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April 02, 2008
Fox: Expect multiple blocking schemes
PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Though the Carolina Panthers want to have a more powerful running attack next season, they don't plan to distance themselves entirely from the zone blocking schemes that they used more extensively last season.
"Way too much is made of that, but like every single team in football, even college, there will be a combination of zone blocking and what I call gap-to-man blocking," coach John Fox said Wednesday at the NFL owner's meetings. "We'll run counters and we'll run power.
"Hopefully, we'll run more effectively this year now that we have a quarterback. Teams won't be able to stack the run as much as they did late in the year."
Quarterback Jake Delhomme missed the final 13 games last season because of an elbow injury, but is expected to fully recover from surgery.
-- Charles Chandler
Posted by Observer Sports on April 2, 2008 at 12:12 PM | Permalink
Comments
Sounds good to me. It's more about execution and talent than scheme as far as I'm concerned. Actually, strike that. With DeAngelo in the backfield, we need to find a system that creates at least one gigantic hole so he doesn't have to tapdance three yards behind the line of scrimmage looking for one.
Great coverage from the owners' meetings, Chandler and Olson. Keep it coming.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Apr 2, 2008 12:19:20 PM
I think this great! Mix it up a little and quit being so predictable,(ie. draw on 3rd and long).Lets just hope we can build a line that can coexsist togehter. Go Panthers!!
Posted by: Ben Dover | Apr 2, 2008 12:22:22 PM
"Hopefully, we'll run more effectively this year now that we have a quarterback."---Sounds like a crack on Carr to me!
Posted by: Carr's male friend | Apr 2, 2008 12:39:46 PM
Yea Procton, Now we have Deangelo dancing in the backfield and making people miss and breaking some long runs, where as last year we had Foster run into the pile and pick up a consistent 2 yards.
Posted by: Billy | Apr 2, 2008 12:42:57 PM
Getting a consistent 2 yards on 3rd and 2 is far more important than being able to rip off a 50-yarder in the fourth quarter because the blocking was perfect, the backups are in and the game is over. DeAngelo has shown he can do one. I doubt he's our guy for the other.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Apr 2, 2008 1:22:59 PM
Procton, you really can't be sweating Foster can you? Did you watch any games? There was NEVER a 3rd and 2 because Foster ran on first and second downs to set up a 3rd and 6. Then on 3rd and 6 a perfectly underthrown fade would be called resulting in an incompletion and a punt.
Posted by: LeeL | Apr 2, 2008 1:31:13 PM
How's the Podcast going Proctologist?Need some help? It sounds like you may need some better insight towards a few things more than you realize or even want to admit.
Posted by: Ghost of Sparta | Apr 2, 2008 2:29:00 PM
Foster never could get a tough yard that is why he is gone. Fox better change the system 1 more bad year and he is toast
Posted by: David | Apr 2, 2008 2:30:08 PM
anyone know who would be getting our defensive helmet transmitter, beason?
Posted by: Andrew Lee | Apr 2, 2008 2:46:42 PM
Wrong as usual Procton, just like you were wrong in the 3rd QB debate. DeAngelo was our most consistent back even with a bad OL. Oh you probably think our OL was good last year also
Posted by: Scott | Apr 2, 2008 2:47:33 PM
Didnt we hear last year that they were mixing up the blocking scheme to improve the running game? Yeah that sure worked, another year of miserable failures on draw plays with Fumbles Foster. This sounds like more of the same old, same old to me. I hope it is true this time but I will believe it when I see it.
Posted by: Ben | Apr 2, 2008 2:50:08 PM
coach is ripping his old q.bs. he best not be rippin moore cause he will be the starter for the future.
im just hoping fox doesnt stick with jake too long ,if hes not playing well ,for one reason or another. thats the only way i see us not making the playoffs.
Posted by: ray | Apr 2, 2008 3:11:28 PM
Its obvious to me that you guys have never seen Toefield play. The guy has got talent and POWER. He can get those two yards it seems LT is the way to go for the draft unless they plan on moving down to get a pick and say Harvey then move back up to get that LT. But with Brandon Albert being projected to go much higher than originally thought if a solid LT falls to us i dont see how we can pass him up noting how Thomas helped the Browns from 4-12 to 10-6. And Anderson was their QB...and im not convinced by any means that he is any better (or even close) to jake. lets not forget Jake has been playing with pain for a very long time and he looked dam good before he got injured. Thimgs are looking up for the Panthers this year...I can feel it.
