On Christian McCaffrey - On The Cusp Of A Big Play?

[Saca312]

Perhaps one of the biggest things Panthers fans gripe about CMC is his lack of production as a big play threat. Sure, he distracts defenses and gives Cam a slot/checkdown option this offense sorely needs, but you'd kinda hope your 8th overall pick would do more than just that.

Looking back at a few things, it may simply just be CMC having bad luck.

On this one particular play, CMC had an opportunity to make a big play. Had Matt Kalil not been beaten so bad, CMC had a large plot of green grass in front of him to run - maybe even into the endzone.

In fact, there arguably have been a lot of times where CMC was at a spot where he could potentially make a big play, but for one reason or another that never came into fruition.

Thoughts?

[t96]

We've seen McC make catches with some space and go down on first contact. 

[Achilles]

There have been half a dozen plays like that where all he needs to do is make the first tackler miss, but he can't quite get away.  NFL defenders are faster that the kids he played in college.  They are better tacklers.  He still has good quickness, but it just isn't such a huge advantage anymore.

I think he will improve and adjust with time.  He already is helping this offense.  He has a few TDs and he's still a threat to break a big gain on any play. 

Its only been 6 games. The offense is still developing. CMC doesn't have the production in the run game like Fournette is having, but he was never drafted to be the workhorse.  He is a receiving threat and actually has a lot of catches and yards, if you look.

The big plays will come.

[Ace_Aladdin]

14 minutes ago, Saca312 said:

Perhaps one of the biggest things Panthers fans gripe about CMC is his lack of production as a big play threat. Sure, he distracts defenses and gives Cam a slot/checkdown option this offense sorely needs, but you'd kinda hope your 8th overall pick would do more than just that.

Looking back at a few things, it may simply just be CMC having bad luck.

On this one particular play, CMC had an opportunity to make a big play. Had Matt Kalil not been beaten so bad, CMC had a large plot of green grass in front of him to run - maybe even into the endzone.

In fact, there arguably have been a lot of times where CMC was at a spot where he could potentially make a big play, but for one reason or another that never came into fruition.

Thoughts?

Need someone badly to stretch the defense out deep so we can play Hi-Lo concept , need to use Samuel on deep crossing route wiht CMC as underneath dump off

[Shocker]

CMC has been great so far and a great pick.  Just gonna sit back and watch people keep doubting the one guy that has been consistently good.

[KendrickPanther]

He's had great production even without the big play. He's gotten loose on  deep routes and Cam didn't see him or overthrew it. 

I can remember one play against the Eagles where KB was playing patty cake with the DB.... If he had pancaked the guy it would have opened up options for CMC but he got forced into the safety help for a big gain but not a break away play. 

[Shocker]

This season is right there for a Super Bowl, we are right there as one of the best teams with a horrible turnover margin, bad injuries and yet we are right here in the discussion.  I think we will go to the Super Bowl and play the Steelers.  Best two teams when healthy IMO.

[electro's horse]

all these threads for a guy who's done nothing at all.

imagine what saca will do once CMC tops that elusive 20 yards rushing in a game plateau

[uncfan888]

1 minute ago, electro's horse said:

all these threads for a guy who's done nothing at all.

imagine what saca will do once CMC tops that elusive 20 yards rushing in a game plateau

It's not like anyone else could with our line 

[Shocker]

7 minutes ago, uncfan888 said:

It's not like anyone else could with our line 

This is bullshet, get Ryan back set these guys and get nasty and this line is fine.  Not worried about the line.  Play calling maybe but not the effort or talent of our OL.

[Borat]

11 minutes ago, uncfan888 said:

It's not like anyone else could with our line 

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-ranking-all-32-nfl-offensive-lines-by-average-grade-week-5

Panthers #2 overall, "most successful when running a man-blocking scheme this season, as they average 2.42 yards before contact on these runs, third-highest in the league."

Though PFF is by no means perfect, it seems more likely that there is some other piston that isn't firing. Stewart is in his 10th season, ancient for a tailback, and McCaffrey simply isn't producing as expected, even if (as the OP is doing) you redefine "missing catches/getting tackled/otherwise failing to make a play" as "bad luck." 

A Stewart replacement is a must in the draft or FA next summer for the Panthers, IMO. McCaffrey is already a good receiver/gadget player, and will likely become great. But he can't be counted on to run between the tackles ~20x per game. 

[uncfan888]

Just now, Shocker said:

This is bullshet, get Ryan back set these guys and get nasty and this line is fine.  Not worried about the line.  Play calling maybe but not the effort or talent of our OL.

How's it bullshit? No one has done anything behind our line yet. I didn't say anything about getting Kalil back. I hope he helps

[uncfan888]

1 minute ago, Borat said:

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-ranking-all-32-nfl-offensive-lines-by-average-grade-week-5

Panthers #2 overall, "most successful when running a man-blocking scheme this season, as they average 2.42 yards before contact on these runs, third-highest in the league."

Though PFF is by no means perfect, it seems more likely that there is some other piston that isn't firing. Stewart is in his 10th season, ancient for a tailback, and McCaffrey simply isn't producing, even if (as the OP is doing) you redefine "missing catches/getting tackled/otherwise failing to make a play" as "bad luck." 

PFF means nothing to me. If you watched that eagles game and saw them continually get hit as soon as they got the ball, then you'd know that ranking is a joke. 

[Shocker]

1 minute ago, uncfan888 said:

How's it bullshit? No one has done anything behind our line yet. I didn't say anything about getting Kalil back. I hope he helps

Dude did u watch 2 of Cams best games?  This year right?  You just post negative shet constantly and I'm annoyed.  Stop.