ESPN: How will Christian McCaffrey change how teams prepare for Panthers?

[beastson]

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Jenna Laine, Tampa Bay Buccaneers reporter: McCaffrey is a fascinating player because he offers so much more than a traditional "I" running back. Bucs coach Dirk Koetter said that he "put on a clinic running routes at the combine." He's a chess piece that you can line up all over the field, with his best attributes on display in space. His ability to change direction will put extra pressure on Bucs linebackers Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David, but it could also mean some shuffling of the defensive line. The Bucs vowed to get better against the run this season, which is why they re-signed William Gholston and Sealver Siliga and drafted Stevie Tu'ikolovatu. Given McCaffrey's shiftiness, I could also see a smaller, more athletic defensive end in Noah Spence lining up to stop him. I think they're best served lining up primarily in their base defense. Fellow Panthers rookie Curtis Samuel will be an exceptionally dangerous and versatile player and might do even more damage than McCaffrey because he's just so explosive.

Vaughn McClure, Atlanta Falcons reporter: I spoke with Falcons tight end Austin Hooper about his former Stanford teammate prior to the draft and Hooper said, "On third down, he'll be a nightmare for any linebacker. I don't think there's a linebacker in this league that can cover him consistently for a full game." From the Falcons' perspective, they certainly hope the speed they now have at linebacker with Deion Jones, De'Vondre Campbell and rookie Duke Riley will help the defense keep up with versatile running backs such as McCaffrey. Falcons coach Dan Quinn believes in his defensive scheme, now presided over by energetic first-time coordinator and former Carolina player Marquand Manuel. The Falcons have better players to carry out the scheme, including newcomer Dontari Poe, a versatile defensive tackle who has the athleticism and quickness to help slow down guys such as McCaffrey in the running game. I don't see the Falcons changing up what they do just because a talented new back is now in the division. The goal will remain to stop the run first, and pressure Newton while keeping him from extending plays. The Falcons must also be sure tacklers so a player like McCaffrey doesn't pick up extra yards after the catch or after contact.

Mike Triplett, New Orleans Saints reporter: Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said the Saints will probably learn more about how the Panthers' plan to use McCaffrey in the first two weeks of the season, prior to their Week 3 matchup. But obviously they expect McCaffrey to be used in that same type of versatile "joker back" role that the Saints have reserved for guys like Darren Sproles and Reggie Bush. Both Allen and Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro agreed McCaffrey will bring an element to Carolina's offense that hasn't really been present in the past. Vaccaro said Carolina's offense is already unique, meaning this will add another wrinkle and another type of mismatch, but he also pointed out that the Panthers will have to figure out how to be unpredictable with McCaffrey. "Besides the fact that he's gonna be a mismatch for linebackers, it might make some things easier because when he's on the field in certain spots, you know the ball's coming to him," Vaccaro said. "Sometimes it tells the defense, ‘Hey, this is what they like to do when Christian's here.' Is he in the stack, is he in the slot, is he stacking the tackle about to get out? Now, whether you can defend it or not (is a different story). And I'm sure they'll be creative because their offense is so creative."

 

 

[Hogmolliesmaht]

So the Saints DC says our offense is creative and unique but our fans know that it's not because Shula sucks. Who is more believable?

[ladypanther]

25 minutes ago, beastson said:

it might make some things easier because when he's on the field in certain spots, you know the ball's coming to him,"

lol...doubt that

[KillerKat]

5 minutes ago, Hogmolliesmaht said:

So the Saints DC says our offense is creative and unique but our fans know that it's not because Shula sucks. Who is more believable?

Maybe the ones that have seen his play calls every game for the past 4 seasons.

[Davidson Deac II]

Fwiw, I am hoping that both McCaffrey and Samuel force opposing defenses to change how they defend us.  

[t96]

30 minutes ago, Hogmolliesmaht said:

So the Saints DC says our offense is creative and unique but our fans know that it's not because Shula sucks. Who is more believable?

I'm not entirely on one side or the other but I will say with how bad the Aints D has been recently I'm not so sure that the Aints DC is the right person to ask...

[L-TownCat]

54 minutes ago, Hogmolliesmaht said:

So the Saints DC says our offense is creative and unique but our fans know that it's not because Shula sucks. Who is more believable?

I'd trust the homeless guy that lives in the Super Domes dumpster over a Saints DC.

[Peppers90 NC]

58 minutes ago, Hogmolliesmaht said:

So the Saints DC says our offense is creative and unique but our fans know that it's not because Shula sucks. Who is more believable?

teh  huddlers, duh.

[Saca312]

So all the Falcons could come up with is "oh hur dur we won't change much because our linebackers r supah fast," they got reality coming for them real quick.

Option football is something you have to be ready for. Panthers have potential to create mismatches and misdirection on every play. Just because you have "supa fast linebackers" doesn't mean you can be fine with just sitting there and doing the same thing with the Panthers offense. It's effectively a game of chess where Panthers put you in check right before the snap. 

I probably will sound like a Shula apologist, but he never had the tools like he does this year that actually suit well for a short passing game. Considering that, I think I could forgive him a little bit for not being able to do much last year or years before. However, now he has the weapons to not only add some short passes, but weapons that will thrive with option football.

Shula has no excuses now if this offense falls flat.

These defensive coordinators have a lot more on their plate than ever. If they don't try to change much, they're gonna be in a lot of trouble.

[Hogmolliesmaht]

35 minutes ago, Promethean Forerunner said:

Wait wait wait... isn't this a DC from one of the worst defensive cores in the league? Yeahhhh..

In addition, 95% of NFL coaches aren't fans. They're not going to outright say that a certain coach is terrible or mediocre. That's classless and unprofessional. So, pointless argumentative point.

What does that have to do with it? Whether he's a greatest DC or not, he still watches hours and hours of the "all 22 film" on all NFL offenses and he knows a hell of a lot more than you do about how ours compares to the rest of the NFL.

[dpm0409]

2 hours ago, ladypanther said:

lol...doubt that

I "lol'd" at this too.  Ol' Kenny must not realize how big of a role CMC will play in our offense.  Judging from his comment, he thinks we will be using him for like 3 plays a game or some ish and they'll know what to do every time.  All people freaking talk about is how versatile CMC is......but it's going to somehow make it easier for defenses when he's on the field? lol

Saints D gonna Saints D I guess, ha

[Hogmolliesmaht]

3 minutes ago, Promethean Forerunner said:

Are you 12? I'll present this in layman's terms.

DC for Saints ---> Anybody is a creative offensive guru. 

NFL positional coach job is like any job. Talking smack about other coaches is moronic since you might end up working with him or her down the road. So, you don't. 

Generic statement uttered.

End of story.

Are YOU 12? Any coach who has a job in the NFL knows a hell of a lot more than any fan. That's a fact. He had no reason to call this offense unique or creative in the interview. He could easily have left that part out without "talking smack" about Shula. That's a ridiculous argument.

[The Huddler]

3 hours ago, Hogmolliesmaht said:

So the Saints DC says our offense is creative and unique but our fans know that it's not because Shula sucks. Who is more believable?

Only retards think shula sucks

 

 

#1 offense 2015

[Mvp2014]

4 hours ago, Hogmolliesmaht said:

So the Saints DC says our offense is creative and unique but our fans know that it's not because Shula sucks. Who is more believable?

I'd rather him say efficient and lethal.  Creative and unique might be true but its not ideal