Does Rivera know Clausen exists?

[TheRealDeal]

Yes. Really.

Here is how: Take Williams off the field, insert Otah. Take Bernadeau out of LG, insert Wharton. Give Schwartz an offseason and camp at RG, or bring in a good RG. Teach Goodson how to pick up a blitz. Don't pair rookie WRs with a rookie QB, have your #1 WR get open.

And I won't even get into the coaching problems.

Yes. Really.

Finding a better QB is easier than all those things you just mentioned.

[Happy Panther]

"We need to identify a franchise quarterback, most certainly," Rivera said.

"Look at the type of quarterbacks that have been drafted," Rivera said. "Look at the size of these guys. They are all big men. Look at Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco. Cam has got those types of physical attributes.…

"In our conversations, we feel we've got to make sure we have the guy that can be our franchise quarterback," Rivera said. "Whether he's on our current roster, he's in the draft or free agency…

"Look at it throughout the league and franchise quarterbacks are what's happening in this league in terms of it becoming a passing league.

"I come from a place, having been in San Diego, you've got Philip Rivers, a tremendous quarterback, and we've got to find a situation like that again."

Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/02/24/2089860/rivera-panthers-need-franchise.html#ixzz1F0E2AVAS

he does briefly mention "current roster" I will give you guys that.

But it certainly feels as if he doesn't think so

[MHS831]

Clausen needs to sit. We saw that he was not NFL ready week 17 of last year.

The entire team was not NFL ready last year, not just a rookie QB.

I agree. He needs to sit. My point is to bring him along like everyone is suggesting that we do with Cam Newton if we draft him.

But I think a different year with the pieces in place could make a lot of people wonder how he improved so much.

[CRA]

The entire team was not NFL ready last year, not just a rookie QB.

I agree. He needs to sit. My point is to bring him along like everyone is suggesting that we do with Cam Newton if we draft him.

But I think a different year with the pieces in place could make a lot of people wonder how he improved so much.

Not true. With a little help from the O the defense would have been a solid unit. Run game overall was solid considering the lack of pass threat most of the season. The WRs got into the endzone at a very good pace when Jimmy wasn't in.

Team could have been much better w/ a different QB. QB is the one position that literally effects everyone (both sides of ball).

but again, you "bring guys along" who fit. Clausen doesn't fit.

[Snake]

A shot at what? Fox was a lame duck. He didn't care about 2011. Why would he sit him?--he had no choice. You are an expert in Chud's offense?

For one Matt Moore started out the year under Fox, Clausen was never intended to start. He was just there for the next coach. Thats why his deal is back loaded. Secondly Fox wanted to end with a good record to show he was a good coach so he was trying to win till the end of the year. 3rdly you must not have any idea of what the coryell system is or know what it asks of its QB. If you did then you would know that Clausens skill set is not suited for that system.

[teeray]

The entire team was not NFL ready last year, not just a rookie QB.

I agree. He needs to sit. My point is to bring him along like everyone is suggesting that we do with Cam Newton if we draft him.

But I think a different year with the pieces in place could make a lot of people wonder how he improved so much.

MHS you bring up a lot of good points in the Cam Newton debate. But I'm not sure about JC. He needs to grow three inches or totally revamp his throwing mechanics if he is ever going to be even a serviceable QB.

Not saying it can't happen but it is a long shot. I will refrain from any Cam comparisons except to say, what college offense you played in is overrated.

Not without any value. Just the value is overrated.

[Cyberjag]

There isn't one argument you could make for this that would make sense

Who cares if it makes sense to you? I certainly don't. It makes sense to me, and after dozens of posts on the topic all you've convinced me of is that you and I see things very, very differently. So be patient and wait for the opportunity to tell me you told me so.

The only argument for why it would matter is that it would likely show that he's getting the first team reps in camp up to that point, which there is argument for. At best he should have to work himself out from under whatever two QBs we bring in, whether it's young vet, old vet, or rookie.

I believe any rookie will get time to work their way into the lineup. They'll see if Clausen has anything before turning to a first year player. I think that would apply even if we got Luck. The only way Clausen isn't given the first snap is if we sign a veteran starter, or if Moore comes to camp (which I doubt) and beats him out.

You name QBs that had terrible terrible kick a puppy terrible rookie seasons that turned out to be great and I'll name you QBs that had better seasons than Clausen and turned out to be terrible.

