So who is your starting QB?

[GleeHater]

I just don't see leadership coming from Clausen, and Moore may not even be an option with that torn up throwing shoulder. Pike is too green and unproven. Ditto for any possible rookie.


Here are 12 possible starting QBs and one of the following has got to be at least a two year solution to bring leadership in the huddle and winning records back to Carolina




Billy Volek – Might be front-runner by association
Mark Bulger – IMO he's the best bet
Shaun Hill – Not a FA but might be cheap enough
Tarvaris Jackson – Talented enough but is he a leader?
Seneca Wallace – Great mobility, but accurate passer?
Troy Smith – Great mobility AND accuracy (as I remember)
Matt Leinart – This guy can be VERY accurate
Trent Edwards – Supposed to be a smart QB
Matt Hasselbeck – Might be too old and brittle
Kellen Clemens – Don't know much about him
Rex Grossman – Personally I don't care for him
Kerry Collins – The ol' stogie munching racist can still throw


If I left out anyone of note that might be a fit please add him in. There are some knowledgeable football folks here so somebody start the process of elimination, or pick your short list.



I'd rate them:


1). Bulger
2). Volek
3). Smith

 

[The Brain]

I WANT Matt Hassleback here. I admit he's old nad brittle, but he's a MUCH more talent version of Rodney Peete for this team to rebuild, and be a decent locker room leader.

Best suited is probably Volek because of his knowledge of Rivera and Chud. If there's limited time to learn the system because of the lockout, he'd be able to be under center faster than anyone else.

 

[Thelt]

Carson Palmer might be available. I would consider trading a late round pick for Shaun Hill.

 

[Collin]

If we take a QB at #1 it's a moot point since that player will be forced to start by the 4th game of the season. If we don't take a QB at #1 but do take one later in the draft, then I think you bring back Moore or else sign Clemens. If you don't take one at all, then sign both Moore and Clemens then let them fight it out while Clausen spends the whole season learning.

 

[Abusive]

I wouldn't undersell Rivera's ability to stay the course with his plan. He, like Fox, is very rigid. Unlike Fox, he (by all accounts) is more organized and consistent in his approach. To draft Newton would, sure, put "pressure" on the org to get him on the field ASAP. But thats a very high-level, almost novice view of the situation. I think it's more than reasonable to think that, once FA opens back up, Bulger (or another vet) could hit camp, and be the unequivocal starter. It would take discipline and tunnel-vision by Chico to ensure that the Newton issue doesn't become a problem, but more than most coaches out there, I think he has not only the credentials (ring, resume, respect), but the patience to deal with it.

Question is: does he want to deal with it? Only he can tell you that.

Richardson may be a dicknose when it comes to some of his antics, but again, it's a situation where he's probably a better owner than 75% of what else is out there. Technically, the team didn't get blacked-out all year in 2010, while going 2-14. Now, did the end justify the means? Eh, debate it. I don't give a shit, really. Facts are facts. So, I also feel it would be arbitrary to suspect that JR would put pressure on his first-year HC to play Newton, and play him quickly.

No matter who is under center, it's all about performance. If you perform, your team will probably win a good amount of games. If that happens, fans will come, and merch will sell.

Only weak-minded coaches would allow the Newton factor to force his hand. I don't consider Rivera in that class, and I certainly don't see Richardson as being influential at all in that decision. He never has been, and I have little reason to think he will be now.

In 2002, after canning Geroge, JR said the "energy" has been sucked out of the stadium. So, what did he do? He hired a respectable DC to be the new HC, allowed Fox and Hurney to reconstruct the roster, and drafted a DE #2 overall. And, um, they started Rodney Peete. What they did not do: panic, draft Harrington, and force him on the field ASAP to sell jerseys.

Good owner. Asshat, but then again, most of them are.

 

[TOTALPACKAGE]

Viiny Testaverde

 

[Piper]

There was a lot of pressure on Marvin Lewis to play Palmer, and Palmer spent most of the year as the #3 while he started Kitna. Vick sat most of his rookie year behind Chandler. Rivers sat two years behind Brees, as the what, #5 overall? Different situation I know.

Now, I think both of those players were veterans under contract, which made it easier. If we do grab a QB, it may be harder to get a Bulger when he could get a shot at a long term deal at say, Arizona, with no high profile prospect behind him pushing him out the door. We don't have to start him immediately, but eventually, he'll have to see the field.

 

[Odin]

... If you don't take one at all, then sign both Moore and Clemens then let them fight it out while Clausen spends the whole season learning.

I'm starting to lean this way...pick Dareus/Peterson/Jones/Green, and see if any of these QB's can run Rivera's offense.
If not, we're going to have a rough year anyway, so that'll position us for one of the 3-4 qbs next year.

 

[stratocatter]

Problem is, our fanbase has gone psycho with their need for immediate gratification re the QB position.

Heck, most people on this board are smarter than the average fan and look back at what a lot of people here were saying about Clausen after one game with Moore at QB. Not to mention the crowd at the stadium. And this is Clausen, not a QB who was picked 1st overall.

I don't doubt Rivera can withstand the pressure but I'm not too sure about JR.

 

[Abusive]

The fanbase reaction should not, cannot, and (hopefully) WILL NOT ever have a direct impact on this team's football architecture. I understand the buzz, but if you want to play with the big boys (NE, PHI, etc), you better be able to keep your eye on the ball, and understand that you--not the fan--is the one who is paid handsomely to operate and/or coach a football team.

Wins = satisfaction for all.