Why Isn’t Christian McCaffrey Panning Out?

[Skack25]

I dream of a world in which the pieces this offense has are used properly.

[Vagrant]

the similarities between CMC and Reggie Bush are eerie. similar size. similar games. CMC will be very reliant upon his offensive line for push on his designed runs and will always be more valuable as a receiver. he's not a dive play running back. he needs space and he needs pulling linemen. the problem is that we don't have a strong road grading tackle to run behind on either side and our interior linemen are more suited to straight line blocking than pulling because they're insanely strong but not quick enough to get around the tackle for tosses and sweeps. 

the real idea should be to get him in a bunch formation behind Funchess and KB for quick hitter screens and let them go one on one with corners in matchups they should win no problem. 

[Pantha-kun]

The Panthers organization should have fixed the oline before they spent that high of a draft pick on any running back . 

[thefuzz]

42 minutes ago, Vagrant said:

the similarities between CMC and Reggie Bush are eerie. similar size. similar games. CMC will be very reliant upon his offensive line for push on his designed runs and will always be more valuable as a receiver. he's not a dive play running back. he needs space and he needs pulling linemen. the problem is that we don't have a strong road grading tackle to run behind on either side and our interior linemen are more suited to straight line blocking than pulling because they're insanely strong but not quick enough to get around the tackle for tosses and sweeps. 

the real idea should be to get him in a bunch formation behind Funchess and KB for quick hitter screens and let them go one on one with corners in matchups they should win no problem. 

Ha.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

Good one.

Did you see the gif of 17 in Jeremy's post earlier?

 

JK, I agree, but the effort just isn't there from our WR's, no matter their size.

[juliosantos]

line 

[MechaZain]

 

1 hour ago, CRA said:

people continue to try to figure out why things that aren't the problem....are the problem. 

Example.  How many threads have been dedicated to Cam and CMC not being good enough.  REALITY - they aren't the problem. 

 

 

How many people totally dismiss the fact we lack the WR talent to open up the offense.....and simply say you can scheme out of it or solve it with a RB/WR rookie that never even filled that role in college.  2017 = 2014.  Why the offense isn't working is simple.   We lack speed at WR.....and opposing defenses play the run as a result and the 3 routes Kev/Fun run well with no fear that anyone can beat them over the top.  So they play our WRs one on one knowing it takes X amount of time for them to get open on non-big play threatening routes.   Exact same thing occured in 2014.  Couldn't run....and couldn't make plays downfield.  Offense imploded and Cam took a beating.   

We need speed at WR and better OT play. That immediately transforms the offense. 

Yeah I find it bizarre how people are ignoring that we've needed a reliable slot receiver for years.  That fact he can rush at all is practically a bonus. Pick up a bruiser later if we have to.

Only real knock against McCaffrey is that we may have drafted him too high given his role, but it's a desperate need that was filled.

[Peppers90 NC]

Did we change our blocking scheme for this evolved offense unnecessarily if it changed at all and not fitting our lines strengths for one player in CMC? I dont know if it changed but it is weird our line gets zero push nowadays. I know they are capable but it has to be their mindset to push people off the line and they are lacking that killer instinct. This is what I was getting at after the Saints game but then we somehow played decent two weeks in a row and it masked it although we didnt run worth a fug.

[Peppers90 NC]

1 hour ago, CRA said:

people continue to try to figure out why things that aren't the problem....are the problem. 

Example.  How many threads have been dedicated to Cam and CMC not being good enough.  REALITY - they aren't the problem. 

 

 

How many people totally dismiss the fact we lack the WR talent to open up the offense.....and simply say you can scheme out of it or solve it with a RB/WR rookie that never even filled that role in college.  2017 = 2014.  Why the offense isn't working is simple.   We lack speed at WR.....and opposing defenses play the run as a result and the 3 routes Kev/Fun run well with no fear that anyone can beat them over the top.  So they play our WRs one on one knowing it takes X amount of time for them to get open on non-big play threatening routes.   Exact same thing occured in 2014.  Couldn't run....and couldn't make plays downfield.  Offense imploded and Cam took a beating.   

We need speed at WR and better OT play. That immediately transforms the offense. 

It seemed like Shepard was getting a lot of deep catches in training camp but hasnt been going deep at all. We lost Byrd and Samuel hasnt been going deep either. I think we have the speed, you dont have to have 4.3 speed necessarily to do it, you just have to attempt it a few times to loosen up what you are referring to. Hell even Funchess has beaten guys multiple times down the field one on one but was not thrown to(quite a bit more last season). I dont think Shula has a real identity for this offense and what he wants to do and thats a huge problem.

[Shocker]

Way to early for this and he's been pretty good.  He's a rookie.  Jeez.  I do know Cam overthrew him by 10 feet on a crossing route last week with nothing but green in front of him.  Putting it all on CMC isn't fair IMO. 

I mean, a short dump pass to the right and CMC has to make a circus grab because of a Cam overthrow.  He consistently misses with these high throws. 

[Pantha-kun]

If McCaffrey went to the Saints he'd probably be doing similar to Kamara or even better. He would've fit that team, coaches , and system alot better . 

 

[rippadonn]

Before the draft I was an advocate of them drafting Fournette AND McCaffrey.

A bit unrealistic with how the draft panned out but he isn't the RB they needed. Everybody knew who they needed. He was gone.

Like other posters have said, they have failed to keep/aquire/draft a playmaker at receiver. 

Ginn could be unreliable but he had the same thing Smitty had, he was electric at times. 

Youve got the guy with maybe the best hands outside of Olsen, best route runner playing runningback in the NFL at under 215lbs. That's crazy.

People switch positions when they get to the NFL, no shame in that. When you try to prove otherwise you get guys hurt. He gets blown back too often.

He has the skills to play WR/PR in the NFL. Using him at runningback or in the wildcat should be the bonus not the norm.

[xav8tor]

9 minutes ago, rippadonn said:

Before the draft I was an advocate of them drafting Fournette AND McCaffrey.

Youve got the guy with maybe the best hands outside of Olsen, best route runner playing runningback in the NFL at under 215lbs. That's crazy.

People switch positions when they get to the NFL, no shame in that. When you try to prove otherwise you get guys hurt. He gets blown back too often.

He has the skills to play WR/PR in the NFL. Using him at runningback or in the wildcat should be the bonus not the norm.

2 hours ago, Pantha-kun said:

If McCaffrey went to the Saints he'd probably be doing similar to Kamara or even better. He would've fit that team, coaches , and system alot better . 

 

See above. CMC is Edelman 2.0, but with a dash of Amendola, and the ability to run out of the backfield ON PROPERLY DESIGNED plays. If he was in NE or NO, the highlight reels would already be hitting file size limits. 

[BIGH2001]

He's been fine, especially for a rookie.  Give me the stats for all the other guys in our offense who are playing at such a high level. Curtis Samuel cant even catch a pitch.

[TheCableGuy]

cause Shula don't know how to use him.