Why drafting a QB is more likely than you think

[rayzor]

The only way we take a QB is if we end up convinced after the Combine that we're getting a guaranteed franchise-type guy. Because if we don't get one, then we're stuck going into 2012 with our last two initial picks being QBs that didn't work, and then what do we do? Draft yet another QB? That's Matt Millen territory there...

I think the only one out there who looks like he could be a franchise-type guy right now is Cam Newton. So it's either going to be him or a non-QB. And I don't think it's going to be him. But with that said, there's a ton of stuff that's going to happen between now and the draft, and everything can change in the next couple of months.

blaine gabbert looks like a joey harrington type pick to me. the kind you pick because he's a safe (boring) kind of guy. he's no superstar, but what you try to get when your desperate and having to pick the least rotten apple.

it will take balls to go after newton, but it's the kind of balls that will make you serious contenders.

and for all that "it will set the franchise abck 2-3 years if he busts" crap...what is really going to set this franchise back 2-3 years and probably 6 years is if we go out and get some stop gap player while we wait and see if clausen or pike has what it takes and let them sit a year or two more, because if they don't have it and you wait on them (or any young QB) a couple years before you give them a shot and then give them a couple more years of PT before you form a decision on him and then he doesn't turn out then you have to do the whole thing all over again. that is how you find yoursleves on the bottom for 5-6 years. that is why we are in this situation to begin with because we were too scared of making a mistake with a QB or too blind to see how big a deal getting an actual franchise QB in here is.

[Ricky Spanish]

I'm almost positive we go QB first overall, HIV positive, even...

[Jackofalltrades]

No one should expect us to pick a certain guy. Everyone should be prepared for us to pick anyone. It should'nt be a surprise to anyone if we draft Newton or Gabbert #1. Unless you're JOAT.

What?

[Ricky Spanish]

blaine gabbert looks like a joey harrington type pick to me. the kind you pick because he's a safe (boring) kind of guy. he's no superstar, but what you try to get when your desperate and having to pick the least rotten apple.

it will take balls to go after newton, but it's the kind of balls that will make you serious contenders.

and for all that "it will set the franchise abck 2-3 years if he busts" crap...what is really going to set this franchise back 2-3 years and probably 6 years is if we go out and get some stop gap player while we wait and see if clausen or pike has what it takes and let them sit a year or two more, because if they don't have it and you wait on them (or any young QB) a couple years before you give them a shot and then give them a couple more years of PT before you form a decision on him and then he doesn't turn out then you have to do the whole thing all over again. that is how you find yoursleves on the bottom for 5-6 years. that is why we are in this situation to begin with because we were too scared of making a mistake with a QB or too blind to see how big a deal getting an actual franchise QB in here is.

even if we do take cam first overall, we will bring in a stop gap QB. it's almost a guarantee. I'm all for drafting a QB first overall this year then signing a vet, it only increases the probability that one of our guys ends up being a franchise guy.

[rayzor]

What?

it would be a surprise to you if we draft a QB in the first round.

[rayzor]

even if we do take cam first overall, we will bring in a stop gap QB. it's almost a guarantee. I'm all for drafting a QB first overall this year then signing a vet, it only increases the probability that one of our guys ends up being a franchise guy.

how long do you wait to put the guy in the game and then how many seasons do you give him to find out if he can do the job?

[Ricky Spanish]

how long do you wait to put the guy in the game and then how many seasons do you give him to find out if he can do the job?

you sit the guy until he's ready. there is no time frame for that. he's either ready or he's not.

I would normally say you should wait 2-3 years after his rookie year in order to pass judgement, but i have already passed judgement on clausen myself, so call me a hypocrite.

I guess if you play your rookie QB and at the end of the year he has shown absolutely no progress, like clausen, find a new one that doesn't suck.

[rayzor]

you sit the guy until he's ready. there is no time frame for that. he's either ready or he's not.

I would normally say you should wait 2-3 years after his rookie year in order to pass judgement, but i have already passed judgement on clausen myself, so call me a hypocrite. if after his rookie year he has shown absolutely no progress, like clausen, find a new one that doesn't suck.

that's an indefinite amount of time. if he isn't ready sit him until he is, even though he may never be?

the ssoner we can get him in the game and find out what we have to work with and what to build on, the better. the sooner he can get in there and play the game, the better. the best way for him to learn is on the field in real game situations. we have to have the balls to let him in there, take his lumps, and help him really build and develop. you won't do him any favors by protecting him. everything is just theory until they start to see play time.

