Some constructive criticism on Cam Newton's performance. Please don't shoot.

[edromeo]

I believe someone already made a reply earlier where Cam stated Goodson was indeed their number one choice.

But all you have to do is watch the slow motion replay. He NEVER looks in any other direction, except Goodson's intended spot. As soon as he takes the snap, he locks in directly to the spot where he will eventually throw the ball.

I find it hard to believe that Goodson was the primary read because the primary is normally the route the will gain the most yards/greatest depth.

I would like to see where Cam said this.

In a play with a Hi-Lo concept the QB doesn't have to look anywhere else because all their playside options are right in front of them from Hi to Lo.

In this case Olsen, Naanee and Goodson are all in the same sight line.

That's what Lennon picked up on and made him not follow Naanee and stick to Goodson.

I disagree.

But, I can see how/why you would think that if you think they're playing straight man-to-man.

But, typically a defense doesn't plan to have a LB on a WR.

I don't think Lenon was meant to cover Naanee.

It looks like there playing a match-up zone or banjo(inside out) defense.

Had that been the progression and had he done what you are saying, we would probably have a W right now

The Olsen-Naanee-Goodson progression? Why?

In football you can coulda, woulda, shoulda every play ad nausem.

If Goodson stems 1 step into the flat before breaking inside he likely gets enough separation to gain the 1st down.

If Newton throws a backshoulder fadestop to the WR on the left maybe they score a touchdown.

If Cam pump fakes maybe the blitz defender jumps?

If Cam throws to Naanee maybe he beats 25 into the endzone.

It all plausible.

[teeray]

As a matter of fact Olsen doesn't really come open until after Cam releases the ball as Naanee's man is still in the vicinity. And Naanee didn't have this guy beat they are both standing on the right hash mark and Naanee still has 4 yard he needs to pick up.

After watching this frame by frame Goodsen is the best option. Olsen comes open but it is as or after Cam throws the ball. If Cam holds the ball until Olsen comes open the blitzer on the right gets him.

[edromeo]

I mean the guy has 2 seconds to determine all off this and I am watching it in slow motion

I know crazy right? Its actually less then 2 seconds on a blitz something like 1.5.

[edromeo]

It depends if we were looking for the mismatch or just a pre-designed progression.

In a general sense yes, but I was talking about specifics.

Even in the case of scheming to create a mismatch there are still pre-snap reads and post snap progressions.

Even coaches in high school will design plays and with motions to create mismatches and clue your coverage and if you get the look and match up you want that becomes your primary. If primary is covered you go to your next progression.

That isn't uber advanced concepts.

Right, I'm not sure why you think this is different from what I was saying.

[PantherFanForLife]

I don't think so. It looks like the inside guy had inside coverage and 20 had outside. Naanee crosses and Antrel picks him up and the corner picks up Olsen and 51 has Goodsen

Also I'll tell you what. Naanee is at the 5 and needs to get to the 1 for a first down and his man is sitting on that 1 yard line and to me looks like he has an angle on him plus Laffel is only about 10 feet away from him with a defender right there with him.

I don't think Naanee gets there even if Cam goes to him. I am watching this frame by frame right now and it honestly looks like he made the right read and the right match up but the LB made a heck of a play.

The only other guy that looks really open is Olsen but 31 is eyeing the backfield and stepping back off Laffell.

I mean the guy has 2 seconds to determine all off this and I am watching it in slow motion

OK last one....I mean it this time. First of all, Naanee would have likely not cut up the field. He was running side to side and would have continued to run a diagonal slant, past #11. He was at top speed before Antrel even started honing in on him, so Antrel would have not caught him UNLESS he would have cut UP the field. But that would have been highly improbable because of the way he was running.

However, let's say he did that. He also had far more momentum and speed than any other player on that field, and he was actually at the 4 yard line by the time the ball would have gotten there, leaving him with enough power in the tank and short enough distance to at least get the first down if he decided to turn up by using his momentum.

But I think it would have been far more probable, and more logical, to just keep running across along his path, then cut diagonally up the field and take advantage of #11 for the block.

[teeray]

I find it hard to believe that Goodson was the primary read because the primary is normally the route the will gain the most yards/greatest depth.

I would like to see where Cam said this.

