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My Reactions From Last Night's Game

Ruff

By Ruff,
in Carolina Panthers

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Ruff Newbie

Ruff

Posted
Posted

I've watched over the game a couple of times now, and I've definitely got some reactions to the game, the team, and everything else. Here we go:

Let me preface this by saying, as everyone may, or may not know, I was not for drafting Cam Newton in this year's draft. I thought Marcell Dareus was the safer pick, at a position of need. But, once Cam became a Panther, I embraced it. So, this is not some hugger's view, this is pretty objective. (As objective as a Panthers' fan can be about the team.)

- Cam didn't look horrible last night. He played like a rookie with a lot to learn. His footwork was indeed terrible (at one point he even threw a jump pass! :eek:), but, he made some absolutely beautiful passes. The one to Smitty in the end-zone that was as beautiful a non-Touchdown pass as I've ever seen. Cam put it in a place where only his receiver could get it, and had the timing been a tad better between the two, it would've been six. Cam does have a ways to go, but, I don't think it's as far as everyone thinks it is.

- This point plays along the last one. The offense needs to be tailored around Cam. I believe we are seeing plays that are generic in our offense, right now. Cam dropping back in the pocket, throwing slant routes, etc. The plays that Jimmy and Cam are running look the same, and that shouldn't be the case. Let Cam do what he did in college. Put in some zone-read offense plays. Put in bootlegs for Cam to run. Cam should always be in motion in the offense, to truly show off the athletic talent that he has. But, in order to run these plays, he needs to get some nice blocking, which leads us to point #3.

- The right side of the offensive line is horrible, at best. I don't know if it's the fact that Otah is out, Schwartz is out, and we have no depth at Left Tackle, or all of the above, but the right side of the offensive line needs to be fixed, and fast. Run a two TE set, and let Hartsock block on that side. Run a two running back shotgun set (much like the offense the Falcons ran when Vick was there, the Dunn, Vick, Duckett offense), and let one the running backs help block on that side. Do something, and get those guys some help. If help doesn't come on that side, we're going to be looking at even more hurt offensive linemen.

- A number two receiver needs to step up, sooner rather than later. I admit, it is hard for our QBs to find any time when the right side of the offensive line is collapsing, but, someone has to step up. The loss of David Gettis is painful for the team, as he really needed to be the second guy. Naanee is running routes, but, I'm not sure if they're the correct routes, or if he's lost, or he can't get open, but, our QBs need to try and get him (or LaFell) the ball.

- Even after all of those glaring weaknesses, the Defensive Line has emerged as the biggest problem on the team. I've said before that I thought it was the CBs (and trust me, the CBs are bad), but the Defensive Line needs some major work. Getting Greg Hardy back on the field, and back in game shape, should help on the edges, but Fua/Irvin aren't a starting DT duo that you want your team to have. Honestly, I think Fua could be a very, very solid player in the future, but, he's learning the 4-3 system after playing his college career in the 3-4, and he had a short off-season. However, after watching Reggie Bush run through our defense like Jim Brown, and seeing Cedric Benson, and the Bengal's Power O shred through them, I have to say, that Fua, nor Irvin, are at the starting potential just yet.

- Like I said before, the CBs are bad, as well. Mainly, I believe this has to do with the Defensive Line not getting pressure and not demanding double teams, but, the CBs are getting burnt like nothing I've ever seen. Last night, AJ Green, a rookie, made Chris Gamble look like he Gamble was the rookie and AJ Green is the Pro Bowler. And it only gets worse from there. Munnerlyn is a nickelback, Stanford is a third CB, and McClain is a fourth CB. We're missing a true second (possible first, if Gamble doesn't step it up) CB, and we need to find someone. Again I will say this, in hopes that the team might read my fan's plea, Lito Sheppard is still a free agent.

And that's about it. I think that really covers everything from last night, except for Armanti dropping another punt. (Which, I don't even want to think about it, because it will make me even more furious.)

tl;dr: We need a DT, a CB, a 2nd WR, a new right side of the OL, Cam showed signs of hope, we're probably looking at a 4 win season this year.

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jasonluckydog Veteran

jasonluckydog

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This team will look much differently when Beason and Hardy are both on the field. If I had 5 seconds to stand in the pocket all day I would look like Joe Montana, disrupt the pocket and the cb's will have an easier job.

We have not seen a complete game with Otah, Schwartz just wait till we start pounding the ball non stop with DWILL and JSTEW that should help take a load of pressure of Cam and Greg Olsen to me is our #2 WR because we have no one else.

This group has been together for less then 2 months they need more time to gel, I see us starting off slowly but by mid season this team will look like a real pro team not to take lightly.

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Snake Grand Master

Snake

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This team will look much differently when Beason and Hardy are both on the field. If I had 5 seconds to stand in the pocket all day I would look like Joe Montana, disrupt the pocket and the cb's will have an easier job.

We have not seen a complete game with Otah, Schwartz just wait till we start pounding the ball non stop with DWILL and JSTEW that should help take a load of pressure of Cam and Greg Olsen to me is our #2 WR because we have no one else.

This group has been together for less then 2 months they need more time to gel, I see us starting off slowly but by mid season this team will look like a real pro team not to take lightly.

If Otah ever gets back to playing football like before it will make Chuds life a lot better. Right now our line is the worst in football.

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