Cam Newton can start week 1.

[Awesomeness!!]

People say he needs to sit and learn, but I've just realized that he would be sitting behind Jimmy Freaking Clausen assuming we don't pick up a Vet. Clausen is probably better, RIGHT NOW than Clausen, and I don't doubt he could beat him in camp. If Clausen can learn our offense, I see no reason why he shouldn't start Week 1.

[ncmonzta]

I think it depends on how fast he gets comfortable. Rivera is ready to let him as soon as he's ready. Unless we get a vet I think its a good chance we see him starting week 1. The preseason will show us. Im ready for this season.:D

[teeray]

Ron Rivera says he will play when he shows he is ready. If that is week 1 that will be great. If we have to wait until mid season or next year then so be it.

[YourManInAmsterdam]

People say he needs to sit and learn, but I've just realized that he would be sitting behind Jimmy Freaking Clausen assuming we don't pick up a Vet. Clausen is probably better, RIGHT NOW than Clausen, and I don't doubt he could beat him in camp. If Clausen can learn our offense, I see no reason why he shouldn't start Week 1.

First, Clausen is better than Clausen on day one? Is he capable of asexual reproduction? ;)

Second, I don't foresee Newton really knowing the offense by Sept. 11. I'm not saying that to insult his intelligence or work ethic. It's just a mountain of a task in such a short amount of time especially when he comes from a spread/option background.

By all accounts, Clausen really put in the work with the playbook and in the film room, and I don't think he knew the offense well enough to truly run it when he had to. Sure, the injury plagued offensive line didn't help matters, but I think at least some of his problems last year (especially his tendency to panic and throw the ball away) were *likely* a result of not knowing exactly where his receivers would be. Obviously, I wasn't on the coaching staff last year, but it seems reasonable. Let's also remember, on the same point, that Clausen came from a pro-style offense.

[Catalyst]

Did Clausen get cloned or something?

[YourManInAmsterdam]

[Panthers_Lover]

We have a terrible history of expecting too much too soon of young players, especially quarterbacks. We will ruin, ruin, ruin him if we're not careful. I don't care how good he is in college, the NFL is literally a whole new ballgame, both on and off the field. And, with someone like Newton, this is a case of be careful what you ask for. I am still a Panthers fan, but he'll have win me over (again, more than on the field) before I'm a Cam fan.

[bleys]

People say he needs to sit and learn, but I've just realized that he would be sitting behind Jimmy Freaking Clausen assuming we don't pick up a Vet. Clausen is probably better, RIGHT NOW than Clausen, and I don't doubt he could beat him in camp. If Clausen can learn our offense, I see no reason why he shouldn't start Week 1.

People talking about letting Cam sit and learn has NOOOOOOOTHING TO DO with who is starting in front of him.

2 totally separate issues.

we aren't going to a SB, so even if Clausen is the one starting, great. Let Cam soak it all up and then push Clausen/vet out next year.

[Mr. Scot]

Sure he can.

(if you want to ruin him)

[drewbreesisgod5]

shotgun run left, shotgun run right; pretty easy playbook to learn. He'll start soon.

[jramsey4]

Sure he can.

(if you want to ruin him)

Yeah Big Ben, Flacco, Sanchez, Ryan, Manning, etc were all ruined. You start him when he's ready. It's as simple as that. I personally think he could start week 1 if he puts in the time. But probably what will happen is Moore and Clausen will go at it in TC whoever wins gets the starting nod then by mid-season or so if they are struggling Cam will get some playing time.

[AnalyzeThIs#28]

Cam has a lot, and I mean a lot of freaking learning to do, so he better get to work like he said he would. He came from one of the most simplistic offensive systems in college. They used numbers to call plays, like 15,57. He needs to first learn all the crazy ass terminology and continue to work on this accuracy which is way off.

I'm pulling for the kid but I don't think he can do all this stuff in the next 4 months... we'll see.

[Millions]

Whenever the coaches feel like he's ready.

[Pimpdaddy]

Normally I wouldn't go along with starting a rook QB but in this situation I think it will be ok. New coach, new playbook, new era, let him start growing now.