Why we draft a QB #1 overall = Tony Pike

[Ricky Spanish]

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

I'm pretty sure that getting good QB play has a positive effect (affect? I can't ever remember) on any team, and certainly would help us a whole hell of a lot too.

[Carolina Husker]

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.

Why would you think that if we don't draft a QB that we wouldn't sign a FA?

[CatMan72]

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.

Right out of the gate Bowers and Dareus have much less to learn about their positions at the NFL level than any of the QB's... by definition that makes them safer picks, the stuff they've been doing in college translates directly to what they will need to do in the NFL.

[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.

There are no safe picks in the draft. Dareus only benched 24 reps of 225... poor... and weak.. less then some RB's and WR.

Peterson is only 6'0", fairly was a 1 year wonder...

The only way it is a safe pick will be in 3 years when they are dominating on a high level....

[CatMan72]

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.

On the other hand, if Rivera lobbies like hell to draft a QB # 1 overall and that QB is a bust... goodbye Rivera, you've just set the franchise back at least 5 years.

Personally I think Rivera will want to address the QB position with a veteran.

[OchoNueve]

Why would you think that if we don't draft a QB that we wouldn't sign a FA?

If we don't draft a QB then we will be forced to sign one in free agency. Being that the draft will come before a free agency period this year or even the possibility of no free agency period with the current state of labor talks, I would assume we draft a QB to be safe and also pursue one in free agency.

I have never said Clausen is going to be a bust, but I would be very suprised if any of our new coaches watched his film from last season and said "WOW... That's our guy!... no need to bring anyone new in, we got him right here."

[CatMan72]

There are no safe picks in the draft. Dareus only benched 24 reps of 225... poor... and weak.. less then some RB's and WR.

Peterson is only 6'0", fairly was a 1 year wonder...

The only way it is a safe pick will be in 3 years when they are dominating on a high level....

It's MUCH easier to improve a guys strength than it is to teach him to read defenses, go through progressions and make all the throws from a 3, 5 and 7 step drops...

[raleigh-panther]

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.

Let's just be grateful that Hurney was not successful in finding a 'trade up' partner to draft Clausen last year, or we would be even more screwed than we are now.

[grateflday]

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.

Dont you know?? Dont you know the unknown QB the Panthers pick in NEXT years 1st round is going to be able to come in right away, start and be a superstar? He is also clearly better than Cam and Gabbert and will develop much faster.

Oh by the way............ I am being sarcastic, but that is how many feel. Some want to continue to keep passing this down the road thinking that will get us a franchise QB. I mean look, its worked all these years, passing on 1st round QB talent :-) (again being sarcastic) If Hurney, Rivera, etc think Cam or even Gabbert will be a great QB then they need to and will pick one.

[Mr ocho nueve]

After looking closer at the draft selection, the fact we didn't franchise Johnson, I have a feeling we go for Bowers number one. If not Bowers than definitely Peterson, and hopefully Hurney has a sleeper DE waiting in the 3rd.

[CRA]

After looking closer at the draft selection, the fact we didn't franchise Johnson, I have a feeling we go for Bowers number one. If not Bowers than definitely Peterson, and hopefully Hurney has a sleeper DE waiting in the 3rd.

had no choice but to franchise Kalil. Johnson is now there top priority imo.

[teeray]

On the other hand, if Rivera lobbies like hell to draft a QB # 1 overall and that QB is a bust... goodbye Rivera, you've just set the franchise back at least 5 years.

Personally I think Rivera will want to address the QB position with a veteran.

This to me is flawed logic. People think this is the safer play but it really isn't. If it is it isn't by that much.

You get a vet one of two ways. FA or trade.

FA QB's that get picked up rarely (if ever) work out. Generally speaking there is a reason they are a FA.

Every once in a while a good QB will hit the market. Like Brees or Vick. Then every team that needs a QB go after him. They drive the price up and up until you end up vastly over paying for a QB who wasn't good enough to play for his original team.

If you want good value for a FA QB we need more of them to go to prison for 2 years:D:D

Generally speaking, if a QB is any good he never makes it to FA. He is traded.

So let's trade for one? Well now your talking about an investment that is every bit as expensive for the future of your franchise as drafting a bust.

Kolb will set the price in this market and the Eagles are asking 2 first round draft picks. If you make this deal there still isn't a guarantee that this guy will work out. McNabb flourished in the Eagles pass happy offense but is about to be cut after just one year at the Redskins. Kolb could likely do the same thing.

Plus if you trade for a backup with the intention of starting him, the next day after the trade is official, the QBs agent (if he is doing his job) is asking for a new contract with a starters salary.

Keep in mind this is all for trading for a player that right now isn't good enough to start for his current team.

BUT if a QB you traded two first round picks (or a first and second) flames out you also have lost important building blocks to your future. While the QB you just traded for busts you are also missing on upgrading important positions bc you don't have the high draft picks to restock your roster.

So now your QB stinks and your roster is regressing. That in itself can set you back at least 5 year.

On the flip side if you draft a QB and he busts you are hurt financially (big time) but you have not wasted any future picks and you are continuing to (hopefully) build a strong roster through the draft so when the QB position finally does get resolved you are in a better situation to be successful.

So vet QB's are not the safer route. At least not significantly safer. And can be just as costly.

[teeray]

Let's just be grateful that Hurney was not successful in finding a 'trade up' partner to draft Clausen last year, or we would be even more screwed than we are now.

This x 5,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,

[panfan32]

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.

Yes but one thing your forgetting, under any new CBA there will be a salary cap for drafted rookies. The days of paying a rookie $65M right out of college is over.