Yeah because their passing game sucks...


Passing CP/AT YDS
C. Newton 24/37 422

Receiving REC YDS
S. Smith 8 178
G. Olsen 4 78
B. LaFell 4 70
Shockey 3 51

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I was really shocked when I saw the game stats. Hopefully Capers can make things a little more difficult for the War Eagle than Arizona did.

Over all I'm not surprised, but I thought it'd be less passing yardage and more running yardage as they have two good RBs as well... but it's as I've said in another thread.... they got good offense options.

But the Packers offense might be able to control the ball better and keep Newton off the field. But don't sleep on the Panthers or Newton might be able to pull a Josh Freeman... facing the winless Bucs... Packers play down to their level and bang Freeman pulls out a win...

Hopefully Williams is 100% healthy and ready to go. I think if the Packers offense needs to finish one off instead of letting the defense finish them like they have been on the few last plays. Make the Panthers play catch up but don't stop scoring...

Also question... who is gonna cover Steve Smith? and who should cover Steve Smith? Smith had 178 yards and 2 TDs against the Cards. You got the #1s match up of best CB Williams vs best WR Smith... you got the Vets up match of Woodson vs Smith and the speed match up of Shields vs. Smith.

My guess if healthy they put Williams. If he's not healthy they put Woodson. I'm not sure he's quite ready but it might be interesting to test Shields on Smith... and see if he's ready. It's strength vs. strength there. But winning is more important than testing.

But I think it might be nice to have Woodson free in nickel to cover one of the TEs in his CB/S/LB role in the middle.... also he can try to trick Newton there and try to come on a quick blitz.

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Newton had a monster game, especially for his professional debut. However, he had it against the Cardinals, the team that had no defense except for Dockett and Rodgers-Cromartie last year. Now with DRC gone, it's time to tee off, and Netwon did exactly that. I think next week will be a different story. I am not worried about sitting Tramon, if that is the case for this coming week.

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Steve Smith is definitely the most dynamic player on that offense and he's also a very talented route runner. The way to beat him on the outside is with man, and if he's in the slot, the Packers have to play zone.

That being said, Smith will be all over the field, so if I were forced to choose a CB lock onto him, it would be Charles Woodson. Williams may be better in coverage, but Woodson is no slouch either, but he's also very flexible and can pretty much play any position on the defense.

As long as we can apply pressure, Newton should be easy.

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My problem with having Woodson stalk Smith around the field is I'd prefer to go to the nickel defense where Woodson is the CB in the middle covering the slot or TE...because I think the 2-4 nickel could confuse Newton a lot with is Woodson gonna blitz? is he gonna zone cover? is he gonna play man to man with a TE or WR?

Plus Woodson size is nice to have when he's covering TEs... and Woodson isn't as fast as he once was... Smith is still pretty fast.

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I was ecstatic when I saw the numbers Newton and Smith put up yesterday!

Not because I am fan of either or the Panthers... Just because those numbers will keep the Packers focused this week, and there will be a much better chance that The Packers will NOT be looking at this as a bye week.

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I couldn't agree more, RaiderPride. The cavalier attitude with which Packers fans were treating this game was seriously concerning me (I can't get Week 13, 2008 out of my head), and I was beginning to worry that the team might respond similarly. Surely Newton's stats from this week will be a clarion call that they can't take him or the Panthers for granted. I certainly hope so.

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Good.

Smith still has it, apparently. That's a good thing because I've always liked Smith.

And Cam Newton surprised me big time. Also a good thing.

I would much rather win a game because we're the better team rather than we won a game because the other guys sucked. If Cam Newton turns out to be the savior for Carolina, this could turn out an interesting season. I would really enjoy being wrong here.

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The Cardinals had several blown assignments that left WR's wide open during the game. I wonder if the Panthers offense created them, or if the Cardinals defense did?

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