Panthers - Buccaneers: Three key matchups when Tampa Bay has the ball

by Sander on Dec 3, 2011 12:01 PM EST

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 27: LeFarrette Blount #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is tackled by Akeem Ayers #56 and Jurrell Casey #99 of the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on November 27, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Buccaneers 23 to 17. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Here are my three key matchups for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on offense.

Mike Williams vs Chris Gamble

In the past two games, Mike Williams has looked like the Mike Williams of old. In both games he caught at least six passes for over 80 yards and notched a touchdown. If that's a sign of things to come, Williams can be very important for the Buccaneers. Given the fact that the quarterback throwing to him will either be a backup or injured, Williams will have to be at his best to be decisive.

Of course, Williams will likely match up with cornerback Chris Gamble, who has been a pretty good player for the Panthers for a very long time. Can he beat the veteran, or will Mike Williams' sophomore slump continue?

Donald Penn vs Charles Johnson

The Panthers spent a lot of money this offseason, and Charles Johnson was the biggest beneficiary of that spending spree. The fifth-year defensive end received a $76 million contract including a $30 million signing bonus. That's a lot of money for a player who had just one good year until then, but Johnson has followed up last year with another strong season: he has notched 7.5 sacks so far this year and is a useful player in run defense.

At some point the Bucs will have to pass the ball and Donald Penn will matchup on Charles Johnson. Penn has had a very good year so far, shutting down some very good pass rushers, so he has the ability to stop Charles Johnson. Of course, whether he will be able to actually do that on Sunday is another issue entirely.

Legarrette Blount vs terrible tackling

The Carolina Panthers are horrible at stopping the run. The Bucs haven't looked any good in recent weeks, but the Panthers have had issues all season long. Like the Bucs they can't win in the trenches, and they can't tackle. If the Bucs want to win on Sunday, Blount will have to take advantage of that. Last week may have been Blount's best total game as a pro despite two fumbles (which I blame on the weather given the ridiculous number of fumbles that day). Blount ran behind his pads, with power, and did a great job finding the right holes to gash a Titans run defense that wasn't nearly as bad as this Carolina defense. Can he do it again?

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I kinda hope Johnson starts

I believe the better he does on free agency, it would help us get a better compensatory pick. Hopefully he does well.

by flash_kiley on Dec 3, 2011 1:13 PM EST via mobile reply actions

He's gonna be a free agent

so I don’t get what pick we will get for him if he’s free to sign with any team. Even if he’s under contract and we shop him around, don’t you think there will be better qb options teams would want than him?

by Brian Ahmed on Dec 3, 2011 2:40 PM EST up reply actions

Not what I'm talking about

I could be wrong, but if your team loses free agents who end up getting good contracts in free agency, your team is awarded a compensatory pick in the draft.

by flash_kiley on Dec 3, 2011 3:03 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Yip

Though playing time plays into the quality of the draft pick too. And the free agents you sign in return too. At most it’s a late third-rounder.

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by Sander on Dec 3, 2011 3:53 PM EST up reply actions

He's a backup here, and anywhere he goes, he will be a backup.

I don’t get why he would want to leave.

Oderint dum metuant

by jBen05 on Dec 3, 2011 4:01 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

For a chance at a starting job

Or at least for a chance to compete for one.

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by Sander on Dec 3, 2011 4:22 PM EST up reply actions

umm

that’s how tom brady started out.

by Bucnbull on Dec 3, 2011 8:05 PM EST up reply actions

Josh Johnson is nowhere close to Tom Brady

"I'm a little dysfunctional
You're the problem, Please don't awakin me
And I'm that way cause back in the day
Most have forsaken me"

by 4QB on Dec 3, 2011 9:04 PM EST up reply actions

Better matchup would be Olsen vs terrible tackling.

Blount getting his yards won’t be an issue against this defense. The question is does Olsen take advantage of the mismatch. Depending on how many carries Blount gets, it won’t be if the Panthers’ defense will stop him it will be if Olsen stops him.

by Brian Ahmed on Dec 3, 2011 2:47 PM EST reply actions

Agreed.

Blount should be a major factor in this game. Olson needs to keep giving,this guy the ball regardless! It is, incomprehensible that blount has less than 200 carries thus far and is the major reason why olson should walk the plank at the end of the season.

East Coast Fan

by Bucfan on Dec 3, 2011 10:07 PM EST via mobile up reply actions