Cam has to run the ball

[The_Rainmaker]

Good break down against Arizona last year, why fix something if its not broken.

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2016/1/27/10835990/cam-newton-panthers-running-game-jonathan-stewart-mike-tolbert

 

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No team ran the ball more than the Panthers in 2015, and no team came close to matching the diverse, innovative, and unique schemes and styles they used in the ground game. Carolina's effectiveness on the ground starts with Cam Newton, who really is peerless when it comes to his combination of passing and running ability.

No other NFL team has a 6'5, 245-pound quarterback that can beat you with his arm, run past you like a gazelle or charge through you like a rhino with equal aplomb. More importantly, he's proven that he can stay healthy while playing his exclusive style of ball. The Panthers offense is built around Newton's unique talents, and it makes them extremely difficult to defend.

The Panthers scored more points than any other NFL team this season, and Carolina's offensive foundation is their run game. They averaged an NFL-high 32.9 rush attempts per game, tied for first in the NFL in rushing touchdowns (19), first in first downs via rushes (136), second in ground yards per game (142.6) and have played 31 straight games where they've topped 100 rushing yards.

Variety is the name of the game. "They have a really diverse running game," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said before Seattle's Divisional Round matchup with Carolina, which they ended up losing while giving up 144 rushing yards. The Panthers' first play of the game was a 59-yard run by Jonathan Stewart that Carroll said was a slight tweak of something they'd been fully prepared for. Those tweaks, along with the Cam Newton factor, make the Panthers very hard to plan for.

 

"It is the most [diverse run game] that we'll see in the NFL," Carroll said. "There's nobody that does more stuff, and it's basically because the quarterback is such a dynamic part of it. They're willing to run the quarterback inside, outside, lead plays, powers, all of the read [option] stuff, as well. This is the most difficult offense that we face, and it's really because Cam is such an adept player. A lot of teams have some plays that they use, but nobody relies on the quarterback to run like they do. He's got 10 touchdowns rushing this year, and those aren't quarterback sneaks at the goal line. They're from all over the place. It's the most challenging."

A book could probably be written on the Panthers' run game from this season, but Carolina's blowout victory over the Cardinals in the NFC Championship works as a good microcosm for how they win. Here's just a cross section of plays that gives you a good idea on why they're difficult to prepare for, and ultimately defend.

Read option wrinkles

The most basic Cam Newton-involved run play for the Panthers is the read option. By now, most NFL fans understand what the read option is -- Cam is reading a defensive end or defensive tackle and depending on what that defensive player does, he either hands off or runs the ball himself. It's still a mainstay for several offenses in the NFL.

 

What makes Carolina's offense so fun to watch is that throughout a game, the Panthers will add little tweaks to their formation, to their scheme and to their personnel, and a simple read option really becomes a whole subset of plays.

Here's one example: In this play, Carolina is in a pistol formation -- Jonathan Stewart is next to Newton on his left, and receiver Jerricho Cotchery starts the play behind Newton as a de facto running back. As the ball is snapped, Cotchery motions out to his left, which takes safety Tony Jefferson out of the play entirely. Jefferson has to respect Cotchery's motion because Cam could keep the ball and pitch it to the receiver in a triple-option look.

Instead, though, Cam hands the ball off to his first option.

https://cdn-w1.streamable.com/video/mp4/cz4x.mp4?token=1478871139_bdbfa707c88015f4427131f2244fcd36086fd541

Because Cam does such a good job of holding outside linebacker Markus Golden (No. 44) -- the "read defender" -- once he gives the rock to Stewart, Golden is out of position. This is textbook, and the numbers game is in Carolina's favor -- essentially five offensive linemen vs. five defenders at the line of scrimmage. Newton "blocks" the sixth defender simply by being a run threat.

This is another wrinkle that the Panthers like to use. It's called a "slice block" and you'll see tight end Greg Olsen slice across and above the formation to lay a block on what normally would be an unblocked defender in Markus Golden.

