2010 Spending, 2011 Scheme

[Abusive]

This has been my big focus through what has been a tough year as a Carolina fan--working to figure out what Richardson is doing, and if it makes sense. Just curious to how many agree with me on it.

It's hard to develop any "young" QB (JC, Pike, etc) when it would appear your entire offensive staff is going to be gone in about 10 weeks. Most GM's and Exec's will say that having a strong presence at the QB spot drives the rest of the team's success. And it's hard to argue when you look around the league this year:

NYG
ATL
TB
NO
GB
NE


Those are just a few teams who have "their guy", and have the system installed that fits his particular set of skills.

Fox is still calling all the shots, in terms of who plays/who sits. I have no doubt. He likes Moore better than anything else he has, and I have some doubt as to how much he buys into Clausen. Remember, that pick was made just 7 months ago, and I'm pretty sure Fox knew then that this would be his last year. I could be completely wrong, but all signs point to Hurney staying put, and it would indicate that JC is a Hurney-guy.

Here's the problem with 2010--it's the perfect storm. You have the looming labor issue, which many believe will resolve itself by the Spring. From the things I read and see, I agree. The other issue is Fox--and his staff. Everyone who is near the team says it's a done deal, that nothing will salvage it and that Fox is out, on his own accord. He'll want Skipper, maybe Magazu and a couple others. That's fine.

Where that puts the 2010 Panthers is in a neutral spot. Does Fox want to win? Badly. Does he want to rip off 9 straight and pull off a miracle? You bet. But he's not going to do that. He's working hard, I would hope, but this can't be anything short of a minor cloud looming over the locker room.

Larger issue: offense. You install Clausen into the mix as the full-time starter now, and he's going to move forward with a completely different set of concepts and overall architecture than he will next Summer. It's possible that the team hires an HC who keeps much of the offense (concepts, schematics) in place. But I don't think that will be the case.

I keep thinking about two young, promising quarterbacks slipped into mediocrity because of two elements: 1) poor pass protection, 2) multiple coordinators/concepts. One, Jason Campbell, seems to have finally settled in with Hue Jackson. The other, Carr, is a basket case.

Jimmy seems like a very humble, quiet leader, and there's no question that he has ALL the physical tools to be on par with Matt Ryan, Aaron Rogers, or some of the other younger, elite QB's in the NFL. But, as a distant observer, I would hate to see him thrown to the wolves in 2010 with a lame duck scheme, and have to start all over in 2011 with a new HC, new OC, new playbook and different schematics.

To shorten this up: 2010 was doomed, and I should have seen it from farther out. Now that my blinders are off, I am most curious about one area: defense.

I want to see Meeks take this defense one more notch up--sacks and takeaways. The yardage, points allowed coupled with the field position and time of possession disadvantages, have worked out favorably for Meeks and his resume. This is some of his finest work as a DC. I also like what he said the other day, or perhaps it was after last night's game--something along the lines of "yes, we're on the field more than any defense in the NFL, so we should be getting more takeaways that any other defense."

We joke about Meeks around here, but I just hope JR is wise enough to recognize he and Hurney have drafted personnel that is custom-made for this scheme and coach, and if you simply leave that part of the team alone (maybe toss in a few vets), and concentrate on surrounding Clausen with a little more veteran help in 2011, you'll probably come out with a pretty fucking good football team that will be hard to beat.

But, 2010: ouch. It's painful.

 

[PantherPaul]

Agreed on pretty much all points. If we are going to switch coaches leave Moore in there and let the next head coach choose his QB. I am hoping that the rumors that JR will spend next year when the labor deal and rookie cap is in place.

 

[Abusive]

Agreed on pretty much all points. If we are going to switch coaches leave Moore in there and let the next head coach choose his QB. I am hoping that the rumors that JR will spend next year when the labor deal and rookie cap is in place.

Well, the cash-flow is there. Tampa, who is having a miraculous year on the shoulders of (ironically) their young QB, has major cash-flow issues and will probably lose traction once the market begins to open back up in 2011 and beyond (you can't shop with an empty wallet).

We need more playmakers. Watching the RedZone channel yesterday, and seeing Owens quietly making plays and blocking like a madman made me regret two things:

1. Not having a staff with the balls to sign him.
2. Losing Muhammad.

It will largely depend on the new HC, but whoever they go with, he will want his stamp on it, and it will be up to Hurney to supply the goods. More importantly, it will be up to the Bank of Jerry to supply the green. I think, as long as the CBA gets done, the 2011 off-season will be twice as compelling around here as the current NFL season.

 

[Coach Micool]

If Clausen is the future (no idea, nor preference), then he really shoult sit this year and watch us go down in flames and learn what not to do. Maybe actually sitting may help his development than crashing and burning and possibly fuking up his potential future.

