Carolina Panthers’ Monday Morning Optimist (Friday Edition) 11/20/09
by James The Aussie on Nov 20, 2009 10:44 AM EST
63 comments
Good morning Panther faithful. Time to be optimistic! The weekend is almost here! That is all... just kidding.
Consistently inconsistent is a moniker that suits the Carolina Panthers organization perfectly from top to bottom. I've also referred to this phenomenon as ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'. Essentially it's become impossible to predict what the Carolina Panthers will do from week to week; something works perfectly one week, then we abandon it the next, we dodge a bullet one week, then paint a target on our chest the next... and unfortunately it looks like it's going to keep happening until some people lose their jobs and there's an air of change in Carolina.
Was it all bad though? Let's break it down further after the jump...
I put in the hump day prognostication column that the key matchup in last night's game was going to be Miami's run vs. Carolina's run defense; and in the end, that made all the difference. The Panthers allowed Ricky Williams to eat them alive at key moment and by in large, the defense was pitiful. Between the attempted arm tackles on Ricky Williams, blown coverage in pass protection, a complete lack of pressure on Chad Henne and allowing 46% completion of 3rd downs we never stood a chance. That being said, it's not like the offense played much better, as we had no red zone efficiency... none. I see the defense's failings as failings of the players, and the offense's failings to be leveled on coaching.
According to the good people at Wikipedia an offensive coordinator's responsibilities are thus:
- Managing all offensive players and coaching assistants.
- Does Davidson do this? Yeah, I mean, I guess so.
- Designing specific offensive plays.
- Does Davidson do this? Who knows? One week we look dynamic and the next we're treading water. If he's designing plays I'd investigate him for plagiarism because I see nothing original.
- Developing a general offensive gameplan.
- Does Davidson do this? We only have success when our QB calls the plays. Each week we approach our opponent like we've never seen any tape on them before, the offensive players look lost. We are also completely unable to make halftime adjustments unless we have the lead, and then we take steps backwards.
- Calling the plays for the offense during the game.
- Does Davidson do this? For the most part, yes... and he does so horribly.
The thing that is so infuriating regarding Davidson is that there are things that are working. If the offense looked completely lost each and every game it would almost be easier to swallow and just say that our offense sucks. However:
How can someone justify giving up on the strongest part of the game on a whim?
How can he justify getting an 80 yard drive on the ground then pass three times in the end zone?
How can Jeff Davidson justify passing the ball 42 times and rushing 27 times when the passing game is netting you an average of 5.4 yards per attempt and the running game is netting 6.75 yard per attempt? Further compounded with the loss of an all pro LT which surely weakens the pass protection you can offer your QB.
I said in the hump day article that I have moved from lambasting to lauding the Panthers' coaching staff... well; consider this a lambasting kind of day. Jeff Davidson is one of the worst coordinators I have ever seen, because he's not just inept, he's also blind to what's working and what's failing.
OPTIMISTIC
DeAngelo Williams- Extremely Optimistic: When he was on the field DeAngelo played great. Pity he wasn't on the field enough to be a real factor in the outcome.
Steve Smith- Extremely Optimistic: Smitty continues his resurgence and he did what he always does- make Jake look good.
Dante Rosario- Somewhat Optimistic: He's proving to be a major threat in the passing game. I really think we need to try him at WR3 to see if he can hold his own. He's a big target and mostly sure handed.
Gary Barnidge- Somewhat Optimistic: Each week he's improving more and more. Barnidge came up big on the final drive giving us at least the slim opportunity to sniff victory.
PESSIMISTIC
Travelle Wharton- Extremely Pessimistic: Wharton looked lost in pass protection and got eaten alive by Joey Porter. I know the move from LG to LT was going to be tough, but a guy who's played the position before should have performed better. It's as simple as that.
Defensive Players in general- Somewhat pessimistic: I debated giving the entire defense a pass this week given that most of the season they've bailed out the offense. However, I just cant this week. They allowed the big plays and killed the game for us when nine people in the box couldn't tackle Ricky Williams in what proved to be the game ending touchdown.
