Post by Guvmintcheeze on Sept 14, 2015 11:29:49 GMT
Cam Newton, Panthers offense still searching for an identity
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton walked into the hotel lobby on Saturday after his beloved Auburn Tigers survived a 27-20 overtime scare from FCS member Jacksonville State.
Before a dig or joke could be made, the former Auburn star interjected, “We won, didn’t we?”
Newton made a similar statement on Sunday after a 20-9 season-opening victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field.
“It wasn’t pretty at times, but we showed flashes of what we’re capable of doing,” Newton said. “It was fun to be out there, finding ways to win football games rather than finding ways to lose.”
It was the right perspective, particularly on a day when the defense lost two-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker Luke Kuechly in the first half to a concussion.
But for the Panthers (1-0) to be a serious contender for a third straight NFC South title, the offense must find its identity like the defense has.
Not all opponents will be as inept offensively as Jacksonville. Coach Ron Rivera realizes that.
“I’m not satisfied because we made too many mistakes,” Rivera said.
Most of the mistakes were on offense. There was a dropped pass by wide-open Ted Ginn Jr. on Carolina’s second drive. It was far from a perfect pass. Ginn had to turn his body around as he ran down the right side.
The ball hit him in both hands inside the 5-yard line, killing a shot at Carolina taking a 10-0 lead.
On the first drive, tight end Greg Olsen was called for offensive pass interference on second-and-goal from the 4. Instead of a touchdown, the Panthers wound up with a 43-yard field goal after a sack and incomplete pass.
Newton completed only 58 percent of his passes, far from the 65 to 70 percent he set as his goal for the season. He had to revert to carrying the team with his legs as the Panthers called 12 designed rushes, the second-most of his career.
Newton had 15 designed runs in a 2014 overtime tie at Cincinnati.
Asked what he learned about his offense, Newton responded, “I don’t think we learned anything. We’ve just got to keep playing.”
To the offense’s credit, it was best when it had to be. Clinging to a 17-9 lead, Newton engineered a 15-play, 64-yard drive that took 8:07 off the clock in the fourth quarter. The Panthers were successful on three of four third-down opportunities.
Newton came less than a yard from making it four for four with an 8-yard run to the Jacksonville 29.
But nothing came easily. The first downs and most of the yards were hard-fought, like the short pass wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery turned into a 10-yard gain.
“We’re going to need effort like that each and every game,” Newton said.
The offense at times looked woefully like it did a year ago. The wide receivers who were under the microscope did not quiet the doubters with nine catches on 18 targets.
This day belonged to the defense, led by cornerback Josh Norman with an interception returned for a touchdown, a forced fumble that stopped a scoring drive, a fumble recovery and two pass breakups.
“The defense made a big play and Josh took a big load off with the big pick-six, but we can’t keep expecting that without any help from us,” Newton said. “It’s a give-and-take thing.
“I’m just happy to get a win today.”
He could say that on Sunday. He won’t be able to repeat that every week if the offense doesn’t improve.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton walked into the hotel lobby on Saturday after his beloved Auburn Tigers survived a 27-20 overtime scare from FCS member Jacksonville State.
Before a dig or joke could be made, the former Auburn star interjected, “We won, didn’t we?”
Newton made a similar statement on Sunday after a 20-9 season-opening victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field.
“It wasn’t pretty at times, but we showed flashes of what we’re capable of doing,” Newton said. “It was fun to be out there, finding ways to win football games rather than finding ways to lose.”
It was the right perspective, particularly on a day when the defense lost two-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker Luke Kuechly in the first half to a concussion.
But for the Panthers (1-0) to be a serious contender for a third straight NFC South title, the offense must find its identity like the defense has.
Not all opponents will be as inept offensively as Jacksonville. Coach Ron Rivera realizes that.
“I’m not satisfied because we made too many mistakes,” Rivera said.
Most of the mistakes were on offense. There was a dropped pass by wide-open Ted Ginn Jr. on Carolina’s second drive. It was far from a perfect pass. Ginn had to turn his body around as he ran down the right side.
The ball hit him in both hands inside the 5-yard line, killing a shot at Carolina taking a 10-0 lead.
On the first drive, tight end Greg Olsen was called for offensive pass interference on second-and-goal from the 4. Instead of a touchdown, the Panthers wound up with a 43-yard field goal after a sack and incomplete pass.
Newton completed only 58 percent of his passes, far from the 65 to 70 percent he set as his goal for the season. He had to revert to carrying the team with his legs as the Panthers called 12 designed rushes, the second-most of his career.
Newton had 15 designed runs in a 2014 overtime tie at Cincinnati.
Asked what he learned about his offense, Newton responded, “I don’t think we learned anything. We’ve just got to keep playing.”
To the offense’s credit, it was best when it had to be. Clinging to a 17-9 lead, Newton engineered a 15-play, 64-yard drive that took 8:07 off the clock in the fourth quarter. The Panthers were successful on three of four third-down opportunities.
Newton came less than a yard from making it four for four with an 8-yard run to the Jacksonville 29.
But nothing came easily. The first downs and most of the yards were hard-fought, like the short pass wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery turned into a 10-yard gain.
“We’re going to need effort like that each and every game,” Newton said.
The offense at times looked woefully like it did a year ago. The wide receivers who were under the microscope did not quiet the doubters with nine catches on 18 targets.
This day belonged to the defense, led by cornerback Josh Norman with an interception returned for a touchdown, a forced fumble that stopped a scoring drive, a fumble recovery and two pass breakups.
“The defense made a big play and Josh took a big load off with the big pick-six, but we can’t keep expecting that without any help from us,” Newton said. “It’s a give-and-take thing.
“I’m just happy to get a win today.”
He could say that on Sunday. He won’t be able to repeat that every week if the offense doesn’t improve.