No Predictions This Week, Just Stuff

Two weeks ago, I blogged that the Panthers had a very winnable game against the Titans before they got creamed 30-3.  Having come back to Earth, I was about to post how the Cats were in for yet another pasting against Detroit only to watch them build a 24-7 lead and then promptly get blown out in the second half.  After having predicted games early in the season pretty well, I have fallen flat on my face the last two weeks and I shall leave my crystal ball in the shed for the rest of the season.  That being done, I'll still post what I'm going to be watching this week:

I see this as a game that can reveal much about the character of this team.  Seventeen weeks is a long season and the toll being taken both physically and mentally on this team is really starting to show.  While it is true the defense (linebacking corps in particular) have been decimated by injury this season, that only goes so far when facing opposing teams with offenses ranking in the bottom quarter of the league.  Simply stated, the defense cannot keep giving up 3rd and 10+ conversions and have any hope of winning. 

On the offensive side of the ball, not only the brutality of this season's schedule is seen in the W-L  record, but in the physical and mental toll being exacted on rookie quarterback Cam Newton.  While some of the deficiencies on the offense are pretty obvious and (one would think) easily fixed (false starts), the rash of penalties (holding) incurred at critical times are absolutely killing any chance the Cats have had at gaining momentum which will be a critical factor this Sunday.  Another issue the Cats must address head on is establishing a running game.  While the loss of Jeff Otah has hurt the ability of the O-Line to pass protect, the beating the interior line has been taking can most readily be seen in the increasing number of sacks.  Furthermore, the O-Line has not established any consistent push to get the running game going; this must change for Chud to be able to open the playbook with 2nd and 3 or less rather than 2nd and 8+. 

What I have never understood is why the Cats don't bring both Stewart and Williams in on first downs:  Run 5 O-Linemen with a TE and 2 receivers and both sides of Double Trouble in the backfield.  If nothing else, it would give the opposing defenses another factor to worry about on first down and stands to really open the playbook. 

It's been said a million different times and ways, but it's still true:  there are 3 facets to every game:  Offense, Defense, and Special Teams.  To win, at least 2 of the 3 need to be firing on all 8.   While all 3 have been good to great at times, I cannot recall a game this season where all 3 have put together a solid 60 minutes.  While most games are won or lost in the trenches, special teams' play frequently changes momentum.  The Panthers' coverage units have been good about 60-70% of the time, but it's the 5% they've been abysmal that kills them.  Finally, if the Cats can't win the turnover battle, the last 6 weeks of the season stand to look like eternity.

And Now For The 2010 Season Rewound...

Well it looks like the opposition are at least reading my posts because if the Panthers are, they really missed a few key points this week.

I really thought the Cats were on the verge of turning this season around and probably winning 6 with an optimistic 7; right now (given the schedule they have left), I'd be happy with 4 and surprised by 5.  I admit I was a little overly optimistic and maybe even a bit overconfident coming into this game at BofA Stadium, off the bye week and facing a Titans team that has shown expoitable gaps in run defense and offense, and I don't think any true Panther fan would deny the same (if pressed hard enough).

While my confidence hasn't been misplaced through week 8 (given the Cats have been in 6 of the 8 games they played and one or two plays (or penalties or special teams lapses) from winning a fair share of them), this week showered a very bright light in the corners of this team's lockerroom that had been able to hide in the darkness.  Part of that light came in week 8 when Minnesota figured out how to get AP going, but given the size, strength and speed (although lack of experience at DT) of the Cats' D-Line, they should have been able to handle the Titans' O-Line better and not give Hassellbeck that last half a second he needed to burn the Cats the way he did; but that is part and parcel of going up against a 13-year veteran under center.  (I still can't believe how bad the D got fooled by the play-action weak-side bootleg that almost allowed Hassellbeck to trot in from 22 yards out).

That being said, a fair portion of the defense's lack of execution can be laid at the feet of the injury bug that has so plagued the Cats at linebacker this season.  However, the Cats are not the only team that has been bitten by the injury bug at linebacker and while at the beginning of the season this looked to be the strongest corps the team had ever assembled, the bug just wouldn't stop biting the Cats.  What really shone a bright light Sunday was how bad the secondary can be beaten by a releasing running back or a wide receiver running an out route by a well thrown toss.  Hassellbeck burned the secondary more than once by tossing passes right over the top where no one could get to them but his receivers.  A fair portion of that can be directed at Hassellbeck's talent, but some portion must fall on the secondary for not recognizing and reacting to these plays a little quicker, but that comes with experience and the Cats are a young team.

The Good News, The Bad News & The Other News
Part of the good news is that if the players (Offense, Defense and Special Teams) take the right attitude towards watching the game film, it can go a long way to maturing this team quickly.  The bad news is that if they take the wrong attitude in looking at the film, they may find themselves burned by the same lapses again or try to overthink the game.

The good news, this team (players, coaches and staff) still hate losing.  The bad news is that losing could become a morale problem. 

The good news is that the special teams coverage can be very good; the bad news is that it only takes one or two plays (punt return for a TD or a missed FG) to create lapses in concentration and confidence.

The good news is that (despite the loss of Jeff Otah), the O-Line is still working together, Byron Bell is getting reps and success can come; the bad news is that the O-Line is still not getting enough push on the run, providing adequate time for Newton on the pass and the entire offense is still guilty of committing penalties at horrible times.

The good news is that the Cats get to play the Colts; the bad news is that the Cats have a 3-week stretch on the road that includes Detroit and Tampa Bay.

The Other News is There Is No Other News.

GO PANTHERS !!