The RB timeshare behind Stewart

[davos]

A response in another thread got me thinking about this.  Basically: How we roll out the running backs and their respective playing time should be interesting. 

I think we all expect Stewart to be our guy.  This could be the year he makes an exclamation point on his career.  He seems ready to do just that so I have my fingers crossed for no minor injuries that limit him.  FYI, last year we carried the ball 473 times.  That's a lot of potential carries to split up.  If Stewart sees the majority of games, he should have over 200 carries.   

Where it gets tricky:

-We still have Tolbert at FB/RB who the coaches still love to use even though he seems not as Tolbert-esque anymore.  We gave him the rock 37 times last year.  I anticipate a little less but I'm interested to see how he's used with the loaded backfield.  I'd like to see him strictly as a short down guy (mostly his role last year but not all the time).

-Artis-Payne showed a lot of promise and man, I just really like his play.  Seems like a plug in RB2 who could become quite good quite fast.   

-Fozzy is Rivera's receiving/scat-type back that will definitely see some playing time.  I anticipate us having him run a good deal as a misdirection for teams thinking he's coming in for a screen type play.  Good blocker as well so that helps his playing time. 

-Wegher is the new guy.  Depending on the injury situation, we may use him like we did Reaves last year who got just north of 30 carries.   

--

After reading my post, it may be easy to divy up but thought I'd throw this out there to see how everyone thinks we'll use these guys.  Barring injuries, would you like to see more variation? Stewart as a bulk-carries back? A particular backup playing way more than the rest of our depth (CAP)? 

Cheers.  Football is almost here. 

 

[pantherfan49]

The 473 times, does that include runs by Cam?

[motocross_cat]

Run stewy early and often, he seems like once he gets his rhythm he is unstoppable.  Cap to sub and fozzy in for screens and such.

[davos]

The 473 times, does that include runs by Cam?

Yeah so some may have been designed, some not give or take. 

[cultclassiccat]

I hate that I feel this way but Im for trading Tolbert or cutting him.  I liked Lee ward, he seemed like a true fb.  I'm just fine with stewy, payne, fozz and weg starting the season in that order.  Really want to see what payne and weg can do when the bullets are flying.  If they turn out to be diamonds, I have no prob with shifting majority of carries in their direction, especially payne(weg being a long shot).  Saving Stewart for the home stretch where he absolutely pummeled teams at the end of last yr.

[Machete]

Just out of curiosity, I haven't been watching much preseason or camp stuff, but can someone rank the rbs in order of pass protection skills demonstrated?

[davos]

Just out of curiosity, I haven't been watching much preseason or camp stuff, but can someone rank the rbs in order of pass protection skills demonstrated?

My two cents:

It's been a strength for Tolbert in the past.  PFF had him the #2 ranked in pass blocking efficiency a few years ago behind just Daniel Thomas but he's seemed to drop off a bit.  His road grading/run support has not been good recently though. 

Stewart struggled earlier in his career but has gotten better over the years.

Fozzy is good in this regard and it's probably a big reason (along with his receiving skills) he made the team. 

CAP and Wegher have a ways to go but CAP is decently developed. Needs fine tuning, Wegher however needs to develop a good deal but is promising.   

 

 

 

 

[TheNewStandard]

We're gonna need to be able to control the clock and we really need Stew to be our Frank Gore/Marshawn Lynch...like the op said, if Stew and the line play like they did in the second-half of the year, the Panthers could be really good this year using ground and pound.

still worried about the health of our D-line so it's super-important to keep pass-happy team's offenses off the field until our passing game solidifies.

[KendrickPanther]

It's funny. Normally this time of year I'm hoping the Panthers will let Cam loose and throw it 35 times a game like a big franchise QB. But I genuinely want to see us run well this year. We have the deepest oline in many years and the deepest RB group in many years. Meanwhile our WRs are looking a little thin and soft. I honestly would take Brandon Lafell back right now. 

 

I'm curious who we activate on game days. I like Wheger on special teams but I doubt he will see rushing attempts until a few guys are injured. Mike Tolbert and Cam take touches too. I expect us to be a top 3 rushing team this year. But really I want to see us number 1.

[CPantherKing]

It's funny. Normally this time of year I'm hoping the Panthers will let Cam loose and throw it 35 times a game like a big franchise QB. But I genuinely want to see us run well this year. We have the deepest oline in many years and the deepest RB group in many years. Meanwhile our WRs are looking a little thin and soft. I honestly would take Brandon Lafell back right now. 

 

I'm curious who we activate on game days. I like Wheger on special teams but I doubt he will see rushing attempts until a few guys are injured. Mike Tolbert and Cam take touches too. I expect us to be a top 3 rushing team this year. But really I want to see us number 1.

I believe Wegher is one of the main gunners on special teams. So, I expect him to be activated.

[CPantherKing]

Yeah so some may have been designed, some not give or take. 

Cam runs the ball 120 times a year (7 to 8 times a game). Usually 4/5 are designed for Cam.

[KendrickPanther]

If the WRs aren't getting open and the pass protection holds up, does Cam scramble more this year? I think he might. 

[davos]

Cam runs the ball 120 times a year (7 to 8 times a game). Usually 4/5 are designed for Cam.

That sounds about right