Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Ugly Options

Mr. Scot

By Mr. Scot,
in Carolina Panthers

Recommended Posts

Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

Posted
Posted

So with word that Jeff Otah might be out for a while (and in the wake of the whipping the line took on Sunday) I've been giving some thought to what the team could do on the right side of the line to get a little more push for the backs and keep whomever gets the start at QB a little safer.

It breaks down to these options:

Elevate Garry Williams or Tim Duckworth: Possible, but highly unlikely. They're backups for a reason.

Bring in outside help at guard: A definite possibility now that week one is past. A veteran presence inside also helps Schwartz out since he wouldn't be paired with another youngster.

Bring in outside help at tackle: Two sub-options here. You could keep Bernadeau at guard or you could move Schwartz inside and return Bernadeau to the "utility backup" role.

Adjust the protection schemes: Keep a tight end, halffback or fullback on the right side for blocking purposes

Reconfigure the alignment: Move Wharton to right tackle, Schwartz to left guard, or move Gross to right tackle, Travelle Wharton out to left tackle and put Schwartz at left guard. Not a big fan of this as it strikes me as a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Plus I'm just not a big fan of line-shuffling.

Stand pat and hope for improvement: The most likely scenario, and you could argue a smart one since teams and units often look entirely different from week one to week two. These guys did okay last year, and early mistakes followed by a week of practice might just whip them back into shape.

For now, I'm still of the mindset that Otah will be back in a few weeks, and I'm looking at appropriate options with that as my framework. There is, of course, the possibility that Otah's downtime could be extended. Thus, it's worth keeping that in mind, but for now at least I'm still optimistic.

So what's your solution, and why?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
weyco2000 Mentor

weyco2000

Posted
Posted

Reconfigure the alignment: Move Wharton to right tackle, Schwartz to left guard, or move Gross to right tackle, Travelle Wharton out to left tackle and put Schwartz at left guard. Not a big fan of this as it strikes me as a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Plus I'm just not a big fan of line-shuffling.

Gross to RT for sure, he is not the Gross of old.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Zod Grand Master

Zod

Posted
Posted

Stand pat and hope for improvement: The most likely scenario

Agreed. I don't think changing out personnel would help matters much. I don't see the issue as a physical one, it seems to be more chemistry as a unit. Mixing it up more would only hurt.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Urrymonster Newbie

Urrymonster

Posted
Posted

It took a few games for these boys to get going the last two seasons and were dominant once they were up and running. I would not change much at the moment and then slide Schwartz inside when Otah returns.

Mack is a back up playing in a starting role. Great effort and a physical specimen, however he is just not a dominant lineman.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Davidson Deac II Grand Master

Davidson Deac II

Posted
Posted

It took a few games for these boys to get going the last two seasons and were dominant once they were up and running. I would not change much at the moment and then slide Schwartz inside when Otah returns.

Mack is a back up playing in a starting role. Great effort and a physical specimen, however he is just not a dominant lineman.

This. No reason to panic yet.

But I do wonder why it takes them a few games to get going. Maybe Fox needs to look into changing preseason activities.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
panthers55 Grand Master

panthers55

Posted
Posted

Seems to me that the left side of the line was as bad or worse than the right side. With a good 60% of all running plays going through the guards and center, I doubt that Otah will make a great difference when he returns, particularly in the passing game. We ran into problems when we went from running and passing to just passing and that is the key. As long as we mix things up we will be okay. When we become one dimensional we are in trouble no matter who is on the line.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Gantt had posited that OL help might be coming for depth reasons (sorry Duckworth) and with week one now past it seems more possible.

But will it be just for depth?

Hate to say it, but I wasn't especially happy with the right guard spot throughout preseason, and week one hasn't helped. Still, it is only week one.

If the team decides to see what Dave Magazu can do for Mackenzy for at least a few more weeks, I can accept that. But with that said, the team likes "utility backups" like Bernadeau and Schwartz (remember Hangartner?) My ultimate guess is a lot of the decision will be based on the outlook for Jeff Otah.

