Worst Case, the loss of Kemoeatu or Smith?
by LittleKing on Aug 11, 2009 10:03 PM EDT
28 comments
With the news of Steve Smith injury, everyone's attention has changed from our lack of DT to lack of WR depth. While both are big issues, it made me wonder, which loss will have a bigger impact. The obvious answer appears to be the loss of Smith, but are we really sure. Let break down both scenarios.
Smith is a play maker, no question about this fact. He's one of the best receivers in the league and his presence on the field commands respect and if not given, will burn a defense like a California wildfire, mercilessly. Ma'ake Kemoeatu on the other hand was a big man, often demanding double teams. He may not be the a play maker but his presence made it easier for the rest of the defense.
Smith is a key part of the offense and often requires double coverage while Kemo is a big man that demanded double teams from the opposition's offensive line. Both require the opposition to commit two players to cover, leaving one less person on the field to cover another player. In turn, this improves the ability of everyone else on the field. One less defender the Delhomme has to look for when passing, one less defender Hoover has to block for Double Trouble, one less defender Muhammad or Jarret has to worry about being on them. For Kemo he makes it so Beason can more easily get through the offensive line to make the tackle for a lose, or for Peppers, Johnson, or Brown to get the sack.
What it all boils down to is the fact that we lack depth in several important areas and until we get into the season and see who is able to step up and deliver there will always be questions. So who's more valuable? Well because DT isn't a skill position he should be easier to replace and therefore of course losing Smith would be worse than losing Kemo. Duh!
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Depth, Depth, Depth
That’s all I hear this off-season! I know we were pretty beefy (no pun intended) at o-line last year. But isn’t having quality depth a luxury and not the norm? What team can really lose some key starters and not skip a beat? That’s why these guys get paid the big $, because they ARE so hard to replace.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
We lack depth for one main reason...the Peppers contract
Fox would have brought in a FA or too for sure for at least one of the lines. But no money. If Peppers want to walk next off-season I bet the Panthers ket him walk.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
I Don't know
The Panthers Organization and players seem to be pretty high on peppers. It all depends on how he does this year. They already showed that they would give all the money they had left already once if he performs at least half way decent I think they will be more than willing to do it again.
It have to involve a long term contract
$20M plus?…unless the season is uncapped. That’s the wild card here
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
But even last year we didn't have that kind of depth at every position
For example why is WR depth such an issue now? The only difference last year was DJ Hackett, who wasn’t very reliable anyways. I don’t think most other teams have a slew of #2-quality receivers sitting on the bench, waiting for someone to go down.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
Even if Jarrett doesn't pan out
I think Carter or Moore will get it done as a #2 or 3. Let’s not forget the emerging threat from the TE spot in Barnidge.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
"What team can really lose some key starters and not skip a beat?"
The Patriots
god I hate them…
by packpigskinfan25 on Aug 12, 2009 2:18 AM EDT up reply actions
One guy last year cost them 7 games compared to the previous year
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
It was a little more than that I think
but point taken. They still went 10-6, a good season but not good enough when you miss the playoffs.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
Depends on how you look at it
10-6 is a decent record. But 6 less wins from the previous year is not.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
Yeah...but..
when you go 16-0 there is nowhere to go but down. Just a remarkable season…that made their SB loss that much more sweeter.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
Very true
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Aug 12, 2009 9:38 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Also, the Pats went 11-5 last season.
So one guy cost them 5 games (not 7) and a shot at the playoffs. Significant, to be sure.
Also, we went from 7-9 to 12-4 when we added Jake back to the mix, so call that a 5-game swing based on one guy.
by r3 on Aug 13, 2009 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions
7 if you count the playoffs ;)
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Aug 13, 2009 9:49 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
ah...
very true…
Yet the guy they replaced him with, was better then all 3 of our players at that position put together!!
Of course I say that kidding to some extent… just riling it all up again… =)
by packpigskinfan25 on Aug 12, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Hope this is not a sign of what is coming for the season !!
