All-22 Review of the first team offense vs. Houston

[Icege]

Second Series - First Play
Panthers come out in 12 personnel rather than the 11 they had been in the previous drive (Sanders + Evans are the TEs). Texans look like they're in there NASCAR package, but I admittedly don't know enough about the team to know if this is that grouping. Just making assumptions based on who they've got out there. Carolina starts out in the pistol, but Bryce walks up under center to take the snap. It's a play action shot play with a bootleg to the left. Mitchell Evans pulls across the formation and stays in to help JT0 with blocking, leaving just Chuba in the flat (with a defender lurking) while TMac streaks down the sideline (covered) and XL runs a deep crosser. I... I don't understand this playcall by Idzik. The Texans had only blitzed once on the first series and the run game had not exactly been established yet. This almost felt like a forced deep shot to work on in-game timing with WR1 + WR2.

The Texans called cover-3 on this play and completely negated the shot play. Bryce pulled the ball down and scrambled for two yards before sliding. Very surprising to see this, especially after the recently linked Read Optional article that pointed out how leaving in extra protection for Bryce hurts his processing ability because it gives him less options to work with. I think Idzik is trying to get some chunk plays for his WRs here while also encouraging Bryce to push the deep ball. Credit where credit is due though: the OL had a good rep here in protection, but I imagine having seven blockers for four rushers helped with that tremendously. As you can see below though, the LBs were already dropping back into coverage.

Verdict: This is why preseason is for coaches too. Idzik was calling the plays again and as much as I'm sure he'd like to get the WRs making chunk plays he still has to learn the finer art of using the jab to set up the crosser (pun intended). Bryce made the right read here seeing that the Texans had dropped back into zone and taken away all three options.

Second Series - Second Play
Ball on the Carolina 25. Panthers go back to 11 personnel (WRs: Thielen, Moore, Tremayne (!!); TE: Evans). Texans go back to their Buffalo nickel package from the first series (same players). Tremayne motions in a couple of steps to be inline and the ball is snapped. Hunt/TMo get a great push on Sheldon Rankins (knocked him damn near 4yds backwards) while Corbett/Mays push Settle back a yard or two as well. Chuba hits the hole, but Danielle Hunter beats Icky inside to stop it for just a gain of two.

I understand the safe play call here after the dice rolling that took place on the previous shot play, but an offense needs to do more to help their QB get as far away from 3rd and long as possible. An inside run likely isn't going to do that, no matter how much the UDFA WR is blocking his ass off.

Verdict: Really disappointed with what appeared to be a lack of effort on Icky's part here. Kind of took his time engaging with Hunter who was peeking into the backfield and easily shed the block. This is what put Panthers' fans through the ringer last season... It seemed like every play, somebody found a way to mess up. While sometimes it's because the other teams practices too, you still want to see your run-blocking LT shove his assignment through a wall rather than wait for him to come in and engage (especially when it isn't a draw play!). Also... Brycen Tremayne getting rotated in with the 1s before David Moore is veeerrry interesting.

Second Series - Third Play
Final play for the starters! 11 personnel (Rico, TMac, XL, AT, JT0) against another Buffalo nickel variation for the Texans (Edwards in for Settle, Speed in for To'oTo'o, three safeties on the field). Shotgun formation, Dowdle to the right in the backfield, trips to the right, JT0 on the left. AT motions to the left and Bryce sees that it's zone. JT0 + AT run medium + low levels concept while Dowdle leaks to the right flat and TMac + XL run a dagger concept with TMac running the dig.

Both tackles got destroyed on this play... TMo on his back with his feet in the air like a Reno sex worker after Lou Thesz pressed by Danielle Hunter and Icky once again gives up the inside but this time to Will Anderson Jr. I recall during this play some Huddlers pinching their nipples over Bryce not getting it out to Dowdle in the flat. Some even said he never looked Dowdle's way, which was definitely not true but there was reason to be concerned that he was back to looking to force something out of nothing like what happened during his rookie year under Reich. After reviewing the film though, Dowdle isn't making squat happen if Bryce hits him in the flat. He would have gotten Rico killed by three defenders that were just waiting over top.

Verdict: Again, this is Panthers' football at its finest/worst. Each play a different player (or players) seems to fail the rest of the team and kill a potentially big play. If there isn't immediate pressure, then XL is taking this to the house or TMac is being hit for a big play. Just look at what's happening while Bryce is having to run for his life (and sees that Dowdle isn't even looking back at him).

Conclusion
It was understandably off putting to here that the offense was going to come out for three series, maybe even the whole quarter if necessary, only to see them sit after what was essentially two three-and-outs. However, the team is still relatively healthy as we approach the regular season (knock on wood) and the young weapons are clearly getting additional reps to get up to speed. Personally, I'd like to see the starters come out against Pittsburgh for two or three drives unless the put together a solid, long drive to open the game with. That likely isn't happening though as Canales and company seem to be using the joint practices to evaluate starters and preseason to evaluate depth + fringe players.

Parting Hot Take: Don't be surprised if Brycen Tremayne sneaks onto the roster as WR #7 and David Moore finds himself on the practice squad to start the season.

[frankw]

1 minute ago, Mr Mojo Risin said:

In 2015 Cam Newton was yes. Cam Newton in 2011 was not and I'm not going to compare Cam's career and what he accomplished to the current situation we find ourselves in as a Franchise. I'm just pointing out a relevant situation in our team's history that proves you can't use a preseason game in which the QB threw 2 passes to dictate whether we are going to be a functional offense or not I mean it just doesn't make any sense.

