What DO we run? What SHOULD we run?

[Mr. Scot]

The three primary offensive systems in the NFL are the Coryell Offense, the West Coast Offense and the Erhardt-Perkins offense.  In the course of their history, the Carolina Panthers have run all three, with the Coryell being the most frequent.  In his history, current OC Mike Shula has previously worked with both Coryell and E-P attacks.  As far as I know, he has no WCO experience.

So for those who know the distinctives of the systems (no, I'm not going to post them again; look it up if you don't know) which of the systems would you say our offense under Shula has most resembled and/or most closely resembles now?  Coryell or E-P?

Part Two: If it were up to you what we ran, which offense would you think best fits our regular (i.e. if everybody were healthy) personnel?

FYI: For the second question, you're not limited to the three major pro systems listed above.  Other offenses like the spread, pistol, air raid, etc. are fair game, but please explain why you favor your choice.

What say you?

[Servant of Cthululelei]

I think we should run the Triple Option like Georgia Tech because we have no receivers and Cam can run well.

I wonder how many people will think I'm being serious.

But if I'm actually being serious, I think our offense currently resembles the E-P most closely, and I think that fits our personnel pretty well, tbh.  The only problem is the red zone.  Cam just struggles to make some of the throws he needs to be able to make to score consistently with red zone passes, not to mention the fact that he's not likely to get much help from his receivers this season.  I don't know what the solution is exactly, but I think one place we could start is putting a little more nuance into our read-option plays.  There seems to only be about two variations to our read-option right now, and it's being called in pretty predictable situations.  We also, imo, don't make enough use out of the dive when we option.  Maybe that's just Cam or maybe that's the scheme.  I don't know.

[Mr. Scot]

For the record, Chudzinski ran a (very complicated) Coryell.

[Jackofalltrades]

I like the Coryell offense and think it's a good fit when we're at full strength. I don't like Shula running it because he doesn't seem to understand situational football within that system. Chud had some of the same issues but at least he got a lot out of it.

 

Right now I wish we would run a WCO to help Cam's accuracy and take advantage of the speed, quickness and YAC abilities of Ginn and Brown.

[csx]

This article points out that now pro offenses all pretty much run the same plays and that the significant difference is in how the plays are communicated.

http://grantland.com/features/how-terminology-erhardt-perkins-system-helped-maintain-dominance-tom-brady-patriots/

[PhillyB]

the air coryell system fits our personnel grouping perfectly (aside from KB's absence, obviously.) cam is also the perfect quarterback to run it.

in 2013 our problem was receivers, in 2014 our problem was the offensive line, and now while receivers are still an issue the primary concern is mike shula's seeming inability to match individual talent with role (see: cotchery on bubble screens and streaks.)

[Mr. Scot]

This article points out that now pro offenses all pretty much run the same plays and that the significant difference is in how the plays are communicated.

http://grantland.com/features/how-terminology-erhardt-perkins-system-helped-maintain-dominance-tom-brady-patriots/

Communication and terminology are big parts of a system, but I'm talking more about methodology and emphasis.

[davos]

I'd say it's hybrid.  We have more of an Erhardt Perkins playbook but the way we play call, it can appear more like an AC with our runs and play actions.  Cam has too awesome of a PA fake to not utilize it.  If we had more stuff designed for Fozzy and Dickson, and in addition had a good Welker-in-prime/Edleman/etc. type, then the EP elements would become more apparent.  Also, having the read option and full house inked in as well makes it a combination of a lot of styles.

 

Personnel wise, I think it'd be good for Cam if we had a TE1A (Olsen) and TE1B.  Similar to the Colts with Allen/Fleener. 

For what they're trying to do with this methodical approach, when we do that loose no-huddle out of shotgun with quick passes and runs, ROs, it works pretty well. What we have looks pretty good when the play calling is sound.

[Mr. Scot]

whatever offense makes catching the ball mandatory, that's my choice.  

That's kinda all of them.

I'd say it's hybrid.  We have more of an Erhardt Perkins playbook but the way we play call, it can appear more like an AC with our runs and play actions.  Cam has too awesome of a PA fake to not utilize it.  If we had more stuff designed for Fozzy and Dickson, and in addition had a good Welker-in-prime/Edleman/etc. type, then the EP elements would become more apparent.  Also, having the read option and full house inked in as well makes it a combination of a lot of styles.

Personnel wise, I think it'd be good for Cam if we had a TE1A (Olsen) and TE1B.  Similar to the Colts with Allen/Fleener. 

For what they're trying to do with this methodical approach, when we do that loose no-huddle out of shotgun with quick passes and runs, ROs, it works pretty well. What we have looks pretty good when the play calling is sound.

Pretty good post, but I'm not so sure I agree with you on Newton having an awesome PA fake.

[Moorgan]

I want this thread to be long so other huddlers and I can learn more than what Wikipedia says.

my answers:

I have no idea what we actually run.

I think without a true FB, I would like to see more of a WCO as the short passes/drag routes make up for what seem to be our weaknesses: time to throw more lengthy developing plays and ability to win contested ball matchups with DBs. But I'm not sure how well the power run game works with WCO. But I would think rather well.

Hell in not sure how well we power run for that matter.

[Ruff]

I would like to see us use more of a pistol offense, with a full house backfield. Gives us the option to have Tolbert/Stew/Olsen on the field doing different things, or mix it up with Stew/Tolbert/CAP (or Fozzy). 

 

I also wouldn't mind seeing us use more of a shotgun based spread. Imagine what Cam could do in something similar to A&M's Air Raid or Chip Kelly's spread. 

[ColumbusCounty]

Must admit I'd love to see what Cam could do with Air raid ...

Sadly Shula will be here next season as I think we can three peat the division. Then again I think he got canned after a playoff lost in the past (Bucs I think) but I could be wrong. 

Anyway air raid would be nice atleast to watch IMO...Newton has that Farve thing going on.

[Mr. Scot]

I want this thread to be long so other huddlers and I can learn more than what Wikipedia says.

my answers:

I have no idea what we actually run.

I think without a true FB, I would like to see more of a WCO as the short passes/drag routes make up for what seem to be our weaknesses: time to throw more lengthy developing plays and ability to win contested ball matchups with DBs. But I'm not sure how well the power run game works with WCO. But I would think rather well.

Hell in not sure how well we power run for that matter.

I can tell ya this much: We don't have the receivers to run a WCO, and our OL aren't well suited to it either.

There are definitely smart people who want us to go that route, but it'd mean some retooling.

[Leeroy Jenkins PhD]

Maybe the Browns will bring Shula in to be their head coach next year.....