If Otah's fine, either nothing happens or the team brings in a guard (or uses the Schwartz) to challenge Bernadeau.

If Otah looks worse than they thought, the team brings in a tackle, Schwartz and Bernadeau compete for the right guard spot.

As far as major alignment shifts, I really don't think that'll happen (nor do I think they're a good idea) but if they do, it's more likely to be midseason than early.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Brooklyn Bully Newbie

Brooklyn Bully

Posted
Posted

We don't have a perfect line, and never did. O-lines get abused from time to time. O-lines don't always open holes for their backs. It happens. It happened. It will happen again this season. Stick with what you got and just play the damn game. Hoping for a perfect line is nothing more than a dream. We'll have better days, and we'll have worse. That's football.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GRWatcher Mentor

GRWatcher

Posted
Posted

Adjust the protection schemes: Keep a tight end, halffback or fullback on the right side for blocking purposes

They did this in the 2nd half and it didn't help much. TE on the right, Goodson on the left. We can cross this off the list as a fix that will help.

Keeping the personnel the same, watching the film, and correcting mistakes is the best they can do. Besides they will be at home the next 2 games where, hopefully, it will be quieter while they're on the field.

Also, having a fullback that can open holes for our running game and block for the passing game sure would help. We are missing Hoover big time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Kentucky Panther
      Schedule Release: Leaks and Rumors

      By Kentucky Panther · Posted

      Same. I would prefer a MNF game earlier in the season. As if more likely has some significance in case things go south this season. If we perform well enough we could even get another game forced to a Sunday night spot later in the season. 
    • ladypanther
      The Carolina Huddle

      By ladypanther · Posted

      Wanted to jump into this thread. Although I do not post anymore I do look in as there are a few old friends around. Loved hearing some of the names you mentioned.  Another  oldie is NanceUSMC.  He is the one who got me here from the old Observer forum.  Good guy and smart football guy. I have learned a lot from a lot of good Huddlers over the years, Over time. we have sadly lost a few who left this earth too soon.  Anyone who know of someone, it would be nice to try to make a list.  One of the more recent, CosmoGirl,  was someone that kind of hit hard.  Life sucks sometimes. Some of the best times were when we had our own tailgate and could meet up in person.  I think it made us better. Several dedicated volunteers, lead by LiverMush, started setting things up in the wee hours of each gameday morning.  Don't know all those regulars but I remember JakeFlake was one.  For you newbies...each game,  a Huddler (or a group) sponsored the food for each tailgate.  Eating was free but a donation was asked for.  At the end of the year those donations were used to buy bicycles for Toys for Tots.  Over the years Huddlers bought a lot of new bikes for kids for Christmas.  (I am guessing a couple of hundred each year.)  We had a good time getting together, got to make friends in person, and then got to feel like you were doing something good. It was truly a community. I got to meet Dan Morgan at one of our tailgates...he brought pizza from his restaurant.  How many of you remember that?  Glad the restaurant did not make it....lol. Not only have people changed, and come and gone.....but the entire nature and purpose has changed. Nothing lasts forever and we move on but we still like to think about good times. Same reason we take pictures. Want to ask a question I have not seen anyone else mention......who remembers    "The Couch" ?  We have argued, laughed, lived the ups and downs of football and dealt with a little real life along the way.  A thanks to  the Mods who keep this going.  I am sure they sacrifice a lot of their time out of love for the forum and the Panthers. Take care my friends and be well.  I will close with my new favorite quote which I think is greatly needed in these difficult times.        
    • Jay Roosevelt
      Favorite JAG 2020+

      By Jay Roosevelt · Posted

      My top-5 JAGS: 1. Tommy Tremble: May not ever be top-tier, but has been solid and you never doubt the effort. 2. Cade Mays: Not bad for a 6th rounder. Hated to see him go. 3. Brady Christensen: One of the most versatile backup OLs in the NFL. Hopefully we re-sign him. 4. Trevis Gipson: Quietly was really solid depth last season. Glad we brought him back. 5. Brycen Tremayne: Has been solid depth at WR, flashing at times last year.
×
×
  • Create New...