PFF grades CAR @ PHI

[jtnc]

In a more meaningful tune-up than last week, the Carolina Panthers continued to display their trademark inconsistency on both offense and defense. They moved the ball to the red zone, only to kick field goals. They allowed the Eagles to drive over and over, only to create three turnovers. Michael Vick likely wrapped up the starting job and LeSean McCoy looked like his vintage self. Here is the breakdown of the notable performances from each team.

 

Carolina — Three Performances of Note

 

Gettis Separates

 

With Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell firmly entrenched as the starters, one of the most interesting and competitive battles in Panthers training camp and preseason has been for the third wide receiver position. The stakes for the position are high, as there will be virtually no targets given to a fourth receiver during the season. Ted Ginn managed to improve on his dreadful performance last week, but it was David Gettis and his +1.6 rating that stood out. Gettis caught five of the nine targets that came his way for 82 yards, including one spectacular catch across the middle where he plucked an early ball out of the air in stride. When healthy, Gettis offers the Panthers a height/weight/speed combination at receiver that they can’t find elsewhere on the roster. Armanti Edwards, Domenik Hixon, and Joe Adams all sat out due to injury, and while that might not have been a step back, it will require quite a showing to surpass the several steps forward Gettis has taken so far in preseason.

 

Secondary Battle

 

There was a perceived battle in the secondary going into training camp. Only Charles Godfrey’s starting spot at free safety was assured. But the fight took quite a while to materialize, with Drayton Florence and Captain Munnerlyn playing as the first team corners throughout most of camp. Josh Norman’s two-interception game last week made a case that he could start, and this week was Josh Thomas’ time to shine. Thomas got the start with Munnerlyn (-0.5) in the nickel. For most of his snaps, Thomas held DeSean Jackson in check, earning a +1.5 grade. Catching only two of his four targets for 28 yards, Jackson was largely a non-factor due to Thomas’ coverage. Panthers General Manager Dave Gettleman has been quoted as saying that the answer is often already on your roster, but he proceeded to bring in Florence and DJ Moore and overlook Norman and Thomas, who each started for stretches last year. If Norman and Thomas wind up starting, they represent better physical matchups than either Florence or Munnerlyn for NFC South foes Julio Jones, Roddy White, Vincent Jackson, and Marques Colston.

 

O-Line Questions

 

Carolina Panthers fans are worried about offensive linemen not named Jordan Gross or Ryan Kalil. The former Pro-Bowlers played admirably, scoring +2.4 and +2.8, respectively combining to only allow one total quarterback hurry while each scoring +1.6 or better with their run blocking. Each of the other three offensive linemen scored a -1.0, which did at least represent an improvement over last week. While Amini Silatolu and Byron Bell have been particularly bad at times, Garry Williams is going relatively unnoticed. The decision to cut Geoff Hangartner was an unpopular one for depth purposes, but the decision to start Williams hasn’t gone as poorly as Panthers fans envisioned. Reserves Nate Chandler (LT) and Chris Scott (RG) were equally as good at one facet of the game as they were bad at the other. Chandler scored a +1.1 in pass blocking and a -1.0 in run blocking. Conversely, Scott scored a -1.1 in the pass and a +1.5 in the run. The Panthers are looking for any positives they can find for the offensive line, so while the deficiencies of these players can be truly scary, their strengths in a line that has few mean they will both likely make the roster.

 

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/08/17/refo-car-phi-preseason-wk-2/

 

[raleigh-panther]

Troubling.

 

If the Panthers end Sept at 1-3 or 0-4,  another wasted season looms.

 

I keep hoping for something to shine, to flash, and tell me it will be different...haven't seen it yet.

 

Beat Seattle convincingly and I'll feel hope again.

[Tarheels23]

Great point about Josh Norman, and Josh Thomas, they very well may be our best corners. JT is definitely the most physical corner we have.

[CRA]

Great point about Josh Norman, and Josh Thomas, they very well may be our best corners. JT is definitely the most physical corner we have.

I have a feeling we are going to see a Nakamura/Martin situation at CB.

I am super high on them...but I think the two Josh's are our best bet at CB. I get the feeling we are starting Drayton and Captain pretty me much no matter what to start the year.

[Guest HelloWorld]

Troubling.

 

If the Panthers end Sept at 1-3 or 0-4,  another wasted season looms.

 

I keep hoping for something to shine, to flash, and tell me it will be different...haven't seen it yet.

 

Beat Seattle convincingly and I'll feel hope again.

Seattle's strength is one of our weakness. Their secondary is lethal. Our WRs are, well, Steve Smith. Beating them convincingly is asking for a lot. We don't match up too well against them.

[Ruff]

Troubling.

 

If the Panthers end Sept at 1-3 or 0-4,  another wasted season looms.

 

I keep hoping for something to shine, to flash, and tell me it will be different...haven't seen it yet.

 

Beat Seattle convincingly and I'll feel hope again.

 

If 0-4 happens, we could be looking at a coaching change, so yeah, a wasted season would probably be on its way.

[toldozer]

Exactly not even really attempting to run against Seattle last year was laughable. fug chud

[Happy Panther]

Beat Seattle convincingly and I'll feel hope again.

 

I'll take a 1 point win. This is a team in the top 5 of power rankings and I have seen them ranked #1.

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000214575/article/power-rankings-seattle-seahawks-leapfrog-san-francisco-49ers

 

 

1-0 would be a huge start. Could be the game of the year for us. 

[AceBoogie]

Seattle's strength is one of our weakness. Their secondary is lethal. Our WRs are, well, Steve Smith. Beating them convincingly is asking for a lot. We don't match up too well against them.

For a team that gets off to a slow start Seattle is a nightmare match up for our opening game. Luckily we play them week 1 at home. And they will definitely have San Fran on the brain.

[GRWatcher]

I've liked Josh Thomas and the way he plays.  Last year he didn't look like a rookie most of the time.  Norman, on the other hand, did play like a rookie most of the time.  I'm pulling for Thomas to win a starting spot. I'm not sure Captain should be starting unless we open with the nickel.

 

I love the fight in Gettis.  Keep Pounding.

 

I choose to remain mute on our oline.  It's a self preservation thing.

[davos]

I agree about Josh Thomas.  Him and Campbell are my favorites in the secondary.  

 

Florence-Thomas-Munnerlynn-Norman-Moore should be who we keep

 

Mitchell-Campbell (Even though I hope Campbell takes it)

 

Godfrey-Lester

[Rook35200]

^{I haven't sen much progression from Amini. I've rewatched that game and he misses too many blocks. The same goes for Byron Bell and Gary Williams. A lot of the time I see them standing around looking for someone to hit.}

[CRA]

Exactly not even really attempting to run against Seattle last year was laughable. fug chud

DeAngelo averaged 1 yard per carry and set the Hawks up with their game winning score fumbling.

Did you want him running more?

[AceBoogie]

^{I haven't sen much progression from Amini. I've rewatched that game and he misses too many blocks. The same goes for Byron Bell and Gary Williams. A lot of the time I see them standing around looking for someone to hit.}

This. There was a play against the bears where Gary Williams looked for somebody to block before falling on the ground untouched.