Cam Newton can start week 1.

[bleys]

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.

starting half way the the season isn't week 1. and naming the exceptions is hardly the rule.

it cannot be argued that giving him a year to adapt and soak up everything is a better road.

[Anybodyhome]

BOA will get burned to the ground after Newton gets his $50+M up front and the starting lineup Week 1 is announced and Jimmy Clausen comes trotting out of the tunnel.

Not saying he shouldn't sit on the bench for a season, but I'm not thinking this team has much choice after last year's debacle.... and I'm not only referring to a 2-14 record.

[Devoid]

Jimmy, Matt, and Cam should both get the playbook today so its off to the races. They sounded like they were good with Jimmy or Cam starting if they are ready.

[Kuech Da Sneak]

Rivera said that each successive time they met with him, he got better at taking snaps from center, reading plays, and understanding plays. He also said he wouldn't start unless he was ready.

I'd really like to see him in a The Golden Calf of Bristol-ish role for the first few games like Denver did. Come in for a few plays each game so he can get a taste for the speed and physicality of the NFL level without blowing his brain up.

Now if we do start Jimmy and he starts throwing games away, expect Cam to be thrown into the fire quickly.

[Hawk]

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.

you just realized he'd be sitting behind Clausen????

Clausen is better than Clausen?????

you should stick to spamming the tinderbox

[Easyt65]

Cam Newton is a 'PROJECT', an 'INVESTMENT'.

The best description of Newton I have heard was "Newton has the biggest potential to be a great QB and the greatest potential to be a BUST'.

Newton played 1 (ONE) year of QB at a high level, threw only 292 passes as a QB, had a simplified offensive scheme that had his plays numbered (#12) and required him to throw to one or 2 options or either run the ball. He did not have to read or recognize defenses, played out of the shotgun, and played against college teams that had possibly 2-3 NFL-calibre players (size, speed, talent....) on their roster. Newton will face teams where there are no slackers playing.

Want to see what will happen if Cam is made the starter before he is ready? Here ya go:

Comparatively, Jimmy Clausen was drafted last year n the 2nd round. He played in a Pro-Style offense very similar to the Panthers' own in college. He was use to complex offensive schemes and having to read defenses. He was called the most 'Panther-Ready' QB in the draft. He was not given time to develop, was made th starter too soon, and forced to try to run the offense with 2 new rookie WRs, a veteran that was blanketed in coverage, an offense where defenses loaded the box to shut down the run, and a shaky, injury-plagued offensive line...and asked to win. He folded.

- If you want Cam Newton to succeed, Carolina won't thrown Cam Newton in too quickly.

Regarding Clausen: Considering all that, even Rivera said it was/is impossible to evaluate him because of the situation and conditions under which he was forced to play last year. He's a 2nd round pick. Even Rivera says he didn't get a fair shake. And we are ready to throw him under the bus?

- Eric Shelton was a 3rd Round RB, and we gave him more of a chance than we are giving Clausen. We gave Jarred more chances than we are giving Clausen. That makes absolutely NO sense to me!

[Easyt65]

Jimmy, Matt, and Cam should both get the playbook today so its off to the races. They sounded like they were good with Jimmy or Cam starting if they are ready.

Matt Moore was gone the moment he got hurt last year. Unless he agrees to make the league minimum or runs the offense on the practice squad, Moore won't be wearing a Panthers uniform.

[Peppers90 NC]

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.

I disagree with ya on this one. I think it is very important, that if a young QB is supposed to sit back and learn, they need to have a good vet to show them the ropes. That would be ideal, but unless we somehow get that vet, Clausen or Moore(as much as I like him), aren't the guys he needs to learn from. Maybe not start week one, unless he is heads and shoulders better than our other options, come in around week 8 or so and take over, unless of course we are in playoff contention(yeah right).

[CRA]

Cam Newton is a 'PROJECT', an 'INVESTMENT'.

The best description of Newton I have heard was "Newton has the biggest potential to be a great QB and the greatest potential to be a BUST'.

