In as much as I don't see the merits in rehashing Clausen's career, what the hey. The team's record with him as a starter was a shade over .500, I don't recall him winning any close games, against teams of equal or superior talent I recall him shrinking from the big moments more than a few times. As far as the NFL draft goes I think most people would call that a wasted pick by Carolina. His arm strength is suspect, he threw 3 tds to 9 interception last season and had a QB rating of 58.4. Don't bother talking about rookies suceeding in the NFL either because, if he was so great, he should have been able to have seen the same type of success (at least statistically) that his successor in Carolina has delivered, what Andy Dalton has delivered, the list could go on. I wish him well, why wouldn't I? First off, I don't want anybody to fail and, even more importantly, it would be a credit to Notre Dame if he ever does do well. But I don't see it, frankly.
Yea that Clausen was sure a let down at ND. I CAN'T BELIEVE he couldn't single handedly hold opposing offenses to less than 27 points a game in between his own offensive snaps where he led a team with virtually no ground game to some ridiculous offensive #s.
You've got the be joking me. Clausen if he came back for his Sr year would have put every Notre Dame passing record at levels that wouldnt be touched for many years.
People who use his "teams record" with him at QB are taking such a short sighted approach to hating on the kid that it's embarrassing.
In 2009 Notre Dame lost:
To Michigan 38-34. In that game Clausen was 25-42 for 336 yds 3TDs 0 Ints.
To USC 34-27. Clausen was 24-43 for 260 yds 2 TDs 0 Ints
To Stanford 45-38. Clausen was 23-30 (76.7%) 340 yds 5 TDs 0 Ints!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To Uconn 33-30. Clausen was 30-45 329 yds 2 TDs 0 Ints
To Navy 23-21. Clausen was 37-51 (72.5%) 452 yds 2 Tds 1 Int
To Pitt 27-22. Clausen was 27-42 283 yds 1 TD 1 Int
So in his teams 6 losses he was 166-253 (66%) and threw for 15 TDs versus 2 Ints.
Oh yea and he threw for 333 yds per game in those losses, and played most of the season with a torn ligament in his toe.
Anybody who says Clausen was a let down at ND either didn't watch most of his career or has a very questionable football IQ. He was likely the reason they won any games at all those years.
Also worth noting in those 6 losses Notre Dame averaged a whopping 98 yards per game rushing. The defense allowed 33 ppg in those contests. For comaprison's sake ND only allowed 33 points in a single game twice all year this year. Michigan, and Air Force which was mostly meaningless pts in mop up duty, yet Clausen is a let down, and Tommy Rees is a "gamer".
I'm going to suggest you just let this one go. The more you push the debate along the worse you're going to look.