OVERALL ANALYSIS
The season is not over yet, it's just not. Yes, I'm aware how difficult our schedule is and I know how important this week's game was to our postseason chances but if the ball bounces our way and Green Bay beat the 49ers, and the Bears beat Philly we're going to be 2 games back from the wildcard. Improbable? Sure it is. Impossible? Absolutely not. It just hurts to think that Jeff Davidson's offense has essentially left at least 3 winnable games on the table due to his inefficiency (Dallas, Buffalo, and New Orleans)
55% Optimistic heading to NY to face the Jets.
Quick Note: I know this week's Optimist is pretty condensed, and doesn't have the depth I would like, but unfortunately I have a funeral to attend in a little over two hours. I wanted to make sure I got something up for the fans, so feel free to note what you think was optimistic and pessimistic from last night's game.
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IMO, your offense is not the worst problem....
You’re run defense is. It’s giving opponents long drives. It’s hurting your chances to get 3rd down stops. That aside, I just hate to see CAR throwing (unless it’s against ATL cause that’s when they do it well, then I still hate it, lol) at all. Put Smitty in the wildcat in the redzone or something, geez….
"If lessons were learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education." -Murray Warmath
Mannn....
Our run defense has been effed up since week 10 of LAST year…I knew our run D had problems when Justin Fargas of the RAIDERS ran 100+ yards on us. At this point, 7-9 or 8-8 is a reasonable finish…but we GOTS to see some MAJOR changes come this upcoming offseason.
My head still hurts from last night's game...
…and everything is still a blur, so I’m going to be brief.
The problem we have is Jeff Davidson, plain and simple. If we put anyone with an ounce of intelligence at OC, we’re 5-5 right now (hell, we’re probably 7-3 or 8-2 for that matter).
Yes, our run defense was horrid — but Gump puts the defense on the field for too much of the game because he wants Jake to throw the ball 35 times, causing 3 and outs or single first down drives.
I don’t know why Gump can’t figure out what EVERYONE who has watched this team understood 6 weeks ago — this team must run the ball 75% of the time to be successful. Or, if he wants to pass, then dammit throw short dump passes instead of throwing it 40 yards down field on 3rd and 1. When we run 70 yards down the field on 5 plays, don’t throw three straight times and kick a FG — run the ball in the endzone.
The icing on the cake was watching the game last night on NFL Network and hearing MATT MILLEN say that the Panthers were making a mistake by not running more. When the man who single-handedly destroyed the Lions’ chances of winning more than 5 games for the next 5-10 years understands it, but the freaking offensive coordinator can’t figure it out — there is a huge problem.
I’m really beginning to think that Davidson is in my Fantasy league and he knows I have D-Will, because I can’t think of any other reason why he won’t give the ball to the best player on our offense and let him make a freaking play.
So, to fix our team we MUST find an offensive coordinator. I don’t care if they put the Madden 10 world champion in there — but someone has to take over for Davidson if this team wants any hope of winning.
I agree that the play calling could have been a lot better at times (usually the case in hindsight), but I think that a lot of the problem just boiled down to player performance, not Davidson. On one of those 3rd and 1 plays where Delhomme launched the ball 40 yards, it looked like he overthrew Smitty a bit and that Smitty just misread the ball—he slowed down tracking the ball in the lights. Had he caught that running, it would have been an excellent play call possibly for a touchdown since Smith had clearly beaten his man. In fact, there were several passing plays that were “almost” awesome, but somebody dropped the ball or just didn’t get it done. Had things gone slightly differently, we would all probably be ecstatic that our passing game had come alive and that we were no longer one-dimensional.
Davidson’s in a tough place—call great plays that should work (assuming guys can block, throw, and catch), or just show that you have no faith in your passing offense and hand the ball off to double trouble every time. Double trouble’s great, but I think Davidson is right by trying to throw the ball more. Our team needs to go in the direction Davidson is trying to take us—our passing personnel just isn’t up to par to take us there yet.
