Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Clausen's first big completion

Rookie Panthers QB Jimmy Clausen will be at training camp in time to see and hear everything -- our Darin Gantt reports that Clausen and the Panthers have agreed to a deal just in time.

This serves as Clausen's first big completion of the preseason. There was no sense in holding out for a few more thousand dollars (the money is pretty modest for an NFL QB -- Clausen's big money won't come until his second contract, if he proves himself over the next four years). Clausen wasn't going to get enormous money anyway at pick No.48, but if the former Notre Dame QB held out, there was going to be a chance that he fell far behind on the QB depth chart.

So this is a smart move by Clausen and his agent, Gary Wichard. Get the guy in camp. Let him get every rep and go to every meeting, and let's see what he can do.

I was just asked on a morning radio show how I thought the Panthers' QB situation the early part of this year. I'd be stunned if Matt Moore wasn't the opening-day starter and held that job at least through September -- John Fox likes his veterans, even those with only 8 career starts -- but I don't think anything is guaranteed after that. Now Clausen has given himself a chance to be in that conversation.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Clausen is a big spoiled cry baby!! He blows

Anonymous said...

Why aren't reporters giving credit to Matt Moore? What has he done wrong with the time he's been given? Out of the 5 games he's started, he won 4 of them. Yes you might say that they were late in the season but he still came out there a did a great job. Start giving the city's quarterback some respect until he doesn't deserve it anymore. Matt Moore will start every game this season (unless he gets hurt).

Anonymous said...

matt moore, sir, is a pimp.

Rug Pee'r said...

Hunter Cantwell will be starting before this year is over.

John said...

I love this whole meme that somehow Clausen is going to replace Moore early this season. He isn't. Let's look behind the curtain. He comes in second to Quinn in pretty much every statistical category at ND what exactly has Quinn done so far? Not much so those stats are pretty meaningless. Clausen needs to work on his strength. He tends to float deep balls we've seen that before. He also tends to wind up when throwing giving NFL DBs the chance to make moves on throws not to mention giving defenses a chance to get to him for the sack. Those are the biggest things he needs to work on but not the only things.

Clausen may well mature into a high quality NFL starter, be great if he did. But he won't by game 5 or whatever other ridiculous timeline someone wants to impose. Moore has won real games against playoff teams with a team missing multiple starters. He has earned his place and barring a meltdown or serious injury he will be the starter all season.

juggsmurf said...

2nd anonymous- you're absolutely right on...why do people go bonkers for names and not results...Moore is the man this year. We're going to have a winning season w/ a competent QB (assuming he can stay healthy). Clausen was a great pick in case Moore doesn't pan- but I see no evidence that he won't, and he arguably deserves 2 years at the helm dependent on how this year goes.

Anonymous said...

Actually, Clausen is going to be competing with Cantwell for the #2 spot more then he'll be competing with Matt for the starting spot. Everything I've heard about Cantwell's work ethic and how far he has come has impressed me so Clausen doesn't even have a lock at #2! And I agree...I'm sick of Matt getting no credit. It's 8 games and he's won SEVEN of them!!

Anonymous said...

Can I bring my vuvuzela this year to panthers games?

Anonymous said...

I'm glad to see that Clausen signed his contract. Hopefully, Fox will at least gives him a fair chance in training camp to win the starting job. Automatically handing it to Moore is just wrong.

Anonymous said...

Why are people so dumb sometimes. One says' Clausen is spoiled and blows (WRONG). Others seem to think Hunter Cantwell is better than Clausen (also Wrong). I think Cantwell is the 3rd guy. Clausen WILL by the end of camp or preseason make everyone forget Cantwell. Matt Moore WILL start the year and depending on how he does will show if he keeps the job. If the Panthers are 3 and 6, he loses his job, if we are 6 and 3, he keeps it, that simple.

Anonymous said...

I believe matt Moore is our qb. Not for the first 5 games, not for just this year not for maybe next year, but hopefully for the next 10 years. I just hope clausen pans out as a really good qb so we can use him for trade bait later on. That is all.

Anonymous said...

If last year's preseason is any indicator, Cantwell should not be overlooked. I thought he did a phenomenal job last year. He's a big kid with a strong, accurate arm, and he's had a full year to learn the playbook. I wouldn't count him out. I think if he is given a LEGITIMATE chance, he just might win the #2 spot. I guess that depends on whether or not Fox and Hurney want to admit they already had better talent on the roster before they drafted 2 QBs or not.

Anonymous said...

Jimmy Clausen is all day tough. The knock on him was he used ND to get to the NFL. Well, he's there! College is history, as is the stretch Hummer he showed up in when he signed. As to comparisons to Brady Quinn, Clausen is coming out as a junior, he had a sieve as an O-line his first two years and played with torn ligaments in his big toe most of last season. The kid has matured, he's got the tools, and he'll be starting for the Panthers by mid-season, if he doesn't win it outright in camp. No knock on Matt Moore. Clausen is the better QB with greater potential. The Panthers got a bargain and a 10 year starter with pro-bowl potential. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

alanie12345 said...

I am very happy that Clausen signed.
He will be the #2 quarterback and it is Moores job to lose.Quinn blew it by holding out and then wasn't given the chance to play and prove himself.
Clausen already knows much of the offense due to Charlie Weiss running the same type of offense as the Panthers.

alanie12345 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Cantwell is the dark horse, ans Clausen will need more physical maturity.

Anonymous said...

It is funny reading how everyone seems to know that Clausen is or isnt good before they see anything at all from him. I read people saying he will start after 5 games, i read how he will beat Cantwell out for second spot. How is it that these people know who is going to be good & who isnt? I think half these people posting should go get a scouting job. They are "jeenyusses" i tell ya. & to whoever said Moore started 8 games and won 7 is wrong, he started 8 & won 6.