panthers offense shifting to power running game...

[rayzor]

supposedly. falls under the "i'll believe it when i see it" category.

Personnel-wise, the Panthers continue to experiment with their offensive line following center Ryan Kalil's season-ending foot surgery. Byron Bell returns to right tackle after playing guard last week, while Jeff Byers gets a shot at guard next to Bell.

This likely coincides with the Panthers' shift from the zone read package to more reliance on a power running game. Rivera has only hinted about his plans for the offense. But based on last week's game against Dallas – when power-running Jonathan Stewart received the bulk of the work and speed back DeAngelo Williams mostly watched – it's clear the Panthers are trying to re-create themselves offensively.

Carolina, the NFL's third-best rushing offense in 2011, has dropped to 13^th this season. And the only reason the drop isn't bigger is Cam Newton's scrambling ability.

The Panthers won't dump the zone read completely. It gives defenses something extra to prepare for. But so far in Year 2 under Rivera and offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, those defenses look plenty well prepared.

http://blogs.charlot...nning-game.html

joe person write-up, btw.

one of the few times he actually wrote something that was kind of worth reading and that wasn't 3 days behind everyone else.

[Wyank]

Chud the Dud must of got an earful.

[Zod]

The zone read gives defenses something to prepare for... Mainly laughter.

[Jase]

smokescreen

[YoureWelcome]

Glad Stewart is finally getting a feature role. He deserves it.

[Gabeking]

IMO i think its too late, coaches should've realized this weeks ago, not wait until 1-5.. failure to adjust at the right time is what will ultimately get this coaching staff the boot, and hopefully our new GM will bring in a staff that can do this properly. i guess reading about rivera's comments about how we "may" have been "too creative" early this season just set me off to a point of no return with this guy. i'd love for him to prove me wrong, but i doubt he will.

[csx]

They can shift to whatever they like but will any of it be successfull?

[Montie_0123]

I really hope this is true, and what's funny is if we start wining with the power running game people are going to ask why didn't you do this sooner. But like Rayzor I have to believe to see it!!

[rayzor]

They can shift to whatever they like but will any of it be successfull?

i think if the players can quit making stupid mistakes and the play-calling and design begins to look more like last year's offense then we've got a chance.

i've got my fingers crossed.

[jayflip]

Hopefully it is true. Every time they run the read option, I have to restrain myself from throwing the remote through the TV

[rayzor]

IMO i think its too late, coaches should've realized this weeks ago, not wait until 1-5.. failure to adjust at the right time is what will ultimately get this coaching staff the boot, and hopefully our new GM will bring in a staff that can do this properly. i guess reading about rivera's comments about how we "may" have been "too creative" early this season just set me off to a point of no return with this guy. i'd love for him to prove me wrong, but i doubt he will.

I really hope this is true, and what's funny is if we start wining with the power running game people are going to ask why didn't you do this sooner. But like Rayzor I have to believe to see it!!

should have made the switch weeks ago, but at least they are making it and not settling for a pathetic status quo.

i don't know if it will work and if chud goes back to old habits but at least it's looking like there might be positive change.

[Marguide]

I'm with Rayzor. I'll believe it when I see it.

More importantly perhaps than ro vs power run game is just how often we run period. We've been in damn near every game, yet Chud gives up on the run until the 3rd quarter when he unsuccessfully tries to milk a lead. We need to commit to the run early and stick with it until we go down by 2 scores. That's not to say don't pass. Sprinkle in 1st down passes, a few shots downfield, etc, but at a ratio closer to 50/50.

[beastson]

The Panthers won't dump the zone read completely.

lost me

[LinvilleGorge]

i think if the players can quit making stupid mistakes and the play-calling and design begins to look more like last year's offense then we've got a chance.

In other words, if we can just stop sucking we might have a chance to be decent.