Also, I have to wonder if the pass heavy scheme had something to do with D-Will’s health. We had a short week, and he missed practice on Wed. Maybe they were taking it easy on him. They’ve been trying to take it easy on Stewart having him sit a practice each week. And Pep wasn’t even on the injury report, though it’s clear his hand is a problem, so maybe they’re being mum on Williams’ being hurt too. I don’t know, but just a thought.
Understandable but 42 times is a bit much.
Double Trouble; we've got the best running backs in the NFL that never see the ball!
agreed
I have no problems, as I have said on here in the past, with Gump calling pass plays and taking shots downfield. But, we cannot throw the ball 35+ times in a game. We just can’t.
But you've defeated your argument before you even started typing.....
“On one of those 3rd and 1 plays where Delhomme launched the ball 40 yards, it looked like he overthrew Smitty a bit and that Smitty just misread the ball”
The problem is that with D. Will at 9.4 YPC we should not be throwing the ball on 3rd and 1. That is the problem with Davidson he just doesn’t get it. For example….if the Vikings have 3rd and 1 (with Farve at QB no less) are they going to launch a 40 yard pass down field or hand the ball to their play maker in AP? 9 out of 10 are going to AP cause he is their playmaker and as much as I hate to say it (see my icon) Smitty is not our playmaker right now D. Will is. Question his health all you want but when the man is averaging 9.4 YPC you give him the ball in 3rd and 1 and at least twice when you’ve got 1st and goal from the 7. We need offensive coordinator that can get out of his own way…period.
I agree that 9 times out of 10 you’re going to want to run the ball in that situation. In fact, maybe even 49 out of 50 with our team. But in this case, I really don’t think that was a bad call at the time—that was our 1 in 50. We caught the Dolphins by surprise, Smith had his guy beat, and the play almost became huge. It didn’t, and that’s the reason the play looks so bad in hindsight. Had it been better executed, we’d be saying it was a genius/gutsy play call and a demonstration of Steve Smith’s awesome talent.
I agree with you, passing in those situations is usually stupid, and I have tons of faith in double trouble to pick up one yard, but in this one instance I don’t think it was insane to go for the big play rather than hope we could pick up a first down and then rush all the way down the field on many subsequent plays. Was the play a gamble? Yes, but with a huge potential dividend that made the risk worth it.
Then again, everyone has their different opinions about what’s acceptable risk. In retrospect, you’re right that it wasn’t the best play call (the play failed), and if 3 and 1 comes up again, I’ll be right there with you expecting Williams to punch his way through. I just don’t think that that play is evidence that we have a horrible OC.
agree with premise- but not in this case
If this were game 1 or 2, yes- go for big dividends. this was game 10, and how many have we hit so far this season? At this stage of the season, when wins are a must-
GO WITH WHAT HAS WORKED, not what could maybe possibly look good if only all of the stars would align in the heavens. This team is beyond gambling, they can’t make it work- so go all out blue collar punch ‘em in the mouth- but don’t tell us you are a running team and then go pass 42 times… that speaks to me of an identity crisis
frustrating...
…seems like that has taken the place of the 3rd and long draw play from last year…
Once again you've defeated your on argument.....
“Had it been better executed, we’d be saying it was a genius/gutsy play call and a demonstration of Steve Smith’s awesome talent.”
The way Jake has played in long passing attempts this yeare there is no reason for us to assume that it would be better executed. I’m not saying it was as bad a call as Belichick go for it on 4th down against the colts…but it wasn’t a good call and every arm chair quarter back watcing the game knew deep down that it was a bad call 100% of the time (considering Jakes performance thus far).
I apologize for all the typos....
my fingers don’t wont to work today and I can’t figure out how to edit a previous comment.
And long routes take time, and require OLmen holding their blocks longer...
…which they can’t do, which leads to more sacks…
therefore, calling a pass , when the defense is stacked against a run, may be the better call, but not a 40-yd bomb, or a smoke route sideways (tried twice at the 7), but the same 7-10 yd crossing pattern or slant that every team uses to beat our defense.
