If It Wasn't Clear That We Need Offensive Line Help (OTL Stat)

[AceBoogie]

The point is that their offensive line gets way too much credit because Brees and Brady get the ball out quicker and are in offenses which value quick timing throws. No one is saying our line is great but they are also at a disadvantage when their quarterback holds the ball just like Roethlisburger.

If their line was so much better it would show in the run stats as well. Notice that our line averaged 4,5 yards a run or 8th on the list,. New Orleans averaged 4.3 yards per rush good for 12 on the list. New England was 14th on the list at 4.2.

Football outsiders lists us number 1 in power blocking last year. Due to the read option we were also 26th in getting stuffed. Pass protection rankings are always about sacks and nothing else. Truth is that at least half of his sacks were attempts to run or hold the ball to make big plays instead of throwing it away or dumping it off.

Injuries were the problem plain and simple. Didn't help we started a rookie at left guard either.

Cam inflates our rushing stats

[panthers55]

The last 2 years....Cam had arguably been the most productive rusher in the NFL.

He has taken very very few worrisome hits as a rusher. Take away the short yardage and goaline stuff and you would be challenged to name 5 hard hits he took.

Yes, Newton holds on too long and that gets him in trouble some. But the OL has stunk. They stunk all around last year. Silly to try to find ways to try to defend how bad they were....it ain't Cam's fault. Bc Cam held the ball occaasionally too long doesn't mean he created the piss poor OL

No one is saying the offensive line was good.  The point is that when the offensive line is not good you make adjustments like call quicker hitting plays, dump off more, use shorter passes and crossing routes instead of holding the ball and trying to make a deep throw.

 

Smart quarterbacks and OCs take what they have and do the best they can with what they are given.  Both Chud and Cam share some of the blame here.  Kalil didn't plan on going on IR and it wasn't amini's fault he was thrust in over his head just like Bell was in 2011. How many times were adjustments made because the offensive line struggled by anybody?? 

[panthers55]

Cam inflates our rushing stats

So does Williams.   Waits for the guy who always comes in to bash DeAngelo.  

 

Waits for it................

[panthers55]

Look, you have a point about Brees and Brady getting the ball out of their hands faster than Cam when the defenders are bearing down on them but Cam loves extending plays. It's one of his strengths. Place Brady or Brees behind our O-Line with our receiving core, and I doubt you'd get them completing 66% of their passes and throwing for 4500 yards.

I, for one, don't think their O-Lines get too much credit. Sure, their running stats aren't impressive but both of those squads depend on the passing game, and neither squad has all-pro caliber RBs.

Like I said, that is the double edged sword with Newton.  When he makes a great play running around we all go wild.  When he takes a sack and we end up in third and 15, we all groan.  I look forward to the day when through experience he learns when to hold them and when to fold them. And he will...

[AceBoogie]

So does Williams. Waits for the guy who always comes in to bash DeAngelo.

Waits for it................

But with Williams on the team Cam...a quarterback...lead us in rushing last year

[SuperJTheGreat]

 

Prove anything? 

[top dawg]

It's a bit of both: the O-line has been sub-par, and Cam held on to the ball too long due to inexperience and looking for the big play. No need to go back and forth on this one. You are both correct to a degree. 

 

Cam is going to have to learn to throw the ball away on a consistent basis when things break down, as opposed to forcing the issue with a bad play.

[2jakefansinva]

stats are for losers...............just win baby!

[top dawg]

There is nothing to be an apologist about Cam not being able to audible at the LOS. It IS a factor no matter what excuse you try to use. He did it all through Auburn (which is why he avoided costly turnovers). After all, one of Newton's greatest attributes is his resourcefulness before and after the snap. So I huff at your comment about Cam finally 'turning it on' towards the end of the season because he was 'smarter' and more mature when that is Cam Newton (always has been and always will be). He always takes what the defense gives him. Now did he make mistakes last season, and did he force plays? Yep. What young QB doesn't though?

 

"Toto, we're not in Alabama anymore."

 

[TheRumGone]

i'd like to compare those stats to big ben in his prime. obviously cam is more athletic but they are similar in many ways.

[panthers55]

There is nothing to be an apologist about Cam not being able to audible at the LOS. It IS a factor no matter what excuse you try to use. He did it all through Auburn (which is why he avoided costly turnovers). After all, one of Newton's greatest attributes is his resourcefulness before and after the snap. So I huff at your comment about Cam finally 'turning it on' towards the end of the season because he was 'smarter' and more mature when that is Cam Newton (always has been and always will be). He always takes what the defense gives him. Now did he make mistakes last season, and did he force plays? Yep. What young QB doesn't though?

 

Then huff at Rivera, Shula and Cam himself who admitted that he started taking what the defense gave him instead of trying to hit homeruns all day.  He readily admits he made better decisions as the year went on, why can't you?? 

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Honestly that number wasn't due to the line. Newton was sacked 36 times last year- 16th among teams. Rodgers was sacked 51 times. In 2011 Newton was sacked 35 times for a total over the 2 years of 71 times. By contrast he has run 253 times over the past 2 years.

So is it the offensive line or the read option?

Your argument doesn't take into account hits. You can get hit without being sacked and though Rodgers is mobile, he's no Cam Newton.

[CRA]

No one is saying the offensive line was good. The point is that when the offensive line is not good you make adjustments like call quicker hitting plays, dump off more, use shorter passes and crossing routes instead of holding the ball and trying to make a deep throw.

Smart quarterbacks and OCs take what they have and do the best they can with what they are given. Both Chud and Cam share some of the blame here. Kalil didn't plan on going on IR and it wasn't amini's fault he was thrust in over his head just like Bell was in 2011. How many times were adjustments made because the offensive line struggled by anybody??

True, but most of that can be called OC coaching issue....as you mentioned.

Cam doesn't call his own play. He didn't ask that weak OL to pass protect while all his WRs ran deep routes routinely. They also broke some of those plays down on ESPN and often early he didn't even have a check down option.

Yes, Cam needs to learn to more consistently grow it away or use his legs....not wait and wait. That is on him.

But Chud sucked. The OL sucked. Those 2 IMO were greater issues last year than Cam not making a decision quick enough

[panthers55]

Your argument doesn't take into account hits. You can get hit without being sacked and though Rodgers is mobile, he's no Cam Newton.

It also didn't account for runs where he didn't get hit or times where he ran the ball and got hit multiple times.

But you get the point.....