Hurney's Big Decision

[CRA]

Cam is a process that probably won't be ready to succeed until 2012. You have to think of this as a 2 year process as well. Either way, you get a franchise QB that is ready to play in 2012. It is making a move, but a calculated one that adds a second rounder if you are wrong and more picks if your draft pick from 2010 prospers like many QBs in the past have. If not, you use the picks to get a top 3 player next year, one that is probably more capable of starting right away. For those who don't think that is a move, they are wrong. It is a move, just not as impulsive as some would like.

realistically, Cam could be a more productive option than a 2nd year Clausen this upcoming season. That isn't saying that I think Cam should start week 1......a vet most likely would be a more productive option as well.

bottom line is Rivera has to get his offense running and he can't wait a year.

[MHS831]

We saw what Clausen has......he isn't ready. He may improve but you don't make the type jump going into year 2 Rivera needs at the QB position. We know what Moore is as well.

Asking Rivera to essentially sit on his hands a year before addressing QB just doesn't add up.....there is no guarantee you will be able to land a QB in the 2012 draft. So again, sitting on his hands and treading water to start his HC career just doesn't seem like a likely scenario.

New coaches go get new QBs unless they have a Superbowl QB that was part of the "leftovers". No reason to believe Carolina will an exception to that.

Did you read the part where I said, "bring in a veteran?" How is drafting Newton not "sitting on hands" if he, as many experts think, a project? 2011 is out for him, as it was for The Golden Calf of Bristol. How does having Cam on the bench change anything. We would still need a veteran if Moore and Clausen don't pan out.

Either way it is a 2-year process. My way gives players a chance to develop. Do you really think any NFL qb would have done well here last season? Lets take a look and see what they are about. Sign a veteran. Trade the flawed / spectacular QB for picks that give us the power to trade up next year and get the franchise QB--that is not selling out. It is smart.

[Udogg]

Next year it will be Clausen's chance to show what he has. If he can't do it, then in the following year you have to think Tony Pike will finally have enough experience to step forward, right? This all assumes they can beat out Matt Moore, of course. ;)

I think you take Newton, but if you have a chance at a good trade then you jump on it. But I also think that we could go into the season with no draft picks and still be better than last year. Just the new staff and returns from IR will net us 4-6 more wins.

Yeah kind of feel that way too a little. I used to put no stock into the lame duck coach thing, but maybe it has merit. Didn't seem like anyone was not playing hard especially on the defense but the results speak for themselves. The attrocious play of the "entire" offense was to blame. However I can't absolve Clausens horrible play. I think if Moore didn't throw all those end zone picks against the giants maybe things would have been different, but at least he was moving the ball.

[MHS831]

realistically, Cam could be a more productive option than a 2nd year Clausen this upcoming season. That isn't saying that I think Cam should start week 1......

If we take him first overall, there will be that pressure to start immediately. That could be the worst thing for Cam and Rivera. If we draft Cam, we aren't getting a veteran.

If it were Luck, I would do it because he has more of a chance to be successful.

Cam should be very good in the NFL. So should the 3 QBs coming out in 2012 I mentioned. but if we play him too soon, he will struggle. If we had a veteran who was retiring in a year or two, that is the perfect climate for Cam. I dunno. We shall see. If we draft him, I hope they give him the time he needs to prepare. He could be awesome.

[MHS831]

About Clausen needing next year--Nobody knows. This is not about your feelings, it is what Hurney must know before giving up on Clausen. That is a huge point.

In addition, some of you are interpreting this as giving up on a franchise QB. It is a plan to add draft picks, give our current rookies a chance to develop (as much time as people are saying Cam needs) and positioning us to take a franchise QB if needed before Cam is ready to play.

What was I thinking. Hurney would never do that. He would rather reach now for a red-flagged project with a high upside. That is the better plan. Silly me.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

With what Rivera has said no matter what the Panthers do, a vet QB is most likely on the way or Jimmy Clausen will get the start next year. However, the Panthers also feel like they need to find a QB that can become a franchise QB which is why they are looking at possibly taking Newton. If they take Newton he should be the starter in 2012 but will most likely back up a vet in 2011 if football is played

Three Options

Option 1 (Newton or another drafted QB)

2011 Hypothetical Depth Chart (If we draft Newton or another QB)

1. Veteran

2. Jimmy Clausen

3. Cam Newton (or any other QB in the draft)

4. Tony Pike

2012 Hypothetical Depth Chart (if we draft Newton or another QB)

1. Cam Newton (or another QB)

2. Jimmy Clausen

3. Vet

4. Tony Pike

Thats how I see it if we draft Newton or any other QB in the draft. However, if we don't draft Newton or any other QB in the draft there are only two other options.

