Interesting stat that could defend Clausen.

[rmoneyg35]

I have found a stat that could defend Clausen. I think this can also go against him because holding on to the ball too long is his fault and does cause sacks. According to Espn.com we were 2nd in sacks given up, Chicago was the worst and we were tied with the Cardinals for second. For a young qb to have this much pressure on him how can we expect him to be successful? I know that Bradford was great this year but he was only sacked 34 times. Next year our offensive line will hopefully be improved with the return of Otah and a more healthier Wharton. This can destroy a young qb, for example look at what happened to David Carr. He was sacked a whole lot his first few years and we know how his career turned out.

I believe that with an improved O line, Clausen will be better and hopefully next season he won't be shell shocked from this season.

I know many people on here hate Clausen and don't think he will be anything for us in the future but I am one of those who does believe in him and I think these stats could be proof that he isn't as bad as we think.

Young qb + lots of pressure = failure.

[CRA]

OL wasn't great......but Clausen definately has a lot of Carr to his game. That combo normally gives puts you in the race for most sacks. Poor QB play/decsions lead to sacks just as easily as horrible protection.

Otah is a run blocker when he returns. Might be the best T in the NFC at it....his pass protection probably isn't head and shoulders above some of the play we saw this year.

[Mr ocho nueve]

Yup, this next season barring any drastic QB signing, could be either his breakout year or he could be defined as another David Carr

[Fiz]

finally you've found a stat completely unrelated to clausen's play

bravo

[panthers55]

I have found a stat that could defend Clausen. I think this can also go against him because holding on to the ball too long is his fault and does cause sacks. According to Espn.com we were 2nd in sacks given up, Chicago was the worst and we were tied with the Cardinals for second. For a young qb to have this much pressure on him how can we expect him to be successful? I know that Bradford was great this year but he was only sacked 34 times. Next year our offensive line will hopefully be improved with the return of Otah and a more healthier Wharton. This can destroy a young qb, for example look at what happened to David Carr. He was sacked a whole lot his first few years and we know how his career turned out.

I believe that with an improved O line, Clausen will be better and hopefully next season he won't be shell shocked from this season.

I know many people on here hate Clausen and don't think he will be anything for us in the future but I am one of those who does believe in him and I think these stats could be proof that he isn't as bad as we think.

Young qb + lots of pressure = failure.

Like you said that stat can go both ways. Did the line fail to protect, or did Clausen fail to deliver the ball quickly on third down and take too many sacks. A quarterback who recognizes the defense and can call audibles and get the ball out quickly doesn't get sacked that much and makes their offensive line look better. Does that sound like Jimmy?

How many sacks did he have where he ran around instead of throwing it away? How many times did he get sacked on fourth down instead of throwing it down the field. After all the other team was going to get the ball one way or the other??

I don't think the offensive line did him any favors but I don't think he did much to help the offensive line either.

[rmoneyg35]

finally you've found a stat completely unrelated to clausen's play

bravo

so him getting sacked has nothing to do with his play?

Also I find this interesting because this problem can be fixed, If its Clausens fault our coaches can teach him to make better decisions and if its the O-lines fault we can fix it with a new offensive linemen. Clausen being as young as he is can learn from our new coaches on how to fix this problem.

[frash.exe]

poor line blocking or poor decision making or a combo of both tends to make a QB start habitually looking for checkdowns and not searching downfield for an open man. Whichever the cause, it is reversible in some cases, especially if you reverse train a QB from doing it who has only played one year in the nfl (see: Mike Shula-David Garrard)

most people are forgetting if the protection is better, even if it isn't the primary cause, the more comfortable a QB gets in the pocket to deliver the throws he needs to and look downfield, and the better he'll learn how to feel pressure in the long run.

[frash.exe]

Yup, this next season barring any drastic QB signing, could be either his breakout year or he could be defined as another David Carr

well one thing he's got going for him that David Carr didn't is not having one of the worst offensive lines in the history of the nfl

[Pox 08]

I'm sure quite a few of those sacks were his fault. Rookie Qb and all. There were a lot though that seemed to happen almost the instant the ball was snapped. No qb could do well in that situation, unless they're a running qb. We're not built around smart, quick plays.

[CRA]

poor line blocking or poor decision making or a combo of both tends to make a QB start habitually looking for checkdowns and not searching downfield for an open man. Whichever the cause, it is reversible in some cases, especially if you reverse train a QB from doing it who has only played one year in the nfl (see: Mike Shula-David Garrard)

most people are forgetting if the protection is better, even if it isn't the primary cause, the more comfortable a QB gets in the pocket to deliver the throws he needs to and look downfield, and the better he'll learn how to feel pressure in the long run.

some guys just aren't comfortable or confident in the pocket. it does make you wonder if ND's OL was that bad.....or if Clausen just happens to be one of those guys.

[D34Williams]

No wonder we don't have any pro bowl OL

oh wait....

[rmoneyg35]

well one thing he's got going for him that David Carr didn't is not having one of the worst offensive lines in the history of the nfl

Thats very true. I feel that the reason why our O-line did struggle this year was because of injuries. We have great chemistry and have had almost the identical line the past 3 years. Injuries mess up that chemistry and with Otah gone and Wharton (who I belive when healthy is a great linemen) injured half the season our o line had to find new players to fill the spots and some players failed to get the job done and Clausen had to pay for it. I think our line improved a lot near the end of the season which gives me hope for next year.

What do people think about Garry Williams? he will be here next season and got a lot of experience this season which should be great for our depth but does anyone see him as a starter or do you think he is better off on the bench?

[GoHeels74]

Clausen would be a much better QB if our O-line average height was 6'2" and we never played again tall D-linemen. Good QB's pass the ball and bad QB's throw the ball. Jimmy throws the ball and he throws it low which is part of why he sucks.

[rmoneyg35]

Clausen would be a much better QB if our O-line average height was 6'2" and we never played again tall D-linemen. Good QB's pass the ball and bad QB's throw the ball. Jimmy throws the ball and he throws it low which is part of why he sucks.

With a better qb coach that problem can be fixed.If Jimmy can learn to fix his mistakes then we shouldn't have to worry about this.

I am hoping our new qb coach is the right guy. Honestly our last qb coach never did anything but hurt our qbs. Jake sucked with him, Moore sucked this year and so did Clausen. So maybe qb coach played a role in our suckage at quarter backs?