Newton played 1 (ONE) year of QB at a high level, threw only 292 passes as a QB, had a simplified offensive scheme that had his plays numbered (#12) and required him to throw to one or 2 options or either run the ball. He did not have to read or recognize defenses, played out of the shotgun, and played against college teams that had possibly 2-3 NFL-calibre players (size, speed, talent....) on their roster. Newton will face teams where there are no slackers playing.

Want to see what will happen if Cam is made the starter before he is ready? Here ya go:

Comparatively, Jimmy Clausen was drafted last year n the 2nd round. He played in a Pro-Style offense very similar to the Panthers' own in college. He was use to complex offensive schemes and having to read defenses. He was called the most 'Panther-Ready' QB in the draft. He was not given time to develop, was made th starter too soon, and forced to try to run the offense with 2 new rookie WRs, a veteran that was blanketed in coverage, an offense where defenses loaded the box to shut down the run, and a shaky, injury-plagued offensive line...and asked to win. He folded.

- If you want Cam Newton to succeed, Carolina won't thrown Cam Newton in too quickly.

Regarding Clausen: Considering all that, even Rivera said it was/is impossible to evaluate him because of the situation and conditions under which he was forced to play last year. He's a 2nd round pick. Even Rivera says he didn't get a fair shake. And we are ready to throw him under the bus?

- Eric Shelton was a 3rd Round RB, and we gave him more of a chance than we are giving Clausen. We gave Jarred more chances than we are giving Clausen. That makes absolutely NO sense to me!

Joe Flacco didn't play any years at a high level....he was just fine his rookie year in the NFL.

[Ruff]

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.

You're still making threads?

[Snake]

Do not want.

[Hawk]

from the outside looking in...Newton is going to get a huge ass contract being the #1 of course...and is there ever really room for 2 rookies on one team? The Clausen project needs to come to a quick end and y'all need to try to get a veteran starter instead. Trade Clausen off, get a senior starter and let Cam learn under him.

[Panthers_Lover]

from the outside looking in...Newton is going to get a huge ass contract being the #1 of course...and is there ever really room for 2 rookies on one team? The Clausen project needs to come to a quick end and y'all need to try to get a veteran starter instead. Trade Clausen off, get a senior starter and let Cam learn under him.

This.

[bleys]

Rivera said that each successive time they met with him, he got better at taking snaps from center, reading plays, and understanding plays. He also said he wouldn't start unless he was ready.

I'd really like to see him in a The Golden Calf of Bristol-ish role for the first few games like Denver did. Come in for a few plays each game so he can get a taste for the speed and physicality of the NFL level without blowing his brain up.

Now if we do start Jimmy and he starts throwing games away, expect Cam to be thrown into the fire quickly.

the 1st 6 teams we play won 10 games last year. expect it to be ugly, and I don't think that should imply Cam gets thrown in if he needs more time.

I disagree with ya on this one. I think it is very important, that if a young QB is supposed to sit back and learn, they need to have a good vet to show them the ropes. That would be ideal, but unless we somehow get that vet, Clausen or Moore(as much as I like him), aren't the guys he needs to learn from. Maybe not start week one, unless he is heads and shoulders better than our other options, come in around week 8 or so and take over, unless of course we are in playoff contention(yeah right).

I wasn't clear there. The guy said Cam will be starting because Clausen sucks. I was pointing out that regardless of who starts, Cam should sit.

Cam sitting and the starter sucking shouldn't be relevant. we face a tough schedule and Cam isn't going to save the day so no one should act like the "starter's" game play is relevant to Cam starting.

Bring in whoever. Cam should sit. There's no need to rush him out on the field, YOU ALL AREN'T WINNING A SUPERBOWL.. so it's really no point in being impatient. but look at me, telling fans to be rational..

from the outside looking in...Newton is going to get a huge ass contract being the #1 of course...and is there ever really room for 2 rookies on one team? The Clausen project needs to come to a quick end and y'all need to try to get a veteran starter instead. Trade Clausen off, get a senior starter and let Cam learn under him.

essentially you're saying "let Clausen walk" more so than expecting any trade value. there isn't a team in the NFL who is going to give up anything worthy for Clausen (a 7th maybe?)..

so I think it's best to bring in that Vet, keep Clausen and see if last year was the truth or a fluke..