PFF: Re-Focused Panthers @ Colts

[CatMan72]

From PFF:

The Colts started this game like they have most of their others; badly. Their offense couldn’t move the ball and their defense couldn’t get off the field. Much to my surprise, they ended up putting up a pretty good fight – only being denied a chance to tie the game by a cruel interception in the endzone off a deflection that still required a brilliant catch from Panthers safety Sherrod Martin. Still, a loss is a loss and that’s now 11 of them for the Colts. The remaining five games will not only dictate whether they make history for all the wrong reasons, but could also go a long way to convincing a certain college quarterback that staying with the team that picks him won’t be so bad after all.

For the Panthers, their offense continues to grow and now has weapons aplenty, something we couldn’t say a year ago. The group that includes Steve Smith, Greg Olsen, Jeremy Shockey and even Brandon Lafell is clamoring for more national attention which it will almost certainly receive in the very near future. There’s still a long way to go on the defensive side, but injuries have decimated the unit and its still probably better than it was in 2010.

Since there has been some debate about Cam's performance, here's PFF's take on it:

Carolina – Three Performances of Note

Newton On Point Again

Cam Newton (+5.1) put in another performance to be proud of Sunday against the Colts. With his main concern obviously being to regain first place in Khaled Elsayed’s Race for Rookie of the Year, he looks to end the inconsistency that has hampered his young career. Despite consistently coming under pressure (15 of 34 drop backs) he looked poised in the pocket and efficiently completed six of his nine attempts for 62 yards. Nothing highlights his ability more than the pass he made at 11:57 in the fourth quarter on 3rd-and-7. Unable to step into the throw with Dwight Freeney in his face, Newton put a laser on Steve Smith running a deep in for 18 yards. With Newton, it’s obviously not just about his passing ability and, though Carolina would perhaps prefer he not take off so much, his scrambling ability was on show again as he added nine carries for 53 yards and a touchdown to his already impressive season totals. He also forced another missed tackle, taking his season total up to 10 … just two fewer than running back Deangelo Williams.

Read more: http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/11/28/re-focused-panthers-colts-week-12/

[jayflip]

And here comes StatsRUs, or whatever new name PFFL made...

[chknwing]

I think Catman works for PFF

[tondi]

Not sure what to make of a group who thinks this years D may be better than last years. That's a pretty nutty statement right there.

[CatMan72]

Here are the other two "Performances of note" for those that can't follow the link:

Why the Hype For Byron Bell?

Aside from having a cool name, there’s really little reason to be impressed with Byron Bell (-3.1). It seems announcers mention him in a positive light every time the Panthers take the field but I simply ask why? His game against the Colts was just another disappointment to add to his already long resume. He really is playing like a rookie undrafted free agent that he is. Bell did have a tough matchup against Robert Mathis but allowing his QB to be knocked down three times (one sack and two hits) is never acceptable. He’s now 45th in our Pass Blocking Efficiency rankings at 93.0, which really tells the whole story. Having said that, his work in the run game (-2.6) stood out for all the wrong reasons; he allowed three tackles after minimal gains and graded positively on just one occasion. The “highlight” was a 3rd-and-3 play with 6:42 in Q4 where Robert Mathis was able to slant inside him and make the tackle short of the first down.

Still Struggling Across From Gamble

Its seems the Panthers have been looking for an answer at the other cornerback position for years and Captain Munnerlyn (-2.3) is just another in a long line of those who’ve failed to fill it. Munnerlyn struggled against a Colts passing attack that really isn’t very good, with his problems highlighted by a fourth down conversion with the game on the line. On 4th-and-5 from the Panthers’ 15, Austin Collie ran a simple 5-yard in route that Munnerlyn reacted too slowly to. He was lucky Sherrod Martin was able to make a shoestring tackle preventing a touchdown.

[CatMan72]

Not sure what to make of a group who thinks this years D may be better than last years. That's a pretty nutty statement right there.

Factoring in the injuries, I can see where this year's defense is "pound for pound" better then last year's defense.

[tondi]

Factoring in the injuries, I can see where this year's defense is "pound for pound" better then last year's defense.

Well I would agree that your statement is at least debatable but that's not what they said.

[chknwing]

"allowing his QB to be knocked down three times (one sack and two hits) is never acceptable."

Uhh wasn't that on Jordan Gross?

[Mr Mojo Risin]

"allowing his QB to be knocked down three times (one sack and two hits) is never acceptable."

Uhh wasn't that on Jordan Gross?

Both Freeney and Mathis had a sack.

[rayzor]

draft kalil. start him at LT and move gross to RT. use bell as a backup OT. pick up carl nicks in FA and have him play RG.

oline fixed.

[FuzzyDuck13]

"allowing his QB to be knocked down three times (one sack and two hits) is never acceptable."

Uhh wasn't that on Jordan Gross?

Probably on both of them

[Jackofalltrades]

Nicks isn't leaving Nawlins, plus Schwartz showed a lot of promise before his injury.