Jump to content
  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Mike Shula - update for the haters


CRA

Recommended Posts

27-12-1 regular season record

never missed the postseason

<insert Shula deal with it gif>

 

Is that record all thanks to Shula? Of course not.  But football is a team sport and clearly what Shula does meshes well w/ Cam AND Rivera's defensive style.  It equals wins.  So maybe we can overlook not having trick plays and be content with winning.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And there's honestly something to be said about the value of consistency at the coordinator position.  While I think McDermott will get a head coaching gig sometime soon (probably this offseason), I find it highly unlikely that Shula will ever leave here for a promotion elsewhere.  Not because there's no chance of him ever being seen as a good coordinator, but because oh how spectacularly he failed as a HC at Alabama.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He impressed me yesterday.  He still stubbornly stuck with running the ball into stacked boxes on 1st down way too much for my liking, but when the offense stalled, he mixed it up and got us going with some trick plays out of unconventional formations.  I'm just not sure why we have to completely stall out for him to change his approach.  One of the reasons we tend to start so slow offensively is because everyone knows what we're going to do to start out.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He's been much better this year, but the problem is still there as in when he makes a bad call, it's a BAD call.   The only thing that is really standing out is the time on which he chooses or run or pass.  Sometimes we're stuck in a bad position on downs.

 

Also we need to play hurry up more, we see great things when we do, but don't use it enough.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am glad Shula stuck with the run game even though we were getting stuffed early on. The run game eventually opened and we ran the ball every single time on our first touchdown drive. This opened up the passing game in the second half. 

Hats off to the entire offense when things were not going our way. Early sack, no passing game and running started very slow. Shula stuck with the game plan and we played Panther football. I also thought he did a nice job making adjustments after the half. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

One thing that irks me in general with Shula is that we don't have a developed short passing game. You see the way the Patriots use it to move the chains and so do the Packers, because sometimes, you can't run and you can't get the coverage you're looking for downfield for those deep throws. I'm not saying let's switch to WCO and get away from Newton's strengths, but we should be nurturing it more and more instead of settling for 3 and outs when our 2 dimensions are guarded well. We do have Newton's legs but that only becomes so effective up to a certain point and if the defense had to account for the running game, his arm strength, his legs, and his short passing precision everyone on offense will be more productive. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On Greg Olsenicon-article-link.gif’s game-winning touchdown: "We got the coverage I think that Mike (Shula) was looking for, that was a seam route by Greg. He was able to get into the seam and the safeties were split. He was able to get in that sweet area. I thought it was a heck of a throw."

 