The idea here would be to normally hand off to Stewart and Olsen's block would surprise Golden, allowing Stewart to cut up the field through the gap. However, Golden breaks down so hard on the run fake, toward Stewart, that Newton keeps the football on the read option. The other result is that Olsen doesn't even see Golden until it's too late, and ends up outside the formation, ultimately thinking Stewart has the ball. However, he quickly realizes Stewart doesn't have it, and he executes an improvised block on safety Rashad Johnson (No. 26), springing Newton for a gain.

Just a heads-up play by Newton, first to see Golden cheating inside to blow up the run, then a good recovery by Olsen to block someone on the outside.

That slice block by the tight end was prominently featured in the Panthers' run game on Sunday, and the cool thing about it was that Olsen often blocked different players, depending on the way the play was drawn up. These are those subtle tweaks into the scheme that make it so hard to prepare for.

Similar to what Carolina did above with Jerricho Cotchery, and motioning him into the backfield, the Panthers like to send a receiver into motion just prior to the snap in a jet sweep type of thing, which makes it difficult for the defense to quickly diagnose where the ball has gone. Remember, there are giant human beings on the offense line, and linebackers and defensive linemen can't see through those guys.

This could be a major issue that Denver has to solve, even with some excellent athletes on their line and linebacker corps.

"Nobody has that much run game (stuff) as Carolina," NFL Network analyst and former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah said recently. "Nobody. They can really negate the speed of the defense because you can mess with their eyes. When the [Panthers] played Seattle the first time [this season], their linebackers literally couldn't find the football."

Here's an example of the type of misdirection the Panthers like to use. Again, you see the slice block by Greg Olsen, and he follows Corey Brown across the formation right after the snap. Olsen will block the normally unblocked outside force player -- in this case, Markus Golden again -- and Cam will hand off to Jonathan Stewart.

It's pretty clear from the reaction of the defense that it's difficult for them to tell where the ball has gone. The play picks up a few yards, but Arizona does a pretty good job of containing it.

That's where the tweaks come in.

Watch this play below. Here, Stewart lines up on the other side of Cam Newton -- a key change that dictates the run will be going to the other side of the formation. Otherwise, the motion from right to left comes just before the snap, and makes it tough to know where the ball is going.

Here's why the flip-flopping of the running back is important. Instead of running to his right with a keeper, Cam would run to his left, and the Newton read option fake draws Markus Golden up and away from the line of scrimmage. That leaves Greg Olsen looking for middle linebacker Kevin Minter. When Olsen kicks Minter out and the offensive line washes the Cardinals defensive line down, it's J-Stew making a cut-back, and before you know it, he's already up into the third level, taking on a safety. He beats that safety and is finally tracked down by backside players.

It's just one example of the ways in which the Panthers can make little tweaks to keep defenses on their toes.

Here's another.

Read option reverse

This play starts out looking like a read-option keeper by Cam Newton. The defense definitely reacts that way. Watch:

However, instead of having Cam keep the ball and take it up the gut -- which he does a lot -- he flips it to Ted Ginn, who is running an end around to the other side of the field. It works like a charm, and it doesn't hurt that the Cardinals over-pursue once he's all the way to the left sideline.

How Ginn manages to cut this back is beyond me. Great speed definitely helps, but that's just bad defense, too. There's like seven defenders that get juked out of their socks.

I like this, though, because it's a good example of using the talents of your players within the structure of your scheme. Ginn is a great punt returner because of his speed and open field moves. Use that on offense!

Goal line

I'm not going to spend a lot of time on this, but Cam Newton is probably the best goal line quarterback in the history of the game. Newton has 19 career rushes from the 1-yard line, and has converted 14 of those (including one on Sunday) into touchdowns, according to ESPN Stats and Info.

I'm guessing the Panthers won't be throwing any slants from the 1-yard line in this year's Super Bowl.

Pin pull toss sweep

I really liked this concept. The Panthers do a lot of Power-O looking stuff with pulling linemen, and in this case, they use a "pin and pull" strategy with that. They send receivers Jerricho Cotchery and Devin Funchess in on the snap, along with right guard Trai Turner, to "pin" a few defensive players, then they "pull" their right tackle and center.

Newton then pitches it to Stewart for a nice gain.

Quarterback power

Speaking of Power-O, I've been remiss in actually pointing out some of Cam's keeper runs.

