Scripted Plays on Offense to Start Games

[Seltzer]

I know under Fox the offense would many times work on 10-15 scripted plays to start the game on offense and try to develop a groove.  In fact, it seemed like the only time we seemed to move the ball much during 2010 was on the first scripted drive, where we would score and FG and then forget to score again for the next 2-3 Quarters.  But beyond that, I also remember reading the Panthers did that a lot in 2008 with a lot of success.

Given the fact that the offense has generally struggled out of the gate to start games the last few years (and I'm totally discounting preseason even though there may be some validity to it), I wonder if Shula & Rivera would consider putting in some scripted plays as a means to jumpstart the offense at the start of the game.

Preaseason or not, vanilla playcalling or not, an NFL offense should be able to move the ball when the Oline is giving the QB and skills guys the kind of time they are.  Whether it's on the WR's, the QB, the playcall, or most likely a combination, too many times the Panthers offense just seems to come out with no confidence to start a game.

 Because of that, I think it may be a good idea to work on 10-15 plays extensively during the week to start the game with confidence on offense so we don't start out with several 3 and outs.  I don't really care about doing it in preseason, but I cringe at the thought of coming out like we seem to do a lot against Jacksonville in Week 1.

From everything I've read, Blake Bortles seems to be a lot more in charge of their offense this year.  If we start off 3-and-out a few times in that game, it could be just the opening Jacksonville needs to get some momentum and pull off the upset.
 

 

 

[Cookie Lyon]

As long as Mike Shula is the OC, the offense will continue to struggle. He is too conservative.

[CRA]

Shula already does open up games with scripted plays.

His offense works best when Cam is given more freedom and we get out of under center power run looks and let Cam spread it out.   

 

So I'd actually argue come regular season we need less Shula scripted drives and more of just letting Cam call from the shotgun

[Castavar]

Shula already does open up games with scripted plays.

His offense works best when Cam is given more freedom and we get out of under center power run looks and let Cam spread it out.   

 

So I'd actually argue come regular season we need less Shula scripted drives and more of just letting Cam call from the shotgun

This. How about for once we come out fast? Start the game off in no huddle fast paced because we all know Cam plays WAY better like that. Put some quick points on the board and let their offense have to answer back for once. I'm tired of the same "run up the middle for 1 yard, run to the right for 1 yard, then pass on third a long" bullsh*t. Like you said, let Cam come out in shotgun from the start and let him run the offense. Maybe it will also keep in engaged more throughout the game.

[CRA]

With the KB injury however I expect Shula to scrap the idea of more no huddle they were hinting at.

with our lack of ability to put up big points they will want to limit opposing touches so I expect a full dose of Shula ball and only playing toward Cam's strength when down 

[Nate Dogg]

With the KB injury however I expect Shula to scrap the idea of more no huddle they were hinting at.

with our lack of ability to put up big points they will want to limit opposing touches so I expect a full dose of Shula ball and only playing toward Cam's strength when down 

Without KB we need the no huddle even more. We need to impose our will on the opposition. We can do that by speeding up the game and letting Cam be Cam.

[Jeremy Igo]

Shula already does open up games with scripted plays.

His offense works best when Cam is given more freedom and we get out of under center power run looks and let Cam spread it out.   

 

So I'd actually argue come regular season we need less Shula scripted drives and more of just letting Cam call from the shotgun

So you are saying Shulas offense does well when Shula is taken out of the equation . 

[L-TownCat]

So you are saying Shulas offense does well when Shula is taken out of the equation . 

I think we all know this to be the truth, whole truth and nothing but the truth.

[mario]

I know under Fox the offense would many times work on 10-15 scripted plays to start the game on offense and try to develop a groove.  In fact, it seemed like the only time we seemed to move the ball much during 2010 was on the first scripted drive, where we would score and FG and then forget to score again for the next 2-3 Quarters.  But beyond that, I also remember reading the Panthers did that a lot in 2008 with a lot of success.

Not Fox. What you just said is something EVERY team does EVERY week during the regular season. Each OC starts a game with a list of 10-15 plays they decided during the week based on film study & opponent and they follow through unless there's a major turn of events (QB injury, going 14-0 down after 2 drives, etc...).

They don't change the approach because they go 3 & out on their 1st drive but after those 10-15 plays they've gotten a feel for the game (well, at least the good ones) and can live call the plays/adjust based on what they've done/seen so far from the booth/sideline.

[pstall]

More designed rollouts with no KB and more and more screens.

i wish we would get away from those clunky out patterns or trying go deep to a te.
The biggest key  to me me will be Ginn as a  returner. Starting field position will be  everything

 

[magnus]

scripted plays are designed to feel out the defense in certain ways - see how they react to motion, see how they react to different formations.  It's partially confirmation of film study tendency, partially setup for something later in the game.  Seeing on play 1 how they react in base for motion to a trips bunch with a draw is a way of attempting to pickup first down yardage, but also to setup a bigger play later.  It's no different than other types of constraint plays that lead to (hopefully) successful variations.  

And no-huddle doesn't take the OC out of it.  It'd be very short-sighted to think that a no-huddle doesn't take a heavy amount of OC gameplanning. 

I mean, unless people just wanted to dog the coordinator, which seems to be the point, so don't mind me over here thinking rationally. 

[Jangler]

I like scripted drives, the only problem with it is an OC like Shula, he doesn't adjust when the drive starts to go to poo.

[Daddy_Uncle]

Shula this, Shula that. At some point the players have to execute the plays. No matter how simple. Get the play and execute it. But it's still preseason so I'm not getting into anything until the season because nothing right now matters

[ScreenPlay]

One thing I need Shula to get rid of is the option play where he rolls cotchery into the backfield. Then it turn into a option with Cotch as the damn pitch man, like what are we trying to accomplish here. He ran the same play with Avant last year. Smh. Dude is a idiot. Why not at least put Ginn or Philly in that position? Shula is unbelievable sometimes.