My Take from the Game

[Matthias]

I really thought with our defense, we could win every game this year, most with relative comfort.  I thought our defense was on a historical level, the kind of the '85 Bears or the '00 Ravens.  Even without Hardy, I thought we still had the guys and experience to keep teams out of the endzone.  Yet last night showed us our defense is vulnerable to great rushing attacks.  In my area, they showed Steelers games in all three weeks, of course the third being against us last night.  I saw how Bell had spectacular runs against the Browns, and again against the Ravens.  This guy could be best running back in the league this year.  He's dedicated to his craft as evidence by the weight loss in the off season, and he improved his pass catching skills.  I grew up watching a lot of Japanese animation that involved martial arts and fighting.  Usually when the  main character comes up against an opponent stronger than him, he trains his butt off to reach a new level of strength.  Bell is like that, he's like a super back.  So after watching the Steelers for the previous weeks, I knew Bell was going to be our biggest problem.  He did not disappoint.  After the Panthers' heart was taken, Blount then rolled us up and smoked us.

 

 

So with that said, last night shown us we don't have the historical level of defense yet.  However no one should look at that game and say we are now going 7-9 or 8-8 this year.  Our defense is still good, and we have time to get better.  To all the Saints and Falcons fans who's hearts skipped beats last night, none of your teams have running backs the caliber of Le'Veon Bell.  He could very well go over 2,000 yards this year given the opportunity.  For both the Falcons and Saints, their strengths lie in the passing game.  That is not going to beat this Carolina D.  And again with all that said, last night's game wasn't exactly a blowout as the score would say it is, as we felt like it was.  We gave the Steelers 11 points off of dumb mistakes.  One with Wes Horton and Josh Norman jumping offsides on a field goal attempt, giving the Steelers a fresh set of downs near the goal line.  Which they scored a touchdown a couple of plays later. (Giving them 4 extra points)  Then we had the sooner or later mishap with Philly on the punt team, with Josh Norman's boneheaded move that ultimately ended up with the ball being recovered by the Steelers in the endzone. (Giving them 7 points)  So take off 11 points, and the score is 26-19, a one possession game. (In reality of course, if those mistakes aren't made, who knows what the score would have been.  However it goes without saying that we would have been in the game if they do not happen)

 

 

Ultimately, the game isn't as bad as we think it is.  We shouldn't be looking forward to a top ten pick in next year's draft.  However it is abundantly clear that we need to make some changes concerning this team.  On offense, D-Will and Stew's career here is just about up.  When healthy, they are still productive backs, they're still good backs in fact.  However I said it once and I'll say it again, they need a blocking fullback to be most effective.  For instance the Vikings have an offense where they play with a fullback.  The Cowboys also have that kind of offense.  In those kinds of systems, they would have great games every time they stepped on the field.  Yet with this offense, and with this bad line, you pretty much have to be very quick to hit the line of attack.  You can't be patient and wait for something to open up, because it rarely does.  We need a LeSean McCoy type runner for this offense.  A guy who hits the line fast, and can cut back/stop on the dime at the drop of a hat.  Another thing, as good as Cam is, he still have the tendencies to stand like a statue in the pocket.  He's not fluid enough back there.  I know his O-line sucks, and man, Kalil gave up two sacks.  This is our best lineman, and we can't have games like he had last night.  Yet in spite of all that, Cam needs to be moving his feet just a bit.  He still takes his drop, and then stands around waiting for his guys to come open.  He's not going to survive for long this season if he continues to do that, but unfortunately I think this is just instinct at this point.  I think if he were to become more fluid back there, he might lose accuracy on his throws.  So what we need to do is build a super offensive line for him.  Draft the best tackle available next year and sign a decent right tackle in free agency.  No more of this Byron Bell crud and former defensive lineman switching to offensive lineman.  Byron Bell would have never seen the field and probably wouldn't still be on this roster, had Otah stayed fit.  I'll end my thoughts here for now.  Let me know what you guys think.  We are still going to be in the mix for homefield advantage this year people.

[PantherWake]

Once we lost Hardy, that the defense went from Top 2 to Top 10.

 

With that being said, our whole Oline and Philly Brown's fumble lost us this game.

[AKPantherFan]

You lost me when you started referencing cartoons.

[JJman]

I'm worried about our pass rush. It was horrendous last night, I know we didn't have much time to get to Ben, but when we did, he still had all day. Losing Hardy hurts very badly, I said it right when he was placed on the exempt list that this team would miss him and his lack of presence would be noticed. I hope yesterday was the very worst this team is capable of playing. Hopefully Ron chews them out.

[Matthias]

I'm worried about our pass rush. It was horrendous last night, I know we didn't have much time to get to Ben, but when we did, he still had all day. Losing Hardy hurts very badly, I said it right when he was placed on the exempt list that this team would miss him and his lack of presence would be noticed. I hope yesterday was the very worst this team is capable of playing. Hopefully Ron chews them out.

 

Charles Johnson seemed to have declined a little bit in his play.  We will get Frank Alexander back after the Ravens game, so our pass rush should get better.  Like you said, we did get to Big Ben, but that dude is like one of those exercising balls you see in aerobics classes.  You just bounce right off of him.  I believe we will be alright in the long run.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

I can't read such a long manifesto but I think you have a few good points. Great analysis

[UKPanther94]

One defeat doesnt make us a crappy team just like a win last week doesnt make us superbowl contenders

[MeatSoda]

A top 10 defense ought to be good enough.

[LawCat]

We have zero running game. For us to win games with defense we have to be able to chew the clock on offense. Not sure what/who is killing the run game but if we are going to have success going forward this needs to be addressed.

[0115]

私今何読んだ？

[UpstatePanther]

Not every team is fortunate enough to have the Jags and Titans on their schedule every week(Colts,lol).

 

steelers. haha

 

at least if the Panthers make the playoffs, we will know we've earned it. they play almost nobody. and no they didnt beat us last night. the Panthers beat themselves last night