About those 5 Things ...

[Jeremy Igo]

Friday I wrote about the 5 things I would be watching during the Panthers - Bills matchup. Here is the outcome, as I see it. 

 

1. Michael Oher 

Oher did very well for his first outing as a left tackle in quite some time. Paired up against one of the best defensive lines in the league, Oher gave up no pressures or sacks. I am not sure you could ask for more. This is a very promising sign for the Panthers faithful. If Oher can maintain this level of play throughout the season it will be the most significant upgrade over 2014 on the field. 

2. Special Teams

In their first dress rehearsal, the Panthers special teams unit looked as if they were still in training camp mode. Punt return coverage was the most concerning, as it didn't look improved over last season despite adding specialists in that area. It isn't time to worry yet, however. The special teams unit just got their first taste of live action under new special teams coach Bruce Dehaven. Things should improve from here. 

A bright spot was Damiere Byrd on punt returns. Getting a few yards out of nothing is just as impressive to me as a nice return with plenty of room to run. 

3. That 6th Receiver

Bersin and Boykin did the most out of the 6th receiver group to raise their stock. Boykin's leaping sideline grab and Bersin's back of the end zone touchdown place both of them ahead of the pack. Byrd also looked pretty good, but has not yet proven he is more than a practice squad project. He will need to remove any doubt in the upcoming preseason games. 

Mike Brown's drop at the first yard marker hurt his stock a bit. He won't have many of those opportunities before cuts are made. He needs to make those plays. 

4. Rookie Backs

All three rookie backs wake up this morning with their stock on the rise.

Cameron Artis-Payne will be getting more than a few reps this season, that much is clear. He may not have the break away speed of Todman, but his shiftiness around the line of scrimmage and vision will make him a solid 3.5-4 YPC runner. 

Brandon Wegher provided the best highlight of the game with his blazing speed taking him to the end zone. Joe Person and I talked earlier in the week about Wegher. Joe was just as excited to see him in action this weekend. He also saw the potential I thought could be there. The media will take notice of Wegher now, it will be interesting to see how he responds this week and against the Dolphins. 

Lee Ward looked solid, administering textbook blocks for Cameron Artis-Payne and Brandon Wegher, and also protecting the quarterback. I did not see a single miscue in Lee's game last night. It was Ward's blocking that allowed Artis-Paybe to gain a nice few yards up the middle in the third quarter. Without Lee, that could have been a tackle for loss. 

View image | gettyimages.com

5. Offensive Intangibles 

I think Panthers fans saw what I was talking about last night in terms of those intangibles holding the offense back. The offense, when paired against the Bills' first string defense, was anemic. A bit of rust is to be expected this time of year, but this was more than a bit of rust. It took the Panthers 3 series to get in the 10 offensive plays the first string was scheduled for. Yikes. 

The Panthers offense was plagued by delay of game warnings all night long, for which there really is no excuse. If there was a rookie QB under center I could probably understand. But given all three Panthers QB's are established veterans, the delays of game are more of a symptom of a squad not yet ready for the regular season. The good news? It is preseason week one. Plenty of time is left for them to get on the same page. 

 

 

View full article

[Chaos]

6.  We seem to have come out healthy

[Rags]

Oher did very well in blitz pickup. I'm pleased.

[chknwing]

I think one could also attribute the sluggish offense to lack of actual game planning by the coaches. 

[Donald LaFell]

Every banner year we've had we looked good in presaason and the team was excited. Hope that changes. 

[Panthro]

Stock on the decline - Fozzy, Cotchery, back up DTs

[ed bell]

Can't remember the last time there were so many intriguing storylines entering the stretch run for roster positions,  cuts and practice squad designations. We have major decisions to make at RB, WR, FB and DE along with some promising UDFA's. The fact that these battles are involving quality players instead of the lesser of two evils is a welcome change. The Dolphin practice sessions and game couldn't come at a better timeand will provide lots to check out this week culminating in the home opener. Good times 

[top dawg]

Stock on the decline - Fozzy, Cotchery, back up DTs

How is J-Co's stock on the decline?  Inquiring minds want to know. 

[KB_fan]

Every banner year we've had we looked good in presaason and the team was excited. Hope that changes. 

Don't understand your comment?  You hope what changes?  You don't think we looked good or you think that the team is not excited?  That one of those things needs to change?

I think it's too early to say whether we "looked good" overall.  Last night was mixed.  Some things (Oline!!!) quite encouraging.  Other things frustrating.  Preseason game 1.  Normal.

As to "every banner year we looked good in preseason" - not necessarily according to Bill Voth's stats.  Several of our banner years we had mixed preseason (2 - 2).  Data below are for all our playoff seasons.

http://blackandbluereview.com/numbers-and-notes-panthers-vs-bills-preseason-opener/

• 1996    2-2
• 2003   4-0
• 2005   2-2
• 2008   2-2
• 2013   3-1
• 2014   2-2

In two seasons we went 4 - 0 in preseason but did NOT have a "banner year." (2004 & 2006)

So, hard to place too much significance on pre-season stats.  The only fact that came out of Voth's analysis was that we've never made it to the playoffs if we've gone less than .500 in the pre-season.

 

[top dawg]

@Jeremy Igo,  first of all,  you could be right,  but I believe that it's a little premature to relegate CAP to 3.5-4 YPC average (which to me is flirting with JAG status,  especially near the low end). We are going to have to see him run with the big dogs.  He certainly hits the whole hard and accelerates at the point of contact nicely,  provided he has a little wiggle room.

[Jeremy Igo]

@Jeremy Igo,  first of all,  you could be right,  but I believe that it's a little premature to relegate CAP to 3.5-4 YPC average (which to me is flirting with JAG status,  especially near the low end). We are going to have to see him run with the big dogs.  He certainly hits the whole hard and accelerates at the point of contact nicely,  provided he has a little wiggle room.

Sure it is premature, just being optimistic.

 

CAP has the style that is super productive in the NFL, especially behind guys like Norwell and Turner.  Be patient, take what they give you, and make a quick burst at just the right time. This is so much better than dancing around and waiting for a bigger hole to pop open(and never does). 

[top dawg]

Sure it is premature, just being optimistic.

 

CAP has the style that is super productive in the NFL, especially behind guys like Norwell and Turner.  Be patient, take what they give you, and make a quick burst at just the right time. This is so much better than dancing around and waiting for a bigger hole to pop open(and never does). 

Nah,  man, I'm with you.  I just would've felt a whole lot better if you had said 4-4.5. 

[stirs]

I liked what I saw from D Williams.  He was very good in pass protections and once he got his hands on someone, he owned them.

Very excited to see how he progresses.  He did play high on a couple plays, but still dominated his man.  For a rookie, don't think you could have asked a lot more.  Not perfect, but better than advertised going into the draft for sure

[Jeremy Igo]

Nah,  man, I'm with you.  I just would've felt a whole lot better if you had said 4-4.5. 

I'd love that, but hesitant to say it due to the level of predictability of the offense