Rivera says we will draft # 1 pick based on biggest need and we will use the tag

[TheRealDeal]

Are you two still going at it?

He follows me everywhere. I think he has a crush on me. It's like in elementary school where you follow your crush around and annoy them to throw everyone else off. He wants it, baaaaaad.

[TheRealDeal]

No, TRD is just a Clausen homer.

That's the worst thing you've ever called me.

I'm simply a fan of the best QB on the team. Until that changes, I will continue to support him and the Panthers. I hope Clausen improves and they bring Moore back and they sign a FA and they all go to camp and the best player wins. That is what is best for this franchise.

Drafting another QB is not the answer.

[rayzor]

QB is biggest need. DT is 2nd biggest need. 3rd would be CB if marshall leaves. WR would be 4th if there are questions about smith staying around.

RG and TE are pretty big needs as well, but there isn't anyone i would consider for either of those in the first 10-15 picks.

It's interesting though, because my impression is that Hurney has always been a BPA guy... maybe that philosophy changes when you're holding the 1st pick and you know who will be available?

he has been a BPA, but BPA that is a position of need until after the first or second round then it's straight BPA for the most part. at least that's the way i always looked at it.

Cam Newton's potential > an aging Carson Palmer and his high ass salary

No thanks to the Bungles QB.

preach it. palmer peaked 4 or 5 years ago, has a bum arm and a huge contract with no future to speak of.

do.not.want.

Well, let me check myself on that based on the 2010 draft (assuming no rookie scale):

1. St.Louis Sam Bradford - QB 6 year $86 million contract, $50 million guaranteed

VS.

3. Tampa Bay Gerald McCoy - DT 5 year $63 million contract, $35 million guaranteed

35.Tampa Bay Brian Price - DT - 4 year $5.35 million contract, $2.72 million signing bonus

Total = 68.35 million with 37.72 million guaranteed/signing bonus.

Nope, based on drafting a QB # 1 overall last year vs. two DT's at picks 3 and 35, # 1 overall pick would still me much more expensive, especially in terms of guaranteed money, stupid statement on my part...

...but if there is a rookie scale this equation could change.

there will be a rookie wage scale in place and it will take effect this year.

If we draft Newton I don't expect Clausen to be here next year.

I expect us to draft either DT or WR though

QB is a huge position of need. moore isn't even on the team at this point. if we draft newton, it will be both moore and pike who are gone. they would probably bring in an older vet so there is someone with experienced eyes on the sidelines and the starter will either be clausen (hoping that he doesn't suck and can get some trade value) or newton (b/c clausen just sucks).

[OneBadassCat]

Fact: Matt Moore has been the best QB on the roster the past 3 years.

[TheRealDeal]

QB is a huge position of need. moore isn't even on the team at this point. if we draft newton, it will be both moore and pike who are gone. they would probably bring in an older vet so there is someone with experienced eyes on the sidelines and the starter will either be clausen (hoping that he doesn't suck and can get some trade value) or newton (b/c clausen just sucks).

Do you think Rivera will start his tenure as the Panthers head coach with:

1: A rookie who is considered a major project at this point and probably 2 years away from meaningful contributions

2: A sophomore who was the worst starter in football last year and didn't show much if any growth throughout the season.

3: An older vet who is there only to mentor but likely cannot perform if he were called upon

If that happens, how many games do you think we win and how long before you think fans are calling for Rivera's head?

If we draft a QB, which I don't think we do, I think they wipe their hands of Clausen and go with Rookie, Moore/Vet who can play and is still young, and older vet

From recent comments it seems like Moore is still an option to them and it makes sense for them to bring him back.

[mav1234]

wasnt moore injured 3 years ago?

anyway, I don't think we cut Clausen even if we go QB. I think we go to camp with Rookie/Clausen/2 FAs... and then you go in with the rookie and the 2 best out of the other 3, with Clausen likely getting a slight nod if it's close cause I don't think Hurney is over his mancrush yet.

