Imagine you're the new OC

[panthers55]

To the many that are just interested in derailing this thread you have to be aware that this is a realistic possibility so at least entertain some thoughts about it.

First things first, you have to become his confidant. If the FO are sold on Clausen, then Clausen needs someone he can go to at all times, picking away at their knowledge. If he doesn't do that naturally, then our Oc needs to instil that in him.

Secondly I would leave a lot of his mechanics alone, as I personally think a lot of his 'slowness' is mental and due to a lack of confidence in his decision making. So in contrast you need to get him to trust his instincts more and start throwing to the receivers that do have that window. Once he has trust in himself and his receivers more then you can start opening up the playbook.

With regards to scheme we really have to look at what he does well and build on that. Forget fitting the QB to a scheme, fit the scheme to the QB. To often under Fox we tried to fit square pegs into round holes due to his rigid philosophy. Clausen does not appear to have the elite talent, so we need to build the scheme from the ground up focusing on him. So that means a modified west coast, with lots of short passes and play action to free up our deep pass.

Essentially if we are sold on him and we only bring in people who are to 'contend' with him as starter, then we need to make the scheme all about him. Then there are no excuses...

Problem is that if you have 3 quarterbacks with different skill sets and you build your scheme to one of them, if he gets injured then you start from scratch. We tried that in 2007 and had to dummy down the playbook each week and install a different plan depending on who was in there.

We need a scheme all of them can run and fit the quarterbacks to the scheme we are going to run. It doesn't mean that you can't put in plays to maximize what one or another quarterback does best, but you don't for example institute a WCO for Clausen because that is what he would do best if you already have a good running game and then go to a vertical passing game with Moore because he can throw it down the field or the spread if you draft Newton.

The scheme has to be the main focus and we need to get quarterbacks who can run that system or train them how to do it. For example using short passes with Bradford was a logical extention of the spread formation he operated in at Texas and was consistent with what they have had there for years in St Louis. They didn't change everything just for Bradford but adapted certain type of plays within the system they had already installed to help him be successful. For example he lined up in the shotgun much of the time because that was his comfort set and consistent with his training using the spread. As he develops they may allow him to take more snaps under center for example.

[OneBadassCat]

I would get Clausen's mental game in gear and meet with his ass very early in the offseason. He needs to study film and know the plays like the back of his hand. The last game showed that Clausen can throw deep if he wants to he's just afraid to do it. He needs to work on his timing and accuracy.

Oh yeah and I'm resigning Matt Moore. He's farther along than Jimmy.

[mmmbeans]

To the many that are just interested in derailing this thread you have to be aware that this is a realistic possibility so at least entertain some thoughts about it.

First things first, you have to become his confidant. If the FO are sold on Clausen, then Clausen needs someone he can go to at all times, picking away at their knowledge. If he doesn't do that naturally, then our Oc needs to instil that in him.

Secondly I would leave a lot of his mechanics alone, as I personally think a lot of his 'slowness' is mental and due to a lack of confidence in his decision making. So in contrast you need to get him to trust his instincts more and start throwing to the receivers that do have that window. Once he has trust in himself and his receivers more then you can start opening up the playbook.

With regards to scheme we really have to look at what he does well and build on that. Forget fitting the QB to a scheme, fit the scheme to the QB. To often under Fox we tried to fit square pegs into round holes due to his rigid philosophy. Clausen does not appear to have the elite talent, so we need to build the scheme from the ground up focusing on him. So that means a modified west coast, with lots of short passes and play action to free up our deep pass.

Essentially if we are sold on him and we only bring in people who are to 'contend' with him as starter, then we need to make the scheme all about him. Then there are no excuses...

this, west coast offense, short, high probability throws, get his muscle-memory and confidence back.

he's over-thinking everything out there right now.

[Cyberjag]

Problem is that if you have 3 quarterbacks with different skill sets and you build your scheme to one of them, if he gets injured then you start from scratch. We tried that in 2007 and had to dummy down the playbook each week and install a different plan depending on who was in there.

We need a scheme all of them can run and fit the quarterbacks to the scheme we are going to run. It doesn't mean that you can't put in plays to maximize what one or another quarterback does best, but you don't for example institute a WCO for Clausen because that is what he would do best if you already have a good running game and then go to a vertical passing game with Moore because he can throw it down the field or the spread if you draft Newton.

