Preseason Impressions: The Quarterbacks

[Mr. Scot]

Taking a closer look at what we've seen in three games at the quarterback position...

CLAUSEN

The most obvious thing, of course, is that Clausen was the first guy to throw a passing touchdown (in both directions). As mentioned in the early thread, the pick-six was on Clausen, but Gross was nearly as responsible. His TD throw to Olsen wasn’t exactly perfect to be honest, but it got the job done.

On the positive, although we’ve had a limited sample, Mike Shula seems to have helped him correct the problem of throwing those low, line drive passes he threw so many of last season. More than likely, he’s had Clausen adjust his release point back a little in order to get a bit more loft. Hope he keeps that up and doesn’t return to old habits.

On the negative, Clausen’s physical tools (especially arm strength) are still not quite what you want in a Coryell system QB. Can he get it down the field? Yes, but not as far and not as fast as Newton. That means his passes will still be easier to knock down and/or intercept. Add in that he still looks like a high school kid playing with grown men. Kinda wonder if that makes it tougher for vets to see him as a leader.

Bottom Line: Does he look better than last year? In a limited sample, yes, but I haven’t seen enough from him to say I’m confident in him as a long term option. As long as he’s in, opposing defenses have less field to worry about, and that makes it easier to defend against us.

NEWTON

When Newton was in, the Bengals tended to favor an “eight in the box” approach. It’s one of the reasons why they were able to stuff the run as effectively as they did. Until Newton shows he can be a legitimate passing threat, expect this to continue. He’s also going to have to learn to adjust his sight lines as the Panthers have tended toward tighter formations rather than the spread type sets he was used to in college.

One of my big worries with Newton was what would happen when he took his first really big hit. That still hasn’t happened yet. Until it does, I’m still going to worry. The whole “willingness to block” thing is very cool, but makes coaches cringe. Add in that he simply must learn how to slide. A quarterback that runs like he does is going to take more punishment than a traditional pocket passer, so he needs to take as many steps as possible to protect himself.

What worries me more immediately though is that from week two to week three, I actually think Newton’s mechanics got worse. His release varies a lot, sometimes wildly. He’s gotten to be a bit of a “slinger” including throwing some across his body. One of the old coaching maxims for QBs is “don’t throw the ball, pass the ball”. Newton needs a lot of work on that.

And in week three, I noticed that on a lot of passes his upper body was leaning back as he was throwing. That’s what was causing a lot of those “back foot” throws. And while I’d like to say that these occurred only when he was pressured, that’s not really true. Sadly, he looks rushed even when he really isn’t, and that’s at least partially because he doesn’t have much pocket presence yet.

Can he run? Absolutely, but after the early success in week three the Bengals went to eight man fronts and again there wasn’t enough of a passing attack to back them out. Can he throw it downfield/ Sure, but not with enough consistency that teams should be scared. Plus, like a lot of longball throwers, once he gets to the Red Zone and has less wide open space, he’s not as effective.

Bottom Line: He’s not ready to start, and the fact that he looked like he’d regressed some from one week to the next really makes me worry that if he’s thrown in early, he’ll reinforce bad habits to the point they’ll never be able to coach them out of him.

ANDERSON

Not a lot to go from, but from what I was able to see it looks like he might have some rust to knock off. Won’t surprise me if he sees more action in preseason four. Still don’t expect him to start, but there are some pretty good arguments why perhaps he should. He knows the system, he’s experience, he’s played at a higher level than either of the others has shown so far, and hios being used to the system may lessen the transition for the rest of the offense.

Bottom Line: The biggest argument for me? Anderson has the least invested in him and is, thus, the most expendable. That, more than anything, is why I feel way better throwing him out there rather than risking damaging Newton.

WHO TO START

In the NFL, it’s not primarily about how far you can throw it or how fast you can throw it. You have to be able to throw it to a spot. That’s what separates the great ones from the average ones.

So that gives Clausen the advantage, right?

Not exactly.

Velocity isn’t as important as accuracy, but it is important. Clausen can indeed get it to a spot, but he gets it there without enough real velocity. That means his passes will be easier to anticipate, knock down and pick off.

I’m not in favor of starting Newton because I don’t believe he’s ready. Can he play through “growing pains” and early struggles to grow into the position? Maybe, but it’s just as likely he builds bad habits by being in a spot he’s not prepared to handle. With all that we have invested in him, that’s something I definitely don’t want to see, so I’ll sacrifice this year if it means he’ll be properly prepared to start for the next ten.

