The pass in the dirt

[Zod]

Its looking like Clausen, like Smith, has a chip on his shoulder.

I like it.

[CatMan72]

I can see where that may have been the case, but this offense can't afford to intentionally throw passes in the dirt to make a point...

Personally I don't think that's what happened. Smith was doing Clausen a favor by calling that time out, just like Fox had to call one for him earlier.

[jtm]

I noticed the same thing but I didn't think he was purposely throwing the ball in the dirt. Instead, I thought he was throwing the ball as hard as he possibly could to Smith and it didn't work out that well. Kind of like when you step up to the t-box and swing a driver as hard as you possibly can and it only goes 50 feet.

Regardless of what you think about Clausen or Smith, Clausen is the future of our football team until he shows otherwise. Smitty is getting older and that is a fact. Having said that I have always been a huge Smitty fan, but he needs to rally around Clausen.

[spartan_pantherfan]

I do not think this is the case, for a few reasons. For one Clausen is too much of a competitor to just throw away a pass in a game, just does not fit IMO. Another reason would be I doubt he would want to get on Smiths bad side, I think Clausen is smarter then that, and finally I doubt Smith was very open the entire game, who else were the Saints going to cover?

Now if this DID happen, then we have a huge problem. Steve Smith is not the type to forget things like this, and it gives a lot of credit to the Clausen attitude issues which caused him to drop in the draft, and that IS NOT a good thing. A rookie acting like a child to a veteran player during a game, when he was correct at that, is not the way to get the team to take you seriously as a leader.

But like I said I think this is just a case of you thinking too hard about it, no offense.

[MHS831]

Is it possible that he was expecting Smith to come back to the ball instead of sittng down on the break? Is it also possible that Smitty's vocal and demonstrative frustration is causing Clausen to bear down and, possibly, creating mistakes due to second guessing?

[Proudiddy]

Could be a good thing, but that was kind of a dick move if he really did that being that we have a hard enough time not going 3 and out every possession, so he wasted a down to prove a point...

I believe it's very possible though b/c as I mentioned in the other "Clausen vs Bradford" and another Clausen thread that I have watched several replays throughout the games where Clausen throws a quick pass elsewhere even though Smitty has ran a slant or drag and is technically wide-open once he gets to the hashes... Clausen just throws it to the flat or a comeback by another WR, he looks Smitty off... Those are the kind of passes Smitty has made a ton of YAC on, so there may be something personal going on there.

I certainly believe Smitty did say something about Clausen before the season as that douche at PFT reported but they played it down in the media just to keep things business as usual... But, as a player, you never forget what a teammate said about you, and you tend to hold a grudge. I had a similar experience playing in basketball in college... I could see Jimmy keeping that with him b/c of his background and the "attitude" that so many have said he has...

[HPPantherzfan]

I do not think this is the case, for a few reasons. For one Clausen is too much of a competitor to just throw away a pass in a game, just does not fit IMO. Another reason would be I doubt he would want to get on Smiths bad side, I think Clausen is smarter then that, and finally I doubt Smith was very open the entire game, who else were the Saints going to cover?

Now if this DID happen, then we have a huge problem. Steve Smith is not the type to forget things like this, and it gives a lot of credit to the Clausen attitude issues which caused him to drop in the draft, and that IS NOT a good thing. A rookie acting like a child to a veteran player during a game, when he was correct at that, is not the way to get the team to take you seriously as a leader.

But like I said I think this is just a case of you thinking too hard about it, no offense.

Keep in mind, that veteran has acted like a child all offseason starting with an irresponsible broken arm.

I love Smith but the same fire most of you love about him, including me, is the same fire Clausen has. You can't excuse one and punish the other kinda thing ya know?

[Ruff]

Keep in mind, that veteran has acted like a child all offseason starting with an irresponsible broken arm.

I love Smith but the same fire most of you love about him, including me, is the same fire Clausen has. You can't excuse one and punish the other kinda thing ya know?

Exactly.

Clausen has been noted to have a very competitive nature. As does Smith. Those attitudes are bound to clash, and I believe that they have.

[DirtyMagic97]

Keep in mind, that veteran has acted like a child all offseason starting with an irresponsible broken arm.

I love Smith but the same fire most of you love about him, including me, is the same fire Clausen has. You can't excuse one and punish the other kinda thing ya know?

When Jimmy Clausen starts doing the basics correctly, he's allowed to have that "fire". For now, he has done nothing to prove he is even a starting QB in the league.

I'd rather my receiver have "fire" in their personality than my QB. QB needs to be calm and collected throughout the game. WR can, and usually is, a very emotionally driven position.

[HPPantherzfan]

When Jimmy Clausen starts doing the basics correctly, he's allowed to have that "fire". For now, he has done nothing to prove he is even a starting QB in the league.

I'd rather my receiver have "fire" in their personality than my QB. QB needs to be calm and collected throughout the game. WR can, and usually is, a very emotionally driven position.

Na, I want fire on every play.

Also, keep in mind Smith ended another players career his second offseason before anyone knew he would be great! Guess that was ok too? Again, you can't excuse one and punish the other. You either love the "fire" a player has or you don't.

BTW. "Fire" or emotion is not something a player or person turns off and on at will.

BTW2. I kinda like the emotion Brett Farve has and Matt Ryan and etc, etc

[PantherBrew]

I cant wait til Jimmy has that "light going off" moment.

[PantherBrew]

Na, I want fire on every play.

Also, keep in mind Smith ended another players career his second offseason before anyone knew he would be great! Guess that was ok too? Again, you can't excuse one and punish the other. You either love the "fire" a player has or you don't.

BTW. "Fire" or emotion is not something a player or person turns off and on at will.

BTW2. I kinda like the emotion Brett Farve has and Matt Ryan and etc, etc

Tom Brady and Jake one of the guys who have fire and an obvious chip on their shoulders.

[DirtyMagic97]

Na, I want fire on every play.

Also, keep in mind Smith ended another players career his second offseason before anyone knew he would be great! Guess that was ok too? Again, you can't excuse one and punish the other. You either love the "fire" a player has or you don't.

BTW. "Fire" or emotion is not something a player or person turns off and on at will.

BTW2. I kinda like the emotion Brett Farve has and Matt Ryan and etc, etc

I want fire every play, but not from every player. Only from certain players.

And no I do not condone the Anthony Bright incident. I don't think any player should be able to do that and go unpunished. I felt that suspension was too light.

If it was even possible to prove that Jimmy did what the OP said on purpose, he should be benched.

[Dpantherman]

Fug I like it. this is a man's game. sometimes you have to man up to get stuff done. Let em clash