Something to Think About: Clausen vs Bradford

[Miaoww]

Yeah, I was disappointed that they didn't show any of his highlights in the CLE/PIT package, but saw his stats were excellent for a first start, especially against possibly the best defense in the NFL. I was honestly a little surprised b/c I thought they said there was some issue with arm strength in the pre-season, or at least he didn't look too hot.

FWIW, I thought he was going to end up the best pro out of all the QBs this draft.

As others have said though, Bradford's WRs are pretty much all practice squaders, ours outside of Smitty have been a 2 3rd rounders, a 2nd rounder, and a 6th rounder. As I said, it's not all on the QB, but Clausen's numbers have been horrible, Moore's weren't great either, and we have the best RBs out of us, St. Louis, and the Browns.

You thought Colt McCoy would be the best of this year's rookie QB class? Ouch.

Oh and Alexander is better than either of our RBs, but the running game is all about the O-line and right now we don't have one (the right side of it simply doesn't exist).

[mav1234]

I don't care who is behind center, this offense would have been as bad against the bears as anything we've ever seen.

let's see how the rest of teh season plays out.

[Swan]

I don't care who is behind center, this offense would have been as bad against the bears as anything we've ever seen.

let's see how the rest of teh season plays out.

Offense has been dreadful in every game this year.

[Proudiddy]

You thought Colt McCoy would be the best of this year's rookie QB class? Ouch.

Oh and Alexander is better than either of our RBs, but the running game is all about the O-line and right now we don't have one (the right side of it simply doesn't exist).

I didn't say I would be right, lol... I meant going into the draft I thought he would be. I don't know where he'll rank out of the rookie QB from this year when all is said and done, but he seemed to do pretty well today. Bradford is looking like a beast so far though.

And did you mean Jackson? If so, I'd still take DWill and Stew ahead of him.

[PantherFanForLife]

What I'm saying is, should we temper our feelings of how great he's gonna be when you take this into consideration?

You mean this question is just now starting to come up with some of you?

Most should have tempered their feelings the 2nd day following the draft.

[MadHatter]

Guys, you CANNOT just compare stats of two rookie QB's and make ANY rational deductions.

Clausen and Bradford play in competely different offensive systems. To their credit, the Rams have adjusted their play calling to put Bradford into positive situations. However, our coaching staff is too stubborn to do ANYTHING different.

We have a rookie QB with an OLine that is struggling. Where are the 3 step drops?

Where is the tightend? Where is the short passing game? Where are the screen passes out of the backfield? No where to be seen.

Fox/Davidson still are determined to try and pound the ball and then use a deep passing game. It is not working and it is the coaches fault.

I am not making any type of judgement on Clausen or Moore. Only that our coaching staff is unable or unwilling to change their philosophies to try and put our young QB's in the best possible situations.

They MUST go.

[X-Clown]

I'll have to admit to not believing in Bradford as the real deal, but when I read a report this weekend that says that the Steelers were so impressed with him that they were willing to deal the Rams Big Ben, their first rounder and several other picks prior to the draft to get him because they considered him so much of a talent, I had to reconsider my position.

[Jpjr]

I'll have to admit to not believing in Bradford as the real deal, but when I read a report this weekend that says that the Steelers were so impressed with him that they were willing to deal the Rams Big Ben, their first rounder and several other picks prior to the draft to get him because they considered him so much of a talent, I had to reconsider my position.

This is 100% factually untrue.

I mean, this sounds crazy even to read it.

Big Ben is one of the top 5 best quarterbacks in the NFL today, and he's 28 years old. He's also got 2 super bowl rings.

Sam Bradford is a drastically overpaid rookie quarterback with a glass shoulder that has TONS to prove before he's considered a good NFL quarterback. He has potential, yes, but a really really long way to go.

[Jpjr]

Guys, you CANNOT just compare stats of two rookie QB's and make ANY rational deductions.

Clausen and Bradford play in competely different offensive systems. To their credit, the Rams have adjusted their play calling to put Bradford into positive situations. However, our coaching staff is too stubborn to do ANYTHING different.

We have a rookie QB with an OLine that is struggling. Where are the 3 step drops?

Where is the tightend? Where is the short passing game? Where are the screen passes out of the backfield? No where to be seen.

Fox/Davidson still are determined to try and pound the ball and then use a deep passing game. It is not working and it is the coaches fault.

I am not making any type of judgement on Clausen or Moore. Only that our coaching staff is unable or unwilling to change their philosophies to try and put our young QB's in the best possible situations.

They MUST go.

I could not have written this any better.

Jimmy Clausen would be much more successful at the Rams or any team that actually tailored thier offense around their talent.

