2 TE's or 1?

The 2011 offense used a base offense featuring two tight ends, while the 2012 offense used a base offense that had only one tight end but which often added either a fullback or a third WR. Given the results of these two years, and assuming the current Croyel offense stays in place, would you rather the new GM:

(i) go back towards the 2 TE offense (carry only 5 WR's)
(ii) continue forward a single TE look - i.e., plus a FB or slot WR (carry up to 6 WR's)

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If it were up to me, I would:

a) let Pilares, Adams, & Armanti fight it out in camp for the #5 WR spot,
b) resign Murphy to a 1- or 2-year deal to be the #4,
c) either sign or draft someone (or both) to compete w/ Gettis for the #3,
d) sit tight with Lafell & Smitty at #2 & #1, respetively, for one more year,
e) let Hartsock walk & resign Barnidge as Olsen's backup,
f) draft a big #2 TE like Alabama's Michael Williams or MSU's Dion Sims,
g) resign Brockel to a 1- or 2-year deal to be the #4 TE & #2 FB.

 

sign or trade for zack miller...Saw him in oakland he was hella good then idk what happed but maybe hell come around.

 

I don't mind the idea of drafting a big TE, but I don't see the team dropping from 5th to 21st in points because of a 2nd TE.

 

the drop in scoring has many more variables than just the TE position. Obviously, the struggles of the running game & OLine had as big an impact as any. I hesitate to use stats for this very reason. I'm more interested in general impressions. For instance, perhaps the 2nd tight end makes it harder for defenses to get a read on whether its run/pass, etc...

And what about Cam running the hurry up? It seems he did it well at Auburn. It might take a little while before he masters the offense well enough to go hurry up (even if he never gets to the level of Peyton), but it might be good for him and us in the long run. A simpler offense like the one Cam's been running lately might be well set up for the hurry up.


If there was data out there with our red zone target distribution (including QB power draws), I would be very interested in what it might say.

 

I figure we'll draft a TE sooner or later but we have no 3rd and more pressing needs this year.

Don't get the Gettis love, not counting on him at all. Would really love to have one of the tall, fast and strong WRs though.

To answer the question, assuming things stay the same going forward I'd keep more WRs for now.

I think the best thing we could do for the offense is get the OL attended to. Don't really have a plan as to how.

 

yep, me too. But he does have one more year on his deal, so there wouldnt be any harm with letting him come to camp and earn a job.

He definitely showed playmaking skills as a rookie. It's disappointing he never contributed this year, especially since he was being counted on going in.

Again, I have to question our medical evaluations here. Gettis was expected to contribute, if not by game 1 like originally thought, at least by game 6 when he comes back off PUP. The fact that he never made an impact all year is significant.

 

I've been on the medical people for a long time. Nelson, Otah, Stewart, etc.

edit: no problem with Gettis getting a chance to earn a spot, just have little hope right now that it will happen.

 

Excluding Colbert's rookie year in 2004 - when Smitty snapped his ankle in game 1 & forced Moose into the #1 role & Colbert into the #2 - Gettis made more plays in his rookie year 1 than Colbert & Jarrett made in the entire Panthers careers combined, and that was with Clausen at QB. Thats the only reason I have hope for Gettis.

 

it gives a tougher gap control situation for defenses, definitely - you're either adding another gap, or overloading one side (which also adds another gap). I prefer it to a FB for the run, personally, and in most cases, a TE will be better than a FB for the pass. The FB's only better for things like PA, power leads, and letting one back release but still having a contain protector.

but, I'd consider 12 personnel and 21 personnel somewhat equal for run/pass. Maybe there's a more defined statistic. It also feels more like the sort of thing that won't help 3rd and mid/long.

if he's ready for it, I like that. That's more spread type stuff, though.




Anyway, probably as dependent on not changing scheme as anything else. Still, I'm up for roleplayers at any offensive skill spot.

 

They already made the choice by giving Tolbert a pretty significant contract, as it wouldn't make sense to even further marginalize him. That said, yes I agree that a more balanced look adds some advantages and that the team misses that dimension. Tolbert has been about as effective as he can be with limited opportunities, so it's not that signing him has been a failure, but his use does make the offense somewhat more predictable. Moreover, the reality is that even last season the Panthers rarely lined up with two tight ends next to the tackle. Olsen or Shockey or both were often split out.

I do like the suggestion of some hurry-up, but I don't know if Chudzinski has any of that in his background. It makes me a little nervous because Cam isn't good at surveying the field and therefore you'd be relying on a small number of plays with predetermined reads, but I believe you can manage that risk. I'd also very much like the offense to incorporate some pistol elements like Washington uses, as being able to run the stretch play to either side does wonders for the run game. Magnus and I have both noted the difficulties and limitations of rushing out of the shotgun.