Posted by: randy | Apr 2, 2008 4:46:54 PM
First, it sounds like Fox was saying they have "A" quarterback, as opposed to "MANY" QBs. Fox is very careful about what he says, and I think he is pointing out the fact that we will have stability at the position instead of cycling people through there. And I really like Moore and hope he is our future, but he is not ready yet.
As for Deshaun vs. DeAngelo, Procton you really disappoint me on this one. DeAngelo broke one run longer than 50 last year (75 yds), while hitting several more over 30, and his percentage of first downs per carry was higher than Deshauns (Deshaun - 1 FD for every 6 carries, DeAngelo - 1 for every 5.3) He also only fumbled once in 144 attempts, and had almost the exact same receiving stats as Deshaun even though he was the backup. Deshaun never broke a run longer than 20 yds and fumbled 7 times in 247 attempts. DeAngelo also had two 100 yd games as a backup vs. Deshaun's 1 as a starter. DeAngelo had 5.0 YPC last year in limited action and STILL no one is sold on him? And why is durability a concern? He had the most all-purpose yards in NCAA history and was a workhorse, and he is 217 POUNDS with no injury history!!! Why does everyone act like his is a china doll or something because he is not 6 feet tall? If he dances around a little when his O-line is struggling maybe it is because he is a competitor who tries to put a struggling team on his back and make something out of nothing. Anyone remember Barry Sanders? Best running back of all time in my opinion, definitely the most explosive, and even though his statistic were out of this world, he also led the league in most runs for a loss during his career. Why? Because he was always trying to find a hole even when there wasn't one there, and he didn't want to settle for a 1 or 2 yard gain when he had the confidence that he could get 10. Plus, DeAngelo is still young. With age we gain wisdom, and he will realize soon enough that you can't try to hit a homerun every at bat. He will learn to power for 3 yards on 3rd down late in the game when it gets the first down instead of losing 2 and forcing a punt. I am 27 yrs old and just beginning to realize that I am not 7 ft tall and bulletproof. Give the guy a break. He has done nothing so far to warrant doubt, so why be so cynical?
Posted by: Steve | Apr 2, 2008 4:48:13 PM
Yeah Ben you hit it right on the head.....We saw it last year...heck this team could have competed for a spot last year...had Moore been playing earlier which we all!!! thought he should have been once Vinny started playing HORRIFIC! which took place in Colts..game...No way Vinny Should have taken another snap after half time of the colts game. I worry Jake won't be ready or isn't the same anyone and he starts struggle'n and No matter what Fox will stick with him till the season is over....but...Hey if he does that Jake will Join Fox and Hurney.....But I tell u this guys....I worry!! big time that if fox wins 8 or 9 Ball games..and misses the playoffs Jerry Won't FIRE HIM!! Which will be absurd!! that will be 5 Seasons!!! of not making playoffs nad 2 making it! in 7 YEARS! Anyone that defends fox with that kind of record (in the NFC!! which is like the Eastern conference of the NBA......is just no excuse to miss playoffs 3 years in a row.
I don't think Fox seat is as hot..as ppl think. I wish it was...but time will tell...
Posted by: Cheven | Apr 2, 2008 4:57:15 PM
im with ben. until i actually see the OL with multiple schemes, i dont believe it.
and i just think its hilarious someone actually is arguing for foster. he is and was horrible. bad, bad, argument procton.
Posted by: Aaron | Apr 2, 2008 5:03:38 PM
@ Steve
DeAngelo first down carry ave was higher than DeShaun because he had fewer carries.So his avg should be higher.But i agree with you on the bashing he takes & people say he is to small but they said the same thing about S.Smith.I really think DeAngelo going to be the feature back next year because he was a 1st round selection but what concern me is that the whole time he was here he never beat out DeShaun for the starting job.But i won't be upset if he is the number 1 back next year.