Colt McCoy threw tons of short passes yesterday and did ok. I mean, a 28-10 loss is a 28-10 loss anywhere in the NFL but he did well throwing lots of short passes to his playmakers just like Bradford does every week.

I watch these games via Sunday ticket every week and wonder why the Panthers are not doing the same thing.

Instead Clausen gets put in a 3rd and 9 situation almost every series where he's forced to line up in a spread formation, facing a sure blitz, and try and throw vertically. Doesn't excuse his poor play, but I don't think they could try any harder to set him up for failure.

[X-Clown]

This is 100% factually untrue.

I mean, this sounds crazy even to read it.

Big Ben is one of the top 5 best quarterbacks in the NFL today, and he's 28 years old. He's also got 2 super bowl rings.

Sam Bradford is a drastically overpaid rookie quarterback with a glass shoulder that has TONS to prove before he's considered a good NFL quarterback. He has potential, yes, but a really really long way to go.

Jason La Canfora of NFL Network was the one who offered up the info. Keep in mind that this was back in March/April there was some uncertainty about what Big Ben's future was in the league and whether he was worth the headache.

[CarolinaSock]

I could not have written this any better.

Jimmy Clausen would be much more successful at the Rams or any team that actually tailored thier offense around their talent.

Colt McCoy threw tons of short passes yesterday and did ok. I mean, a 28-10 loss is a 28-10 loss anywhere in the NFL but he did well throwing lots of short passes to his playmakers just like Bradford does every week.

I watch these games via Sunday ticket every week and wonder why the Panthers are not doing the same thing.

Instead Clausen gets put in a 3rd and 9 situation almost every series where he's forced to line up in a spread formation, facing a sure blitz, and try and throw vertically. Doesn't excuse his poor play, but I don't think they could try any harder to set him up for failure.

Have you watched Jimmy play? He only throws short passes just like your accusing Bradford and McCoy of doing. Pittsburgh sacked McCoy 5 times and hit him another 9 times. Hell Cleveland had 2 healthy WR for most of the game and he still managed a respectable 8.5 ypa. Jimmy does not have a lot to work with obviously, but one excuse you cannot use for him is that he's forced to throw it vertical, because he's a dump off machine and barely even attempts vertical passes.

[Miaoww]

Have you watched Jimmy play? He only throws short passes just like your accusing Bradford and McCoy of doing. Pittsburgh sacked McCoy 5 times and hit him another 9 times. Hell Cleveland had 2 healthy WR for most of the game and he still managed a respectable 8.5 ypa. Jimmy does not have a lot to work with obviously, but one excuse you cannot use for him is that he's forced to throw it vertical, because he's a dump off machine and barely even attempts vertical passes.

There's a difference between designed short passes and the 'ohmyfuginggodgetridoftheballbeforeIdie' offence the Panthers operate.

[MadHatter]

Have you watched Jimmy play? He only throws short passes just like your accusing Bradford and McCoy of doing. Pittsburgh sacked McCoy 5 times and hit him another 9 times. Hell Cleveland had 2 healthy WR for most of the game and he still managed a respectable 8.5 ypa. Jimmy does not have a lot to work with obviously, but one excuse you cannot use for him is that he's forced to throw it vertical, because he's a dump off machine and barely even attempts vertical passes.

There is indeed a big difference in running a short passing offense and a QB being forced to dump it off while under extreme duress.

The Panthers have always run a verticla passing. offense.

[Ramfan51]

Hello all,

Ram fan from St. Louis here. I am not here to diss Clausen because I have not seen enough of him. I have been reading the post and I agree with a few who said Bradford was the 1st pick of the draft for a reason.

I can tell you that most fans here were upset in TC when the HC Spag's said AJ was going to be the starter and he would be careful when Bradford played. Bradford got to take some reps with the 1st team but AJ got the majority of them up until his injury in preseason.

Most of the fans along with former NFL coach's and former scouts who live here were a little suprised how quickly and calm Bradford was when he 1st took over but now they just expect him to be that way. I can also tell you that some of the offensive players have said Bradford has taken charge in the huddle and they listen. Each week that he plays convinces more and more doubters that he is the real deal and with a little bit more talent around him he will be special.

He also has take some good shots from blitzing and he has jumped right up and does not seemed fazed, of course no player is immune from injury. I know that the teams the Rams have played are not the caliper of the Steelers but each team has come into the game against the Rams blitzing and trying to hurry Bradford.

I know the Rams toughest opponents lay ahead but win or lose I believe the Rams finally have their franchise QB but they need more talent overall to seriously contend.

Clausen may turn out to be a very good QB, maybe it will just require a season under his belt and some more talent around him.

Good luck to the Panther's except when they play the Rams of course.