An unbiased look at Clausen

[panthers55]

I agree. Clausen has so much time in the pocket more times than not. Our Oline is great. Yep. Great.

Actually their analysis which was formed by watched game film play by play actually says he did have time most of the game. They report that on 17 of his 21 throws not including the 3 sacks, he was not under pressure when he threw.

Part of that I suspect includes that if he scrambles to avoid pressure like he did on the throw to Stewart and no one was close to him when he actually threw the ball, that he wasn't pressured on the throw. The analysis was on his accuracy or lack thereof.

Plus he only mentioned Schwartz in his one on one matchup not the whole line.

[The Saltman]

whatever p55, im not reading any of your posts. Only thing I see now is your hawt avie!!!

[Jpjr]

you don't see what? A rookie struggling w/ the NFL QB position (game speed)? You don't see a kid more focused on not hurting the team than looking to make plays?

Bradford is currently significantly ahead of Clausen. Watch an entire Rams game.....he is imo is the best looking rookie in years thus far. Can't recall a rookie who looked this good in his first 4 NFL starts....not talking just stats or wins.

I didn't mean to turn this into a Clausen Bradford debate except to say that Bradford got the prep that Clausen should have gotten had there been serious plans to start him this early in the season.

Bradford does look pretty good so far. But he is definitely a game manager at this point working out routes and timing. Clausen's not as grounded as Bradford but I would take Clausen's 4th down conversion late in the game last week over anything Bradford has done all season. Clausen shows me flashes of a quarterback that can be clutch.

[CRA]

I didn't mean to turn this into a Clausen Bradford debate except to say that Bradford got the prep that Clausen should have gotten had there been serious plans to start him this early in the season.

Bradford does look pretty good so far. But he is definitely a game manager at this point working out routes and timing. Clausen's not as grounded as Bradford but I would take Clausen's 4th down conversion late in the game last week over anything Bradford has done all season. Clausen shows me flashes of a quarterback that can be clutch.

I wouldn't.

to me that play was like LaFell one handed catch.....I would be more impressed w/ him looking better on the plays he should be doing better on than a wild fluke play.

[Delhommey]

Clausen should have been brought in after the bye so he had proper prep time, but I think starting Jimmy during the Cincy game was more a financial decision than anything.

He looked every bit the rookie, but is showing minor improvements.

[Happy Panther]

So what are the positives in Clausen.

So far manages the ball well with few turnovers

Scans the field OK but could improve

Decent mobility

What else?

[Mr. Scot]

It's not unusual for a rookie to have trouble adjusting to the pro play clock.

And as mentioned elsewhere, I'd rather have him taking sacks than "panic throwing", something a lot of young guys do while trying to adjust to the speed of the NFL pass rush.

He's progressing. I don't expect him to look elite by year's end, mind you. Improvement is all I care about.

[CRA]

So what are the positives in Clausen.

So far manages the ball well with few turnovers

Scans the field OK but could improve

Decent mobility

What else?

well he is only scanning the field when plays breakdown and he moves out of the pocket. Otherwise it is his first read 99% of the time.

but I will do my positives. Overall, I think Jimmy has the ability to throw some of the best short to mid range balls we have seen in Carolina....once he calms down some more. He isn't comfortable enough imo to play to his strengths yet....that should come soon.

he is good in the pocket in sensing trouble......better than anyone we have seen.

[Cat'sGrowl]

It's not unusual for a rookie to have trouble adjusting to the pro play clock.

And as mentioned elsewhere, I'd rather have him taking sacks than "panic throwing", something a lot of young guys do while trying to adjust to the speed of the NFL pass rush.

He's progressing. I don't expect him to look elite by year's end, mind you. Improvement is all I care about.

This is why I don't take a lot of what the Clausen haters here have to say seriously.

Jimmy has played smart football, and they're using it as an excuse to bash him.

Watching him take the sack over doing somethin stupid, taking the check-down over forcing it into coverage for an INT (you know, like that other guy on the roster kept doing..)

All smart play from our rookie QB.

I'm impressed.

[Guest DrewBreesIsGod]

you guys should bring in his brother Rick Clausen. Dude could throw a 5 yarder in the flat with the best of them. Problem is, that is as far as he could throw it.

[CRA]

This is why I don't take a lot of what the Clausen haters here have to say seriously.

Jimmy has played smart football, and they're using it as an excuse to bash him.

Watching him take the sack over doing somethin stupid, taking the check-down over forcing it into coverage for an INT (you know, like that other guy on the roster kept doing..)

All smart play from our rookie QB.

I'm impressed.

it isn't hate.

Jimmy just isn't ready to be on the field yet. I wouldn't call it "smart" football. You can tell he isn't comfortable w/ the speed yet....and it is causing him to be conservative. He goes to his first read on a quick throw or scramble as the first sign of pressure. That leaves a lot of "smart" plays on the field not to be made.

I like what I have seen thus far from Jimmy. People are just trying to overblow stuff and pretend he is currently something he isn't.

[Delhommey]

I just hope he doesn't draw into a permanent Alex Smith-esqe dump off pass shell.

[CLTPanther]

Best way to learn is to get out there. Goes with anything really. You can talk theroy and strategy till your blue in the face, but nothing is move valuable than experience.

[Mr. Scot]

This is why I don't take a lot of what the Clausen haters here have to say seriously.

Jimmy has played smart football, and they're using it as an excuse to bash him.

Watching him take the sack over doing somethin stupid, taking the check-down over forcing it into coverage for an INT (you know, like that other guy on the roster kept doing..)

All smart play from our rookie QB.

I'm impressed.

Clausen's been very good at distributing the ball as well.

Two things lacking at this point:

He really needs to either adjust his release point to get some air under his passes (not likely) or learn to look for a throwing lane (more likely). Otherwise he'll continue to see a lot of knockdowns, and maybe picks, with those low trajectory passes.

The other? While I'm happy that he knows how to check down, the Panther offense as currently designed lives and dies on the big play. Clausen hasn't been able to execute much in that regard yet. Until that changes, our running game is going to continue to be stuffed.