This vexes me

The '16 Panthers had a 3-4 record in games in which they ran more plays than the opponents, and 0-6 in games in which they had more possessions than the opponent. Part of the latter had to do with throwing a touchdown to the opponent in three of those games, but still, that's some alarming ineptitude. I think the lesson here is that quality matters more than quantity. Also, try not to enter any game with Teddy Williams and Zach Sanchez as your starting cornerbacks. It's easy to get your play count up when your defense is allowing multiple one play drives.

Another interesting fact is that we only ran it more than we threw it twice (vs Arizona and vs San Diego). Of course, both of those games were wins. The Panthers were 4-2 in games in which they ran the ball at least 30 times. I know that it's a passing league, but I think it's obvious that we should cut out the tomfoolery and return to a run heavy approach.



Weigh in, gentleman. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

 

PS I cant think of a season in which we had a more asymmetrical defense. We somehow ended up 4th in the league in interceptions, yet the pass defense was 29th in yards per game allowed, despite finishing 2nd the league in sacks. What the fucking fuck?



Nothing makes sense anymore.

 

Well, when your def allows one or more 50yd+ play every third possession (almost every possession vs Atl), it's no wonder. Also, a sack on 2nd and 10, then allowing 20 yds the very next play on 3rd and 15+, kind evens out all those sacks.

 

Offense took a huge step back. Probably a combination of things that the media has jumped on. Also Cam isn't the runner he was. He seems slow. The previous years, the string of 100 rushing yard games, a lot was due to Cam. He carried the offense last few years. You could take the 55% completetion percentage because he'd scramble for a few first downs and touchdowns. Didn't happen this year.
Offensive run plays take so long to develop and cam wasn't a running threat. So many running plays had no chance because Cam held the ball for a while before givin it to Stew. Curious to see if there is an actual 'evolution' and how maybe a more traditional running game would look.
Media also is assuming Darryl Williams is going to start next year? He's straight up awful. Look at the RBs and OL Gettleman has drafted .

 

We were 32nd in pass yards/game before the Tampa game.

 

Not as up on statistics as many of you here, but if rushing the ball is that much more effective than the passing game was, I am taken aback by the final stats versus Wins/Losses, and how weak the pass game was in actual game impact. It certainly seemed as if the run game dropped sharply from '15, as did the pass rush.

That said, and I am a Cam fan, does this not demonstrate how poorly the QB position performed? Again, it seemed our pass blocking was abysmal, but the receivers, sand Olsen showed little to no separation in routes most of the season. But Cam has got to improve dramatically in the short passing game.

 

The Panthers depend on the running game far more than most teams, but teams also run more often when they have the lead, so more rushes in wins is common even for teams that don't lean on the running game.

 

I've always said that there's more than one way to stretch a white wife. I don't mind throwing the ball more, just as long as you're getting it to the right people. The times when we try to get players like Funchess or Brown heavily involved drive me crazy.

 

Well, this team can't pass with any kind of consistent effectiveness, so running the ball really is a key indicator for whether or not the team is going to win. It's an overrated stat for other teams, but not the Panthers.