lol wait Mike Shula was looking for blown coverage?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • I mean you can always talk good or bad in just about everything. 8 wins and leading poo mountain, this rookie class is a big reason. Think about no Tmac or Dan Morgan didn't make that trade to gain a future 2nd rounder. So after Pat Jones breaks his back, DJ " who's not on any roster or PS" Johnson would be starting. Gods knows how bad they already are- 32nd in sacks/pressure/PDs etc... Sure Prince, Trevor, Cam, and little Jimmy haven't done too much, but they are still here.  Honestly its not smart or wise to judge rookies, *unless pro-bowl or cut. Lets revisit this next year, there are slump sophomore years and the biggest jump in players careers most times happens in the 2nd full off-season. You see who wants to be NFL pro and who's happy with teppers checks. I know many of them will be getting surgeries, got to see how they attack that as well....Tmac is playing hurt currently, if they were out of the race, he would be IR'd and maybe half the rookie class as well....I thought Cam was headed for the IR. 
    • It actually looks pretty solid.  A few players to re-sign and three primary positions to upgrade (starters).  Beyond that, we don't have a bunch of holes or need to overpay free agents. this is how I see it (using OTC for the 2026 roster information) on December 22, 2025.  This is rather basic, focusing on the core needs. Blue: Potential players to re-sign in the offseason.  Green: Players under contract for the 2026 season.  Italics: Possible cap casualties Analysis   Offense:  Center:  First, sign Mays for the long term (He is 26–I’d give him a 3-4 year deal).  He is not great, but he is decent and we need consistency on the OL. He does not make stupid mistakes. While the draft is not great in the interior offensive line, signing a veteran who can backup G and C would be a strategy.   Guard:  Canalas seemed to be impressed with Curhan, as I was.  He will be 28 next year, so he has a few years in him. I think he comes cheap and is quality depth.  He can play center, but is perhaps best at G and T.  Valuable reserve.   Tackle:  While Nijman returns as the swing T behind Moton and Ekwonu, the Panthers need to start developing a RT to play behind Moton.  A late-round draft pick that is rough but has all the tools is ideal. As the fourth OT, he can develop behind some pretty good veterans.   Wide Receiver:  We need a playmaker to play opposite TMac.  I believe in Coker, but think he is the AT-type slot. He needs to be re-signed. XL cannot be counted on to step into that role.  He is not that familiar with the WR position and he does not seem to be a student of the game.  This is a strong WR draft. First or second round.   Tight End:  I dunno.  I can see us upgrading the position, but Tremble does a lot of stuff well aside from catching the ball.  Evans is a decent all-around TE, and Sanders has some upside.  I’d love a weapon, but add the WR.   Running Back:  If Dowdle wants to be here, how do you let him walk?  He will be 28, and most RBs hit the wall then.  He deserves a big contract, but 28-year old RBs on big deals don’t earn them.  Go with Hubbard, Brooks, and Etienne.  Build the OL and the backs get better.   Quarterback:  Well, Bryce is improving and his confidence is growing.  Look at how many other QBs have taken time to get it. He is going to be the QB, regardless.  I want a young QB behind him, not the Red Senior Citizen.     Overview: Free Agent Priorities are to re-sign Mays and Coker.  I have Dowdle in blue, but I would let him walk (for reasons provided).  Cuhran played well and is versatile and should be signed if possible.  Draft a developmental OT, a raw, late-round OT.  In the draft, take a WR in rounds 1 or 2.  The offense is in tact–little needs to be done.  Let the OL develop chemistry, sign Mays while he is entering his prime, and get a weapon opposite TMac.  Give Coker a long-term deal.    Defense: ILB;  With only Wallace on the 2026 payroll, this position needs to be addressed.  Rozeboom might be able to be re-signed. I think ILB will be addressed in free agency and the draft. ILB will be the second or third round pick.  We will re-sign Rozeboom and maybe Cherulus and another priority free agent.   Edge/OLB: Scourton seems to be the real deal, but Princely (needs to develop) and Jones II are role players.  The draft is LOADED at the edge rush position.  I expect a first or second round edge player to be taken.   Defensive Tackle:  We have some big salaries at DT, and with Brown on the field, you dont need stars beside him.  I think the team cuts Robinson to get $8.5m in cap room, especially since C Jackson seems to be ready.     Cornerback:  Morgan has done a tremendous job finding talent in the bargain bins at CB.  Smith-Wade has been very solid.  Thornton seems to be a find.  Mike Jackson is a solid pro.     Safety:  Ransom seems to be the heir apparent for the Scott job, and Moehrig gives them a very aggressive, violent pair of safeties.  I like the safeties in this draft, fwiw.  I expect a late round pick.   Overview:  The Panthers must address ILB and Edge as priorities.  The ILB could be a free agent, Rozeboom re-signing, and maybe a draft pick. However, they need a pass rush more than anything else.   This is a great draft for edge players; I would not be surprised to see Dan Morgan double dip at edge.  Depth at S.   As soon as the season is over, look for Morgan to re-sign Mays, Coker, Cuhran, and possibly Rozeboom and Dowdle.  That would lock up the starting C, #3/slot WR, versatile depth on the OL, and get your leading tackler back at ILB.  Three HUGE moves that sould not break the bank.   Free agency would be focused on adding an ILB and a Safety who can play FS in three-S or big nickel sets. The draft would target Edge, WR, and ILB on days 1 and 2. Day 3:  OT depth, S depth, ILB depth.  
    • Seattle is coming across country to our house which will be packed.  We can beat this damn team.  Agree @TheBigKat the team has improved tremendously from last season
×
×
  • Create New...