 

[PantherPaul]

Call me naive but what has Marty done to get a free pass that Fox isn't getting? Hurney trades a 2nd for a player that can't play his natural position in the pros and isn't "good enough" to suit up every week. Traded future 1st rounders for players that haven't produced how you would expect. Everette Brown is a starter and hasn't recorded a sack yet, and Otah, while great hasn't taken a real snap yet.

It does do my heart good that Charles Johnson has more sacks that Peppers.

 

[Abusive]

Call me naive but what has Marty done to get a free pass that Fox isn't getting? Hurney trades a 2nd for a player that can't play his natural position in the pros and isn't "good enough" to suit up every week. Traded future 1st rounders for players that haven't produced how you would expect. Everette Brown is a starter and hasn't recorded a sack yet, and Otah, while great hasn't taken a real snap yet.

It does do my heart good that Charles Johnson has more sacks that Peppers.

To be fair, Otah played a major part in two record-setting seasons (08 and 09) for our ground game. His lack of presence sucks, but I'm glad to have him for the long-term.

I'm not a huge Hurney fan. I just know that good GM's are harder to find than good HC's. There are a wealth of HC's and coordinator-to-HC's waiting out there. How many "great" GM's are out there to take Hurney's place.

Marty has brought us some good things, and some disastrous things. All and all, I think our problems start with the head coach, and bleed into the offensive staff.

 

[PantherPaul]

To be fair, Otah played a major part in two record-setting seasons (08 and 09) for our ground game. His lack of presence sucks, but I'm glad to have him for the long-term.

I'm not a huge Hurney fan. I just know that good GM's are harder to find than good HC's. There are a wealth of HC's and coordinator-to-HC's waiting out there. How many "great" GM's are out there to take Hurney's place.

Marty has brought us some good things, and some disastrous things. All and all, I think our problems start with the head coach, and bleed into the offensive staff.

While I hate to keep a person just because there isn't anything better, I can live that assessment. All GMs resumes are littered with mistake picks/moves Hurney has found a nugget or two in later rounds. Still scratch my head why we would spend a 2nd rounder on a player who has to swap positions and then never activate him. Granted different circumstances dictate what position you need week end and out but still

 

[Abusive]

 

[PantherPaul]

 

[magnus]

Here's the problem with 2010--it's the perfect storm. You have the looming labor issue, which many believe will resolve itself by the Spring. From the things I read and see, I agree. The other issue is Fox--and his staff. Everyone who is near the team says it's a done deal, that nothing will salvage it and that Fox is out, on his own accord. He'll want Skipper, maybe Magazu and a couple others. That's fine.

Certainly, Gilhamer would. There's suggestion that the D staff would go too, but I damn well hope not.
Not that c2 guys are tough to come by, but this defense is very well coached. If not Meeks staying, it'd be great to get Schwartz, if he's fired.

2/3rds of coaches are unpalatable because of the 3-4. From Weis to Schottenheimer to Turner to whoever, it's just a bad fit.

Larger issue: offense. You install Clausen into the mix as the full-time starter now, and he's going to move forward with a completely different set of concepts and overall architecture than he will next Summer. It's possible that the team hires an HC who keeps much of the offense (concepts, schematics) in place. But I don't think that will be the case.

potentially. I don't think you don't play him for that reason, whatever changes is already something he knows (and very well, because of Weis, though the QB coaching is obviously different). I don't begrudge the change - I like this offense (remember most of them - NE, KC, NO, etc, aren't really setup to run first), but assuming a change to a WCO that still runs, I'm OK with that (our skill is better setup for that).

I keep thinking about two young, promising quarterbacks slipped into mediocrity because of two elements: 1) poor pass protection, 2) multiple coordinators/concepts. One, Jason Campbell, seems to have finally settled in with Hue Jackson. The other, Carr, is a basket case.

There's definitely a measure of ill-fit involved. Plenty of guys that are asked to do things they shouldn't be, put in a position to be timing guys when they're rhythm or accuracy guys. Runners you have to try to fix.

I want to see Meeks take this defense one more notch up--sacks and takeaways. The yardage, points allowed coupled with the field position and time of possession disadvantages, have worked out favorably for Meeks and his resume. This is some of his finest work as a DC. I also like what he said the other day, or perhaps it was after last night's game--something along the lines of "yes, we're on the field more than any defense in the NFL, so we should be getting more takeaways that any other defense."

Takeaways are there. Not this week of course, but overall, they're fantastic. Some more FFs to be had certainly, especially on rushing. Maybe an actual DT would help, and that'll work since we don't need anything else in the high dollar range. Anyone who comes in here, not unlike 2001-02, should be willing to take on much of what's here already.