"The big thing is -- and everybody loses sight of this -- I don't think people realize just how big he is until you get next to him and see him standing next to D-linemen and linebackers," an NFL linebackers coach, who used to coach in the SEC, told Bruce Feldman recently. "This isn't Robert Griffin III running around at 6'2, 220. This guy is all of 6'5, 250, and when he runs the ball, he's the one delivering blows. In the league of freak athletes, he is the freakiest athlete of them all."

Case in point:

Cam takes the designed keeper to the right, and the design is for him to follow his left guard up the crease created by downblocks by the tight end and right tackle. Mike Tolbert lays a block on the outside. When Newton sees the defense collapsing, though, he bounces it outside. Then he just powers his way forward about five yards after contact for a first down. Really an incredible play -- and that was on a third-and-10.

"You actually have to account for him in the running game," Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner said recently. "Other running quarterbacks, they might run the ball a couple of times, but not that much. But he's such a big guy, he can take the pounding a normal running back can take, so you definitely have to be ready for his capability to run the ball too."

That was apparent on the very next play.

Quarterback buck sweep

This really was just the pièce de résistance of an amazingly called game by Mike Shula. It's called the Quarterback Buck Sweep. It's got those pin-and-pull elements to it, and the center and right guard pull right to block upfield for Newton. The quick hesitation that Newton shows -- looking to dump it off toward Mike Tolbert to the left -- helps sell the fake and take several defenders out of the play.

From there, it's Newton being a freak of nature and getting a couple nice blocks.

* * *

This was just a smattering of run plays, but the bottom line is that with Cam Newton as a legit threat as a runner -- one that's extremely difficult to tackle at that -- the Panthers can do a hell of a lot of things in their run game. And they do.

The Broncos have probably the best defense in the NFL and one of the strongest pass rushes we've seen in years. It's a very interesting matchup in that, one great way to mitigate and negate that ridiculously strong pass rush -- one that hit Tom Brady an absurd 20 times last week -- is to run right at it, which I'm sure the Panthers will do. Look for Newton to be a big factor here -- running power up the gut, running sweeps outside and generally making things difficult for Denver as a threat to run in the read option.

If the Panthers can use their Cam Newton-powered run game to keep the Broncos' pass rush at bay, they've got a great chance at winning the Super Bowl.

https://cdn-w1.streamable.com/video/mp4/cz4x.mp4?token=1478871139_bdbfa707c88015f4427131f2244fcd36086fd541

https://cdn-w1.streamable.com/video/mp4-mobile/fx8l.mp4?token=1478871139_d4cd2542345848aef02bfba873bc87a3b13f46e6

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https://cdn-w1.streamable.com/video/mp4-mobile/6leq.mp4?token=1478871139_e311bb8da72907395d5c968ac646a2535b7bf7eb

https://cdn-w1.streamable.com/video/mp4-mobile/thme.mp4?token=1478871139_3a582939ae946dfb7ba91afd1ddb619aa9d51e3c

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[YourMomsLover]

Thumb now has carpal tunnel


Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

[The_Rainmaker]

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Analyzing the Unique Panthers Running Game

Posted on February 3, 2016

The Panthers made it to Super Bowl 50 with one of the most dangerous running attacks in the NFL, having racked up at least 100 yards rushing in 29 straight games. Offensive Coordinator Mike Shula has utilized the strengths of Cam Newton to create a versatile and unique running attack that is very difficult to prepare for because of its mixed flow and deception. This article breaks down 6 key concepts from the Panthers running game that Denver will have to prepare for:

• QB Buck Sweep (RPO)
• Counter OF
• QB G/T Counter Read or “Flash”
• Jet Sweep Split Zone
• Inverted/Power Veer
• Triple Option

QB Buck Sweep (RPO)

Carolina is not the only NFL team that runs Buck Sweep, but Cam Newton allows the Panthers to run QB Buck Sweep, opening up other possibilities for the offense. Like the traditional version, the Panthers Buck Sweep involves 2 pulling lineman leading the way for Cam to run around the edge:

