Jimmy Clausen is the new Carolina Panthers starting QB

[MichaelJordanEberle (sabf)]

Originally Posted by yourfavestoner

That's a huge reason why I liked Josh Freeman so much coming into this season. Was the overall body of work good? No. He was terrible. But you definitely saw flashes of potential greatness with him last year.

That's why I like Stafford so much. You watch sometimes and you're like, what the **** is he thinking? But since that Browns game I've been sold. It wasn't his numbers in that game, it was the way he led his team back, and then had the guts to go out there with a separated shoulder and throw the game winning TD. If he can get and stay healthy, he'll be great.

[Miaoww]

Originally Posted by SchizophrenicBatman

This is the problem with Clausen, though. He hasn't shown any potential. No flashes. His one good play was a blown coverage where he didnt even have to make a good throw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UElsAl_aqKA). But at least he stepped up in the pocket and found his open receiver on that play

I haven't seen one other play that suggests Clausen could be a good or even above average NFL QB. To be fair, I haven't seen enough to suggest he couldn't be either, because he doesn't even try. Honestly, throwing interceptions as a rookie isn't bad for the most part. I remember the game Freeman threw 5 picks against the Panthers last year. He was actually moving the ball, throwing down field and finding out what windows he could and could not throw into. The Bucs ended up losing because pretty much every time he got the ball into the red zone he gave it up, but he threw for over 300 yards and you could see potential there. Extremely raw potential that may or may not ever develop, but at least you saw something.

People always bring up Peyton throwing 28 interceptions his rookie year like he sucked besides that. No, he was an exceptionally advanced rookie having to adjust to a league well above his and his team's current ability where he was basically their entire offense (see: Bradford, Sam...even though honestly the Rams should have more of a running game with S-Jax, that's not how their coaching staff has played it). Clausen has only thrown 3 interceptions because he doesn't take risks. He doesn't try to play quarterback at an NFL level. He just looks for his underneath receiver (a la David Carr) or breaks the pocket (unnecessarily) so he can scramble and only have to look at one side of the field.

That's because he's playing it safe. With the way the D is playing he knows it'd be catastrophic for the offence to turn the ball over; limit the turnovers and the team is always in the game (unless they let Forte gash them for a billion yards on cutbacks of course). He's also preserving his life - he has absolutely no time to throw and nobody to throw to. His best receiver this year has been Gettis - a 6th round rookie. I think that just about says it all.

As he grows more comfortable with his supporting staff (what little there is) and the speed of the NFL I'm sure he'd start taking more chances. As it is we won't know because Fox has put back in the guy that has no future in Charlotte.

As for the high pick we're going to have this year. I'd hope they spend it on a DT, a CB, a WR or an OT.

[SchizophrenicBatman]

lol are you serious dude?

he played 3 games and lost all three because there was zero offense. the carolina offense scored 28 points combined in the 3 games he started. the defense is playing ok, not great. he is not playing for the 2000 Ravens (or even the 2008 Ravens) and in any case, the season is already in the tank. he should've been learning how to play QB in the NFL, not trying to avoid turning the ball over so we could attempt to win a punt off.

i hope they put clausen back in too, but not because I think it would be good for him. with the way the offense is currently constructed, it's simply not a good environment for someone who doesn't know what they're doing and learning on the fly. starting a rookie QB or a rookie WR(s) is already a bad situation. doing both is insane and not really productive for anyone involved.

i hope they put clausen back in because his play is consistent. consistently not good enough to win in today's NFL. i am tirelessly ill of going 7-9 under john fox. i don't think moore is capable of that with the hole we're in, but his poor man's jake delhomme routine is enough to pull off enough wins to ruin the pick. now that we've got a W and 0-16 is off the table, I'd put clausen back in and see if he can show anything. if not, he's back up material next year. if he turns into drew brees, whatever. as it stands, moore may actually be preserving clausen's future, since if he wins 5 or 6 games, there won't be any chance to bring in another "franchise" QB (and no, I don't want another reject that falls like jimmy). granted, the new coach will most likely bring in a veteran FA no matter what...unless he's charlie weis

the last few years have convinced me to never use a top 5 pick on anything but what you consider the 3 most important positions in the league are. in my opinion the top 2 are clear cut: QB and DE. After that, you throw in LT and it gets a bit blurry...CB? DT? whatever, point is the 49ers and Panthers have the two best young LBs in the league. what has it got them? 2 wins total (and one had to happen).

you can draft all the darrius heyward beys and michael crabtrees you want, it doesnt matter unless you got someone to throw to them. all this "safe" pick stuff is BS imo (Aaron Curry LOL). just take the guy at the most important position that you feel best about. if you hit, you're set. if you miss, whatever. you have just as good a shot to miss elsewhere. ****, sometimes even if you hit with one of the lesser positions, you're not really that much better off (Calvin Johnson, Vernon Davis)

i also don't really believe in picking for need. if you're bad enough to pick top five, you need help everywhere.

[WinslowBodden]

Originally Posted by MichaelJordanEberle (sabf)

That's why I like Stafford so much. You watch sometimes and you're like, what the **** is he thinking? But since that Browns game I've been sold. It wasn't his numbers in that game, it was the way he led his team back, and then had the guts to go out there with a separated shoulder and throw the game winning TD. If he can get and stay healthy, he'll be great.

Man that game sucked balls