I see absolutely no logic with trying to link the 2011 rookie of the year with this offense and a third year QB who is trying to shake off one of the five worst rookie seasons in decades. The only purpose it serves is to make someone feel better. If that's what you want great but it does not align with reality right now.

[Tbe]

10 minutes ago, frankw said:

I see absolutely no logic with trying to link the 2011 rookie of the year with this offense and a third year QB who is trying to shake off one of the five worst rookie seasons in decades. The only purpose it serves is to make someone feel better. If that's what you want great but it does not align with reality right now.

The doomers are just as annoying.

[PantherChris]

1 minute ago, Tbe said:

The doomers are just as annoying.

I still dont see any of these way too optimistic people no one here is saying the will be fantastic.... just that we could be watchable.

[Tbe]

5 minutes ago, PantherChris said:

I still dont see any of these way too optimistic people no one here is saying the will be fantastic.... just that we could be watchable.

I haven’t either. Most of these people with extreme love or hate for BY (or Tepper, etc) are just young kids. Thats why they are so emotional.

Just block them. Thats what I do…

[Icege]

If I get some free time tomorrow I'm going to try and go through the rest of the all-22 for the game to see if there are any tidbits we can take away from it. Stuff like...

• if Brycen Tremayne is getting more time on offense are Ransom + Richardson getting the same extra looks on defense?
• What about DL depth? Do Crumedy and Jackson make the roster? Roberts has been pretty good against back-ups.
• Is there anybody showing that they can be the CB5 that the roster needs or will the team likely look at cuts?
• Who in the Hell makes the LB room?
• Any play calls we're seeing that look like they're going to be building blocks for the offense?
• Does James Mitchell steal Mitchell Evans' roster spot?
• Does Jimmy Horn Jr find himself practice squad bound? (PLS NO, KEEP JIMMY)

Edited August 18, 2025 by Icege

[PantherChris]

3 minutes ago, XClown1986 said:

He at least brings compelling conversation and keeps the board up to date with information from around the league. 

Beats the trolling and negativity. This is after all, a Panthers message board. You and others simply litter this place with a narrow-minded point of view and very little capacity for converstation. It's exhausting, and quite frankly, understandable why so many veteran posters have deserted this place. Ive been on this board for 20 years. Through all of the shitty years, the board has never been this awful. I would love to see veteran posters come back and swing that bant stick like Kurb, Zod, and others used to do. 

But yeah most of our generation has disappeared from this forum.... due to it...

(US Panthers fans who are 80s millennials) I've posted here in one form or anther since 2003 and its definitely the worst I've seen it

Even the old school Debbie downers like ickmule and occasionally JOAT analyzed things and didnt just spew opinion and conjunture.

[jb2288]

1 hour ago, frankw said:

We had less than 100 total yards for most of the Texans game and finished with a whopping three points.

There's a whole lot of real estate between that and 300 yards 5 TD's. People just want to see progression of any kind.

And since when is throwing into triple coverage under any circumstances something you want your starting QB doing especially one entering a pivotal prove it season?

The throw to TMac was high and on the QB. JT had a bad drop. Then Bryce had a moment where he looked completely lost fleeing the pocket and basically sacked himself.

Not really anything to sugarcoat from this one.

It is a FREE PLAY. If he didn’t try the throw I know you would be the first one posting about how he didn’t try to push the ball downfield on a free play 

[frankw]

8 minutes ago, XClown1986 said:

He at least brings compelling conversation and keeps the board up to date with information from around the league. 

Beats the trolling and negativity. This is after all, a Panthers message board. You and others simply litter this place with a narrow-minded point of view and very little capacity for converstation. It's exhausting, and quite frankly, understandable why so many veteran posters have deserted this place. Ive been on this board for 20 years. Through all of the shitty years, the board has never been this awful. I would love to see veteran posters come back and swing that bant stick like Kurb, Zod, and others used to do. 

Oh cry me a river.

David Tepper and 8 consecutive losing seasons have killed the fanbase and this site more than anything else.

[frankw]

1 minute ago, jb2288 said:

It is a FREE PLAY. If he didn’t try the throw I know you would be the first one posting about how he didn’t try to push the ball downfield on a free play 

When Sam Darnold threw into triple coverage he was regarded as lacking the necessary football IQ to be a quarterback. When Bryce throws into triple coverage he's actually secretly brilliant.

And you guys wonder why discourse here is in the state it's in

[jb2288]

3 minutes ago, frankw said:

When Sam Darnold threw into triple coverage he was regarded as lacking the necessary football IQ to be a quarterback. When Bryce throws into triple coverage he's actually secretly brilliant.

And you guys wonder why discourse here is in the state it's in

Are you okay? Dude you are losing it. Sam Darnold, BY9, the 8th graders I coach, ANY QB IS THROWING DOWNFIELD ON A FREE PLAY. Do you understand what the free part means? You are losing it man, your posts within the thread are unhealthy. Take a few weeks off before the season starts. 

[frankw]

7 minutes ago, jb2288 said:

Are you okay? Dude you are losing it. Sam Darnold, BY9, the 8th graders I coach, ANY QB IS THROWING DOWNFIELD ON A FREE PLAY. Do you understand what the free part means? You are losing it man, your posts within the thread are unhealthy. Take a few weeks off before the season starts. 

Throwing a wounded duck directly toward three defenders is never a good thing at any level as a QB. I assure you there are very few people outside of the small circle of delusional echo chamber fans here who actually think Bryce Young looked competent at any point against the Texans on Saturday.

[PleaseCutStewart]

Tough not looking great in either preseason game, but I feel like more value is probably placed on the joint practices. Sounds like we did well vs Cleveland and below average vs Houston 

[rodeo]

OP made a good analytical post, keep the discourse about that