This times a thousand!!!!!
I had him in fantasy, this is a big reason why this loss stings so much. I can accept bad stats in a win, but he should have had close to 200 yards and two TD’s. If we aren’t running the ball at least 40 times a game, we don’t deserve to win! You could hire any bum off the street in here and he could call a better game. I AM NOT JOKING!!!!
by Flowing Willow on Nov 21, 2009 8:20 AM EST up reply actions
There are SO many reasons we should be running the ball...
1) one of the best in the league at it, D-Will should get it every series, until he’s tired, then a blow with Stewart doing the same
2) our OL was constructed for run blocking, not pass blocking — 2 different techniques, one they’re very good at, the other not so much
3) running it 40 times a game really pays dividends late in the decisive 4th quarters, when the game is usually still winnable for us — the opposition’s DL is worn down by then, if we’ve run it at them the requisite number of times prior to that.
4) sure fumbles happen, but not nearly so often as INT’s — we’ve had more times than I can recall, where INT’s killed promising drives — maybe 4 x as many as fumbles have caused.
5) play action passes ARE set up by consistent running, and could then be used — but sparingly — Jake isn’t very adept at selling the play-action fake handoff, though — it’s something that should be practiced more.
There are probably even more reasons, but more than anything, it’s because of who the Panthers are — why try to be something you’re not?
+1
especially on item#3. A good running team with an average or better D can win games by simply committing itself to the run game early on. Committment to the run game early on, even if its not working consistently, will eventually pay dividends later in the game.
Let Jake Call the Plays
I second that emotion
by bobbydrake24 on Nov 20, 2009 5:49 PM EST up reply actions
Let Jake Call the Plays
I second that emotion
by bobbydrake24 on Nov 20, 2009 5:49 PM EST up reply actions
C'mon jake call the plays?
Let’s first prove he can throw a good pass over 20 yards and maybe we night give him “Manning status”.
The only time he completes a 20+ pass...
Is when he calls it, that’s the problem.. When Carolina goes no huddle and Jake starts calling the audibles, he is on spot the entire drive – as was shown most recently in the ATL game. There were slight moments of it against Miami but Davidson kept interrupting it, thus it was never in use long enough to get a good opinion of it vs Miami.
I’m not sure about Manning Status but I really believe he does better when Davidson stays out. Not even slighting Davidson (this time lol) but Jake knows first hand what is going on on the field and knows what he is comfortable doing based on what he has seen and what he sees. Davidson doesn’t seem to be in tune with that so much, so his plays come off kind of… out there… and are typically executed poorly.
He and the offense just really aren’t hitting their rhythm together. You could say one’s trying to do hip-hop while the other is trying to sing country, just rarely fits.
Double Trouble; we've got the best running backs in the NFL that never see the ball!
Dejected, Disappointed, Depleted, and Defeated
That is how I feel the Panthers are at this moment.
Serious issues to address in offseason.
I would like Julius to go away, build a team around true KEY players (Steve Smith and Jon Beason). Not around Jake and Julius.
Please ask Davidson to STOP running the same flair out pattern for Dwayne Jarrett that Jake couldn’t get to him to catch. I counted at least 4 exact plays lastnight in the second half.
Please draft true wide receivers, and allow them to become a true second.
Give Dan Conner more playing time.
I am not asking for heads to roll. I just want those who are “liabilities” to go somewhere else.
Why Julius? He was on a monster streak before he broke his hand. I’d like to see it heal before I cast an injured man to the side. Just imagine him signing with another team and sacking Delhomme 5 times in a single game next year.
Davidson must go.
WR would be nice. Still haven’t seen enough to Kenny Moore, don’t know why they are so put off by him. Jarrett just isn’t cutting it and Moose is almost to the end of his career regardless how he plays. Did anyone even see Charly Martin (The PS player that they put over KM) last night?
I don’t fully understand, are you suggesting that we give Conner time over Beason?
