Why we draft a QB #1 overall = Tony Pike

[OchoNueve]

The only way we don't draft a QB #1 overall is if the Panthers are sold on Tony Pike. I know it sounds crazy, but hear me out.... Even if they still believe that Clausen could be their franchise guy and choose a position other than QB #1 overall, it is "putting all your eggs in one basket" that he is the QB of the future and all he needs is time to develop. Competition breeds greatness and if we don't select a QB #1 overall and choose to get a "stop gap" QB, then we are left with Clausen competing with Tony Pike and a "Stop Gap" veteran to become this "great" QB for the future. When the dust settles in a season or two and a final verdict has been reached, maybe Clausen has proved himself worthy, but maybe he hasn't and where has that left us as an organization? With an aging "stop gap" ready to retire , Tony Pike, and most likely another opportunity to select a QB high in the draft.

For those saying Cam Newton or Gabbert is a bust or not worthy of #1 overall... You may be correct. But why not take a shot now so we have two (three if you count Pike, i don't) highly touted, young prospects fight for the opportunity to be a franchise QB instead of just putting all the faith in Jimmy? That is all the draft is... a shot in the dark. No matter what position you choose, you are putting a lot of faith in one person to be a great player for years to come. If we take that shot in the dark on Cam or Gabbert, maybe Clausen beats out the competition, maybe Cam or Gabbert runs away with it, maybe they all suck, maybe we have the Next Kolb/Vick combo playing behind center... At least I will sleep well knowing that whomever is starting for my Carolina Panthers won the job outright in a competitive environment instead of being given the position by default.

[CRA]

new coaching staffs never are sold on leftover QBs. That is why they always go out and find their own guys pending they didn't inherit a Superbowl QB.

[Carolina Husker]

This is worse than your Hard Knocks thread.

[CatMan72]

We won't draft a QB # 1 overall because there are no QB's in this draft even close to being worth a # 1 overall pick... has nothing to do with Pike.

Look at Hurney's draft history, we take safe picks... this tells me it will be Bowers or Dareus.

[CRA]

We won't draft a QB # 1 overall because there are no QB's in this draft even close to being worth a # 1 overall pick... has nothing to do with Pike.

Look at Hurney's draft history, we take safe picks... this tells me it will be Bowers or Dareus.

trading away a first rounder for an undersized 2nd round DE doesn't scream safe. Looked like a reach when a team knew they were about to have a huge hole at DE.

[Ricky Spanish]

We won't draft a QB # 1 overall because there are no QB's in this draft even close to being worth a # 1 overall pick... has nothing to do with Pike.

Look at Hurney's draft history, we take safe picks... this tells me it will be Bowers or Dareus.

I respectfully disagree with you.

Bradford wasn't as good as Suh, but they took a chance on him, seemed to work out his first year.

I'm about 81.78% positive that we take a QB with our pick. whether it is gabbert or newton is yet to be determined.

[OchoNueve]

This is worse than your Hard Knocks thread.

Ahh, yes another thread in which you are a complete douche

[CRA]

I respectfully disagree with you.

Bradford wasn't as good as Suh, but they took a chance on him, seemed to work out his first year.

I'm about 81.78% positive that we take a QB with our pick. whether it is gabbert or newton is yet to be determined.

good point. Suh > Bradford. However, the Rams knew getting that QB play would have the biggest overall impact on the team.

[Carolina Husker]

Just reread the OP for the 3rd time and still have no idea what Tony Pike has to do with anything.

[CatMan72]

trading away a first rounder for an undersized 2nd round DE doesn't scream safe. Looked like a reach when a team knew they were about to have a huge hole at DE.

Depends on how you look at it, missing on a guy in the 2nd round is a much less expensive mistake then missing on a guy in the first round.

[teeray]

We won't draft a QB # 1 overall because there are no QB's in this draft even close to being worth a # 1 overall pick... has nothing to do with Pike.

Look at Hurney's draft history, we take safe picks... this tells me it will be Bowers or Dareus.

There are 2 top ten QB's in this draft. If they are top ten they are worthy of number 1.

I can promise you that if Rivera thinks one of these QB's could be a once in a decade type talent, or a franchise guy. He will lobby his arse off to get that guy. He addressed it in his interview to join the team for a reason.

he wants to be a great coach and coach here for a long time. If he puts off the QB position another year he knows he may be looking for a new job in 3 years.

Most coaches are given @ 3 years to create a winner. It takes most QB's about 2 years to get comfortable in the NFL If he drafts a QB this year he has a chance to develop that guy for 2 years (if he has to) before having to start him to try and save his job.

Next year he will have only one year. For someone like Luck that may be all you need. But if we are picking 11-20 we won't get someone like Luck. It will likely be another project of sorts.

The only problem is, the project will be put on the field faster and be expected to be productive sooner. If we draft a QB next year, let him sit his first year, the start him his second year. If he struggles a little his first year as a starter and we go 6-10 in Rivera's 3rd year.

Good bye Rivera.

Not only that, but waiting until next year would essentially give Rivera one shot at a QB. Take one this year and he busts (god forbid). He still could make a move after his second year to try to fix the position and likely his job.

If he waits until next year he is putting all of his eggs in one basket If that guy fails he is toast.

So there are a lot of reasons we need to draft a QB this year. Some of them are employment related just as much as football related.

[Actionman0z]

We won't draft a QB # 1 overall because there are no QB's in this draft even close to being worth a # 1 overall pick... has nothing to do with Pike.

Look at Hurney's draft history, we take safe picks... this tells me it will be Bowers or Dareus.

How is either Bowers or Dareus a safe pick? Bowers just had MCL surgery in January, and Dareus only did 24 reps of 225, less then some WR and Runningbacks, Patrick Perterson is only 6'0".... the bottom line is.. no pick is a safe pick until they perform in the NFL. I trust the coaching staff to do their homework and select the guy that best fits what they want to do. If that is a QB, I hope it works, if its a DT,DE,WR,CB/S, I hope it works.

[OchoNueve]

Just reread the OP for the 3rd time and still have no idea what Tony Pike has to do with anything.

If we don't draft a QB, Tony Pike is Clausen's competition.

If Tony Pike sucks then Clausen doesn't have competition.

Clausen needs competition.

If the Panthers are not sold on Tony Pike being good competition for starter, then I believe we will draft a QB #1 overall.

[CatMan72]

I respectfully disagree with you.

Bradford wasn't as good as Suh, but they took a chance on him, seemed to work out his first year.

I'm about 81.78% positive that we take a QB with our pick. whether it is gabbert or newton is yet to be determined.

But Bradford was considered to be a MUCH better prospect then any of the QB prospects in this class, so it was not nearly as much of a risk.