Running team???

Everyone from Fox and Hurney to Gant and the common fan thinks we are a running team. I would contend that it has not been that way since 2003. We are a passing team that would like to be a running team. Our best player is a wideout. We have not had a thousand yard rusher since 2003. We might all be better off if everyone just accepted that fact. We should go with our strength and the facts are:

1. Steve Smith is by far our best player
2. Our OL pass blocks much better than it run blocks
3. Our other players at wideout are much better than our "other players" at running back.
4. Our tight ends are better pass catchers than blockers.
5. Nothing we have done so far in the off season has changed any of this.

I am big on DW but I do not see our focus on offense changing to make it go through him.

 

we've preached balance under Davidson.
I see us getting away from finesse guards, though (Vincent certainly isn't), so I assume we'll look to run block better overall. Williams, with a dedicated inside style runner behind him, would've worked better by most accounts last year than the other way around, so that'll help. Having that backup have a little more burst than Foster (fresher legs) can't hurt either.

 

I think the biggest issue is that the talent evaluation has gone downhill since 03. Stephen Davis was the right guy at the right time. They didnt go out and get alot of new linemen, they got a back that had vision and didnt run into the back side of his own linemen or fumble alot. Unfortunately, Davis was near the end of his career. Theyve changed linemem theyve changed schemes it all boils down to talent at RB. Williams is a nice change of pace back and can make big plays. His vision is much better than Fosters(then again, so is Stevie Wonders). Im no pro coach or anything but i dont know how many times i nearly barfed watching Foster completely miss gaping holes made by decent blocks, or if he did actually do well,cough the ball up. They give up a first rounder for Williams and kept that turd as the starter. I may be wrong but i think another good inside runner would improve things more than linemen.
But to your point i think right now yes we have better talent in the passing game but i dont see why the run game needs to be as pathetic as it has been

 

Don't you think thats probably a big reason the Panthers have had 2 winning seasons in 5 years? Do you really want them to embrace not being able to run as effectively as they'd like?

 

I want them to try to improve the running game but at the same time they should go with their strength. The offense should be built around Steve Smith.

 

What do you mean by that? The only thing they could do to feature Smith more is to get a better QB.

 

Thoughts:

In 2003, we also had a far superior passing game, even with a very green QB. Moose, Smitty, and Proehl is the best group we've had since Fox has been here. Add that to Davis and a fresh Foster, and it's just a better situation for being able to run the ball. Not much running was going to happen with Testaverde, Carr, and Moore firing to Smith and Colbert. Too easy to stack the line and dare them to throw.

I think a healthy Delhomme, an improved WR corps, and ANOTHER HIGH QUALITY BACK will help a great deal. Add improved line pay, and we should be vastly improved.

Lets not forget Williams missed a bunch of games his rookie year. We need a quality guy behind him.

 

He missed 3 games. Is that alot?

Yes, we do need a quality guy behind him.

 

We could open up the offense and put Jake in the shotgun etc.