Shula is sticking around for awhile

[ajax4132]

http://espn.go.com/blog/carolina-panthers/post/_/id/3375/why-newton-is-mike-shulas-favorite-player

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Cam Newton has a little bit of Jolly Old St. Nick personality in theCarolina Panthers' huddle when it comes to keeping the situation light and fun. 

But according to left tackle Jordan Gross, his quarterback wasn't his normal "jovial'' self on Sunday when he stepped into the huddle with 55 seconds left and the Panthers trailing New Orleans 13-10. 
 

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Jeff Siner/Getty ImagesPanthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula said he appreciates Cam Newton's willingness to learn.

He was focused. 

But then Newton threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Domenik Hixon with 23 seconds left and he was jovial again. He typically is, even in the most stressful situations. 

It's part of what makes him so good. 

Nobody is a bigger Newton fan than offensive coordinator Mike Shula. 

"Don't tell him this, but he's probably the most favorite guy I've ever coached. Although I said that before and I got a text from David Garrard, 'What do you mean by that?'" Shula said of Garrard, whom he coached at Jacksonville. 

Here's what Shula means. 

"He's fun because he's full of life,'' Shula said of Newton. "He loves football. His personality ... he's a sponge. You can get on him, and it doesn't bother him. He doesn't have an ego that way. 

"That just brings energy to you as a coach, just to get yourself motivated. Here's a guy that is going to continue to get better and better as long as you push him and he pushes himself. He learns from his mistakes and he has a lot of fun along the way doing it.'' 

Shula can go on and on about Newton. He likes him that much. You can see it. You can hear it. 

"He loves winning and he doesn't care how he wins,'' Shula continued. "He just wants to win.'' 

Newton can be truly amazing at times, particularly when he's improvising with his feet. But few things he has done was more spectacular than his 37-yard completion to Ted Ginn Jr. on a crossing route to start Sunday's game-winning drive. 

The first pick of the 2011 draft stood as tall in the pocket as you'll ever see, ignoring defenders grabbing at him from all sides -- including one that had so much of his hand in Newton's face that the quarterback was almost throwing blindly. He patiently waited for Ginn to pop open. 

Then he threw a bullet that hit Ginn in stride and enabled him to pick up another 10 or so yards before running out of bounds to stop the clock. 

"It probably ranks up higher [than most plays] because of the timeliness of it,'' Shula said. 

The play helped Carolina to its 10th win in 11 games. It locked up a playoff spot and put the Panthers (11-4) in position to win the NFC South and a first-round playoff bye on Sunday in Newton's hometown of Atlanta. 

You might say the focused-but-jovial Newton helped give Carolina an early Christmas present.

[ajax4132]

With Shula and Cam having this type of chemistry there is no way he will be gone. It is very exciting to see them mesh so well.

 

We just need weapons and a new right side of the line

[rko396]

Its amazing to think about the type of player we will have on our hands once Cam has the time in the pocket that Kap was getting last night.  :thumbsu:

[ajax4132]

Its amazing to think about the type of player we will have on our hands once Cam has the time in the pocket that Kap was getting last night.  :thumbsu:

 

I honestly think that if Cam played for the 49ers they would be 13-1 or 14-0 running threw teams on the way to the superbowl.

 

Gettleman needs to see it like that and get a damn RT and RG and TWO wr threats on the outside that can create for themselves

[chknwing]

am I missing something? Carolina has one of the worst offenses in the league.  Dont give Shula a pass because the defense is keeping carolina in games.  50% of his play calling is wtf?  Ive yet to hear why tolbert had 1 play the whole game against the Saints when rushing the ball was a priority in bad weather against a weak run defense.

[xPariahx]

I don't have a problem with this as long as Shula can evolve. It will be easier for him when we draft and sign more talent.

[TheGreatestOfAllTimeCam]

That throw to Ginn was the best I've ever seen newton make. It was incredible. This was a great read

[teeray]

Hiring Shula was one of the better hires this organization has made.

Some of the people being critical of him don't realize that some of the changes to our offense has actually played a part in how well our defense is playing.

[csx]

am I missing something? Carolina has one of the worst offenses in the league. Dont give Shula a pass because the defense is keeping carolina in games. 50% of his play calling is wtf? Ive yet to hear why tolbert had 1 play the whole game against the Saints when rushing the ball was a priority in bad weather against a weak run defense.

We are 3rd in the league in TOP. We are 11-4 and on our way to a possible 1 seed. We have a barely servicable OL and average WRs. Maybe you missed all that?

[KillerKat]

I'm so sick and tired of Carolina hanging onto guys based solely on other intangibles that have nothing to do with what is going on in the game.

"Oh this guy has a lot of heart and grit. Let's keep him around". "This guy shows fire and the guys love him"

That gave us the Delhomme disaster and the reason why Bell is starting at RT. Among other disasters.

This organization needs to start aiming higher. Shula hinders this offense so bad it isn't even funny. We could be dominating and be #1 right now if it wasn't for his dumbass plays in crucial situations. Newton made Chud's career. He's making Shula's now. Not the other way around.

[Khaki Lackey]

Much like Fox, I really like Shula, but the play calling sometimes drives me nuts. I'm hoping he has a Riverboat moment where he gets a little less conservative. I like the balance of his scheme overall.

[teeray]

Our offense is top 10 in most efficiency stats. Not sure what we are complaining about

[csx]

Im sure that hes not the best possible coordinator there is but with the teams success and the chemistry they have I am dreading the offseason whining when they keep him for obvious reasons.

[mav1234]

Maybe I'm crazy but it sure seems like our offense hasn't been so efficient in the last few weeks - is that incorrect, Tee?  I haven't looked at those stats, but ugh, it's seemed that way.