Here, the left tackle, right tackle, and tight end (#88) Greg Olsen are all blocking down, while the center (#67) Ryan Kalil and right guard (#70) Trai Turner pull around to lead block for Cam. Meanwhile, (#35) Mike Tolbert motions behind Cam Newton and runs a swing screen to the left, drawing multiple Arizona defenders. Tolbert’s influence creates a huge numbers advantage for Carolina in the box, as none of Carolina’s blockers even have to account for the middle linebacker. The pulling lineman are untouched to the second level, leading to a touchdown:

 

The box angle doesn’t show the brilliance of the scheme and how difficult it is to defend. The high angle shows that this QB Buck Sweep is likely also an RPO, or run/pass option:

As you can see, Cam and the Panthers also have the option to the throw the swing screen up top if they have a numbers advantage. Here, both Cardinal defenders immediately sprint out, making it an easy keep for Cam. This is an extremely difficult mixed flow read for linebackers; multiple lineman are pulling right, yet the running back is sprinting left, the QB can open and throw left, and there are three wide receivers able to block for the swing pass as well.

 

Denver has a few options to combat this RPO: they can play 1 high safety and bring another linebacker into the box, or play press coverage to the trips side while having the linebackers key the pulling lineman to make Cam get rid of the ball to the screen.

 

Counter OF

Counter OF is a scheme involving one guard and either a fullback or H-back as pullers. The Steelers often run Counter OF from a single back set, but the Panthers execute the play from I-formation. Counter OF is also known as power counter because of the similarities to Power run scheme. However, traditional Power has the pulling guard go up to the second level. In Counter OF, the fullback goes up to the second level:

Here, (#73) left tackle Michael Oher and (#68) left guard Andrew Norwell have a double team up to the linebacker. The center has a down block on the tilted 1-technique defensive tackle, and the right tackle (#74) is on man to man. Right guard (#70) Trai Turner is pulling for the defensive end, while fullback (#35) Mike Tolbert is pulling up for the play side linebacker after taking his counter steps to influence the linebackers:

 

 

This run exhibits great execution on three separate occasions: first, when the Seattle defensive end squeezes down to replace the left tackle, the pulling guard (#70) plays with great technique to hook, or “log” the defensive end. Next, fullback Mike Tolbert sifts through traffic to get up and deliver a block on the playside linebacker. Finally, running back (#28) Jonathan Stewart shows great patience to allow his blocks to develop. Many running backs would get tackled for a minimal gain here because of an unwillingness to let blocks develop.

QB G/T Counter Read “Flash”

Another mixed flow play in the Panthers running game is the QB counter read, also known as QB G/T counter, or QB counter flash. Here, both the right guard and right tackle are pulling up for linebackers, leaving the center to block back on a 3-technique. This is normally a tough assignment for a center. However, the read element greatly helps the line because the running back is going the other way. The running back will run parallel to the line of scrimmage while the QB rides laterally to create a moving mesh point. The defensive end on the side of the pullers is left unblocked:

This play will rarely be a give to the running back. Instead, the QB/RB mesh likely is meant to influence linebackers, effectively block the read man without touching him, and make the center’s block on the 3-technique easier. The only instance where the QB would hand the ball off is if the read defensive end crashed down hard with the pulling lineman. Once Cam rides the mesh, he pulls the ball and is running QB counter:

 

Meanwhile, below is an example of how QB counter flash can get outside if the playside defensive end crashes down due to a stunt or because of the running back’s action:

 

 

Jet Sweep Split Zone

The next play in the Panthers running game is the Jet sweep split zone. Split zone is a zone blocking scheme where an H-Back, fullback, or tight end will come across the formation for a kick out block, creating a natural crease for the running back. The Panthers create further confusion for the defense by also adding motion and a potential jet sweep element. Here, all the Panther lineman “zone their gap” and take a play side zone step, while Greg Olsen comes across the formation to kick out (#44) Markus Golden of Arizona. However, the jet sweep along with Cam Newton as a run threat renders Golden completely frozen, and Olsen decides to move up to the second level. The linebacker (#51) Kevin Minter is also influenced by the sweep action, allowing him to be walled off by Olsen:

Once again, the Panthers are able to eliminate defenders from the play without ever touching them– the threat of jet sweep or Cam’s running ability creates an extremely favorable numbers matchup and a huge crease for Jonathan Stewart:

Box Angle:

 

High Angle:

 

 

Inverted/Power Veer

Inverted/Power Veer is an excellent compliment to QB G/T counter “flash” because the former is a full flow lineman and running back action while the latter is a mixed flow scheme. Inverted/Power Veer is blocked up front with a pulling guard like power, but one man is left unblocked and is the “read” man. The running back will run parallel to the line of scrimmage while the QB rides laterally to create a moving mesh point. If the read man steps out and angles toward the running back, the QB should keep it and run QB power. If the read man attacks downhill toward the mesh point, the QB should hand it off to the RB running outside. Note that the Panthers also occasionally also run Power/Inverted Veer reading the linebacker while “logging” the play side defensive end with the pulling guard.

 

Below, Seattle plays the Inverted/Power Veer about as well as a defense can against Carolina. Defensive End (#56) Cliff Avril gets his hands on tight end (#88) Greg Olsen, (#72) Michael Bennett quickly beats the lineman in front of him, and the backside stays home:

 

 

Triple Option

The Panthers running game also uses triple option often and effectively. Carolina has the ability to mix in 2 running backs with Cam Newton or use 1 running back and a wide receiver for the pitch option. The Panthers make it difficult to defend their triple option by having an offset back opposite the tight end. This makes the defense declare and play one way or the other. If the defense plays heavier toward the tight end side, the Panthers run triple option to the offset back. If the defense is shifted towards the offset back, Cam Newton can audible into a run toward the tight end. Below, the Cardinals have 8 in the box and are shaded towards the tight end. There is a huge natural bubble between the defensive lineman and (#44) Markus Golden, making for a perfect triple option front.

In triple option, two defenders are left unblocked. The defensive end or outside linebacker (first level defender) is read like in read option. If he crashes down and the QB keeps it, the second level defender is read in pitch phase. Of course, triple option reads are subject to change as the defense scrape exchanges and adjusts.

Once again, the Panthers running game schemes out defenders without blocking them; (#22) Tony Jefferson sees the pitch man go out wide and immediately chases. (#44) Golden has the QB run responsibility. However, Carolina has excellent down block angles with Golden and Jefferson out of the picture. Jefferson vacates, left tackle Michael Oher seals off (#51) Kevin Minter, and running back (#28) Jonathan Stewart has an enormous lane to run through:

 

If the defense decides to overplay the QB and running back, like below, Cam is more than capable of getting the play to the edge. Note that with all this focus on the run game, defenses are often left in 1 on 1 situations against the wide receivers:

 

 

And finally, the Panthers running game keeps the defense from over pursuing with the threat of a reverse from speedster Ted Ginn:

 

 

Overall, the Panthers running game is extremely difficult to prepare for. They have a variety of mixed flow reads that put linebackers and defensive linemen in a bind. Additionally, many of their run plays compliment each other, making it difficult to guess or overplay one particular scheme. Their option package is diverse, stretches a defense horizontally, and makes you account for every yard on the field. Carolina eliminates defenders without ever blocking them by creating hesitation, flow, over pursuit, and blocking angles. Aside from the excellent scheme, the Panthers are physical at the point of attack and have the best running Quarterback in the NFL in Cam Newton. Keep an eye out for some of these run schemes as well as variations while watching Super Bowl 50.

http://www.syedschemes.com/carsb50run/

[PanthersGOATFan336]

Man you love you some copy and paste

[The_Rainmaker]

1 minute ago, PanthersGOATFan336 said:

Man you love you some copy and paste

Why reinvent the wheel. Just good reads to speed up Friday :)

[Jangler]

[Jangler]

Srsly. Did you just quote your long ass OP?

[The_Rainmaker]

Just now, Jangler said:

Srsly. Did you just quote your long ass OP?

2 different articles.

[PanthersGOATFan336]

[Kakarot]

Good read.

[LinvilleGorge]

Don't fix something that isn't broken...

Sounds like Shula's Super Bowl game plan. The same game plan that had Broncos' defenders openly joking him after the game for not showing them anything, not one thing, different from what they'd watched on film.