Double Trouble; we've got the best running backs in the NFL that never see the ball!
Martin wore 83, I believe, and played on STs.
He has a size advantage (6’1’, 212) on Kenneth Moore (5’11’, 195) — maybe that’s why he was activated, and Moore sat.
No, just trying to see if we can get Conner to multitask. Never in favor of anyone over Beason. Why can’t Dan play weakside? Lack of speed? He has a nose for the ball from what i read.
I agree with Julius run, but I am having a hard time swallowing 18 million in cap hit. Especially when I returned from Phoenix last week and watching the Cardinals/Seahawks game. I witnessed Darnell Dockett flying all over the place.
Julius was removed from last nights game by Jake Long. Rarely was he doubled teamed, based on what I witnessed from the TV.
It is hard to have 2 players chew up about 20-25% of your cap and play the way they do.
My comment is made in emotion and you have every right to call me on it.
I’m not really trying to “call you on it” but trying to understand from another perspective. I definitely agree about the 18 mill but perhaps he’ll resign a less staggering, long term deal. At least, that’s what I hold out hope of. I certainly wouldn’t franchise him again, we are too thin in other areas. Perhaps that’s what you were talking about and I missed it the first go round. lol
I was going off of Conner being behind Beason on the depth chart and wasn’t sure if you meant over or in addition to. I see no reason why we shouldn’t try him out with the season the way it is now. I’d love to see one of our LB’s step up so that next year we will have three incredible LB’s instead of two incredible and one invisible.
Double Trouble; we've got the best running backs in the NFL that never see the ball!
I didn’t take it as “calling out” and I appreciate the reply. We need to be as objective as possible. sometimes my “fanhood” gets in the way of what is correct.
I have never been a fan of getting rid of Davidson, however I would like for someone to explain to me WHY they would run the same pass play to Jarrett in the second half at least 3 times, to where he would go up 5-10 yards and then quickly go to sideline. The defense had that picked out, and we were lucky to not even have another interception.
I wonder if the offensive coordinator is blamed for a lack of execution? I thought that Henning looked like a genius last night, and we ran him out on a rail several years ago as our OC.
I always blame head coach for when things consistently go wrong, because he is ultimately responsible. I still remain convinced that Fox needs to stay, BUT the players have to improve.
I agree. As much as I love Fox as our HC, it makes me sick to see that he is allowing this to continue. I like to tell myself that we can fix this by getting rid of Davidson but you gave a perfect example in Henning. Fox is very traditional, though perhaps his tradition has ran its course and is becoming out-dated? It’s hard to determine that based on the ridiculous play calling, but I’m baffled as to why he doesn’t step in – unless, of course, he’s involved.
Maybe it is indeed time for a new era in Carolina, as much as I’d hate to admit it. We need a jolt from somewhere this off season, I have no idea where it’s going to come from though…
We could lose Davidson, we could lose Fox, we could lose both, we could lose neither. There are so many people in the Panthers org that could have stepped in and stopped these foolish antics by now, yet they haven’t. I hope it is in the spirit of not wanting to make any drastic changes mid-season but that worries me that we may not see enough changes in the off season either.
Double Trouble; we've got the best running backs in the NFL that never see the ball!
Connor could be used to blitz from the edge
He did it in college, and Thomas Davis always had success with it, on those few times the DC called it up.
Pep was doubled often, but their OL found pass protection pretty easy, as we rarely rushed ore than 4, and sometimes only 3 — IMO,, it was a mistake not calling more blitzes and stunts — Henne was allowed to be way too comfortable back there, and he’s one of those QB’s who’s too accurate, when he’s given the time to survey the field.
