On Cam's near interception

[Tarheels23]

Shula probably sees something upstairs and is in Cam's ear... "look for Olsen to be open here". Cam just hasn't learned to look off yet to keep the defense guessing.

Cam has been looking off defenders since day 1 in the NFL, with pump fakes at that.

Oh, and how is the picture a bit deceiving In rtegards to how bad Bell was beat, but not deceiving, in regards to how open Ginn was?

Stop reaching Zod!

[ncmonzta]

Smitty said the throw to him in the redzone for the TD was Cam's third read/option. Please stop.

I'm not talking about every play. How about stop and read my post. I know Cam usually scans the field but he was locking down on Smith and Olsen a little too much Sunday. It's not a knock on his performance or ability. Another factor to consider is that he was pressured on a lot of his throws and the other receivers weren't getting open enough on most plays.

[CatMan72]

I think the problem here is, from the pic, it looks like Bell completely whiffs on his man and forces Cam to throw quick - and when Cam has to get rid of the ball quickly, he's usually throwing it to one of Olsen or Smith.

 

Yeah, notice the Seahawks player at Cam's feet - I need to go back and watch the play but it looks like Cam had to get rid of this ball quick. Cam has already released the ball in this pic, would be interested to see what things looked like a few frames before. 

[Kurb]

Here is a capture from the pass to Smith that was nearly intercepted.

 

 

Things I notice ...

 

3 defenders on the right with 2 options. 2 defenders on the left with 2 receivers.

 

A) Smitty is not open. He is covered up pretty well by the DB. The underneath taken away by the linebacker.

 

B ) Ginn, hidden behind fox logo, is open and looking for the ball. He ran a great route and got the needed separation.

 

C) Lafell apparently is neither open nor looking for the ball.

 

D) Pretty decent pass protection, except for Bell.

 

 

Watching the play, Cam never takes his eyes off Smith, sadly.

The only issue with that play was Cam's timing to Smith. 

 

Ginn is covered.

Had Cam lead smitty a bit more it wouldn't have been an issue.

[TylerVagyler]

Wasn't this right after Olsen had the huge drop down the sideline? That would've gone for a TD because no one was in front of him.

 

And on the next Olsen drop, it lead directly to a punt.

 

If he catches those 2 passes it changes the game completely.

[TheRed]

Obviously the narrative here again has shifted to blaming Cam. It's getting old. Against the best defense in the league, Cam is too conservative, lol what? Oh and I thought we were moving on from this game yesterday? Guess not.

 

That throw to Smith was not a bad decision. As someone else said, if anything, the timing was off.

[Woodie]

Here is a capture from the pass to Smith that was nearly intercepted.

 

 

Things I notice ...

 

3 defenders on the right with 2 options. 2 defenders on the left with 2 receivers.

 

A) Smitty is not open. He is covered up pretty well by the DB. The underneath taken away by the linebacker.

 

B ) Ginn, hidden behind fox logo, is open and looking for the ball. He ran a great route and got the needed separation.

 

C) Lafell apparently is neither open nor looking for the ball.

 

D) Pretty decent pass protection, except for Bell.

 

 

Watching the play, Cam never takes his eyes off Smith, sadly.

This is why as cockeyed as it sounds, the best thing for us might be if Smitty gets a minor injury and misses a game or two (nothing serious or long-term).  I do think Cam is a little too comfortable with Steve, and sometimes looks for him so much that he misses other receivers that may be the better option.  So forcing Cam to pay attention to the other guys may actually help him see that the other guys can get open and get more confident in spreading the ball around. 

 

Also, I'm not sure why LaFell wasn't looking for the ball, maybe his route called for him to get to a specific spot, but he was open, albeit narrowly.  Drop the ball over his left shoulder toward the sideline, and it could have been a catch...this is something I have seen Brees do many, many times.  But that's the kind of pinpoint passing is something Cam is still working on, so it's probably a 50/50 proposition if he would have actually placed it properly.

[Woodie]

Obviously the narrative here again has shifted to blaming Cam. It's getting old. Against the best defense in the league, Cam is too conservative, lol what? Oh and I thought we were moving on from this game yesterday? Guess not.

