ESPN Insider hit piece: Panthers aren't playoff contenders. Need someone with ESPN Insider.

[teeray]

Who the fug have the Saints beat of any consequence this season?  They beat San Fran at home... barely.

 

They beat the Falcons twice who are in the running for the #1 pick in the draft 23-17 and 17-13 respectively.  They beat Tampa Bay, another team dreaming of the #1 overall pick, 16-14.

 

They lost to Geno Smith and the Jets.

 

They stomped the Cowboys who are 31st in the league in passing defense.  And that was probably their most impressive win.

 

The Saints are without a doubt a really tough team to play in the Dome and a very good football team overall.  If we have a bad day we could get beat by double digits, as we would against any good team.  Just as we could beat them by double digits if they have a bad game.  But there is not a big difference one way or another between the two teams.

 

But people can keep short selling this team at their own peril. 

 

 

[nickzz]

Before I even clicked on this link I thought "this piece is written by KC Joyner"

 

Sure enough...

 

lol i thought the exact same thing

[Happy Panther]

We match up well against the Saints. They are dangerous.

 

Should be a pretty good game and i would be shocked if it is a blowout either way

[carp24000]

Can we just show up Sunday night and blow the roof off that stadium?

 

38-10 Panthers

[Neylus]

Why would you throw high risk bombs downfield when your winning by significant margins?? Answer = you don't.

[rodeo]

In 2011 and 2012 the Panthers led the NFL in 20+ yard passing plays for long stretches. Cam has the ability, and he's actually one of the best in the league at it. Shula just doesn't call that type of play as well as Chud, dunno if he doesn't know the right route combinations, or if it's on our o-line not being able to hold up that long.

[KendrickPanther]

You can come up with numbers to support anything. All you have to do is ignore all the stats that don't make your point.

[theyhateme45]

While I disagree with his projections about our team from the article, I will say I am glad that he at least backed up his claims with his facts and perceptions.... I am not a fan of when people just pull ish out their tale and talk like they know all... but I actually feel this is a well written perspective that I 85% disagree with. 

[pantherj]

We have a lower risk, lower reward offense than teams like the Saints, but in no means does that make us a paper tiger in the playoffs. We have a balanced offensive attack with Cam Newton as a constant threat to break something with his feet, or throw anywhere on the field with a cannon for an arm.

 

If you're not impressed with our rushing attack, then get ready, the cold weather is here to stay, and Tolbert is laying wood so hard that he's knocking defenders unconscious (ask SF), or brutally battering them so badly that the pain comes through the t.v set (ask any team). That's not a paper tiger, it's a bowling ball rolling over your ass with extreme violence. Want to go man and try and lock up our WRs? Fine. Turn your backs and see what happens when Cam takes off down the field for 50 yards and makes your defenders look like high school kids. Load up the box? I hope you have a DB who can run with Ginn one on one. Trust me you don't.

 

Did I mention we have the best defense in the NFL, rivaled ONLY by Seattle? Did I mention we have the best punter in the NFL? Ginn is a real threat on returns, and it's only a matter of time before he pops one.

 

We're sitting pretty right now and ESPN "Insider" is trying to convince football fans otherwise. Typical. If we sweep the Saints like we swept them last season then are we still a paper tiger?

 

The Saints are the paper tiger. Why? Brees doesn't have the arm he once had, and he's leaving throws short, or not putting enough mustard on the ball, which means that a team with a ball hawking secondary will bump them out of the playoffs in a boring blowout. Does anyone want to see the paper tiger Saints get totally and completely demolished in a route against the Hawks again in the playoffs? It was boring. No more.

[NanuqoftheNorth]

I have no doubt the Panther's vertical attack is still there when needed.

 

Shula is undoubtably utilizing the short pass to compensate for our offensive line, but it also allows Cam to advance the ball without being under constant threat of attack, controls the game tempo, keeps our defense fresh and opponents offense off the field.  Where is the down side in that strategy?

 

Yes, eventually an opponent will attempt to take the short passing game away from the Panthers and force Cam to go long. 

 

I suspect whoever that team is, they'll come to regret that decision.

 

 

[teeray]

I have no doubt the Panther's vertical attack is still there when needed.

Shula is undoubtably utilizing the short pass to compensate for our offensive line, but it also allows Cam to advance the ball without being under constant threat of attack, controls the game tempo, keeps our defense fresh and opponents offense off the field. Where is the down side in that strategy?

Yes, eventually an opponent will attempt to take the short passing game away from the Panthers and force Cam to go long.

I suspect whoever that team is, they'll come to regret that decision.

That is a good point that is getting lost. Team's are defending us a bit differently than past two seasons

[pantherj]

Right Ginn is our best deep threat, and DBs are just playing him for the go route and letting him have the rest.

 

[grateflday]

I pulled this quote from the article... 

 

 

Shula's changes have taken a huge risk element out of this offense but also have hamstrung the vertical passing game and turned Newton into one of least productive downfield passers in the NFL.

 

Sure,,,, it would be nice to get some big plays once in awhile.  I have said this to others myself.  That being said how about giving credit to the fact that I think the Panthers lead the league or close to the top when it comes to time of possession and long drives.  That makes a big difference in keeping other offenses of the field and keeping our defense fresh.  Cam and the Panthers are taking what the defenses are giving us.  

[RelaxImaPro]

BDR...