Panthers main focus/strength is running the ball. The current NFL is a passing league

[Dingleberry]

And who would be our shut down CB?

chris gamble is one of the best shut down corners in the league. statistically speaking, you won't notice it, but during games, you'll notice that the opposing team will throw on the opposite side of the field from gamble most of the time. i've actually been quite impressed with his play over the past couple seasons, and he's only about to hit his prime.

with that being said, who cares if it's a passing league. it's been proven that running the ball and stopping the run has been the best game plan for any team trying to win a super bowl. you can ask any head coach in the league, the first thing they'll tell you is, "We've gotta run the ball, and figure out how to stop their running game." simple as that. if you put the ball in the QB's hands, you have a better chance at winning the game, regardless of who's under center. the saints proved that this past season. they put the ball in peyton manning's hands, and he ended up throwing a pick to end the game. and honestly, how do you think teams with elite QB's get their elite QB's to perform so well? they use the run to set up the pass! unless it's the colts vs. the lions... i'm sure you could pass all day on them.

[Nu Guns]

If this year proved anything, it proved that balance is still the most important element in offense. Teams that can run and pass efficiently have a significant advantage over teams that can only do one or the other. Only way a predominantly passing team can win is if they have one of the top 2 or 3 Quarterbacks in the game. Meanwhile a running team with an adequate QB can make it to the AFC championship game. .

yes!!

[Udogg]

This thread came up about a month earlier this year. Its gonna be really really slow around July I think.

[Urrymonster]

chris gamble is one of the best shut down corners in the league. statistically speaking, you won't notice it, but during games, you'll notice that the opposing team will throw on the opposite side of the field from gamble most of the time. i've actually been quite impressed with his play over the past couple seasons, and he's only about to hit his prime.

Gamble was thrown at for 13% of pass plays he was on the field for

Marshall was thrown at for 16% of pass plays he was on the field for

Munnerlyn was thrown at for 13% of pass plays he was on the field for

Something tells me that our CBs played on about a par with each other last year...Gamble is not a 'shutdown corner' in the league of Revis.

On topic though, I like that we are sticking with what makes our team. Both the 4-3 zone defence and the power running offence is 'out of favour' with the masses. This means all the players that are ideal for our schemes are less sought after, allowing us to get better value in the draft AND find the players more readily. If we get the next couple of drafts right then we could well be set for the next 5-6 years.

[Razzy]

I don't think running is dead at all. Where as a pass-happy team is looking to stack points on you, a team like the Panthers should be trying to hold the ball, eat the clock, and keep it out of the opposing offenses hands.

Look at the first game against the Saints last year, up until the last minutes we were controlling that game.

[rayzor]

the op bought the hype.