Sorenson: Claussen will almost certainly open season as starter

[Mr. Scot]

You have to remember Sorenson is a columnist, not an analyst.

[Razzy]

So Claußen is German now eh? Anyone of the three could start the season, but Rivera would be quick to replace them.

[csx]

IMO Newton starting his career on a probable losing streak is the worst thing for the Panthers and him. If he needs more time than I trust the new staff to do the correct thing.

[scarface]

Cam nuthuggers are really, really annoying.

[antame]

Cam nuthuggers are really, really annoying.

Cam haters are even worse.

He'll be fine.

[antame]

you dont see it...

think Peete(Clausen) and Delhomme(Newton)....

he may start but he may not finish...

And yes, I remember that glorious season. That was fuging fun.

[Mr ocho nueve]

High expectations for a rookie QB is alot of pressure. We have never seen the guy deal with failure on the football field, lets see how he does before crowning him our next king.

[Catalyst]

The fact is, Jimmy's had a good camp. Not a great camp, but good. It won't hurt Cam in any way to sit him for a few weeks, or for that matter a whole season. It can only help Cam get better.

[OchoNueve]

I am curious if Clausen will even be our 2nd string QB come week 1. Derek Anderson hadn't seen significant reps until the last day of training camp because Ron Rivera wanted to give Cam Newton the opportunity to earn the starting spot rather than have it given to him. Throwing Anderson in the fold as soon as he arrived would have taken much needed reps from our young QB's as well as created somewhat of a QB controversy.

After tonight's game when Rivera announces Cam will be week 1 starter, I fully expect Anderson to beat out Jimmy for the backup spot before our depth chart is finalized. Anderson may have had some rough years in Arizona, but he was a Pro-Bowler the last time he suited up in Chud's offense. I am not bashing Jimmy, I just believe Anderson is more capable of handling this offense on gameday and would give us a better chance to win.

[scratchy1]

To his credit, he admits he was wrong in the article.

I prefer that over a journalist talking a big game and just ignoring it when he turns out to be incorrect.

Yes--but then he goes on to blame Claussen for not responding as Sorensen had expected, so the failure of Sorensen's prediction becomes Claussen's fault.

Sorensen loves to remind everyone (frequently with revisionist history) when he made correct predictions. He fails to remind everyone of all the times he made bonehead predictions, and then when he's called on it, he deflects the blame. Years ago I heard him on 610 after he had predicted a Patriots win, and Brady threw 3 or 4 picks and they lost. A guy called in and teased him about it and Sorensen's response was "Hey, how was I supposed to know Brady would melt down? It's not my fault." Good lord, man.

[djp14]

Suddenly "Clausen needs time to recover" and "is not ready".

If he's not playing, how do you know when he's recovered? And what happens when he's "ready"? Like most Sorenson columns, this was pointless.

[panthers55]

You have to remember Sorenson is a columnist, not an analyst.

That is a crucial point. Reporters are supposed to be objective and report the facts. Columnists write opinion pieces often desired to create controversy and generate attention. The focus is totally different from a reporter or an analyst.

[panthers55]

The fact is, Jimmy's had a good camp. Not a great camp, but good. It won't hurt Cam in any way to sit him for a few weeks, or for that matter a whole season. It can only help Cam get better.

Qb needs to have faith of the players. They have to want to work hard for him. Nothing I have read or saw tells me folks feel that way about Clausen. Fans don't like him either.

[MadHatter]

I am curious if Clausen will even be our 2nd string QB come week 1. Derek Anderson hadn't seen significant reps until the last day of training camp because Ron Rivera wanted to give Cam Newton the opportunity to earn the starting spot rather than have it given to him. Throwing Anderson in the fold as soon as he arrived would have taken much needed reps from our young QB's as well as created somewhat of a QB controversy.

After tonight's game when Rivera announces Cam will be week 1 starter, I fully expect Anderson to beat out Jimmy for the backup spot before our depth chart is finalized. Anderson may have had some rough years in Arizona, but he was a Pro-Bowler the last time he suited up in Chud's offense. I am not bashing Jimmy, I just believe Anderson is more capable of handling this offense on gameday and would give us a better chance to win.

I am loving how all of you have made the assumption that Cam is going to start Game #1 as "now a fact".

Rivera has done or said nothing that can lead you to this conclusion.

I, for one, can say that I would not be surprised if it went either way. Good thing is that we will know the answer in less than 7 days.