So now Smitty is banged up; noticed I said he is just banged up an not injuried and I believe the media is completely blowing this thing way out of proportion. I think worse case is that Smitty misses the preseason and plays week one.
As I have stated I would not be totally upset if Smitty missed the preseason b/c who wants to risk the best WR and player in games that mean nothing.
C’mon Fox protect our players in preseason please; and as for the question Smitty is easily a bigger loss than KEMO !!! Their is not replacement in the league for Smitty period I don’t care what anybody says.
Go Panthers an get heathly .
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Aug 11, 2009 10:51 PM EDT reply actions
Smith would easily be the biggest lose if it was season long… well- second to Jake.
Let see here… where do the Panthers lack depth?
DT
WR
QB
that does not bode well for any team.
by packpigskinfan25 on Aug 12, 2009 2:17 AM EDT reply actions
I would agree with...
Where do the Panthers lack experienced depth?
Until we get these players in game situations we really don’t know what we have. In the past Furney has not hesitated to bring in players to plug holes where they are weak. Prior TC/Preseason acquisitions: Chris Harris, Josh McCown. Don’t be surprised if the Panthers surrender a pick for a player right before cut downs, either the first or second one.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
Good point
I wrote:
What it all boils down to is the fact that we lack depth in several important areas
but should have written:
What it all boils down to is the fact that we lack proven depth in several important areas and until we get into the season and see who is able to step up and deliver there will always be questions.
food for thought
What team has real depth at QB?
If the panthers had a pass catching TE our WR depth wouldn’t look so sad Moose was less then 100 yards from being the team’s second 1000 yard receiver last year so really we’re not that bad off some teams don’t even have one 1000 WR.
And the problem at DT is that no one expected to lose Kemo for more then a week or two at most, Fox drafted a DT this year to groom not as a step in replacement. The entire defense was looked at during the draft mostly DE and the Secondary but when you have more holes then draft picks its hard to address every thing.
by bleed_in_blue on Aug 12, 2009 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions
+1 on the WR depth comment
At DT I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Panthers exchange a late pick for some other teams back-up. The only thing keeping me from being too worried here is the new energy on display by the defense. I expect them to generate turnovers as well, surpass last years total easily.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
“No one expected to lose Kemo”
Well did we expect to NOT lose him? That is not a good strategy to have when drafting and signing players… In THIS game you need to do your best to have at least one SERVICEABLE backup at every position on the field, except maybe the kicking positions. I know that costs money, and I am not looking to have two ProBowl caliber DT’s, but a legit backup other then a rookie would have been better “risk” management.
I really hope Jaxon is right and we trade for something.
I think our WR depth is actually the best its been since…. well, since I remember. Jarrett just needs to step it up.
I am personally not sold on McCown. I may be wrong… But if Jake goes down again- we are screwed.
by packpigskinfan25 on Aug 12, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I haven't disected it on paper
But I do not think most teams have starting quality receivers behind their 1 & 2. Most teams don’t even have a Smitty-quality #1… and some don’t even have a true #1 (CHI comes to mind).
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
Losing Kemo was a MUCH worse....
Your offense works on pounding the rock and play action. Not having your number 1 WR hurts, but not like Arizona losing Fitzgerald….
I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I only lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three.
Elayne Boosler
Steve Smith
Without Steve Smith, our running game and play-action takes a hit. Defenses are forced to gameplan around Smitty. He opens up holes in our running game by forcing defenses to put less men in the box in order to deal with him……and then he goes up and still makes plays even when double covered. Without him, I would bet that defensive coordinators could find ways to slow down our running game (which, as you mentioned, is basically our entire offense). Smitty does so much more for this team than just catch the ball.
Echo of what R-F said, plus
we have Moose and Jarret, ’Zona has Boldin and Breaston. Pretty clear who is better off.
by Flowing Willow on Aug 13, 2009 2:49 AM EDT up reply actions
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