Stepping back to take a look at the new offense; staying on top of the NFC

[davos]

Alrightythen...

 

If you look at the transition from last year to this one on offense, I think we are in a very good place regardless of the current criticism.  All of our rookies are in great spots without a ton of pressure necessarily.    

 

Key additions:

 

Staff--Ramsdell

 

New contributors-- primary: KB, Cotchery, Avant, Turner, Chandler (of sorts)    |   secondary: Gaffney, B. Williams, Dickson, the remaining WRs

 

Proven contributors-- Cam, Tolbert, Olsen, Kalil

 

Vets with something to prove/under pressure-- DeAngelo, Stewart, Amini, G. Williams (our RT front runner imo)...let's just say all vets on the OL

 

 

--

 

 

Considering this, I think the most pressure this year should be given on the running backs.  D'Will had an okay season in 2013 but was noticeably slower at times...it will most likely be even more-so this year.  Stewart however is still younger at 27, being paid a sh*t ton, and claims he's in the best shape since ~2008.  Tolbert is doing fine in his prime for the most part, maybe slightly on the back end.  They simply need to prove to be effective outside of Cam's help.  Gaffney in this light was a great youthful addition.  I think he could end up contributing and helping things out when need be.

 

The offensive line is undergoing a rebuild of sorts after Gross' retirement so it's a little too young to be under major pressure, although our success hinges in part on their performance.  

 

So on to KB & Co....the WRs are in a similar light as the OL.  A straight up revamp to Gettleman's liking that is actually like some past Chargers' WR groups imo.  I have no doubt it will be productive and KB has the opportunity to just thrash it home this year.  

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

Considering our ceiling while trying to temper my expectations...Imagine if the 2008 and 2009 Chargers had Cam at QB:  

 

08--http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sdg/2008.htm

09--http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sdg/2009.htm

10--http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sdg/2010.htm

 

No mistake, those years weren't good for them rushing the ball but they went from 8-8 to 13-3 and kept a winning record by getting first downs and touchdowns when they needed them and by being an efficient offense around what they had.    

 

Considering roles relative to those numbers: Look at KB as the Jackson, Cotchery as the Floyd, Olsen as Gates..you've got Tolbert in there already, Hester could be the Gaffney role.

 

Their OL was better than ours but Rivers is not mobile.  So having Cam really helps ours even though they really do need to protect him being the franchise leader and all.  Just to note: Those teams started a 6th round RT, undrafted G, and a 7th round center 

 

They also had unknowns producing at TE, WR and RB at times during these squads.  Overall, I just think we're in a fine spot.  Our D will stay nasty, and our O is only improving now including more of the talent our staff wants post-Hurney's deals.  The only things left are finding that scat-back as Rivera seems to mention a lot a la Sproles and having D'lo/Stewart keep up an LT/Matthews like role.     

 

Where it's interesting and funny is these offenses were being advised/assisted by Ramsdell and the defense by Ron Rivera.  09/10 was Rivera's big SD success and while killing it on D, he saw how that offense operated and liked it.  Not saying this is his intent but influential in what we're trying to build.  Just look at those league wide rankings on O and D in 2010.  Damn.  

 

 

--

 

 

So to make a long story short (...too late)...we may be soft at OT and unknown at WR, but if we're efficient about things with Ramsdell/Shula/Cam, there's no reason we shouldn't beat the crap out of our division and stay near the top of the NFC.

[Mr. Scot]

I think a lot depends on Chandler and Bell.

 

I do think Chandler wins the LT battle.

[SCP]

I think a lot depends on Chandler and Bell.

I do think Chandler wins the LT battle.

I think it ALL depends on Chandler and Bell.

Sent from my iPhizzle while pooping using CarolinaHizzle

[davos]

I think a lot depends on Chandler and Bell.

 

I do think Chandler wins the LT battle.

 

Same here.  No doubt that will be a major player in our success but I think that it's not as much as some lead it to be.  There's no doubt it's one of the most important offensive positions.  Also, I'm confident in Chandler enough to not put too much pressure on him.  Bell will be a backup RT and LT at the end of the day.  

 

I think the success factor that far outweighs this though is us efficiently using the players we have.  Maximizing what is on the squad which comes with Shula/Ramsdell and how things are run.  

[TheRumGone]

Winning the south title again would be nice but I'm just looking for playoffs back to back years.

We need it for this organization, city, state(s)

[Razeyfingers]

Chandler/Bell going into the season as both our starters? If you had told me that 2 years ago . . .

 

 

Actually my reaction hasnt changed much. Im sort of perpetually jumping out the window whenever I hear the word "tackle" brought up.

[Stroupe-a-loop]

I don't like our receivers, but we can live with them like you said (nice example with those Chargers teams), but those tackles really scare you on paper

[CarolinaSamurai]

I agree 100 in that the only real worry I have is at LT/RT because if we can't protect Cam or setup good blocks for runs what's the point of the offense?

Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

[rayzor]

I think it ALL depends on Chandler and Bell.

Sent from my iPhizzle while pooping using CarolinaHizzle

 

well...that and the extent of influence john ramsdell has on the offense.

[DaCityKats]

Another thing I rarely see mentioned is the tendencies of the offense. Switching up play style and tempo should help this aspect. Giving the offense the chance to go hurry up, early in the game would be ideal.

[Mr. Scot]

Winning the south title again would be nice but I'm just looking for playoffs back to back years.

We need it for this organization, city, state(s)

Would be nice to see the Panthers be the first team to do that (it's never happened).

[Captain Morgan]

thank you for a real post in July.  pie given

[ncsu12engr]

When we lost last year we lost because we couldn't protect Cam against teams with a good pass rush. I don't think we are going 12-4 again, but we can still be above 500.

[L-TownCat]

When we lost last year we lost because we couldn't protect Cam against teams with a good pass rush. I don't think we are going 12-4 again, but we can still be above 500.

 

Its a chicken and egg scenario.  Cam's first two seasons we had superior oline to now but Cam held the ball forever waiting on Chuds retarded plays to develope.  Last year the routes were shorter and the oline was ok but the receivers could not shake coverage.  Better receivers and better plays called should help nullify any real drop off in oline play unless of course the drop off is catastrophic.