Cam is not ready

[Mr. Scot]

Agreed, just do not let Cam start unless he's the best option for the team.

However, I don't see them going with Jimmy unless injuries happen (reasons being the fans)

I wouldn't be surprised if DA were to start, but I'm expecting Cam to start.

I honestly don't care about wins and losses this season. I just want to see improvement and wise transition.

Even if you do believe that Newton is the best option, I don't think it's wise to start him (for his sake).

[mav1234]

So Cam has to be perfect while the other QBs can make mistakes. 0-5 with 2 turn overs and u believe Dalton didn't do so bad. Yet u sit there and pick Cam apart for every one ball hits the ground...WOW

As I've said before, many of u are looking at Cam through a completely different set of glasses than u are the other QBs.

The point about Dalton was that if the media really was favoring him over Cam, they could have spun his story positively, but they didn't. Why? Because he didn't play that well.

I don't pick cam apart for every ball that hit the ground - I like to let other posters analyze his game.

I don't expect him to be perfect by a long shot, but I just felt that after tonight it was clear he isn't ready to carry this offense, and because of that, he isn't ready to start. But he may be our best option, so...

[Snake]

Don't blame the front office yet, so far they have done their part getting all the weapons here, excluding corner of course.

except in the spots most needed DT and G. I cant really blame them for the total collapse at RT but G was a need since 2009. DT has been a need since Jenkins left. Im sorry but the excuse of we build from the draft only works for so many years.

[Sloth]

Said it elsewhere. You start a rookie on a bad/transitional team under one of two conditions:

a) the team around him is good enough to carry him

b) he's good enough to lead the team, even if it's bad

Neither of those conditions apply to the 2011 Panthers.

We don't really have a QB on roster that's good enough for B.

[mav1234]

We don't really have a QB on roster that's good enough for B.

which is why you go with the person who the organization is least invested in if you aren't certain that starting the rookie will benefit him.

[mav1234]

One half blame Cam's inaccuracies on his footwork and another blame his decision making.

Nobody is blaming his decision making for his inaccuracy. People are saying part of his trouble with moving the offense is not taking what the defense gives him with check downs but that is NOT the same thing.

[Tarheels23]

Said it elsewhere. You start a rookie on a bad/transitional team under one of two conditions:

a) the team around him is good enough to carry him

b) he's good enough to lead the team, even if it's bad

Neither of those conditions apply to the 2011 Panthers.

If he doesn't start, I still can see a scenario where Jimmy and Anderson are force to leave the game with a concussion/injuries forcing Cam to have to play. Our O line is just that bad, and I'm not talking about just the guys on the right side.

[Sloth]

which is why you go with the person who the organization is least invested in if you aren't certain that starting the rookie will benefit him.

I agree completely. Throw Anderson/Clausen to the wolves, let Newton develop and take your losses/lumps.

[DRubi15]

I went to every game last year and rooted for him to play well and I never booed him. My only responses usually revolved around saying that if Clausen was starting we were in a world of hurt and Moore would be looking bad which was a serious problem. Was I a Clausen fan? No. I supported Moore. But if you look at my posts this season as well you will note that I have said several times that I hope Clausen plays well and improves significantly. I was critical of his lack of arm strength and poor mobility for example but that wasn't a rookie issue but lack of athletic ability. I don't think he will ever have the skill sets to operate in a vertical passing game no matter how long he has to change.

100% truth.

[footballisasport]

"Hype" is a powerful weapon in the draft, just ask Cam Newton :D

If Cam was so hyped then why are u folks so parniod about him even thou you keep saying that he has a higher ceiling than Jimmy the kid who u automatically trusted even thou his preseason game wasn't all that much better than Cam's.

Cam was never really HYPED...Being labeled and stereotyped in every negative way isn't my idea of being hyped.

Cam was just talked about a lot by the elite sports crowd for the sake of attention. U know...like some freak of nature or a specimen.

[rico6]

Matt Ryan fitted in perfectly into what Atlanta had set-up for him - success.

Joe Flacco fitted perfectly into the talent Baltimore had Top ranked Defense/Serviceable Offense - success.

Josh Freeman sat a few games, TB realized he was the better option, fitted in, and improved on a game-to-game basis - success.

Scot's on a roll with this one. If the Offense was clicking on all cylinders, you hands down should throw Cam out there.

However, if they're looking like this abysmal garbage, Rivera would be doing Cam no favors in tossing him into a bad situation.

I'm swayed.

[panthers55]

Said it elsewhere. You start a rookie on a bad/transitional team under one of two conditions:

a) the team around him is good enough to carry him

b) he's good enough to lead the team, even if it's bad

Neither of those conditions apply to the 2011 Panthers.

There is a third condition.

You start a rookie on a bad team when there is are few expectations and his playing gives him the experience without killing his confidence.

[Mr. Scot]

There is a third condition.

You start a rookie on a bad team when there is are few expectations and his playing gives him the experience without killing his confidence.

As someone else said, not all experience is good.

He's already got bad habits. Throw him into this situation and you risk reinforcing them. Then you have to work even harder next season to coach those things out of him.

which is why you go with the person who the organization is least invested in if you aren't certain that starting the rookie will benefit him.

Pretty much.

I'm far from a Derek Anderson fan, but I say start him. This season isn't likely to be meaningful anyway. Why risk damaging Newton?

[Marguide]

Start Anderson (ugh) because there may be no other viable option right now. Get the run game going. Solidify the lines of scrimmage through whatever means necessary. Maybe pick up another wide out if a good one becomes available.

We can put Cam in situationally until he becomes more accustomed to the speed of the game.

This is probably the formula we will have to follow to start the year.