Another small thing that reminds me of — Jake took 3 sacks, all standing in the center of the pocket — with Gross out, and pass protection never one of our OL’s strong suits anyway, wouldn’t you think we’d use designed roll-outs to the right, to give Jake an extra edge to avoid the rush from the left side? Another advantage in doing that (proven by Henne) is that, if under threat of a sack, it’s easier to avoid by tossing the ball away — if in the pocket, it’s intentional grounding, and that’s why Jake has to eat it all the time. We had Henne sacked once near the sideline, and he avoided it by simply heaving it forward a few feet — no receiver has to be nearby if the QB’s run out of the pocket. Pretty basic stuff, but we fail to recognize it.
I was wondering about that one! I was unaware of the "out-of-the-pocket" thing...
But what you fail to realize, BigDavis, is that BigDavidson isn’t on an equivalent level of intelligence as someone such as yourself. Pretty basic stuff to you may be astrophysicalgebranomics to him. I even had to make up a word just to exaggerate the situation.
To reiterate your last paragraph in terms Davidson could understand:
“The guy with the ball needs to run right and throw.”
I still believe substituting his play-call sheet with a fast food menu may do the trick. And lets not forget to cut his headphone off, of course. I would hate for him to spend the entire game yelling out “Cheeseburger with fries and a coke 4-99!” while we’re trying to win.
Double Trouble; we've got the best running backs in the NFL that never see the ball!
If we don't lose Davidson,
there is no reason in watching this team next season either — because we will have the exact same problem we do this year.
Hey Gump - take Jenny’s advice …. RUN FORREST, RUN!!!
I respectfully disagree. We have been subject to a injury bug. how can a 12-4 team turn to maybe a 7-9 (optomistically)? I think our record of last year was based on some lucky things that fell our way. Rossario catching the pass as time tuns out, the Chicago debacle, and the Monday night game in which we ran the pants off of Tampa Bay?
We have to get many medium range players to add depth. It is feast or famine in regards to depth. It applies to all teams, but the consistently good ones are able to restock their practice teams, and keep good players that can easily step in when a keymark player goes down.
That is why i cringe at the fact that we continue to squander our draft picks as an opportunity to reload. Also, next year we should get back Leonard, and with Tank Tyler, we should now focus on retooling an anemic offense. They cannot convert third downs with any consistency, and utilize a wide receiver core to take the pressure off of a quarterback by spreading around the passes.
Good Lord don't let MP see the term "injury bug" hahaha
Double Trouble; we've got the best running backs in the NFL that never see the ball!
Injuries have been a problem, yes...
but our OC doesn’t put us in the best position to win with what we have on the field.
We still have double trouble — we still have the ability to run the ball, which uses clock, which keeps our defense rested, which negates losing key players on defense because the defense isn’t on the field as much anyway.
good coaching overcomes injuries
This is where coaching has got to come in. Every professional team in existence has to plan around injuries. This isn’t a special thing happening just to the Panthers. You’ve got to get your back-ups to play at a higher level, and the coach has got to step up his game. Case in point a few years ago with all of the qb injuries we had, they schemed a whole lot of direct snaps to DeAngelo. That’s GOOD coaching, make your weakness a strength. They’ve been doing that for the last few games, and it worked- O-line banged up, and they are better at run blocking- so RUN more. Pass game has been questionable, so…RUN MORE.
If pass protection is not holding up- then move the pocket, or take 3 step drops and use quick hitting patterns. Don’t expect miracles, but work with what you can get, and good coaching can make a weaker team look and play so much better.
Nice post
BTW, when did the wildcat begin to show remergence? Deangelo under the direction of Henning.
EXACTAMENTO
thanks-
for as much grief as he got- he did do some creative things on the fly, and Steve Smith was a bigger factor than he is now- because everything was vertical- not cross field and 3 yards…
good job aussie
I personally believe your Monday Morning Optimist blog is superb. I look forward to reading it after every Panthers game and I actually prefer your articles over anything in the Charlotte Observer. Keep up the good work!!
On your article though I completely agree. The Panthers need to get rid of Davidson fast.
If I was Deangelo Williams I would seriously ticked off by now..
Two big examples:
1) New Orleans game-
DeAngelo has over a hundred yards rushing and two touchdowns in the first half. But in the second half he only gets SEVEN carries.. What is wrong with this picture?
