Cam Newton report

*sigh*

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/09000d5d8176e5ae/Mayock-s-Clausen-evaluation


http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/09000d5d817beb32/Panthers-pick-Clausen

 

I agree that he was put in an awful position to succeed. My problem is I didn't see anything in the process that suggested he would get better than average. From all the hob knobbing on Sam Bradford, he wasn't that sucessful, 7-9 in a weak division, 76 rating, 15 picks. But he showed enough to lead you to believe he could be successful. Me made some plays. Made the throws. Was accurate. Threatened all of the field. Now its just decision making, making the right read.

I saw Claussen struggle with just making the throws. And the whole bailing out after with nobody around him after one read. That's what has me down. I expect him to struggle with the speed of the game, with decision making. His struggles went beyond that.

So like Meat, I'm really down on the guy. And I'm fearful if the CBA grinds on into the summer, we may be stuck with him for 2011.

So with the first pick overall, and no real monster like Peppers at another position, a can't miss player, we would be remiss if we don't look at the top QB prospects in the draft. I'm not saying we have to take one, but we should look. And if they do decide to take one, I'll support it. I understand it. Even if its partially a ticket selling move. Its worth the roll of the dice.

This opportunity doesn't come around very often. Miami was in this position, took a good, All-Pro LT, but can't compete with the Jets and Pats when they could have had Ryan.

 

at this point, agree with meat and piper. jc has a lot of issues. hope i'm wrong but not willing to pin my hopes on him. no bona-fide super stud without some major red flags sitting at the top of the draft. peterson and green may be the safest pick but don't play at positions you'd usually spend that kinda dollars on. hoping one of these QBs rises to the top (newton seems to be the only serious candidate at this time). or at least, if we don't see it, some team does and gives up a lot to get the top pick. the new economics of the CBA will be such that it will make sense to take a risk on a QB. newton has got to be much better than jc. if nothing else, guys like playing with him.

if we draft him, as a fan, i will give him every benefit of the doubt that he's a good guy that just made some dumb teenage type mistakes.

 

NFP has ponder as their top rated qb:

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/scouting_department.html

 

I think it was fairly obvious at the beginning of the year that our future QB might not be on this roster. Like Collin and Mags said it takes a QB about three years to fully develop at the position. At the same time, I am going to have to agree with Piper that there has been no promise from Clausen. There hasn't even been the slight glimmer of hope that maybe he can turn into a quality QB. He is struggling with the QB basics.

In this league you have to be able to do two things: pass the ball and stop the pass. I am starting to lean heavily toward drafting a QB or one of the CBs with our first pick. Although, I really do like Marcel Dareus.

Mags, would it not be easier to just jump on the Cam Newton bandwagon while there is still room?

 

werd.

 

I wasn't impressed with Bradford, or at least the way he was used. Barely ever threw past five yards. But, for a Bradford or Ryan, I'd agree. For Luck I eventually agreed. I don't agree that the best quarterback is always the best player.

 

Newton can be "great."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/...sportsblitz-decosta-draft0221,0,7246002.story

"He’s got some moxie and he showed some poise and he’s got some ability to win a big game down the stretch."

 

I agree the best QB is not always the best player. That was true in 2002, when David Carr and Joey Harrington rode a weak QB class to top 5 picks. Most here were happy when we took Julius instead, and that turned out well.

But QB is the most important position, that's always been true, and now more than ever with the rules slanted the way they are. When you don't have a QB on your roster, you should certainly kick the tires on the top QB prospects.

My point on Bradford wasn't that he has proven to be the second coming, despite all the good press and ROY awards, but he's off to a better start than our guy. I can't say he's got a great line, and less than what we have at WR. He could improve his YPA, but again, he was more successful in getting the ball down the field than Claussen (6.0 YPA vs 5.2, edit for fairness).

As for Newton, I'm scared by his unknowns as you are. One good year, in a spread system. Threw the ball well, but basically with one read, and then dominated as a runner. I'd still interview him, I'd still look at all his film, I'd attend his combine and workout, and talk to his coaches and teammates about his work ethic. I'd be sure he wasn't what I wanted, cause there's a lot of talent all the way around. We aren't talking about Pat White or Tebow here.

 

I think he will be a bust, but for the record:

1. I thought the Steve Smith pick sucked.
2. I hated the Thomas Davis Pick.
3. I hated the Jon Beason pick.
4. I hated the Stewart and Otah stuff
5. I liked the Clausen pick
6. I would have taken Carr over Peppers
7. I got pumped when we hired Seifert
8. I liked the Dwayne Jarrett pick
9. I thought the Ryan Kalil pick was stupid
10. I liked the Keary Colbert pick