 

That throw to Smith was not a bad decision. As someone else said, if anything, the timing was off.

No, it's not blaming Cam, but he is a young QB that sometimes relies a little too much on his best receiver.  That's very understandable since Smitty has earned his complete trust.  But I think once Cam develops a bit more and gets better at spreading the ball around, he will truly be at that elite level.

 

To be honest, his accuracy is fine, even if a bit imperfect, he just needs other teams to have no idea where he will go with the ball.  I think right now teams know that he tends to look to Smitty, particularly when things are breaking down, so it makes there job a little easier.  But make them worry about the other guys, and that will open things up a whole lot for us.

[carolina-chuck]

Cmon guys, we cant "BLAME CAM"!!!!!!!!!!! WE CAN"T BLAME CAM!!!

[Gucci Mane]

Here is a capture from the pass to Smith that was nearly intercepted.

 

 

Things I notice ...

 

3 defenders on the right with 2 options. 2 defenders on the left with 2 receivers.

 

A) Smitty is not open. He is covered up pretty well by the DB. The underneath taken away by the linebacker.

 

B ) Ginn, hidden behind fox logo, is open and looking for the ball. He ran a great route and got the needed separation.

 

C) Lafell apparently is neither open nor looking for the ball.

 

D) Pretty decent pass protection, except for Bell.

 

 

Watching the play, Cam never takes his eyes off Smith, sadly.

 

IDK, without seeing the replay im going to assume this was a hi-lo read, and ginn was probably the hi read and smitty the lo read. It looks like ginn is about to make his way on a comeback instead of a dig route so cam saw the Mike sitting and probably thought he was going to continue to sit or back up, either of which would be a not so good throw.

 

Second, in that picture steve smith is considered open. In the NFL it only takes one step to be considered wide open and smith has enough spacing for the right throw.. Cam threw it too inside if im not mistaken.

 

[Gabeking]

Cmon guys, we cant "BLAME CAM"!!!!!!!!!!! WE CAN"T BLAME CAM!!!

Nice contribution.

Anyways, this was one bad throw he made and w'ere acting like he made these kinda throws all game, c'mon man. Even Peyton makes these kind of throws sometimes.. Why can't we ever point out a positive throw or decision Cam has made? Why does it always have to be his worst throws? He showed major improvement in this game in regards to his decision making and accuracy but yet all we're focusing on is the few quips he made (believe it or not, Peyton didn't made a few bad thows on 3rd in the Baltimore game!).

Also, some people don't realize that when Cam "doesn't see" an open receiver like ginn or lafell it's not cuz he didn't "see" them but because they werent his primary reads in the play call or even a designed read at all. Now is this the case all the time? Of course not, sometimes he actually misses them as well. But all I'm really trying to say is some of you are all looking at this one bad play and portraying it like he did this all game or what not, when he actually played a really solid and efficient game overall. Could he have some made better reads and throws? Of course, but he also could have used some help from Olsen and DWill as well. This one bad play doesn't take away from the overall essential and drastic improvement cam has shown with his patience in the pocket as well as his accuracy and timing with his throws (especially against that tough Seattle secondary, even without browner.) Does Cam Newton, a QB who only had 1 year of high level CFB starting experience before he came into the league, still need to work on things? Of course he does. But has he shown enough improvement at the beginning of his third year as a pro to warrant enough confidence that he will eventually turn his immense raw talent into an immense amount of wins for this franchise (even if its with a new and hopefully more competent OC)? I personally think so, no matter how bad that play was. On to the bills!

/endpointlessinternetrant

[DaCityKats]

again zod, give us pictures of how the play developed as well so we can see it happen. the ball is out of his hands, while Ginn is open.

[nickzz]

haven't read anything in this thread but smith was open, cam was too late on the throw.

[Riverboat Ron]

Almost had a heart attack in the stands on that play, I saw Ginn wide open and was yelling "throw it to Ginn!" Also there was a play that Brandon Williams was wide open and Cam didn't even look his way.