Not all plays are hi/lo. Especially deep in the redzone. But your point is well taken.

[teeray]

OK last one....I mean it this time. First of all, Naanee would have likely not cut up the field. He was running side to side and would have continued to run a diagonal slant, past #11. He was at top speed before Antrel even started honing in on him, so Antrel would have not caught him UNLESS he would have cut UP the field. But that would have been highly improbable because of the way he was running.

However, let's say he did that. He also had far more momentum and speed than any other play on that field, and he was actually at the 4 yard line by the time the ball would have gotten there, leaving him with enough power in the tank and short enough distance to at least get the first down if he decided to turn up by using his momentum.

But I think it would have been far more probable, and more logical, to just keep running across along his path, then cut diagonally up the field and take advantage of #11 for the block.

#31 is right there at the goal line to the outside of Lafell that block is not likely to happen. #31 is in position to make the tackle or force Naanee back up field where his man is.

Goodsen is one on one with no help against an LB. Goodsen 8/10 times wins that battle and scores or gets a first down.

Seriously the LB defending Goodsen makes a heck of a play.

In other words I am not so sure he had that much better a chance to get the first down or TD than Goodsen.

Give the LB guarding Goodsen his due he looked like a corner on that play. After watching it again and really focusing on the guy he made a really good play to keep Goodsen short of the first down.

[edromeo]

As a matter of fact Olsen doesn't really come open until after Cam releases the ball as Naanee's man is still in the vicinity. And Naanee didn't have this guy beat they are both standing on the right hash mark and Naanee still has 4 yard he needs to pick up.

After watching this frame by frame Goodsen is the best option. Olsen comes open but it is as or after Cam throws the ball. If Cam holds the ball until Olsen comes open the blitzer on the right gets him.

This pretty much what I've been saying except I think Cam starts his progression with Olsen and I think Cam could have got the throw off in time, but that's an elite anticipation throw imo, not many QBs make that throw.

That throw to Shock would require him to manipulate 25 with his eyes, wait for him to jump Naanee's route then throw it behind 25 but throw it before and high to eliminate 31's ability to make a play on the ball all while getting blitzed from both edges.

I think it was a well defensed play.

And I don't think there was any reason for Cam to expect Goodson to not beat Lenon and not get into the endzone.

I think he was aware of the options on the play, followed the progression and made a safe decision and a safe throw that ultimately failed to get the needed yardage.

I still think that pre-snap he should have looked or signaled back shoulder to the #1 WR on the left in 1-on-1.

[teeray]

Okay I have watched this thing in slow mo like six times and I still am not sure if Naanee is a decoy or not. But it looks a lot like it is basically a double post (or slant whatever you want to call it) with Olsen and Goodsen being the only two options. Lafell is just farting around so he clearly is just occupying his man. Smitty looks like he is running a fade but we are clearly not going to that side so he appears to be a decoy. Naanee is hard to tell but he does look like he is just clearing out some coverage.

If I had to guess I would guess that they gave Cam an easy to read option between Goodsen and Olsen. Everyone else is a decoy and Naanee is clearing out the coverage. If neither is open the whole right side of the field is open if he can get out of the pocket and scramble. I am just guessing by the play design.

[edromeo]

Okay I have watched this thing in slow mo like six times and I still am not sure if Naanee is a decoy or not. But it looks a lot like it is basically a double post with Olsen and Goodsen being the only two options. Lafell is just farting around so he clearly is just occupying his man. Smitty looks like he is running a fade but we are clearly not going to that side so he appears to be a decoy. Naanee is hard to tell but he does look like he is just clearing out some coverage.

If I had to guess I would guess that they gave Cam an easy to read option between Goodsen and Olsen. Everyone else is a decoy and Naanee is clearing out the coverage. If neither is open the whole right side of the field is open if he can get out of the pocket and scramble. I am just guessing by the play design.

For my money I would think Smith 1-vs-1 vs any CB is a mismatch so pre-snap I would make him the primary.

I would signal for a fadestop.

I see the play like this: playside Hi-Lo

(1) Olsen skinny post

(2) Naanee shallow cross

(3)Goodson texas route

backside decoy occupy their man

[footballisasport]

So 11 pages later, one sees that u actually started this thread not for constructive criticism but more for attention and to air ur annoyance at the fact that Cam didn't throw the ball to an open, in ur mind, Naanee...Got it.

