed out. 

 

I think a lot of Panthers fans automatically assume the Panthers will be married to last years offense this year, but I don't think so/hope not. 

 

Everybody assumes the Panthers will be SanFran and Seattle (because of the defenses and their success), when the Panthers have a different kind of QB than those two teams (i.e., he's proven he can throw the ball as a primary duty). 

 

As I mentioned, the Panthers tried to throw deep last year, however the OL couldn't hold the line, and receivers couldn't get open. 

Yes, Shula made some bad calls at the wrong time indeed. Hopefully, that's why Ramsdall is here and will help improve that. 

[FootballMaestro]

I'm gonna have to agree with top dawg on this one with a lethal defense I believe u should take the chains out of the offense and be more aggressive...I'm not saying be stupid by no means but don't be afraid to push the ball every once in a while deep throws are cams forte so give him the opportunity, just my POV...

 

Agreed. 

 

And I don't think the Panthers are that stupid. 

 

I think they recognize the offense needs to get better, and hopefully the staff and players are up to it. 

[caatfan]

Nice post. I agree with all of it. I'm really excited for this year. Also I tend to forget Star and Short were rookies last year. They're going to be so much more comfortable this year.

I still can't figure out why the Giants let Gettleman go. Anyone got any insight?

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Gettleman was the Personnel Director (Senior Pro Personnel Analyst - 2012 title) for the Giants. He was like an asst. coach getting a head coaching job. No way the Giants could keep him once he had a GM offer.

 

I'm cautiously optimistic about the upcoming season. The experts are predicting a drop in wins but otoh most of 'em weren't even predicting a winning season last year. Hopefully we're being underestimated again.

[FootballMaestro]

Nice post. I agree with all of it. I'm really excited for this year. Also I tend to forget Star and Short were rookies last year. They're going to be so much more comfortable this year.

I still can't figure out why the Giants let Gettleman go. Anyone got any insight?

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Because they didn't "let him go". Gettleman left on his own. 

 

Outside of offering him the GM job (which wasn't available), what could they have offered him to stay???

 

Note: Historically, Gettleman wasn't a self promoter, therefore he missed out on opportunities, feeling he would get them just off of General Principle. Once Reese became GM (and Gettleman didn't) he asked for a reduced role with the Giants. 

 

It was former Giants GM, and current GM Consultant, Ernie Acorsi who recommended Gettleman and a few others as the Panthers new GM, and JR (maybe age, Ole Skool ways; who knows) loved Gettleman!!

[panther4life]

I can get with most of it.

 

Of course the part that I take issue with is Shula.  Perhaps it's not all his fault, but the offense took a step back with Shula---plain and simple.

 

Sorry, man. All of this his offensive philosophy complements our defensive philosophy is just drivel in my eyes.  It's a way to rationalize a mediocre offense. No reason to be a Shula apologist. It is what it is. Hopefully our new consultant, as well as our new receiving corps will help Shula to raise his game.

 

One of the things that stood out to me when talking to a former offensive player a week or so ago was this.

 

I remember complaining about how conservative Henning was and he explained that was more because of Fox and literally said that "type of offense complemented our overall philosophy". So it may be more than drivel.

 

I even went a step further to ask him who the best coordinator he played under was, he said it wasn't  fair comparison's but he thought we "have been more balanced under Shula which is a good thing".

[CPantherKing]

I can get with most of it.

 

Of course the part that I take issue with is Shula.  Perhaps it's not all his fault, but the offense took a step back with Shula---plain and simple.

 

Sorry, man. All of this his offensive philosophy complements our defensive philosophy is just drivel in my eyes.  It's a way to rationalize a mediocre offense. No reason to be a Shula apologist. It is what it is. Hopefully our new consultant, as well as our new receiving corps will help Shula to raise his game.

 

I am in no way a fan of Shula's offensive system, but that is just personal preference. It plays itself too close to the vest for my liking and allows the other team to stay in the game forcing your defense to make plays.

 

To be honest Shula's offensive system worked very well as soon as Rivera went Riverboat after the first few weeks. You cannot make conservative decisions with Shula's offensive system. You have to play this system knowing your defense is up to the challenge to bail the offense out if they come up short. Maximize the opportunities, maximize the points, and maximize the players momentum by letting them know they will be in positions where they need to convert a 4th and 1.

 

The offense moved the ball well. The Panthers came up with several clock eating drives. These drives effectively got the Panthers into the red zone.

 

The Panthers:

- ranked 5th in time of possession.

- ranked 4th in 3rd down conversion rate.

- ranked 3rd in 4th down conversion rate.