Posted by: Damon | Apr 2, 2008 5:07:37 PM
Damon,
As far as the not beating out Deshaun for the starting role goes, you have to take that with a grain of salt. Fox has shown consistently that he is a loyal coach when it comes to his starters that have been around for a long time. Especially DURING the season. He takes it too far sometimes, but overall it is a good way to do things. Your starters don't always feel like they have someone breathing down their necks, and it gives the starting team continuity and familiarity. If you have a trigger happy coach who rotates starters every time someone screws up, it sends the message that no one is safe, and it creates a rift between the players and coach. It is just like a normal job. If you have a boss you like and respect and who rewards your hard work with loyalty and trust, you work harder because you want to please that person, (and because you know that boss will think of you when a promotion opportunity comes up). On the other hand, if your boss makes it very clear that your job is never going to be secure and you are one misstep away from being on the unemployment line, you are going to work JUST hard enough not to get fired and be disgruntled and jaded every day that you have to show up for work. However, when a player is a consistent disappointment, (Morgan and Foster) or aging to the point that they no longer play to the level that you need them to (Rucker), then you have to be willing to make exceptions. Last year, even though Rucker AND Peppers were disappointing, you did not see Fox give a significant amount of snaps to Johnson or McGlover, and even though Damione Lewis played better than Kemo and arguably Jenkins when he was in the game, he didn't get a chance to see the field much either. But Fox recognized those deficiencies this offseason and next season it looks like he is going to give some new players a chance to shine. I just hope we still have enough of our core together to get us back to the playoffs...
Posted by: Steve | Apr 2, 2008 5:53:58 PM
You notice how quick Procton shuts up once multiple people start providing hard facts to prove how wrong he is? You're slipping Procton...you used to be good at this but when people are providing better stats than you (see Steve above) it may be time to scale back your arrogant, demeaning attitude on here.
Go Panthers!
Posted by: Rick | Apr 2, 2008 5:57:13 PM
Damon
You may not be upset he is the starter but Jake may be. That is if he still has problems blocking. But on the other hand Williams was probably the most improved player on offense last season. He started making 1 cut and hitting the wholes at the end of the year. He also became a more patient runner
Posted by: C_Boss | Apr 2, 2008 6:03:03 PM
@Ben Dover... actually passing on 3rd & long is what's predictable. And Charles, great tidbits from the owners' meeting. Thanks! Finally, they were mixing it up a bit last year too when it comes to blocking schemes, but it sounds like the scales may tip in favor of power blocking this year. Anyone have any thoughts on how the new rule changes may change the landsape of how the game is played??
Posted by: SYRPIS | Apr 2, 2008 7:37:36 PM
Ray, you are right, Moore is our future QB..But Jake is our QB... If he is out again, we will have another so so year..Moore was at best, an OK QB last yr,, The Only thing he did, was not fumble.. Basanez is a lot better QB then Moore at this stage..
Posted by: Catsnmbr1fan | Apr 2, 2008 7:59:56 PM
Again, Rick, DeAngelo SHOULD have had better stats. He was used at the end of blowout games when their backups were in. Let's look at the best games in his career:
TB, Week 17, '07: full game was played against mostly backups
ARI-6-'07: blowout highlighted by a 75-yard TD run against...backups
STL-11-'06: blowout
ATL-16-'06: Best I've ever seen him play. Then again, we were using the gimmick Wildcat formation, which Atlanta could not possibly have prepared for.
SF-13-'07: Blowout
PHI-13-'06: Also a great all-around game, but we lost.
MIN-7-'06: Loss
These are the only games in which he's ever gained at least 74 yards, and in none of them did his ability to consistently pound the ball and run clock win us a close game. Maybe that happens, but I see him getting smacked around a lot more often playing against real first-stringers.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Apr 2, 2008 8:19:46 PM
Oh, and Cheven, I totally agree. Who would want the coach with the 8th-best playoff winning percentage in NFL history?
Posted by: Michael Procton | Apr 2, 2008 8:22:10 PM
Procton,Fox is a good coach but in the playoffs 2 out of 7 years does not cut it Cheven is right. I guess you are never wrong OOP'S you were definetly wrong about the 3rd QB rule and many of your other trivial blogs are inaccurate.
Posted by: Ray | Apr 2, 2008 8:28:30 PM
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