"Clausen, Hardy impressive in preseason debut"

[Jpjr]

http://realbitsofpanthers.com/2010/08/13/clausen-hardy-impressive-in-preseason-debut-ultimately-lose-to-ravens/

Clausen, Hardy impressive in preseason debut- ultimately lose to Ravens

August 13th, 2010 | by James R Dator |

There were numerous questions answered during last night’s preseason game, but perhaps bigger questions created by it. It’s inevitable, there is now cause for a QB discussion to take place. Jimmy Clausen was supremely impressive in his NFL debut in a way the box score doesn’t do justice.

Similarly rookie DE Greg Hardy looked every bit the player who was once hailed as ‘the next Julius Peppers’ as he finished the game with 5 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks and 2 QB hits. It he can remain healthy he can be a difference maker.

What I saw from Clausen was a player who did not look like a rookie QB walking into his first NFL huddle, he looked like a 5 year pro. For comparison I went back and looked at some footage of Mark Sanchez and Matt Stafford late in the 2009 season and for Clausen’s 9 series he looked more comfortable at the line of scrimmage than either of those QBs did in December. The young QB entered the huddle and began immediately to identify blitzers to his OL, call out audibles and hot routes and generally look like a field general. This is that time where his confidence translates into something tangible on the field. He has an INT on his record that was undeserved, a TD that should probably be there and several other passes where he missed by just a hair due to pass rush (the quick release to Kenny Moore on the hitch comes to mind).

Matt Moore didn’t do much wrong last night, but he didn’t really do anything impressive either. I would love to pick his brain and try and understand how someone can look like Peyton Manning when the games count and look so underwhelming in the preseason. I know the offensive line was rough, I know he was playing against a stout defense- but we still saw some of the classic Matt Moore preseason mistakes. He overthrew receivers, didn’t recognize the defense very well, and didn’t call audibles he probably should have. The saving grace in all this is that Matt Moore has never looked good in the preseason, which is why he was buried at 3rd for so long, but the promise that he will be ‘good to go’ when live bullets fly is only going to last so long; particularly when someone behind him is playing well.

On the flip side it was a rough night for Captain Munnerlyn, Armanti Edwards and Hunter Cantwell who all looked rather lost. Munnerlyn was replacing Chris Gamble who is on the PUP list, but regardless he should have performed better.

The Panthers play their next game on the 21st at home against the New York Jets. Yours truly will be at BoA to watch the game live and I’m excited to see what Jimmy Clausen can bring to the table in his second game.

VN:F [1.4.6_730]

[Jpjr]

As I posted yesterday Mark Sanchez started his NLF career against the Ravens with a pick six and looked pretty lost. The difference between him and Clausen at this point (albeit meaningless soon) is significant IMO.

[weyco2000]

I thought CJ Wilson looked good, Baker and Kasay looked like the 2 stooges. What have these 2 been working on in camp. Jordan Gross looked bad as well.

[HPPantherzfan]

I'm sure we will see numerous threads like this pop up all over the place! On NFL.com front page this morning, instead Panthers vs Raven Highlights I see Jimmy Clausen Highlights...oh well, he deserves it IMO

[Varking]

I'm sure we will see numerous threads like this pop up all over the place! On NFL.com front page this morning, instead Panthers vs Raven Highlights I see Jimmy Clausen Highlights...oh well, he deserves it IMO

Well the good news is with all this attention on Clausen, if he gets to competing for the starting job next season, they may have more late night or Monday night games for the Panthers. Which works for me because I work 7-2:30 five days a week so I can't watch all of them. : )

[HPPantherzfan]

Oh yea, the only way to become a prime time team is to have prime time players! A a star QB is the place to start...the media already loves this guy!

[Jpjr]

Oh yea, the only way to become a prime time team is to have prime time players! A a star QB is the place to start...the media already loves this guy!

they love to love him or to hate him. but they do hype him.

i've had this debate on here before. i believe that from a business perspective this is not a team sport. all of the drama has to do with individual storylines. that's what sucks in viewers outside of the local fanbase. and yes it translates into money sooner or later.

[Happy Panther]

Moore wasn't bad

[WSBpanthers]

its only preseason clausen has only seen a 2nd string defense, im not saying he didnt play well im just saying we dont need to think about starting him just because he had 1 good preseason game.