The scheme has to be the main focus and we need to get quarterbacks who can run that system or train them how to do it. For example using short passes with Bradford was a logical extention of the spread formation he operated in at Texas and was consistent with what they have had there for years in St Louis. They didn't change everything just for Bradford but adapted certain type of plays within the system they had already installed to help him be successful. For example he lined up in the shotgun much of the time because that was his comfort set and consistent with his training using the spread. As he develops they may allow him to take more snaps under center for example.

So fit the playcalling to the QB, if not the scheme. In Pantherland that's new and different.

[Panther's #1 Fan]

Jimmy Clausen sucks man lets move on please he is too short balls always batted down at the line, inacurrate, and can't see down the field for some reason. If i was the Oc i would try to fix these things in his game but he isn't getting any taller lol

[brandon_87]

why not just add Clausen into that thread "trade bait"?

go after a vet, keep Moore and Pike and be done with Clausen's ass? There isn't a coach in the world that could make Clausen a NFL qb, and that's the bottom line

[Evil Hurney]

why not just add Clausen into that thread "trade bait"?

go after a vet, keep Moore and Pike and be done with Clausen's ass? There isn't a coach in the world that could make Clausen a NFL qb, and that's the bottom line

Clausen's value is likely very low right now. We need to let him pwn some pre-season noobs, hide him on our bench for a season, and let his value go back up.

[Urrymonster]

For example using short passes with Bradford was a logical extention of the spread formation he operated in at Texas and was consistent with what they have had there for years in St Louis. They didn't change everything just for Bradford but adapted certain type of plays within the system they had already installed to help him be successful.

Basically I was trying to describe this. Essentially you do not have a rigid scheme in place, rather you build into the scheme what our QB does best. In my opinion, having 3 QBs with different skill sets is a huge problem as it basically ensures that we do not have a 'perfect' QB for our scheme. For ages now we have had a scheme and never really brought in players who ran it that efficiently, especially as we never added in wrinkles to help that QB out. This goes back to Fox and Davidson refusing to add in QB friendly plays and series to take the pressure off our young QBs.

We have a strong running influence so that is your starting point. Build from the ground up with that and who your starting QB is going to be. Then bring in a vet who has experience in a similar scheme. You can't have 3 guys with differing skills and then chop and change, which is essentially what we did this year.

Look at the best offences in the league and they are all built around their 'guy'. If they go down, then usually so does that team because the guys behind them aren't talented enough, or can't operate the scheme as well. The ones that do succeed either have very experienced guys or a QB who is very similar. There is a reason that QB play is getting better year in year out.

That is what being a franchise QB is all about. You build the scheme round them, taking what they do best and turning that into the passing game. This is the thing that Fox has never done and it's exactly why we struggle year in and year out with QB play. Sure we have had occasional seasons where we have been in the upper third, but pretty much all of those were built on the back of exceptional WR play.

However it goes back to how sold the FO are on Clausen or the rookie QBs in he draft. If they are not comfortable with any of the skills they bring to the table, then they have to build the scheme first.

[Urrymonster]

Jimmy Clausen sucks man lets move on please he is too short balls always batted down at the line, inacurrate, and can't see down the field for some reason. If i was the Oc i would try to fix these things in his game but he isn't getting any taller lol

why not just add Clausen into that thread "trade bait"?

go after a vet, keep Moore and Pike and be done with Clausen's ass? There isn't a coach in the world that could make Clausen a NFL qb, and that's the bottom line

Everyone knows that Clausen is not playing at a good standard and it would be questionable at best to not bring in at the very least competition.

However this thread is purely about a hypothetical situation where Clausen IS our starting QB. There is no need to only post about how much he sucks, as there are plenty of threads about that already.

[Snake]

Im all for hiring Brad Childress as our QB coach. He did well in Philly and I think he could do well here. Just keep him away from playcalling...

[Cat'sGrowl]

Jimmy Clausen sucks man lets move on please he is too short balls always batted down at the line, inacurrate, and can't see down the field for some reason. If i was the Oc i would try to fix these things in his game but he isn't getting any taller lol

Clausen is 6'2".

Which is just about average.

[panthers55]

Basically I was trying to describe this. Essentially you do not have a rigid scheme in place, rather you build into the scheme what our QB does best. In my opinion, having 3 QBs with different skill sets is a huge problem as it basically ensures that we do not have a 'perfect' QB for our scheme. For ages now we have had a scheme and never really brought in players who ran it that efficiently, especially as we never added in wrinkles to help that QB out. This goes back to Fox and Davidson refusing to add in QB friendly plays and series to take the pressure off our young QBs.

