Change in offensive philosophy

[UpstatePanther]

Forgive my ignorance, I've barely been able to keep up with much Panthers news since the season ended. But I've become curious about the reports from Ron Rivera that they will be trying to change up the offensive philosophy to better protect Cam. Obviously the lack of change at the OC spot gives me alot of concern. How much is going to change if the same dude is calling the plays? But with the turnover on the defensive coaching staff and the ensuing focus on resigning our defensive playmakers, I can't help but to wonder if there will be some beneficial changes to the offense. The signs seem to point to a FA and draft focus on offense (yes, I know. BPA, but still). 

 

Will it be enough though? Rivera talked about getting back to a power running game and taking the responsibility off Cam to make plays with his feet. He mentioned a new focus on short passes and dump offs (something that provided much of our team's 2015 success). Cam is working on his shoulder strength, and presumably his technique in the process. With a young stud RB, a few key OL additions, and a tweak in the overall philosophy, and individual improvements on Cam's game... could we see a return of the prolific, league-leading 2015 offense?

 

I suppose I'm just musing, so I'll wrap this up. I'm just curious for the Huddle's thoughts on all this. I didn't see a recent thread addressing my question, but my apologies if I just missed it.

[Saca312]

Shula.

[KillerKat]

The 2015 offense has been figured out. That's what people don't understand, not even our own coaches. Shula will be the reason why Rivera will be fired next year.

[L-TownCat]

Just the thought of Shula running this offense makes me wanna destroy something beautiful.

[LinvilleGorge]

If you're going to change the offensive philosophy, you make staff changes. We may make some adjustments, but the offense will almost certainly look very similar next year. Honestly, I just expect less read option. That's about it.

[imminent rogaine]

Our system sucks. Makes everything harder for RBs, OL, QB, WRs. Not sure who it helps really or where the benefit is. That one time a game when cam keeps it for an 8 yard gain? That one time a game when Cam doesn't get hammered and can deliver a deep bomb? 

I think I recall Ron and maybe DG hinting at a return to the basics. God, it is what we need. It still doesn't make Shula call a balanced game. Even in 2015, he'd have one game where he called zero screens and Cam would have a bad game, next week he'd call like 8 or 9 screens to the point where they don't work anymore. Dude is garbage. 

[motocross_cat]

[gmonjimbo]

Rivera mentioned more 2 back sets and using the TE as a lead blocker. Also talked about 2 TE sets and finding more creative ways to use Cam's legs i.e play action and roll outs. I think the biggest problem with our offense is a lack of easy completions or runs, everything feels like a grind. Cam completes a pass with a defender draped all over the receiver, Stewart completes a 3 yard run after breaking two tackles at the line of scrimmage. They have to add a slot WR and incorporate the RB and 2nd TE into the passing game more so that Cam has more options to throw to and easier passes to complete. Finally, having a TE and FB that can actually block will open up holes in the running game

[Snake]

1 hour ago, LinvilleGorge said:

If you're going to change the offensive philosophy, you make staff changes. We may make some adjustments, but the offense will almost certainly look very similar next year. Honestly, I just expect less read option. That's about it.

And better personal. Like a real FB and someone who can play the slot role. Of course having a better LT and maybe a better RT needs to happen as well. There are many ways we can approach it and be successful.

[Snake]

38 minutes ago, Hammerin'Cameron1 said:

2015 offense was never a secret lol I don't get how people don't get this

Teams knew we were going to pound it down their throat .. period, teams knew we were going to try to run the fug out of the ball to set up everything else

Teams knew and we still ran the fug out of the ball

2016 we couldn't execute running the fug out of the ball

They knew but didn't know how to attack it. ATL fixed that for them. Unfortunately Dave didn't address the situation in the off season and it got much worse.

[Snake]

3 minutes ago, Promethean Forerunner said:

WTF are you talking about? Defenses stacked the box. There was nothing to figure out or scheme around. We forced the ball down defenses' throats. Last year sucked because the NFL let Cam become a target, and Oher, Khalil and Williams got hurt. It was overall a bad, bad season where nothing went our way.

WTF are you talking about???? Its not the NFLs fault we had a bad season. Football is a little more complex than "DER HER they stacked the box on us guys!!!" "Derrrr Herrr the NFL hates us"

[UpstatePanther]

I definitely appreciate the serious football discussion. For those who don't know, I am not a Shula fan by any stretch of the imagination. I think replacing him would have been one of the single best things we could have done to improve this offseason. Alas, it didn't happen. 

 

My question was more geared toward how does the tweaking and potential (hopeful?) influx of new offensive talent play out next year? Could it be enough to overcome the horrible play calling, like it was in 2015? 

 

I really can't tell yet. I don't know enough about Xs and Os. I'm hopeful, but not confident.

[top dawg]

I really don't think anyone knows. We'll just have to wait and see. I think anything else is speculation. Perhaps we'll have a little bit more than lip service by seeing Dave actually sign/draft some players that signal an evolution is substantively in the works. For my money it all begins with the O-line, encompasses a second TE/H-back that's worth a damn, and a legitimate slot guy that can consistently pressure a defense.

[LinvilleGorge]

Just unreal to me that going into Cam Newton's 7th NFL season we're just now realizing that maybe having him roll out might help compensate for being weak on the OL.