Ouchie-Z-Clown
I'm better than Mulli!
Very interesting matchup this weekend.
Typically running QBs scare me. The Cards LBs aren't well-suited to chasing them. But imo it's because of their change of direction ability. The Wilsons and Kaepernicks of the world used to beat us outside of the pocket typically. Our LBs couldn't stay with them when they gave a little wiggle. Our LBs, even those with a modicum of speed (and there's not much of even that), have no lateral ability. So when Wilson/Kaepernick breaks containment it's all over for us. Big tracts of land.
But I'm not as worried about Cam. He's a different type of runner. Yes, he's fast. But his running is more power running. Less wiggle, more fullback. Our LBs are much better built to counter this type of run (okay, maybe not Deone - he may get trucked). But I don't see Cam having the types of runs that totally break down our defense. Will he get yards? Yes. But I don't see him as the type that breaks down our defense with the run. This makes our ability to play our base D, without gimmicks, much greater. Not as much necessity to spy him as a Wilson or kaepernick. And I think we do better against Cam in the zone read than we would against the quicker, more lateral, QBs. As a result, I think we may fare better against the run than may be expected.
Our Oline is going to have to play the game of their life. If they cannot at least somewhat stalemate the panthers dline we might be in trouble. The reason? The Carolina LBs are legit. I see people typing that we'll counter their front 7 with short passes and screens. These are exactly the type of plays the Panthers' LBs feast on. Keuchly is a machine, and makes the types of plays that you think cannot be made. Plays that you think are "safe" are not safe from him. And the rest of the LB crew is smart and fast. I think our "short" game is going to have difficulty. This may be the second game where DJ is not much of a factor, but has to be a very good decoy to at least attempt to take the LBs out of the intermediate and deep passing game.
But our oline has to buy palmer time. The deep throws take time to set up. Yes, our wr's should own that secondary (other than who Norman covers - and that will be key for Carson . . . identifying where Norman is (and Keuchly) on every plan). But their routes typically take time to develop. The oline has to buy carson time for the wr's to get to the second and third levels to create havoc. Can they do it? I believe after last Saturday's debacle they'll be more focused. They won't do it all game, but they've got to do it for consistent spurts to get us into the endzone. Make no mistake, Carson is going to take some punishment in this game. But he's done it before and come through for us. I see more of that.
Overall I think a lot of people are sleeping somewhat on Carolina. Saying they can't keep up with us scoring-wise. The truth is, they were the #1 scoring team in the NFL, with the largest margin of victory. They're playing at home. No matter how unimpressive their offensive playmakers seem to be, they keep showing up. The sum is greater than the value of their individual parts. Don't be surprised if their offense is more effective than you expect and you have trouble figuring out how they're moving the ball. It will likely revolve around Cam, but it won't be one particular receiver or Stewart going off (I think he's controllable-not shut down, but controllable- if our defense is focused).
It will also be interesting to see what they do with Norman. You would think that after last game they'd sick him on Larry. But Larry plays in the slot and Norman doesn't venture there. So do they go Floyd or Smoke? I'm guessing Floyd. This should allow Smoke to go over the top. I suspect we'll actually see quite a bit of keuchly in fitz's vicinity. And I don't necessarily see that as an AZ win (though I could be way off, and fitz could dominate).
As for our coverage team . . . PP has to just take Ginn away. I know Ginn isn't all-world, but he's their "KA-BOOM." Take away their homerun threat and they have to earn every yard, which makes for more plays in which they can screw it up, which means less scoring. I've seen some here pontificate on the virtues of PP on Olsen, and I've thought about that some. I don't think it's a good idea. First, the thought of relying on Bethel to defend the long ball scares the crap outta me. Second, I don't think PP would be physical enough with Olsen. And I think we need to be physical with him. Olsen got a stinger last week in the second half. The commentators were saying how he was back in the game, but not blocking. I make sure he never gets a clean release from the line. Have either a DE or OLB plow into him everytime the ball is snapped. Particularly from the first whistle. Make him uncomfortable. Then play regular defense against him.
Keys:
-No long ball to Ginn
-Stay disciplined in assignments with Cam and hit him hard every chance you get
-Play physical with Olsen the WHOLE GAME
-Protect Carson for the long ball
-Use Larry and DJ as decoys initially to suck LBs towards the first line, thereby hopefully opening up intermediate and deep routes
-Play good special teams for the first time all year.
