Sugar coating RBs, CJ lead back

[London Loves Luke]

Run CMC in a stretch run game to the edge and he’ll give you multiple 100 yard seasons, run him up the middle in a power run game and he won’t. It’s the same for a lot of the best backs in the league including Todd Gurley.

[Woodie]

I think a lot of people misunderstand what CMC is.  While he can be very good between the tackles, he doesn't do it with power, he does it with vision, speed, and quickness.  

McCaffrey was not, and never will be a true power runner that will bull his way for yards.  When he is at his best, he gets the handoff and looks for a tiny crease created by the OL and explodes through it, using his shiftiness to avoid full contact by the DL and allowing him to get into the second level.  However, that's not how he was used last year.  Shula tried running him up the gut into the teeth of the defense just like he did Stewart far too often.  And the play designs often had the middle clogged with defenders as well, which also inhibited his ability to take advantage of what he does well.

This season, I expect Norv will do a better job of spreading out the defense, giving CMC enough space to operate.  I think he is also better prepared for the speed and power of the DL than he was last year...which, IMO, took him about half the season to start to figure out.  I also think all the weapons we have will help loosen things up for him.  So, generally, I expect he should be much improved as a runner from what we saw last year.  

[raleigh-panther]

Just now, Woodie said:

I think a lot of people misunderstand what CMC is.  While he can be very good between the tackles, he doesn't do it with power, he does it with vision, speed, and quickness.  

McCaffrey was not, and never will be a true power runner that will bull his way for yards.  When he is at his best, he gets the handoff and looks for a tiny crease created by the OL and explodes through it, using his shiftiness to avoid full contact by the DL and allowing him to get into the second level.  However, that's not how he was used last year.  Shula tried running him up the gut into the teeth of the defense just like he did Stewart far too often.  And the play designs often had the middle clogged with defenders as well, which also inhibited his ability to take advantage of what he does well.

This season, I expect Norv will do a better job of spreading out the defense, giving CMC enough space to operate.  I think he is also better prepared for the speed and power of the DL than he was last year...which, IMO, took him about half the season to start to figure out.  I also think all the weapons we have will help loosen things up for him.  So, generally, I expect he should be much improved as a runner from what we saw last year.  

I understand what he is

i just dont understand how he was number 8 in the draft   Just another questionable pick by the Panthers at that slot

just being honest. 

[Ace_Aladdin]

CAP & CJ heavy dose with mix of CMC 

CMC is essentialy full time WR that will take RB snaps. 

[tondi]

I think CMC should be on the field for every offensive snap this season. Doesn't necessarily mean he will end up with more carries than CJ though. 

[Woodie]

11 minutes ago, raleigh-panther said:

I understand what he is

i just dont understand how he was number 8 in the draft   Just another questionable pick by the Panthers at that slot

just being honest. 

If he becomes what he can and should become, you won't be questioning why he was taken #8 for long.  I watched a lot of him at Stanford, and I can honestly say that I believe when all is said and done, he will be regarded as the best back from last year's class, and well worth a top ten pick.  

While he may never be a 2000 yard rusher, I think he'll end up a 2000-2500 all purpose yards player for us...which any team would gladly give a top ten pick for.  And that doesn't even include how he effects the way the defense plays and reacts against us...we saw several instances last year where he pulled defenders which freed up other guys to make a play.  I'm really bullish on him, if you can't tell.  

[Ship]

I think we see a lot of opening sets with both on the field, making them both starters.

[Woodie]

2 minutes ago, Ship said:

I think we see a lot of opening sets with both on the field, making them both starters.

Yep.  I expect a lot of creativity which will take advantage of what both players do.  I don't think either will feel slighted at the end of the year.

[LinvilleGorge]

1 hour ago, jumpman910 said:

Anderson might not be a star or headline guy but good backups don't get 1,000 yards behind one of the worst olines in football. 

Worst OL by what measure?

https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ol

This has them ranked as a top 10 run blocking OL.

[LinvilleGorge]

3 hours ago, thefuzz said:

It would likely be time to start considering the coach a disappointment, not the player.

A "bust" doesn't catch 80 balls as a rookie.

I hope that Ron trusts Norv enough to really use CMC correctly.

We were throwing him the ball so much because A) our receivers sucked and B) our run blocking sucked.

If CMC turns out to basically be a 3rd down back, that’s a bust for a top 10 RB.

[pantherclaw]

2 hours ago, Mikey818 said:

If cmc only gets 7 carries a game again they might as well trade him for a fourth round pick

Stop. The. Stupidity.

[pantherclaw]

I remember for the first 2/3rds of Gross career, Panther fans (majority) called him and bust and not worth the pick he came to Carolina on.  

Most considered him nothing but a good RT. 

 

 

[KillerKat]

6 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

We were throwing him the ball so much because A) our receivers sucked and B) our run blocking sucked.

If CMC turns out to basically be a 3rd down back, that’s a bust for a top 10 RB.

Yeah he needs to be getting the bulk no matter what CJ did last season.  Top 10 pick in their 2nd season needs to shine.

[pantherclaw]

I see CMC as a play maker. 

A consistent play maker. 

I'll take that from the 8th pick every year.