2) Miami game-
DeAngelo gets over a hundred yards on 13 carries and averages 9.4 yards a carry…How does this guy only get 13 carries?? He is one of the top 5 running backs in the league and he only gets 13 carries??
AMEN
I believe I would’ve had them choking on D-Will and J-Stew the whole game. Pass Plays: FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY- BREAK GLASS AND PULL HANDLE- ONLY FOR EMERGENCIES. DOING SO IN NON-EMERGENCY SITUATION CAN BE DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH AND SUBJECT TO PROSECUTION UNDER THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW…
Thank you
I appreciate the kind words. I love writing for everyone, and I’ll keep it up.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Nov 20, 2009 11:32 PM EST up reply actions
James, I couldn't disagree more on Wharton and Davidson.
I thought he played fairly well, all things considered. The first sack he gave up (a 1/2 sack) to Porter was one where the entire O-line was beaten, and Jake was hit by three guys at once. The second sack he “gave up” was the fault of the single worst player in uniform last night: Tony Fiammetta.
Fiammetta either should have chipped/sealed Porter on the outside, or he should have gotten out of Wharton’s way. He did the worst, and stayed outside too long as though he were going to block, stopping Wharton from riding Porter past Delhomme, then jumped inside for no discernible reason.
Let me say this one thing: People seem to be down on Jeff Davidson, but you look at every initial Panthers drive this season and last. How many times have we marched down the field and scored? Five scores this season on the opening drive, nine last season. He’s clearly able to design a capable offense that can execute against NFL defenses, but his in-game decision-making and ability to adjust, well they have room for improvement. But I’m not nearly as down on him as you are. (Btw, 20 of Jake’s 42 attempts came in the last 7 minutes of the fourth, down two touchdowns. Don’t get too bent out of shape over the high volume pass attempts.)
But you know who I am down on? Tony Fiammetta. I’ve been critical of him for a while, and last night his play was, again, abysmal. In this offense, we need a lead blocker. I’m certain that all week they planned on power running out of the I formation with Fiammetta as their lead. But what happened? He missed his blocks badly, was knocked backward repeatedly when he did find his man, never once sealed off his guy, got a holding penalty on special teams… just one failure after another, leading to the inability to run effectively in the second half. Our offense is not capable of operating consistently out of a single back set, but he’s such as massive liability that they… again… pulled him and went to two-TE sets on running plays. With our guards playing as poorly as they were and no FB to pick up the defenders coming free inside, that’s a recipe for disaster. If you want to complain about Davidson, how about complaining that Sutton wasn’t back there blocking? He did a great, great job against New Orleans. But instead we had Fiammetta back there, and he is cripplingly bad.
Oh, and I should add...
DeAngelo’s 50 yard run in the third quarter? Rosario was lined up at FB. That drive went like so:
DWill for -1 yard.
DWill for 50 yards.
JStew for 7 yards.
JStew for 0 yards.
Jake’s INT.
Consistently inconsistent.
by r3 on Nov 20, 2009 4:23 PM EST up reply actions
fiametta
r3, first of all, to say jake threw 20 passes in the last seven minutes makes a big difference for guys who didn’t see the game like me, and only saw the boxscore. as for fiametta, i think he only gets part of the blame for his poor play. if he keeps being asked to do something he’s not ready to do, the result will be the same. is there a reason we couldn’t go with a single back formation with two TEs and two WRs, or a 3 WR set? it’s on davidson to make the adjustments. you can’t just tell a guy to do better. if he’s doing his best, and his best sucks, then maybe he should go do something else. i’m not saying cut fiametta, but don’t just set him up for failure.
by usana_gaines on Nov 20, 2009 6:08 PM EST up reply actions
Fiametta is a rookie playing a veteran's position in the NFL.
Fullback is one of the most underrated positions in the NFL. There’s a reason most teams start 10+ year vets at FB.
