Mike and Mike on the Panthers

[goodoleboy]

We have the most complex running game in the NFL bar none.  We not only use multiple sets but run a number of different plays out of each set including pass plays from what looks like run sets and running plays from 2 or 3 wide passing sets.  This offense is hard to stop because we have a quarterback who understands what the defense is giving us and can run or pass on virtually any play.

It has taken some time for the offense to morph into what we have and it is a testament to Rivera ignoring all the Shula hate and giving the coaches time to develop and hone this offense into what we are enjoying now. 

I am glad that everyone else is finally realizing what I have been saying for a while now.

But But But I read somewhere that Shula sucks.

 

The O coaches actually did a good job last year given how they had to game plan around a gimpy QB and O line injuries. Polian calls our offensive scheme "Quirky" but also gives Shula a lot of credit for using Cam the way he has.

[ed bell]

I think it speaks to Cam's development as a field general.... He's evolving before our eyes. Exciting to see 

[CoastalCat]

Was listening to their radio show this morning, had John Gruden on talking about Cam and the offense. John said he's never seen an offense ran like the Panthers since he's been in the NFL, talked about how well they are doing w/o Benjamin and no real star receivers... said Cam has come a long way.

Greenberg said Rivera is COTY at this point in the season, said he loves how he and the staff haven't tried to turn Cam into something he isn't, said Shula is doing a great job at calling plays that utilize Cam's skill set.

Nothing better than a little Panther love first thing in the morning.

That segment is on ESPN's Panthers page right now.

[TheRumGone]

So Gruden has never seen the Seahawks or the Harbaugh Niners?

people gave you poo for this post but if you look at it generally we are a lot like those teams. Power run game, play action with an elite defense. Smash mouth football. 

 

You can get technical but it's still the same mindset of football.

[MadHatter]

Was listening to their radio show this morning, had John Gruden on talking about Cam and the offense. John said he's never seen an offense ran like the Panthers since he's been in the NFL, talked about how well they are doing w/o Benjamin and no real star receivers... said Cam has come a long way.

Greenberg said Rivera is COTY at this point in the season, said he loves how he and the staff haven't tried to turn Cam into something he isn't, said Shula is doing a great job at calling plays that utilize Cam's skill set.

Nothing better than a little Panther love first thing in the morning.

Bullshit....every Huddler knows that Shula is the devil and could not coach a pop warner team.  Or, so I have heard.

[cbarrier90]

You can get technical but it's still the same mindset of football.

Thank you. That's what I was getting at. Panthers aren't trying to reinvent the wheel here. This isn't Oregon or (good) Auburn going 100 miles an hour with wacky motions and formations.

Heck, the Panthers have been playing this way for their entire existence, it's just that now that we have great scouts and personnel folks that know what they're doing, we are taking the style to another level or at least on par with the better squads in franchise history.

[Moorgan]

Thank you. That's what I was getting at. Panthers aren't trying to reinvent the wheel here. This isn't Oregon or (good) Auburn going 100 miles an hour.

Heck, the Panthers have been playing this way for their entire existence, it's just that now that we have great scouts and personnel folks that know what they're doing, we are taking the style to another level or at least on par with the better squads in franchise history.

True but that Eagles article last week really broke down how complicated our run game is and how unique it is. That's where I think a lot of the posters were coming from. But you're right, the overall concept is basic Panthers football. If you haven't read that article do so. It was eye opening.

[London Loves Luke]

That segment is on ESPN's Panthers page right now.

Thanks for the link.

[panthers55]

people gave you poo for this post but if you look at it generally we are a lot like those teams. Power run game, play action with an elite defense. Smash mouth football. 

 

You can get technical but it's still the same mindset of football.

If you set the bar as low as who runs a power run game or uses play action or has a good defense you could identify a number of teams that match that criteria.  The same as if you identified every team that runs a WCO offense and say they are all the same.  The technical as you call it is the whole point when comparing offenses or teams.  What we run is more complex because of the blocking schemes. misdirection, and running plays from multiple sets which look the same but doing different things with it.

It isnt just mindset but matching the offense to the skill set of your personnel and your quarterback specifically.  People have criticized Shula for being uncreative and not knowing how to design plays to take advantage of the personnel he has.  Now we are seeing multiple sources saying that Shula is doing a great job of being creative and designing plays specifically to take advantage of what Cam does best.

[panthers55]

Thank you. That's what I was getting at. Panthers aren't trying to reinvent the wheel here. This isn't Oregon or (good) Auburn going 100 miles an hour with wacky motions and formations.

Heck, the Panthers have been playing this way for their entire existence, it's just that now that we have great scouts and personnel folks that know what they're doing, we are taking the style to another level or at least on par with the better squads in franchise history.

You are completely wrong.  This is not how we have played in the past at all.  You obviously arent paying attention.  We have never had a quarterback with Newton's skill set and never had a coordinator with the ability to match what we do to do to his specific skill set.

Truth is that this has developed with arguably the poorest offensive personnel in the NFL.  While much of the problem was likely due to the salary cap issues, we have done what we have with a very poor offensive line and arguably the poorest wide receiver squad in football once KB went down.  You can't blame the scouts or personnel folks given they have had to basement bargain shop for players but you also need to give the majority of the credit to Shula, Newton and the coaching staff who are doing an amazing job with inferior talent at many positions.

[goodoleboy]

 We have never had a quarterback with Newton's skill set and never had a coordinator with the ability to match what we do to do to his specific skill set.

Truth is that this has developed with arguably the poorest offensive personnel in the NFL.  While much of the problem was likely due to the salary cap issues, we have done what we have with a very poor offensive line and arguably the poorest wide receiver squad in football once KB went down.  You can't blame the scouts or personnel folks given they have had to basement bargain shop for players but you also need to give the majority of the credit to Shula, Newton and the coaching staff who are doing an amazing job with inferior talent at many positions.

I agree for the most part but disagree with the bolded statement. Dan Henning did as much or more with similar talent on O. He got pretty creative when he had to with the run game as well. 

[Guest Barry McCaulkinor]

Thanks for the link.

Yeah I couldn't find it either. 

[panthers55]

I agree for the most part but disagree with the bolded statement. Dan Henning did as much or more with similar talent on O. He got pretty creative when he had to with the run game as well. 

Not really.  Henning had a feed the stud mentality and would do the same thing over and over until you stopped it. Most time it was the same play out of the same set. It worked as long as your personnel were atheltically superior to theirs like was the case with Smitty in 2005.  

Another criticism that was discussed at the time was that Henning would for example always hike the ball on the first count to avoid false starts he said but it was easy for the defense to get a jump on the offense and time the hike.

That is surely not creative and imaginative.

[TheRumGone]

If you set the bar as low as who runs a power run game or uses play action or has a good defense you could identify a number of teams that match that criteria.  The same as if you identified every team that runs a WCO offense and say they are all the same.  The technical as you call it is the whole point when comparing offenses or teams.  What we run is more complex because of the blocking schemes. misdirection, and running plays from multiple sets which look the same but doing different things with it.

It isnt just mindset but matching the offense to the skill set of your personnel and your quarterback specifically.  People have criticized Shula for being uncreative and not knowing how to design plays to take advantage of the personnel he has.  Now we are seeing multiple sources saying that Shula is doing a great job of being creative and designing plays specifically to take advantage of what Cam does best.

I understand all that dude. I just know where that guy was coming from. From a physicality standpoint he is correct. Beat teams into submission with a smashmouth run game, open up play action, and have a dominant defense.

ive read the articles I know what we are running is different than those teams in their intricacies but at face value they are the same. I'm not downplaying Shula or the offense. He has been terrific this year.