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Solid proof that Carolina is the perfect fit for Clausen....


SorthNarolina

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Earlier I did a statistical breakdown of all rookie QB's since 2001 to show what a rookie QB requires to be successful. While the answer is obvious, showing the stats behind it really drives it home. People seemed to like it so I'm going to do a Panthers exclusive one....

This is original topic if you would like to read in-depth:

http://www.carolinahuddle.com/forum/carolina-panthers/35420-comparing-clausens-situation-to-previous-rookie-qbs.html

The link states that a rookie QB needs a very strong defense, a very strong rushing attack, and to throw the ball as little as possible.

Here are the team's stats for each year since Fox has been here...

2002

We were 4th passing, 8th rushing, 2nd overall D. 25th ranked rushing offense and 29th in attempts.

We were in rebuilding mode with Peete at QB who was just a band-aid. We got the D working but the O dragged us down.

2003

We were 9th passing, 11th rushing, 8th overall D. 7th ranked rushing offense and 28th in attempts.

Our most balanced year ever. We make the superbowl, what a coinkydink.

2004

We were 18th passing, 17th rushing, 20th overall D. 28th ranked rushing offense and 11th in attempts.

A pretty horrible year, the opposite of "the formula". If not for the soft 2nd half this would have been a very bad year.

2005

We were 9th passing, 4th rushing, 3rd overall D. 19th ranked rushing offense and 28th in attempts.

Great D but the rushing attack wasn't quite there. Although Foster came on late, and steve smith was a monster which helped things greatly. Seattle canceled out both of those variables and we got out butts whupped.

2006

We were 4th passing, 11th rushing, 7th overall D. 24th ranked rushing offense and 10th in attempts.

Great D again but the offense just couldn't return the favor.

2007

We were 17th passing, 18th rushing 16th overall D. 14th ranked rushing offense and 24th in attempts

A balanced year, but in a bad way.

2008

We were 16th passing, 20th rushing, 18th overall D. 3rd ranked rushing attack and 32nd in attempts.

This time, it's the offense that carried the team. The ground game was so dominant we didn't need to have good ST or D. Which goes to show you that above all else, the run game is the lifeblood of this team.

2009

We were 4th passing, 22nd rushing, 8th overall D. 3rd ranked rushing attack and 29th in attempts.

Overall this should have been a good year, but Delhome pretty much killed this season. We wouldn't have been stellar but a winning record would have been a reality.

The one thing that stays constant for us is our low number of passing attempts. We do this in good years and bad. John Fox just really hates to throw the ball. This is perfect for a rookie QB. Coaches don't want to make rookies throw too much, so this gives us an advantage because we already don't throw very much anyway.

Then you have the run game. Our rushing attack is amazing. We have stamina and talent. We love to run the ball. We aren't going to run the ball more when we have Clausen at QB. We already run the ball as much as possible. So again we have an advantage because we don't have to modify things to accommodate a rookie QB. We're addicted to running the ball.

Last there is the defense. This is where we have to improve. Especially in the rushing area. We have to be balanced to maintain a good defense. If the run D is leaky then the secondary doesn't mean poo. For all the nail biting we are doing about Clausen/Moore/Pike, we really should be worried about the rushing defense. That is the key to this season.

If you think this is just speculation, then look at the real world examples.

The Ravens and Jets followed this philosophy to perfection(read the link). They both made the AFC championship game. Coinkydink? I think not.

I don't think people realize how good of a position we are in.

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On the NFLN, one of the analysts said Clausen was setup to have the most success of any of the rookie QB's because the Panthers have a good offensive line and a strong running game. Referencing guys like Flacco, Ryan and Sanchez, they said when these guys were asked to throw 25 times or less they had a much better chance of winning.

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Actually Clausen is in a better position than any of those other rookie QB's you named because he doesn't even have to play at all this year if Matt Moore continues to progress, and I believe he will.

The thing about Matt Moore though, is that we don't know how tough he is yet. Remember, he was coming off of a broken leg this past season. I believe that had as much to do with them drafting Clausen as anything else. They simply don't know how Moore will hold up if he gets in a game where he's taking a lot of hits like Delhomme did in that Eagles game last year.

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