Fiametta was drafted to eventually take over for Hoover, but he’s been thrown into the fire and faired mostly well. It’s not his job to cover for Wharton when he gets outmatched, it’s his job to be the very last line of defense, and there aren’t too many FB’s in the league who can stop a pass rushing Joey Porter. I gave Wharton a pass last week saying it was tough stepping in, but this week: he was a veteran who failed to look like one.
As for Davidson, I don’t really care about the 4th quarter to be honest. Why is the run/pass ratio 25/22 after three quarters? We should be running at least 2-1.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Nov 20, 2009 5:33 PM EST up reply actions
One more voice in the chorus
Could someone either replace Davidson’s (I like the Gump thing btw) play sheet with a menu, or just turn off his microphone? That way he can pretend to be calling plays, but not hurt the team.
Yes, the 3rd and 1 call was a gamble, and almost paid off, but JAKE CAN’T THROW 30 YARDS, particularly when he’s got the happy feet hop going. If you’re going to try that on 3rd and 1 have the stones to go for it on fourth!
Oh, and it’s called a toss sweep. They run those in the NFL too. If you are not familiar with this play, please review yesterday’s tape – the Dolphins used it quite effectively.
Yes, Jake is a veteran, and so can make better reads, but his execution is not there. If the Panthers had run the Dolphins’ game plan of run and not , they would have been the winner. He tries (I liked his run on 3rd and short) and he knows what to do – can’t do it. Give him the microphone, and let JD sit in the booth?
by panthersnbraves on Nov 20, 2009 4:42 PM EST reply actions
The season IS over...
8-8 ain’t gonna cut it.
Not that the Panthers will make it to .500 or anything, but even if by some miracle they manage to go 4-2 over the home stretch they still won’t squeak in.
I have to agree...
Though every one of us have stressed what need be done beyond belief, Davidson just didn’t get it. Now we will wait for this season to end, become hopeful of changes that can be made during the off season, and get excited for next season.
We’re done. Davidson should just get on camera and say “Sorry guys” nothing more, nothing less. He should then hand in his resignation.
My biggest hope is that we find a QB and a WR in the off season. Jake will be a great mentor but we obviously need change. If we don’t find someone that can utilize Smith now, we might one day find ourselves with a completely sh*tty WR core and a great QB, thus I feel the need to get both at the same time and let them grow together.
Double Trouble; we've got the best running backs in the NFL that never see the ball!
James we think alike but....
man we sure don’t write alike. This weekly column is outstanding and I echo the sentiments of the previous poster who said your stuff is better than anything in The Observer. I agree with your overall analysis, its still not impossible, but we can only lose one more while running the table in the remaining NFC games to have a good shot.. I’m gonna go only 50% optimistic and I gotta say that I’m really bothered that one of our defensive players appeared to quit a little early on Williams 4th quarter TD run (unlike Miami’s D during D Will’s long run). I’m not talking about missing the tackle, but rather failing to stay alive in the play to help Martin force Williams out of bounds around the 5 yd line.
I humbly thank you for the kind words. I’ll keep it up for you guys!
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Nov 20, 2009 11:33 PM EST up reply actions
Read Steve Reed's Gaston Gazette column, it tells you all you need to know...
about the attitude inside the locker room.
Perhaps a team with some fight left in it, angry at themselves for finding the team in this position, could pull off the near impossible and close the season 5-1, but this ain’t that team. The players have already mailed it in and given up on this season.
For teams tht have NO chance in the playoffs 2 things happen to players
The first is for keymarked players to shut down and prevent injury.
The second is for marginal players who need to preserve their jobs to rise to the occassion.
Watch the next 6 games and tell me who deserves to be on the roster and who deserves to be gone….
I agree.. can’t really blame them though.. I’d hate to lose D-Will or Smitty for part of next year in a game that has very little significance this year – or worse. And that presents the perfect opportunity for guys to shine that wouldn’t normally get the chance.
I think that’s the brightest spot I can think of in our current situation. We have a very long training camp :).
Double Trouble; we've got the best running backs in the NFL that never see the ball!
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