TWO WEEKS OUT

[Jeremy Igo]

Just an FYI, we are two weeks away for our first Panthers Gameday in a long, long ass time. 

[1of10Charnatives]

A little over 7 months.

But hey, at least the world hasn’t changed much since last time we had football right?

 

 

 

Hold me.

[Jeremy Igo]

Just now, 1of10Charnatives said:

A little over 7 months.

 

Feels like 7 years. 

[philit99]

I am hopeful that we have a decent season, and get a good look at some players for our upcoming run to the Super Bowl.

[Sasquatch]

1 hour ago, Jeremy Igo said:

Just an FYI, we are CURRENTLY SCHEDULED TO BE two weeks away for our first Panthers Gameday in a long, long ass time. 

?

[Jeremy Igo]

14 minutes ago, Sasquatch said:

?

Unless there is an outbreak of epic proportions, I feel there will definitely be a game. 

 

Two months from now? No idea. But I plan on enjoying each game like it is the superbowl. 

[musicman]

Coach Rhule is the perfect person to lead this team during not only this time period of issues (pandemic, social, etc), but a newly turned over roster and coaching staff. The team will be exciting to watch even if we don't win a lot this year. They are not going to roll over this year and may get a few surprise and hard fought victories. They probably won't make the playoffs which is fine. Just get better and keep the team highly competitive, which I feel he will 100% do. The glass is half full, not half empty. 

[Jeremy Igo]

31 minutes ago, musicman said:

Coach Rhule is the perfect person to lead this team during not only this time period of issues (pandemic, social, etc), but a newly turned over roster and coaching staff. The team will be exciting to watch even if we don't win a lot this year. They are not going to roll over this year and may get a few surprise and hard fought victories. They probably won't make the playoffs which is fine. Just get better and keep the team highly competitive, which I feel he will 100% do. The glass is half full, not half empty. 

Agree

[nctarheelreincarnated]

Can’t wait to watch the growth of this team, with every single loss! TL here we come! 

[MHS831]

that was a great "state of the union" and a fair summary.  I see Chinn as a solid player on any team---a superstar if used correctly.  I think he is in the best place for his skill set and will be very interested in how he is used.  I get the feeling that he will be on the field a lot.

I would like to elaborate a bit about Bridgewater--and hopefully provide some optimism.  We will be facing Carr, a qb very much like Bridgewater. 

For those of you who wanted the Panthers to re-sign Cam Newton, here is why we did not--and Super Bowl 50 seems to be the game that provided the blueprint on how to subdue Cam.  Now, not every team has a Von Miller, but if you will notice, the speed rushers in the NFL and NFC South increased dramatically after that game.  People started hitting him--high, late, hard--it did not matter if you get a flag, just punish Cam for holding the ball or running the ball.  Make him get rid of it. A study from 2014 might indicate that the information about releasing the ball (a study they began in 2011) may have been the reason the Broncos drafted Miller and been the blueprint for how QBs would be attacked in the modern NFL.

In the study linked here (and I have read other breakdowns that are similar-- https://www.pff.com/news/qbs-in-focus-time-to-throw ) note the names at the top of the "Time to throw" list for QBs that get rid of the ball in 2 seconds or less: All hall of fame qbs--all are very good at the "pre-snap read" and known for their football IQs and less known for their athleticism. 

1. P. Manning

2. Big Ben

3. T. Brady

4. A. Rogers

7. Brees

30.  Cam Newton

So while Cam was not effective in the "2 seconds or under" category--he had about half as many drop backs in that area as the top 4 players (Rogers being the exception, but he still had more)--the names and team successes in 2014 would suggest that the best teams had QBs that could get rid of the ball successfully in that range.. it also indicates that the qb detects something pre-snap and immediately knows where to go with the ball as soon as it touches his hands.  I watch the QB's eyes pre-snap, and the names at the top of this list are playing the game before the ball is snapped--identifying the Mike, calling audibles, etc.  Here, Kalil called the schemes and identified the Mike.  Not sure if that is an indication of anything--but it could be.

Cam was best in the 2.1-2.5 range, where he ranked #7 in the NFL.

If he went over 2.5 seconds, he was dead last in the NFL.

 Cam Newton was effective when he had enough time to set his feet and deliver on mid to deep routes.  He was not good on short, quick-hitting routes and if the play broke down and he had to improvise, it did not usually end well.  Yes, a long run saved us quite often, but let's not forget that he has been hit by the total number of times that the #2 NFL QB and the #3 NFL QB in this category have been hit--COMBINED.   It is my opinion that Bill B is up there in Boston figuring out a way to get the ball out of Cam's hands sooner.

ALL THAT TO SAY THIS:  We have a qb (Bridgewater) that does a good job in the pre-snap read.  He gets the ball to the WR on time and accurately.  He is not a long ball hitter, but he can at times. And we have an offense that fits his skill set.  We do not know what we have in Bridgewater, but I think he will be playing in the NFL in 6-8 years from now.  I think that he is a much better fit here and now than Cam would have been.

Bridgewater (at Minnesota) had 28 TDs and 22 Ints and a respectable 86.3 QBR.

At New Orleans, in only 6 starts and a total of 14 appearances, he had 10 TDs, 3 Ints, and a good 96.0 QB rating.  

He is 28--entering his prime. While it may not be as fun to watch--who cares if the ball is not in the air as long if it is in CMC's hands or Samuel or Moore or Anderson?  Trust this fit. 

 

 

[philit99]

Awesome analysis, thanks!

[1of10Charnatives]

Definately food for thought. I loved Cam as a person and a player but always felt accuracy and holding the ball were his biggest weaknesses. I suspect there's a fair chance you're right about TB's fit to this system. One thing you can say is that we definitely have skill position players who can make things happen after the catch, so the need to throw 30 yards to get 30 yards isn't there. I think a key question will be can Brady use Anderson and Samuel properly as deep threats often enough to keep defenses honest and can TB deliver when those plays are called?  I for one will be looking super close at these type plays to see if Okung and Moton can hold up consistently for the needed 3 seconds and the RB's performances as a chip blocker picking up blitzes could be crucial as well.

I suspect we'll try to get away with calling as few of these as possible early on since the lack of an offseason has left a new QB and reconstructed O line virtually no time to gell on blocking schemes and blitz pickups. The later we get into the season, the more we might see Brady willing to work some in and see what we get. That's my hunch anyway.

[electro's horse]

1 hour ago, Jeremy Igo said:

Unless there is an outbreak of epic proportions, I feel there will definitely be a game. 

 

Two months from now? No idea. But I plan on enjoying each game like it is the superbowl. 

yeah i think this is right all around. they're pretty clearly going to TRY to play a game.

I still wouldn't be surprised if they cancel interdivisional games and push the season back/shorten it. 

[kungfoodude]

2 hours ago, musicman said:

Coach Rhule is the perfect person to lead this team during not only this time period of issues (pandemic, social, etc), but a newly turned over roster and coaching staff. The team will be exciting to watch even if we don't win a lot this year. They are not going to roll over this year and may get a few surprise and hard fought victories. They probably won't make the playoffs which is fine. Just get better and keep the team highly competitive, which I feel he will 100% do. The glass is half full, not half empty. 

I am not sure all of this will happen but if it does, it will be a BIG success. You just described by idea of an ideal result.