Clayton Observations Panther's unlikely to select Cam

[micnificent28]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=6155891

3. Keeping an eye on Cam: The chances of Auburn QB Cam Newton going as high as No. 3 in the draft seem to be real. The Buffalo Bills are intrigued. General manager Buddy Nix, who has spent a career watching SEC football, mentioned the importance of not passing on potential franchise quarterbacks. It's a quarterback league, and at some point, teams that are down for talent need to draft a quarterback. Bills coach Chan Gailey said the team will consider all scenarios, but Newton is one of them. "I'm anxious to see what he's going to do this week,'' Gailey said. "He obviously had a great year." Gailey prefers a mobile quarterback. Newton fits that style. Panthers coach Ron Rivera said his team has targeted seven to 10 positions and quarterback is one of the positions. Still, the Panthers like Jimmy Clausen, so the odds of them taking Newton with the first pick aren't very good.

I guess we really thnk clausen is a franchise Quarterback...sigh...

[vorbis]

that is a clear case of clayton making a lot out of not very much at all so i wouldn't take his words as real insight. i'm not convinced that the panthers know who they're going to pick just yet so i highly doubt clayton is reading their minds, either.

[Catalyst]

That's speculation at best. We wouldn't be bringing him in for a visit if he wasn't at least in play. As much as we've heard Hurney & Rivera constantly talk about how we HAVE to find a franchise QB I would be shocked if we didn't take one with this pick and Newton is clearly the best one available.

The only way we don't, IMO, is if we surprise and trade for Kevin Kolb. But Kolb is more of a west coast offense guy; I don't think he fits the vertical passing game Chudzinski wants to install. Honestly, Clausen doesn't really either. Not to mention we don't have a 2nd rounder, which is likely what Kolb will go for.

I just don't understand how anyone can deny that Newton represents a risk we may have to take. I think Hurney and Richardson have shifted away from that conservative Fox-style of not only coaching preference (as we've seen with the staff they hired) but also in terms of being bold and going for it all as opposed to playing it safe.

If I thought there was a FA QB who was a half-decent option - or even a trade option - I'd say maybe that at least gives us an option to wait another year, but the one thing Hurney and Richardson - and now Rivera - have stressed is that we have to find a franchise QB. I don't get the sense that they're willing to wait another year and gamble that it'll cost us a ton of picks to trade up and take one, who may not be any better a prospect than Newton - or maybe not even as good a prospect.

We're in position right NOW to get our QB. The only way we pass is if Cam absolutely bombs his interviews, visit, and workout or they're put off by his cocky attitude. But one important thing to remember is that we took Clausen last year, who was widely accused of being a diva himself. It didn't bother us then; I don't have any reason to think it would with a much more talented QB like Newton.

[micnificent28]

That's speculation at best. We wouldn't be bringing him in for a visit if he wasn't at least in play. As much as we've heard Hurney & Rivera constantly talk about how we HAVE to find a franchise QB I would be shocked if we didn't take one with this pick and Newton is clearly the best one available.

The only way we don't, IMO, is if we surprise and trade for Kevin Kolb. But Kolb is more of a west coast offense guy; I don't think he fits the vertical passing game Chudzinski wants to install. Honestly, Clausen doesn't really either. Not to mention we don't have a 2nd rounder, which is likely what Kolb will go for.

I just don't understand how anyone can deny that Newton represents a risk we may have to take. I think Hurney and Richardson have shifted away from that conservative Fox-style of not only coaching preference (as we've seen with the staff they hired) but also in terms of being bold and going for it all as opposed to playing it safe.

If I thought there was a FA QB who was a half-decent option - or even a trade option - I'd say maybe that at least gives us an option to wait another year, but the one thing Hurney and Richardson - and now Rivera - have stressed is that we have to find a franchise QB. I don't get the sense that they're willing to wait another year and gamble that it'll cost us a ton of picks to trade up and take one, who may not be any better a prospect than Newton - or maybe not even as good a prospect.

We're in position right NOW to get our QB. The only way we pass is if Cam absolutely bombs his interviews, visit, and workout or they're put off by his cocky attitude. But one important thing to remember is that we took Clausen last year, who was widely accused of being a diva himself. It didn't bother us then; I don't have any reason to think it would with a much more talented QB like Newton.

i agree 100%. I hope your right. Tho im not sure richardson has the balls to pull the trigger.

[Catalyst]

Two years ago I might agree, but the entire organization seems to have realized that we have to address the QB position and that comes with a lot of risk.

[KSpan]

That's speculation at best. We wouldn't be bringing him in for a visit if he wasn't at least in play.

I'm thinking that Newton is a real option as well, but I don't agree with this statement. If the Panthers aren't actually looking at Cam, it is in their best interest to make other teams think they are.

[Carolina Mike II]

I would imagine the Panthers are trying to appear like they are not sure who they want for one GREAT REASON! With no solid #1 in the draft all the top 10 teams in the draft will have to wonder who we might take. This might cause one of them to get nervous on a player they truly want and offer some type of trade (picks).

[Catalyst]

Oh, I'm sure trading back is their first option, but I don't think they're bringing in Newton JUST for this reason. I mean, if we wanted everyone to think we were really interested in him why would Rivera admit we were looking at 8-10 players? Why not act like Newton is hands-down our guy so that another team gets afraid he won't be there and moves up?

[Stroupe-a-loop]

Maybe the front office doesn't like Newton, which sucks because the next guy, Gabbert, is basically just a watered down version of Cam. I think the team might just take the highest rated guy on the board and do something else to stabilize the quarterback position.

[Stroupe-a-loop]

Oh, I'm sure trading back is their first option, but I don't think they're bringing in Newton JUST for this reason. I mean, if we wanted everyone to think we were really interested in him why would Rivera admit we were looking at 8-10 players? Why not act like Newton is hands-down our guy so that another team gets afraid he won't be there and moves up?

Because if you can convince 3-4 different teams that we want their guy, you have a better chance of making a trade with somebody. I don't know if the interest is genuine or not, but I totally believe that Hurney loves throwing up smokescreens like this. I could rattle of a list of several players that the front office expressed a great deal of interest for and never took when they were available with our pick.

[MadHatter]

Newton is either going to be a homerun....or a complete strike out.

The risk is just too high for the potential reward.

I still say there is no way we take Cam. So, all of the nuthuggers better get ready to start bitching....because it is going to happen.

[JawnyBlaze]

I just noticed in that picture ESPN has up right now, Cam has TINY ears. They're freakishly small.

[MHS831]

I just noticed in that picture ESPN has up right now, Cam has TINY ears. They're freakishly small.

He is def not green, but he has a SHREK head. I stand by that observation.

[panthers55]

Newton is either going to be a homerun....or a complete strike out.

The risk is just too high for the potential reward.

I still say there is no way we take Cam. So, all of the nuthuggers better get ready to start bitching....because it is going to happen.

I wouldn't be surprised if they pass. We have gone 15 years without a franchise guy, why change now, LOL. Besides they never pick who I want so this would just keep that streak alive.:rolleyes: