The Answer is on the Roster

[Jeremy Igo]

I woke up this morning to find the bulk of Panthers Nation on football suicide watch in the wake of the Kelvin Benjamin ACL news. While the situation does look dire for the Panthers receiving corps, it isn't the end of the 2015 Panthers playoff hopes. 

The Panthers simply need to look at the offensive talent they have on their roster (and there is plenty of it), and embrace an identity that matches it. 

What should that identity be? 

Answer: A hard nosed running attack with play action passing. 

The Panthers do not have the roster currently to attack by the air. It just will not happen this year folks. However, the Panthers do have a very strong roster for running the ball. Embrace it. The pendulum started to swing last year. Teams have smaller, faster defenses with sub packages to combat the passing game of today's NFL. The time is now to run the ball in a power running game and turn their defensive strength into a weakness. 

Oher, Norwell, Kalil, Turner, Remmers, and even rookie Daryl Williams are all suited to dominate in a run game provided an adequate scheme and play calling. Stewart, Tolbert, Todman, Artis-Payne, Brockel and even the rookie Lee Ward are perfect weapons in the offensive backfield for this approach. So they want to put 8 or 9 in the box? Good, let them. 

Pretend it is 1978, line up your biggest meanest guys and pound out a few yards at a time. Throw a quick out to Greg Olsen, or a long bomb to Ted Ginn out of play action. Bootleg Cam Newton for a big gain once the defense is tired and gasping for air. 

Forget running out of the shotgun. Forget the finesse two tight end sets. Forget the bubble screen to a 4th receiver. Forget single back sets. 

And for the love of all that is holy, please do not pretend last year's offensive scheme will work with the current Panthers personnel. 

Because...

It won't. 

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[panthers55]

I woke up this morning to find the bulk of Panthers Nation on football suicide watch in the wake of the Kelvin Benjamin ACL news. While the situation does look dire for the Panthers receiving corps, it isn't the end of the 2015 Panthers playoff hopes. 

The Panthers simply need to look at the offensive talent they have on their roster (and there is plenty of it), and embrace an identity that matches it. 

What should that identity be? 

Answer: A hard nosed running attack with play action passing. 

The Panthers do not have the roster currently to attack by the air. It just will not happen this year folks. However, the Panthers do have a very strong roster for running the ball. Embrace it. The pendulum started to swing last year. Teams have smaller, faster defenses with sub packages to combat the passing game of today's NFL. The time is now to run the ball in a power running game and turn their defensive strength into a weakness. 

Oher, Norwell, Kalil, Turner, Remmers, and even rookie Daryl Williams are all suited to dominate in a run game provided an adequate scheme and play calling. Stewart, Tolbert, Todman, Artis-Payne, Brockel and even the rookie Lee Ward are perfect weapons in the offensive backfield for this approach. So they want to put 8 or 9 in the box? Good, let them. 

Pretend it is 1978, line up your biggest meanest guys and pound out a few yards at a time. Throw a quick out to Greg Olsen, or a long bomb to Ted Ginn out of play action. Bootleg Cam Newton for a big gain once the defense is tired and gasping for air. 

Forget running out of the shotgun. Forget the finesse two tight end sets. Forget the bubble screen to a 4th receiver. Forget single back sets. 

And for the love of all that is holy, please do not pretend last year's offensive scheme will work with the current Panthers personnel. 

Because...

 

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I agree we are going to run it more and that we still have one of the best tight ends in the league. I dont think that the receiver situation is as dire as you suggest.  Sure Benjamin is a big loss but last year we didn't have Ginn, Brown was a rookie, and Bersin was not very strong or polished. Funchess could have a good year, Cotchery is still a reliable vet and Boykin showed a flash or two in the exhibition game.  The biggest problems for the passing game last year was lack of running attack, a poor offensive line, and Cam who was healthy for roughly 4 games last year.  With those things improved and the ability to gain chemistry between Cam and the receivers this year given he is here for the offseason and preseason, I think we will actually be better than last year.  I have faith in Proehl to maximize what we have and get Funchess ready to play at a high level.  Now that Benjamin is gone he is going to have to step up as are everyone else.  Finally I think that we will pick someone up in preseason to fill the gap if we don't think we have the guys already here.

[ChampD1012]

So does this guarantee Lee Ward a spot?

I don't think it does...if gives Boykin or a Byrd a sixth spot at WR though...

[Moose Hoover]

here, here.

A strong running attack will open up our passing attack as well. We have enough talent, just have to execute smart playcalling.

[Cuttinedge]

Solid write up. I was all in until you included  Brockel as a offensive "weapon"

[UKPanther94]

What it does is make Stewart's role in the team even more important this season, we badly need him to be healthy because he's gonna bear a lot of the brunt of the offense 

[PantherPhann89]

Having a true blocking FB opening up holes for our RB would be a huge help in the running game...

[Paa Langfart]

Jam it down their throats is about all we have left.

last years offensive scheme really didnt work last year either.

please do not pretend last year's offensive scheme will work with the current Panthers personnel. 

Edited August 20, 2015 by Paa Langfart

[89_Bottomline]

I can't tell if this is supposed to cheer me up or make me feel worse. Does anyone have faith that this coaching staff will make the philosophy changes Igo laid out? It seems the phrase, "the answer is on the roster" just means new body, same offense. Sigh

Edited August 20, 2015 by 89_Bottomline

[Paa Langfart]

An improvement by Cam with his accuracy and play calling from above to get the ball out quickly would also help this offense tremendously - its going to take more than the receivers and backs stepping up their game.

[The Huddler]

Go Panthers... ;(

[KillerKat]

You know who our OC is right? 

[Paa Langfart]

If a player the caliber of KB with the importance of KB on the Patriots had gone down, would anyone have a doubt that Bellacheat would find a way to get them deep into the playoffs?  I lack faith in our coaching staff to make necessary adjustments.

[CatMan72]

I keep reminding myself that in 2013 we went 12-4 with the 29th ranked passing offense. 

Football really hasn't changed, if you can run the ball and stop the run you'll win more games than you lose.