Dump the run, score some points!

I think the Panthers just need to get their head out of their ass.

 

The running game didn't get us to 10-5. Plus, that methodology when we were a much better running team, at 8-2, and a refusal to change, got us to 8-5 and that style of ball wasn't what got us clinched, nor was it what made us successful in the playoffs.

Jake's a rhythm passer. He likes having more than one deep chuck a quarter as his portion of the offense.

 

... not considering INTs, Jake's fumbles, Whaton's turnstile and if opponents decide to triple-team Smitty. But then I suppose if we try to get anything going other than throwing to Smitty then we can say we are putting too much effort into trying things that aren't working. And, when Smitty doesn't work (and nothing else on offense apparently does with any consistency), we should emphasize ... defense? but of course, based on the Dallas game we can't even count on that.

certainly, i think it obvious that we have to have a a threat of a run game or we ain't going far. so it would seem the obvious thing to try to get it going in hopes of finding one ... even if it put us at risk of even getting in. i mean what's the point of going to the party to only get one dance and then going home alone? mite as well have stayed at home ... less hurtful and i can start dreaming about the next party. so even though my chances of scoring are still slim, mite as well try to learn to dance before i get there on the hope. if i slip and fall taking the dance lessons and so can't make it to the party, so be it. if i don't fall and don't learn to dance despite trying, i can still go and try my same old corny lines, which have never worked, and pray that by some small miracle a (any) girl will take pity on me.

 

i've been saying this all year. well, not to you guys, but in general conversations. and it seems like more often then not something has happened early on that has caused jake to get out of rhythm whether it be his fault or someone else's. luckily last time vs. faglanta foster had the running game going which wasn't causing jake to throw on 3rd and 7 damn near everytime.

 

Nope, you're right. We either have the status quo or we can give up entirely.

Wharton's been awful in a handful of games, partly in which he was never given help with a speed rusher he obviously needed help with after watching just a few plays. But sure, we need to make excuses rather than try to get better. Stand on principles if you're left standing outside? No thanks. Hopefully this team's at least as smart as late 2003's, if not as good.

 

Wharton isnt a turnstile. He has been awful on a handful of plays v. speed rushers, but most OTs do this too. Most teams chip these guys to give the OT that extra second. Even in the games where he's given up bad sacks, he hasn't allowed pressure most plays.

 

Yep. If it were a matter of "don't do things because so-and-so sucks" we'd not worry about running at all.

 

not sure whether he is or not or how he compares. it may have been an overstatement but it seems to be popular sentiment ... not that it means much. but i'd guess that he has been the primary culprit in the protection breakdowns and when it breaks down from his side the results are often disastrous. my sense is that he ain't good enough for such a critical position and we need to find a better LT.

aside from that, the point was simply to address the contention that there have been more mistakes in the running game than in the passing game. the point is that there have been plenty of (more) awful mistakes in the passing game many of which nearly, if not entirely, single handedly cost us games. those attending the bash to abandon the running game cuz it stumbled and letting Jake throw more seem to have forgotten that and the fact that outside Smitty we don't have another receiver that, as of yet anyway, has done anything to inspire confidence that he will suddenly here at the end of the year. and those jack are the facts. anyone thinking that Jake and Smitty and the D alone will suddenly be able to carry this team to home plate i think have their heads in the clouds or are just plain stupid. i think it's gonna be a long winter unless Carter discovers his hands, Morgan finds and maintains his health, Smitty locates his kewl, and we figure out how to run the ball with at least a little bit of consistency. with a little luck, i think those things could now suddenly all happen (maybe with the exception of Morgan) because we have already put some effort in trying to make them happen rather than giving up. i'm tired of just getting a kiss.

 

Yeah, we've made mistakes in the passing game.

and without the passing game, we'd have no offense.

So quit, right?

A flanker that can catch is great. There are three other eligible receivers beside the two furthest outside formation. Two of them are 2nd and 3rd in receiving for us.

Well, yes. Anyone that would say "don't run the ball a single time" would be stupid. You should go find someone who's saying that and reprimand them adequately.

Unfortunately, no one's saying that. They're saying 'stop forcing the run", and you're apparently not fine with that. You seem to believe that simply running more will make us better at it, and that if we can't win running, we shouldn't win.

But sure, call other people stupid based on things no one's actually said.

 

I'm not as ready to dismiss Foster as many seem to be, although I would not give him a big contract either so it may be a moot point if he leaves. Maybe the free agent incentive will carry him through Atlanta and then the playoffs....one can hope. He only has 359 career carries so anyone giving him "big bucks" will be nuts. Heck Davis had 318 carries in '03 alone. I think we go into the Atlanta game with the plan to pound the football (duhhh). If we gain 125 + on the ground as a team, then we win the game. I hope we can re-sign Foster for a reasonable deal. He has shown to many flashes of brilliance for me to right him off.

As for Wharton, we probably won't know until camp what the Fox really thinks of him and the LT position. They will say all the positive things when the seasons over and then just go on quietly with the business of replacing him if they feel he's inadequate.