- ranked 19th in red zone conversion rate. (Touchdowns only)

 

Panthers lost 5 games last season including the playoffs due to poor red zone offense. Most of the red zone problems revolved around guard play in the running game, and Brandon LaFell/lack of pass cathching tight ends in the passing game. With an effective red zone passing game the Panhters could easily turn 4 of the 5 games around. New Orleans being the only game out of reach. Seattle loss - fumble at the 6 yard line. Buffalo loss - 2 failed redzone attempts coming away with 6 points. Arizona loss - 3 failed redzone attempts coming away with 3 points. New Orleans loss - 1 failed red zone attempt coming away with 3 points. San Francisco loss - 3 failed red zone attempts for 3 points.

 

The Panthers passing game had one threat (Greg Olsen) when the opposing defense had a small box to defend. You need to maximize the space and utilize all 10 yards of the end zone to spread the defense out. The more space you can make a defense respect, the easier it gets to run the ball, sneak the ball, and find slants by increasing the playable field by 20-30 percent. Defenses knew it was run, QB sneak, or a quick slant to a WR. They only had to account for Olsen on corner fades, and jump balls in the back of the end zone.

 

The successful red zone passing offenses had at least 3 redzone passing threats 6 foot or taller, and they had 2 to 3 Tight Ends who could present a receiving threat in the red zone. The Panthers lacked this threat with only 2 red zone receiving threats and only 1 tight end. They suffered from their lack of red zone passing threats.

 

If the Panthers can have 2 receivers become bigger threats in the red zone than Greg Olsen, and add 1 to 2 more receiving Tight End threats for defenses to game plan for, then the Panthers will open up more area in the red zone and be more effective on the score board.

 

Have the Panthers greatly improved their red zone passing game threats? That remains to be seen, but on paper they have greatly improved their major offensive weakness. Kelvin Benjamin should become the premiere red zone threat over Olsen. Jerricho Cotchery scored 8 of his 10 touchdowns last season in the red zone. Ed Dickson and/or Brandon Williams will provide the additional threats that will need to be game planned by opposing defenses - these 2 only need to be effective enough to put up 2 red zone TDs on the season.

 

For those of you who like statistcal breakdowns, here is a breakdown of some top teams red zone passing games.

 

Seahawks: 8 of 27 passing touchdowns thrown in the red zone to receivers 6+ foot - total of 4 targets. Zach Miller, Sidney Rice, and Jermaine Kearse top 3 targets in the red zone.

 

49ers: 16 of 21 passing touchdowns thrown in the red zone to receivers 6+ foot - total of 3 targets. Vernon Davis, Anquan Boldin, and Michael Crabtree top 3 targets in the red zone.

 

Broncos 29 of 55 passing touchdowns thrown in the red zone to receivers 6+ foot - total of 6 targets. Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, and Julius Thomas top 3 targets in the red zone.

 

Patriots 11 of 25 passing touchdowns thrown in the red zone to receivers 6+ foot - total of 5 targets. Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Dobson, and Kendrell Thompkins top 3 targets in the red zone.

 

Saints 18 of 39 passing touchdowns thrown in the red zone to receivers 6+ foot - total of 4 targets. Jimmy Graham, Marques Colston, and Benjamin Watson top 3 targets in the red zone.

 

Panthers 9 of 24 passing touchdowns thrown in the red zone to receivers 6+ foot - total of 2 targets. Greg Olsen and Brandon Lafell were the only targets in the red zone.

 

and just for fun... a prediction on 2014.

Panthers 22 of 31 passing touchdowns thrown in the red zone to receivers 6+ foot - total of 5 targets. Kelvin Benjamin (9), Jerricho Cotchery (5), and Greg Olsen (5) top 3 targets in the red zone.`

 

This would be an improvement and the Panthers would be back in the playoffs.

[OneBadCat]

Another big factor for next season is that Rivera needs to stay Riverboat Ron. We can't have him reverting back to conservative calls. It was one of the biggest reasons we overachieved last year.Those gambles kept our defense rested and our offense on the field when had they no business being there.

[PiratePanther189]

I agree with all that was said...but the bottom line is that our strengths are obvious with the defense being flat out stacked...the offensive line is really the true glaring weakness that needs to be covered but the real questions is if our offense can do that. I'm not sure but I do still firmly believe that this is a playoff team with a comfortable player and coaching core.

[Rise of The Hive]

TLDR

 

Go Team!

[Toundra]

I can't wait to see N°2 in action.

Star and Short, 625 LBs of double troubles, big troubles..

 

 

[micnificent28]

The huddle sure does love some Kline. I gotta see more before I star calling him a steal and a starter.