So start Clausen? Again, not exactly. Clausen is at a crossroads right now. Put him in now and have him struggle and wind up pulled and he’s probably ruined permanently. The chances of that happening are increased because the rest of the offense, and especially the line, doesn’t look so good.

Start either of the young guys and you can expect eight or nine man fronts to stifle the run. We saw that movie already last year. I think the smart move at this point is to go with Anderson. You don’t risk messing up Newton or utterly destroying Clausen.

Do I think that’ll happen? No, but it’s what I think should.

[4Corners]

my impression is that they all suck.

[panther4life]

We already tanked one season. No sense in doing it again. If were to have a shot in hell at winning any games this year then we need to Start Newton.

[NotinbutaPnut]

I dont think starting Newton is the answer. I think he is a great option for the future of the franchise but I think if we start him all year he might go off the deep end if he is not immediately successful like Vick was (Vince Young).

[Mr. Scot]

We already tanked one season. No since in doing it again. If were to have a shot in hell at winning any games this year then we need to Start Newton.

This season is pretty likely going to suck anyway.

I'm way more interested in us winning over the next ten seasons than I am this one.

The biggest thing I don't want - whether it's trading away future draft picks for aging players, starting Newton too early, or whatever else - is any move that risks the future just to make this season suck a little less than it's already going to anyway.

[CRA]

I dont think starting Newton is the answer. I think he is a great option for the future of the franchise but I think if we start him all year he might go off the deep end if he is not immediately successful like Vick was (Vince Young).

considering what Newton dealt w/ at Auburn....I ain't worried about him being mentally weak.

[panther4life]

This season is pretty likely going to suck anyway.

I'm way more interested in us winning over the next ten seasons than I am this one.

The biggest thing I don't want - whether it's trading away future draft picks for aging players, starting Newton too early, or whatever else - is any move that risks the future just to make this season suck a little less than it's already going to anyway.

you honestly think sitting Newton this year is the difference in us sucking 1 year vs the next 10?

[tarheelpride]

I'm worried about the QB position. I'm not confident in Anderson being a viable vet fill-in (although his best year was when Chud was coaching him). I wish we gotten a Billy Voleck-type vet, someone with enough experience to help teach Clausen and Newton yet is good enough to fill in for a few games until Newton is ready.

Still though the biggest X-factor for any QB is the o-line.

[thefuzz]

I think that Cam and Jimmy both have the talent to play in this league.

That said Cam certainly isn't ready to play, and Jimmy is in the wrong system for him to be a good QB.

Start Anderson, and let Cam grow into the position. I don't care if that's week 9 or if it's next season. Ruining him is certainly not the answer.

Jimmy will probably have to go to another team to be a decent QB.

[carolinarolls]

it's just so hard for me to use the word impression here. Observations or some things that I noticed fits better.

Not trying to be overly negative but they look like they are out there going through the motions for the most part. I really hope things can pick up for them when all the starters come back and we are playing for real out there.

In all actuality we are still pretty low on the rebuilding curve and need to appreciate the little steps that the team makes. There is a lot to do and a lot to appreciate but most will never see any of it for being too wrapped up in wins and losses.

[Mr. Scot]

you honestly think sitting Newton this year is the difference in us sucking 1 year vs the next 10?

I think it's a factor.

He's showing bad habits already, and the team situation (especially the O-Line) is not a good one for any rookie quarterback to be in, especially one that has as big a transition to make as Newton does.

Leave him in under these circumstances and you risk reinforcing those bad habits to the point they can't be coached out of him.

Already saw regression from one week to the next. Don't want to take any more risk of making it worse. Too much invested in Newton for that.

Throwing Anderson to the wolves, on the other hand, means a lot less to lose.

[thefuzz]

considering what Newton dealt w/ at Auburn....I ain't worried about him being mentally weak.

It's not about being weak. It's about being thrust into a position that he is not prepared for, and ruining him.

[4Corners]

It's not about being weak. It's about being thrust into a position that he is not prepared for, and ruining him.

Yes. Agree totally. Look what happened to David Carr.

[Mr. Scot]

considering what Newton dealt w/ at Auburn....I ain't worried about him being mentally weak.

He's not David Carr, but if you think he can't be ruined like Carr was, think again.

Mishandling young quarterbacks is as big a factor in guys busting as their own deficiencies.