[teeray]

For my money I would think Smith 1-vs-1 vs any CB is a mismatch so pre-snap I would make him the primary.

I would signal for a fadestop.

I see the play like this: playside Hi-Lo

(1) Olsen skinny post

(2) Naanee shallow cross

(3)Goodson texas route

backside decoy occupy their man

Yeah but the CB on Steve Smith is way off. Smith is lined up on the 7 and the DB is on the goal line. Fade stop is a risky play there and a difficult throw that has to have precision timing. As far as your progressions you actually could very well be correct.

As far as throwing to Olsen. You also might be correct and I think that on any other down maybe he goes there. But he doesn't come open until after Cam has made his decision and is throwing to Goodsen, the blitzer is right on him, and Olsen is covered by a defensive back so it is hard to anticipate him getting too much separation.

Goodsen is one on one with a LB and gets a good inside move on him but it looks like he breaks too early and the LB just makes a great play. 8/10 times Goodsen beats that guy.

This is actually fun and you could second guess these things all day but he didn't make a bad decision IMO. We just didn't get there :(

[PantherFanForLife]

So 11 pages later, one sees that u actually started this thread not for constructive criticism but more for attention and to air ur annoyance at the fact that Cam didn't throw the ball to an open, in ur mind, Naanee...Got it.

No, 11 pages later, I think everyone agrees with the original point that Cam needs to work on how to be more aware, and not stare down his number 1, pre-snap option.

It just never really took off because not everyone agrees on whether or not those were other options. My annoyance just comes from having to repeat myself and not really anything to do with Cam;)

But for those that need to see what's in "my mind"......

31 would have been blocked by 11. Antrel would never catch Naanee if Naanee runs that route and doesn't need to be blocked. In the picture it's deceiving because yes, it looks like 31 or Antrel could take down Naanee, but when you watch the video and see it in motion, and pay attention to the speed of Naanee, you'll notice why that would have never happened. Neither one of those guys have any kind of momentum at this point while Naanee was in full stride. He's actually slowing down in the second pic because the ball was already thrown.

Can't really make it more obvious than that....and neither one of those throws is "extraordinarily difficult".

PS: The more I look at that first pic, the more I think Cam expected Lennon to follow Naanee, since he looks like he's biting there, but him not taking his eyes off of Goodson is what killed it.

[teeray]

No, 11 pages later, I think everyone agrees with the original point that Cam needs to work on how to be more aware, and not stare down his number 1, pre-snap option.

It just never really took off because not everyone agrees on whether or not those were other options. My annoyance just comes from having to repeat myself and not really anything to do with Cam;)

But for those that need to see what's in "my mind"......

31 would have been blocked by 11. Antrel would never catch Naanee if Naanee runs that route and doesn't need to be blocked. In the picture it's deceiving because yes, it looks like 31 or Antrel could take down Naanee, but when you watch the video and see it in motion, and pay attention to the speed of Naanee, you'll notice why that would have never happened. Neither one of those guys have any kind of momentum at this point while Naanee was in full stride. He's actually slowing down in the second pic because the ball was already thrown.

Can't really make it more obvious than that....and neither one of those throws is "extraordinarily difficult".

I have watched the play 6 times in slow mo. I still don't think you are right. I think Cam made the right read and 8/10 times Goodsen beats the LB. The LB just made a good play.

You could make a better case for Olsen than Naanee IMO but he didn't come open until after Cam had already made his decision, he was also covered by a DB, and Cam may have needed to hold the ball for one more tick that he didn't have because the blitzer on his right was closing in fast. Naanee (if he was even an option on the play) might make it around the corner but I'm not very confident he makes 4 yards after the catch with the ref in his way (see photo 1) and two defenders closing in on him. Plus #31 was on the outside of Laffell so I'm not sure Laffell gets that block. That is a lot of stuff for Naanee to overcome when Goodsen is one on one with a LB. Plus if you look at pic one and then pic 2 Naanee's defender had already closed the gap between them by 10 feet and Naanee is still 4 yards short of the first down.

Goodsen gave us a better chance IMO. He wins that battle 8/10 times. I still think Cam made the right decision and the LB just made a heck of a play.