Typically running QBs scare me. The Cards LBs aren't well-suited to chasing them. But imo it's because of their change of direction ability. The Wilsons and Kaepernicks of the world used to beat us outside of the pocket typically. Our LBs couldn't stay with them when they gave a little wiggle. Our LBs, even those with a modicum of speed (and there's not much of even that), have no lateral ability. So when Wilson/Kaepernick breaks containment it's all over for us. Big tracts of land.
But I'm not as worried about Cam. He's a different type of runner. Yes, he's fast. But his running is more power running. Less wiggle, more fullback. Our LBs are much better built to counter this type of run (okay, maybe not Deone - he may get trucked). But I don't see Cam having the types of runs that totally break down our defense. Will he get yards? Yes. But I don't see him as the type that breaks down our defense with the run. This makes our ability to play our base D, without gimmicks, much greater. Not as much necessity to spy him as a Wilson or kaepernick. And I think we do better against Cam in the zone read than we would against the quicker, more lateral, QBs. As a result, I think we may fare better against the run than may be expected.
Our Oline is going to have to play the game of their life. If they cannot at least somewhat stalemate the panthers dline we might be in trouble. The reason? The Carolina LBs are legit. I see people typing that we'll counter their front 7 with short passes and screens. These are exactly the type of plays the Panthers' LBs feast on. Keuchly is a machine, and makes the types of plays that you think cannot be made. Plays that you think are "safe" are not safe from him. And the rest of the LB crew is smart and fast. I think our "short" game is going to have difficulty. This may be the second game where DJ is not much of a factor, but has to be a very good decoy to at least attempt to take the LBs out of the intermediate and deep passing game.
But our oline has to buy palmer time. The deep throws take time to set up. Yes, our wr's should own that secondary (other than who Norman covers - and that will be key for Carson . . . identifying where Norman is (and Keuchly) on every plan). But their routes typically take time to develop. The oline has to buy carson time for the wr's to get to the second and third levels to create havoc. Can they do it? I believe after last Saturday's debacle they'll be more focused. They won't do it all game, but they've got to do it for consistent spurts to get us into the endzone. Make no mistake, Carson is going to take some punishment in this game. But he's done it before and come through for us. I see more of that.
Overall I think a lot of people are sleeping somewhat on Carolina. Saying they can't keep up with us scoring-wise. The truth is, they were the #1 scoring team in the NFL, with the largest margin of victory. They're playing at home. No matter how unimpressive their offensive playmakers seem to be, they keep showing up. The sum is greater than the value of their individual parts. Don't be surprised if their offense is more effective than you expect and you have trouble figuring out how they're moving the ball. It will likely revolve around Cam, but it won't be one particular receiver or Stewart going off (I think he's controllable-not shut down, but controllable- if our defense is focused).
It will also be interesting to see what they do with Norman. You would think that after last game they'd sick him on Larry. But Larry plays in the slot and Norman doesn't venture there. So do they go Floyd or Smoke? I'm guessing Floyd. This should allow Smoke to go over the top. I suspect we'll actually see quite a bit of keuchly in fitz's vicinity. And I don't necessarily see that as an AZ win (though I could be way off, and fitz could dominate).
As for our coverage team . . . PP has to just take Ginn away. I know Ginn isn't all-world, but he's their "KA-BOOM." Take away their homerun threat and they have to earn every yard, which makes for more plays in which they can screw it up, which means less scoring. I've seen some here pontificate on the virtues of PP on Olsen, and I've thought about that some. I don't think it's a good idea. First, the thought of relying on Bethel to defend the long ball scares the crap outta me. Second, I don't think PP would be physical enough with Olsen. And I think we need to be physical with him. Olsen got a stinger last week in the second half. The commentators were saying how he was back in the game, but not blocking. I make sure he never gets a clean release from the line. Have either a DE or OLB plow into him everytime the ball is snapped. Particularly from the first whistle. Make him uncomfortable. Then play regular defense against him.
Keys:
-No long ball to Ginn
-Stay disciplined in assignments with Cam and hit him hard every chance you get
-Play physical with Olsen the WHOLE GAME
-Protect Carson for the long ball
-Use Larry and DJ as decoys initially to suck LBs towards the first line, thereby hopefully opening up intermediate and deep routes
-Play good special teams for the first time all year.