Option 2 (Andrew Luck)

The Panthers would have to tank another season with a vet at the helm and once again secure the number one draft pick in the 2012 Draft. However, if Rivera sticks to his word; Luck would not be getting playing time until 2013.

2011 Hypothetical Depth Chart

1. Vet

2. Jimmy Clausen

3. Tony

Pike

2012 Hypothetical Depth Chart

1. Jimmy Clausen

2. Vet

3. Andrew Luck

4. Tony Pike

2013 Hypothetical Depth Chart

1. Andrew Luck

2. Jimmy Clausen

3. Tony Pike

4. Vet

Option 3 (Vet and Clausen)

Option two sets the stage for the Panthers to place full belief in a veteran and Jimmy Clausen to get the job done.

2011 Hypothetical Depth Chart

1. Vet

2. Jimmy Clausen

3. Tony Pike

2012 Hypothetical Depth Chart

1. Jimmy Clausen

2. Tony Pike

3. Vet

[Udogg]

Going with your option, if Clausen doesn't work out and we have to draft a player next year wouldn't we be in the same position of getting a veteran and waiting for them to develop. What if that player is a bust too? It's not 2 years anymore, its more like 4-5 years.

Ladypanther said it best, "If you re playing to win you can't be afraid to lose". Just off athletic ability alone, Newton is a better QB than Clausen.

[Cyberjag]

If we draft a QB and he works out in the long term, then Clausen will probably not be on the roster in 2012, certainly not in 2013. If he plays well, then he's going to be traded. And if he doesn't, he'll be cut.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

If we draft a QB and he works out in the long term, then Clausen will probably not be on the roster in 2012, certainly not in 2013. If he plays well, then he's going to be traded. And if he doesn't, he'll be cut.

I had to put someone in there so I just filled up the spot with him, but I agree.

[Cyberjag]

Just off athletic ability alone, Newton is a better QB than Clausen.

I could care less about athletic ability. What has me more or less sold on Newton is the whole "it" factor that people close to him seem to consistently identify. If he's that sort of natural leader, then all I worry about is his work ethic.

[jpniner]

If we draft Cam Newton(or Gabbert) #1, and then end up with no NFL in 2011 we'd be in position to draft Andrew Luck #1 next year. Wouldn't we have to do it? Then what, try to trade Cam Newton for best pick we can get next year?

Or, if we draft Newton/Gabbert #1, suck and end up with #1 or #2 pick to get Luck or Barkley, wouldn't we have to draft them?

we could end up drafting QB as first pick 3 straight drafts. If you were fairly certain this was going to happen, it'd make drafting AJ Green easier and get Luck/Barkley next year. Giving Claussen another chance.

[monstercat]

I sure as hell hope that Rivera wouldn't bend to this pressure to start any QB imediately, including Luck. It's pure stupidity to start any player before they are ready, IMO, and it's even dumber when you have a lot of money invested in the player and you're risking that investment just for the immediate satisfaction of fans that the media.

I also don't get this notion that you absolutely have to have a player who makes an immediate impact. Why? So you can go from 2-14 to 7-9 in one year? How is that quick fix better than building for long term future success? People called Charlie Casserley an idiot for picking Mario Williams over Reggie Bush, because Bush had a better chance to make in immediate impact, but Mario Williams will still be productive after Reggie Bush is ouot of the league, so it was a pretty darn good pick, IMO.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Going with your option, if Clausen doesn't work out and we have to draft a player next year wouldn't we be in the same position of getting a veteran and waiting for them to develop. What if that player is a bust too? It's not 2 years anymore, its more like 4-5 years.

Ladypanther said it best, "If you re playing to win you can't be afraid to lose". Just off athletic ability alone, Newton is a better QB than Clausen.

Rivera has said he will not start a rookie QB. If thats the case that applies for every QB.

As far as drafting another bust at QB that is a bridge we would be crossing in 2 to 3 more years so no need to worry about that yet.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

If we draft Cam Newton(or Gabbert) #1, and then end up with no NFL in 2011 we'd be in position to draft Andrew Luck #1 next year. Wouldn't we have to do it? Then what, try to trade Cam Newton for best pick we can get next year?

Or, if we draft Newton/Gabbert #1, suck and end up with #1 or #2 pick to get Luck or Barkley, wouldn't we have to draft them?

we could end up drafting QB as first pick 3 straight drafts. If you were fairly certain this was going to happen, it'd make drafting AJ Green easier and get Luck/Barkley next year. Giving Claussen another chance.

It was stated that if there is no NFL this year we would have the 3rd pick in the draft next year based on the past three season's of performance.