We'll see which runs out first and we'll see how long you want to play this game

Very few QBs turn out to be great, whether they start as rookies or not. But as far as QBs who started a lot of games as a rookie and struggled, more of them turned out to be good or very good than turned out ot be terrible. I actually sat down and did this research. It's a better than two to one margin there.

And common sense says, you don't start a rookie unless you think he's got a shot at being pretty good. I'm not saying that's why Fox started Clausen, but the Panthers clearly didn't have a common type of season a year ago, either personnel or coaching-wise.

[Snake]

Who cares if it makes sense to you? I certainly don't. It makes sense to me, and after dozens of posts on the topic all you've convinced me of is that you and I see things very, very differently. So be patient and wait for the opportunity to tell me you told me so.

I believe any rookie will get time to work their way into the lineup. They'll see if Clausen has anything before turning to a first year player. I think that would apply even if we got Luck. The only way Clausen isn't given the first snap is if we sign a veteran starter, or if Moore comes to camp (which I doubt) and beats him out.

Very few QBs turn out to be great, whether they start as rookies or not. But as far as QBs who started a lot of games as a rookie and struggled, more of them turned out to be good or very good than turned out ot be terrible. I actually sat down and did this research. It's a better than two to one margin there.

And common sense says, you don't start a rookie unless you think he's got a shot at being pretty good. I'm not saying that's why Fox started Clausen, but the Panthers clearly didn't have a common type of season a year ago, either personnel or coaching-wise.

Man have you been hanging out with Fox or what? IF we draft a QB in the first he will be given a shot at the starting job. So will Clausen and another player if we have FA. It will be an open competition and whoever wins will start. Clausen will be given his chance but he will not just be given the keys to the car.

[Cyberjag]

We've all got our opinions. :)

Unless we get Palmer or another starter in trade, Clausen is likely to be the best we have available on day one of the preseason. Even if we get a rookie, they'll bring him along. I'm not saying he won't be with the starters by game four, or even game two, but a rookie has to learn the playbook first. I think Clausen has the best chance to be the first option. And I appreciate that you think otherwise. And I appreciate that TRD just hates the idea, and can't wait to tell us all why we're so wrong.

[chef17]

We've all got our opinions. :)

Unless we get Palmer or another starter in trade, Clausen is likely to be the best we have available on day one of the preseason. Even if we get a rookie, they'll bring him along. I'm not saying he won't be with the starters by game four, or even game two, but a rookie has to learn the playbook first. I think Clausen has the best chance to be the first option. And I appreciate that you think otherwise. And I appreciate that TRD just hates the idea, and can't wait to tell us all why we're so wrong.

Clausen doesn't need to learn the playbook first?

[CRA]

We've all got our opinions. :)

Unless we get Palmer or another starter in trade, Clausen is likely to be the best we have available on day one of the preseason. Even if we get a rookie, they'll bring him along. I'm not saying he won't be with the starters by game four, or even game two, but a rookie has to learn the playbook first. I think Clausen has the best chance to be the first option. And I appreciate that you think otherwise. And I appreciate that TRD just hates the idea, and can't wait to tell us all why we're so wrong.

Clausen has to learn the playbook just like any rookie or vet brought in. Clausen has no edge going into a camp battle as far as knowledge goes. He won't have a headstart....from what we have seen Clausen could easily be behind everyone ( I am not including Pike as I assume he goes to practice squad at best).

I think Rivera is making it known Clausen won't be the best option he has.....he is gonna find options for his offense. Rivera can easily find a better option.

[Snake]

We've all got our opinions. :)

Unless we get Palmer or another starter in trade, Clausen is likely to be the best we have available on day one of the preseason. Even if we get a rookie, they'll bring him along. I'm not saying he won't be with the starters by game four, or even game two, but a rookie has to learn the playbook first. I think Clausen has the best chance to be the first option. And I appreciate that you think otherwise. And I appreciate that TRD just hates the idea, and can't wait to tell us all why we're so wrong.

True, but some can be way off the mark.

Like thinking Clausen will not have to learn the playbook just like every other QB on this team THIS year.

[CRA]

the most likely starter will be a vet also if the CBA issue cuts camp time. definately not Clausen who won't have a clue.

[LiQuiD]

Clausen has a photographic memory. He only has to look through the playbook once. We're golden.