[mav1234]

Did anyone ask Rivera in the interview if QB was still the #1 need? Maybe Clausen managed to somehow convince them of his awesomeness... either that or they like Moore more than any of the rookies in this draft.

Man, I can't imagine what this board would do if we passed on drafting a QB and Moore started next year, haha

[TheRealDeal]

Did anyone ask Rivera in the interview if QB was still the #1 need? Maybe Clausen managed to somehow convince them of his awesomeness... either that or they like Moore more than any of the rookies in this draft.

Man, I can't imagine what this board would do if we passed on drafting a QB and Moore started next year, haha

:willy_nilly:

[rayzor]

Do you think Rivera will start his tenure as the Panthers head coach with:

1: A rookie who is considered a major project at this point and probably 2 years away from meaningful contributions

2: A sophomore who was the worst starter in football last year and didn't show much if any growth throughout the season.

3: An older vet who is there only to mentor but likely cannot perform if he were called upon

If that happens, how many games do you think we win and how long before you think fans are calling for Rivera's head?

If we draft a QB, which I don't think we do, I think they wipe their hands of Clausen and go with Rookie, Moore/Vet who can play and is still young, and older vet

From recent comments it seems like Moore is still an option to them and it makes sense for them to bring him back.

their confidence in newton and clausen being able to do well will depend on rivera's confidence in his coaching staff.

they won't be dropping clausen. they may trade him away, but what are they going to get for him? best chance they have is for him to show he can improve. they still have a couple million guaranteed invested in clausen. they don't have anything invested in moore and moore isn't better than many vet FA options out there. i just see no upside to moore staying around over some other vet and don't see why we would outright cut clausen.

a younger vet who could compete for the short term job might be a better option, but newton would benefit more from someone who has a good bit of game experience on the sidelines.

if they draft newton, they will probably try to get him in the game as early as possible, though they won't have much in the way of expectations right away. the game plan will be safe and easy for him, much like it is for any rookie QB that is asked to start who play for well coached teams.

[rayzor]

Did anyone ask Rivera in the interview if QB was still the #1 need? Maybe Clausen managed to somehow convince them of his awesomeness... either that or they like Moore more than any of the rookies in this draft.

Man, I can't imagine what this board would do if we passed on drafting a QB and Moore started next year, haha

i can't see either clausen or moore impressing enough to warrant passing on the top QB prospect.

[rico6]

their confidence in newton and clausen being able to do well will depend on rivera's confidence in his coaching staff.

they won't be dropping clausen. they may trade him away, but what are they going to get for him? best chance they have is for him to show he can improve. they still have a couple million guaranteed invested in clausen. they don't have anything invested in moore and moore isn't better than many vet FA options out there. i just see no upside to moore staying around over some other vet and don't see why we would outright cut clausen.

a younger vet who could compete for the short term job might be a better option, but newton would benefit more from someone who has a good bit of game experience on the sidelines.

if they draft newton, they will probably try to get him in the game as early as possible, though they won't have much in the way of expectations right away. the game plan will be safe and easy for him, much like it is for any rookie QB that is asked to start who play for well coached teams.

Exactly.

[TheRealDeal]

they still have a couple million guaranteed invested in clausen. they don't have anything invested in moore and moore isn't better than many vet FA options out there. i just see no upside to moore staying around over some other vet and don't see why we would outright cut clausen.

They have less than 2 mil invested in Clausen for the remainder of his contract.

You think that is going to play a role in deciding whether or not to keep him? 2 mil? lol

[TheRealDeal]

I just don't see how Rivera goes into the season, his first as a head coach, with a guy who has a lot of question marks about playing at this level, a guy who can't play at this level, and an old guy that was never good enough to play at this level.

Does that sound like a good way to start off the Rivera era era era? I just don't see them doing that. If you do then I guess that's where we differ.

[mav1234]

Why exactly do we think Rivera would turn to a rookie QB early to start even if they do draft one #1 over all?