[Jackofalltrades]

it would be a surprise to you if we draft a QB in the first round.

Surprised and astronomical disappointment.

[paulSM]

The only way we take a QB is if we end up convinced after the Combine that we're getting a guaranteed franchise-type guy. Because if we don't get one, then we're stuck going into 2012 with our last two initial picks being QBs that didn't work, and then what do we do? Draft yet another QB? That's Matt Millen territory there...

Is "matt millen territory" so bad at the QB position. Remember san diego? they blew a pick on ryan leaf before they drafted brees and rivers remember?

here's an Idea I posted on another thread

here's a question for everyone. Since QB has become by far the most important position for winning a championship, and given the apparent randomness of success (anywhere from first to seventh round, etc); should NFL teams without a franchise signal caller simply keep drafting intruiging QBs until they get one that works out. if they get more than one, even better. Kind of like what detroit did with WRs a few years back. So with us, we struck out on pike last year, and probably on clausen. so this year should we draft Newton, Dalton, and somebody in the seventh... and if that doesn't work, try it all over again next year until we get OUR GUY? just a thought

[MHS831]

before the "but"...

implication is we aren't in a position that we have competition and we need to do something different. things aren't good enough as they are.

the writings on the wall. rivera's not sold at all on the guy.

if clausen is the guy going into next year, it will do little more than show how bad they thought the other choices are or it will show hurney's stubbornness and be more of a testament to his inability to spot QB talent. dude really doesn't need to be making the call on who the QB is going to be and he's going to really screw rivera over if he forces rivera to go with clausen.

i think he's trying not to piss off clausen or hurt his fragile psyche by including him (and pike) in on that conversation, but he can't honestly believe that clausen is the guy unless he really is deluded and thinks he can do no wrong.

I agree with almost every word. I think they are curious, however, as to how he will do under the new leadership/system. They obviously want him to succeed, and that means that they probably don't dive into the QB search with the same vigor you would probably like them to. They are going to ride the fence for a season. Bring in a veteran, watch Clausen and Pike. When they know that Clausen is a bust and Pike will never be a #2 much less a starter, then they go hard after a franchise QB.

If the Panthers draft Newton, it means to me that they still need a veteran. Newton needs a year or even 2 to develop. Considering the fact that we might not have a rookie cap and he has so many red flags (along with his freakish athleticism and skills), I am not sure you can throw $55 Million at a guy who will give you 2-3 years of starting before he wants a HUGE contract-- or busts, joining Russell on the solid gold park bench.

I think a team like Buffalo or Arizona will make a play to move up for him.

[Snake]

we also didn't just invest two picks into DT last draft, one being our first pick of the draft...

There are some servicable QBs in FA this year, the issue is that we don't want a servicable QB, we want an elite one, as you pointed out.

There may not be an elite QB in this draft, whereas there might be an elite DT.

Forget the past!!!! That was John Fox and his staff.

[SmootsDaddy89]

I like how when we drafted Jimmy, the biggest benefit with him was that he was a 2nd round pick, so if he turned out to be a bust, we didn't have much invested in him.

But now presented with the prospect of drafting Cam Newton, dudes are getting mad like, "OMG YOU CAN'T DRAFT A QB #1 OVERALL!!! WE JUST DRAFTED JIMMY IN THE SECOND ROUND LAST YEAR!!! AND TONY PIKE IN THE 6TH!! LOOK HOW MUCH WE HAVE INVESTED IN THE QB POSITION HURRRR"

This is basically like being mad that the Panthers drafted D-Will in the first round in 2006 after we drafted Eric Shelton in the 2nd round in 2005 lol.

[CarolinaKat]

I like how when we drafted Jimmy, the biggest benefit with him was that he was a 2nd round pick, so if he turned out to be a bust, we didn't have much invested in him.

But now presented with the prospect of drafting Cam Newton, dudes are getting mad like, "OMG YOU CAN'T DRAFT A QB #1 OVERALL!!! WE JUST DRAFTED JIMMY IN THE SECOND ROUND LAST YEAR!!! AND TONY PIKE IN THE 6TH!! LOOK HOW MUCH WE HAVE INVESTED IN THE QB POSITION HURRRR"

This is basically like being mad that the Panthers drafted D-Will in the first round in 2006 after we drafted Eric Shelton in the 2nd round in 2005 lol.

This is so true I want to get a painting of it. Hang it above my fire place. Below will be my kung fu grip Jimmy Clausen action figure getting kicked in the balls by a random GI JOE toy