We have a strong running influence so that is your starting point. Build from the ground up with that and who your starting QB is going to be. Then bring in a vet who has experience in a similar scheme. You can't have 3 guys with differing skills and then chop and change, which is essentially what we did this year.

Look at the best offences in the league and they are all built around their 'guy'. If they go down, then usually so does that team because the guys behind them aren't talented enough, or can't operate the scheme as well. The ones that do succeed either have very experienced guys or a QB who is very similar. There is a reason that QB play is getting better year in year out.

That is what being a franchise QB is all about. You build the scheme round them, taking what they do best and turning that into the passing game. This is the thing that Fox has never done and it's exactly why we struggle year in and year out with QB play. Sure we have had occasional seasons where we have been in the upper third, but pretty much all of those were built on the back of exceptional WR play.

However it goes back to how sold the FO are on Clausen or the rookie QBs in he draft. If they are not comfortable with any of the skills they bring to the table, then they have to build the scheme first.

Again you are going too far into the "fit the scheme around the quarterback" and ignoring that systems are made to fit the team's skills not one specific guy. For example with our offensive line and running backs we are going to be a balanced offense with both a running and passing attack. So the WCO is not really a great scheme for us regardless of if it best for Clausen or not. The scheme Davidson brought with him (Perkins-Erhardt system ) is actually a great system for us. The issues have not been the system but the playcalling which is a different issue.

Now with that said you can take that system and be run or pass happy depending on your personnel. For example New England runs that system as does Kansas City. In New England it is passing system with running being an afterthought. In KC they use the running game significantly more because they have better running personnel.

The system can be tweaked or changed to match one or another's quarterbacks tendencies such as taking snaps out of the shotgun versus under center, throwing more downfield versus out routes or rolling out versus staying stationary but the system remains the same. The reason that team struggle when their starter goes down is not because they build the offense around one guy but few teams have the same level of talent in their quarterback between their starter and their backup. It is simple economics. You can't afford to pay your starter 10 million and your backup another 8-10 million. They are usual backups with much less talent. When you have a backup like Collins in 2008 or Vick this year who are starter quality, your offense doesn't fall off and can even improve.

What we have had in Carolina is inconsistent play and frequent injuries since the start of the 2006 season. That was the same time we started taking a nose dive as well. What we have never had was a backup who was good. Last year Moore played well as a backup for several games and we won 4 out of 5.

[Snake]

Again you are going too far into the "fit the scheme around the quarterback" and ignoring that systems are made to fit the team's skills not one specific guy. For example with our offensive line and running backs we are going to be a balanced offense with both a running and passing attack. So the WCO is not really a great scheme for us regardless of if it best for Clausen or not. The scheme Davidson brought with him (Perkins-Erhardt system ) is actually a great system for us. The issues have not been the system but the playcalling which is a different issue.

Now with that said you can take that system and be run or pass happy depending on your personnel. For example New England runs that system as does Kansas City. In New England it is passing system with running being an afterthought. In KC they use the running game significantly more because they have better running personnel.

The system can be tweaked or changed to match one or another's quarterbacks tendencies such as taking snaps out of the shotgun versus under center, throwing more downfield versus out routes or rolling out versus staying stationary but the system remains the same. The reason that team struggle when their starter goes down is not because they build the offense around one guy but few teams have the same level of talent in their quarterback between their starter and their backup. It is simple economics. You can't afford to pay your starter 10 million and your backup another 8-10 million. They are usual backups with much less talent. When you have a backup like Collins in 2008 or Vick this year who are starter quality, your offense doesn't fall off and can even improve.

What we have had in Carolina is inconsistent play and frequent injuries since the start of the 2006 season. That was the same time we started taking a nose dive as well. What we have never had was a backup who was good. Last year Moore played well as a backup for several games and we won 4 out of 5.

I agree with all of this. Its also why Im not worried about taking a mobile QB. IMO Clausen with the right QB coach will be a starter. Its just going to take a few years because he is not NFL ready. IMO you take a Fran QB they both learn under a good QB coach then if one goes down the drop off will be small. Yes Clausen may force a trade but we just sit back like NE did and get good draft picks for him.

[Cyberjag]

I kind of think that Clausen was probably more NFL ready at this time last year than he is now.