Newton to start over Clausen

[Epitome]

per ESPN

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Carolina Panthers - Recap - September 01, 2011 - ESPN

 

[Rhode Irish]

Could see this coming. Jimmy is better than Cam right now, but probably not good enough to single-handedly take such a bad roster to the playoffs. And if the Panthers don't go to the playoffs, the only way anyone will care about them or buy a ticket is to see Cam Newton. That is the sad reality.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Good. I don't want to see Clausen get Tim Couch'd. He needs to GTFO of Carolina.

 

[D-BOE34]

Was sCam that bad? 3-5 for 25 yards and ran. I like Jimmy as well but he can't make plays go for 15 yards with or without a receiver. . .

 

[Rocket89]

Clausen finished the preseason:

24 completions
46 attempts
52% completion
260 passing yards
5.65 yards per attempt
1 touchdown
2 interceptions

 

[PLACforever]

<iframe frameborder="no" width="480" height="270" scrolling="no" src="http://www.onionsportsnetwork.com/video_embed/?id=21263"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.onionsportsnetwork.com/articles/panthers-name-cam-newton-starting-qb-because-every,21263/" target="_blank" title="Panthers Name Cam Newton Starting QB Because Everybody Seems To Think They Should">Panthers Name Cam Newton Starting QB Because Everybody Seems To Think They Should</a>

 

[ohara831]

Clausen finished the preseason:

24 completions
46 attempts
52% completion
260 passing yards
5.65 yards per attempt
1 touchdown
2 interceptions

Cam's pre-season numbers:

24 completions
57 attempts
42.1%
300 yards
1 TD
0 INT's
1 rushing TD


Jimmy just didn't do enough to take the job. Cam will have a long hard season and it will be a tough learning curve. Will be interesting to see how he does.

 

[RDU Irish]

Carolina is a mess. Clausen is better off riding the bench and waiting for Newton to get hurt. The few plays I saw last night of Clausen, there was zero pass protection, a receiver didn't get the second foot down for a nice TD pass and then the center fumbled the next snap.

Clausen has the tools but it doesn't matter if he can't get the most out of the other players. They just work harder for Newton and his charisma will give him more slack.

However, it is a good thing I don't wish injury on anyone or else Newton would be at the top of that list.

 

[josejose4482]

With the #1 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft...the Carolina Panthers select...Andrew Luck!

(my prediction)

 

[Jerry]

My theory with offensive skill position players in the NFL is: Get on a team w/ a good O-Line!!! I don't care if you're Tom Brady, Adrian Peterson or Andre Johnson. If nobody is blocking up front you're not going to be too successful. Carolina was pathetic last year. It didn't really matter who was playing QB they weren't going to get time to make decisions.

 

[PLACforever]

With the #1 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft...the Carolina Panthers select...Andrew Luck!

(my prediction)

I'm pretty sure Harbaugh is angling for that hard in SF.
What possible reason could there be for not even trying to add a QB this year other than he is hoping to set up a Stanford reunion next?

 

[ndfi78]

You knew that was happening when they took Newton with the first pick.

 

[Rocket89]

My theory with offensive skill position players in the NFL is: Get on a team w/ a good O-Line!!! I don't care if you're Tom Brady, Adrian Peterson or Andre Johnson. If nobody is blocking up front you're not going to be too successful. Carolina was pathetic last year. It didn't really matter who was playing QB they weren't going to get time to make decisions.

Not to say this isn't true, but teams like New England, Pittsburgh, and Philly have either very average or in some cases, really crappy offensive lines. You can expect Brady, Big Ben, and Vick to make plays irregardless.

 

[nd1989]

I really like Jimmy and I wish him the best, but if I were the Carolina Panthers HC, I would start Cam. The Panthers are a mess, and I don't think they will win no matter who is at QB. I would just start Cam, hope for an early win, and get people in the seats. Cam's your star right now....

In terms of Jimmy, his best op is to get out of Carolina. he might start at Carolina if cam gets injured, but I'm concerned he will just get injured too or play badly because of the bad team there. Jimmy needs to get on a team with a good line. He's not fleet of foot.

 

[anarin]

With the #1 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft...the Carolina Panthers select...Andrew Luck!

(my prediction)

Guess you forgot about the cincinnati bengals

 

[Jerry]

Not to say this isn't true, but teams like New England, Pittsburgh, and Philly have either very average or in some cases, really crappy offensive lines. You can expect Brady, Big Ben, and Vick to make plays irregardless.

I'll give you Pittsburgh, even though I remember watching them on Monday Night last year and Mendenhall was getting some huge holes against the Bengals (maybe a bad measuring stick) but Rotoworld has New England as the 2nd best O-Line in the league. Philly run blocks well but Vick has the ball in his hands longer than most QB's so he's going to get sacks.

Anyway I guess we could argue Good vs OK vs Bad offensive lines all day, but there is no comparison to those teams and the jail break line that Carolina had with all the injuries last year. The should have a solid line if they stay healthy season. Hopefully Clausen gets a chance but I don't see it happening unless Newton gets hurt.

 

[PLACforever]

Hate to say it, but sCam looked pretty good yesterday.
Curious what his wondelic score was thou, since, during his post-game interview he:
A. Made reference to the Dolphins D (played the Cards)
B. Seemed to not be able to name a RB on his team.

 

[ohara831]

24 for 37, 422 yards, 2 TD 1 Int and 1 rushing TD. Lost the game, but kid drove them down to the 2 yard line when turning it over on downs as they were 1 yard short of the 1st. He was everything the Panthers could have asked for in the #1 pick. Accuaracy and poise. Now, it was the Cardinals defense. Next week will be far tougher as they host the Packers. If he can complete 50% of his passes, throw for 200 yards, and have no more Int's than TD's, I will be very impressed.

I watched this team all last season. Honestly, Jimmy is not capable of putting up numbers like that in the NFL. He doesn't have the poise to hang in the pocket under fire. He's a good back up, but that is it.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Jimmy did not even dress as he was on the inactive list.

At this point he is the third string QB and unless he starts showing more in practice and passes Derek Anderson, may not dress the entire year.

 

[Rocket89]

^ He didn't even dress!?!?

Wow.

 

[PLACforever]

^ He didn't even dress!?!?

Wow.

Most of the time if a player in Clausen's position doesn't dress its because they are looking to trade him. So fingers crossed.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Face it guys, Clausen isn't very good and Newton is real.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Face it guys, Clausen isn't very good and Newton is real.

I'm a lot closer to admitting Jimmy isn't very good, then admitting Newton is for real. He's had one good game against an extremely inexperienced secondary of the Cardinals.

 

[RDU Irish]

Clausen could be OK on the right team. I do admit sCam looked much better than I expected and the team played harder for him. However, they still LOST. Moral victories lose value if they aren't followed by real victories.

Plus Newton's style of play could put him on the IR sooner rather than later.

 

[Anchorman]

Most of the time if a player in Clausen's position doesn't dress its because they are looking to trade him. So fingers crossed.

I think it is fairly common for the third string QB to be inactive on the game roster.