Looking back-- Mike Mayock evaluates Jimmy Clausen before the draft

[Delhommey]

Vance, Greensboro,NC

11:41 AM ET

Your thoughts on Jimmy Clausen as a starter...I know you were high on him before, do you think he can make a impact on the Panther's offense?

Mike Mayock, NFL Network

Vance, I think the future is now for the 0-2 Panthers. Brandon LaFell and David Gettis at WR, and Jimmy Clausen at QB. His physical skill set reminds me of Mark Sanchez, and his football IQ is high. I would start him for the rest of the season, let him get on a learning curve, and plan for 2011. The right move.

From the chat...

[HPPantherzfan]

I agree with that! It's definitely the right move!

GO JIMMY!

GO PANTHERS!!!

Edit: I also think he is trying to point out we have two young WR that will make an impact in this league and I'm with him on that as well. I don't think the WR's are as bad as some people try to make them out to be...lets give them a little time and see what happens

[rayzor]

If Drew Brees was a top 10 prospect he wouldn't have fell to the 2nd round. Good try.

..

[mav1234]

well, Brees may have not been a top ten prospect, I don't recall what he looked like in college...

Obviously if people could draft based on performance in the NFL it'd be much easier, but that isn't possible. ;P

that being said, Clausen was a top ten talent, but he had big question marks that allowed him to fall to us! yay!

[Falcons1stPanthers2nd]

This statement is basically retarded. Guys fall all the time in the draft and end up being steals. Especially in this draft which was so deep in 1st round talent, it's easy for teams to go in different directions due to need.

Where you're drafted =/= your talent level.

Yes guys fall all the time but he was by no means considered by many to be a top 10 pick.

[monstercat]

The ONLY reason Clausen fell, was all the chatter about his character, or lack therof. So far though, I haven't heard a peep about him being a "diva" since he's been with the Panthers, other than what a certain NFL gossip columnist tried to manufacture.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

Mayock knows his sh*t too. The guy is far and away better than any of these other draft "gurus". He's had numerous NFL teams try to hire him, something none of the other talking heads can say.

[Dpantherman]

my question got answered very quickly. i was expecting to have to submit it several times

[Raskle]

hmm.. interesting that Mayock stated we should also start Gettis (amazed he was mentioned at all) and LaFell... Mike, what about that guy named Smitty?? Do we no longer start him or something?

[monstercat]

Yes guys fall all the time but he was by no means considered by many to be a top 10 pick.

No, but he was considered to be a top ten talent by many NFL insiders. His talent had nothing to do with him falling into the 2nd round.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

he was by no means considered by many to be a top 10 pick.

Well, guess you don't follow the draft that closely.

[mav1234]

Yes guys fall all the time but he was by no means considered by many to be a top 10 pick.

There's a difference between being projected to be chosen in the top 10 and being a top 10 talent.

One has to do with team need at the time, another has to do with the talent of the individual. Not enough of the top 10 teams desperately needed a QB that we were going to see Clausen go off the board in the top 10. I thought we'd see him drop a bit and get taken mid way through the first though.

[HPPantherzfan]

Yes guys fall all the time but he was by no means considered by many to be a top 10 pick.

Really?

I seem to remember every analyst saying he was the most NFL ready QB and couldn't believe he had fallen so far.

Maybe that was just a dream though

[Falcons1stPanthers2nd]

No, but he was considered to be a top ten talent by many NFL insiders. His talent had nothing to do with him falling into the 2nd round.

According to who? He was like 30th on my draft board.