Carolina Panthers will use DeAngelo Shuffle

Should we expect to see the DeAngelo shuffle in this weekend’s game against the New Orleans Saints? The Carolina Panthers had the worst third-down conversion rate going into last weekend’s game. So, they pulled a “sleeper move” and snapped the ball to running back DeAngelo Williams eight times. Seven out of those eight times, Williams ran the ball for a first time. So the trick worked. And given that the Panthers may as of yet have a shot at making it to the playoffs, you better believe they’ll try the move again when they take on the Saints on Sunday.

In order for the move to be effective, Williams needs to warm up to the idea of passing the ball. That way he’ll be able to keep the Saints guessing and hopefully, tripping over themselves in an attempt to stop him. Passing the ball is something Williams is not opposed to. “I’ve got an arm,” he said. “I’ve got to warm up though.” With Jake Delhomme back in the lineup for the season finale, the Panthers may still have a shot at making the post season. They just better play like it.