D-Day for Jimmy (and DA): August 12

[Jpjr]

I've been very consistent about this - the first preseason game will determine Jimmy's fate as a starting NFL quarterback. It's really that simple. Forget about all the subjective obsevations in practice of both him and Cam.

If Clausen plays extremely well (considering the relative sloppyness of the 1st game back), he'll stay in the starting rotation in Carolina. Extremely poorly, he will lose his spot to DA and that will be that. Somewhere in between... his fate will be in the hands of one Cam Newton and how fast he chooses to develop.

In a nutshell... Jimmy needs to make some kinds of statement next Friday or it's over.

[CRA]

doesn't sound like Jimmy ever has made a statement in practice (last season or thus far).....don't see it happening in games until it does in practice.

It took Cam 2 days in practice to show that "wow" factor.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

doesn't sound like Jimmy ever has made a statement practice (last season or thus far).....don't see it happening in games until it does in practice.

It took Cam 2 days in practice to show that "wow" factor.

Exactly. Cam's made some mistakes, of course, and it sounds like his accuracy could be better -- still, he's at least shown flashes. I remember last year reading a very honest assessment by our own Zod and others that said Moore looked far and away better than Clausen last year. True, Clausen was a rookie, but so is Cam.

I think we'll see Cam start and have a rookie season similar to Peyton Manning's in that he makes plenty of mistakes but also shows flashes of greatness. Note: I am not likening Cam Newton to Peyton Manning. Just saying we'll see good and bad things out of him this year, whereas we've really only seen the bad out of Clausen.

[Jpjr]

You guys don't need to argue the point... I'm saying Clausen needs to "wow" in a real game setting or it's over. Practice is practice. By all accounts Cam Newton is "wowing" people by running. All accounts of his passing is happy feet and inaccuracy under pressure. But the difference between him and Clausen is that Cam's running ability can compensate for some bad throws. Clausen has to be a lights out passer to compete. That's all I'm saying - he needs to show up next week.

[panthers55]

Clausen will have to play head and shoulders above Newton to hope to get playing time. Otherwise he plays only if Newton screws up or gets hurt. If they both play equally, Newton will start given they believe he has more upside.

[jherald]

You guys don't need to argue the point... I'm saying Clausen needs to "wow" in a real game setting or it's over. Practice is practice. By all accounts Cam Newton is "wowing" people by running. All accounts of his passing is happy feet and inaccuracy under pressure. But the difference between him and Clausen is that Cam's running ability can compensate for some bad throws. Clausen has to be a lights out passer to compete. That's all I'm saying - he needs to show up next week.

I agree. The coaches are saying that it's a competition but I can tell in their comments that they want Cam to start. Good bad or indifferent.

[Lout]

In 11 on 11 drills, Jimmy has looked like the better QB between the two of them. Of course, Jimmy knows that he isn't going to really get hit/sacked in practice, so when the real bullets start flying, maybe he doesn't show the same confidence that has in practice. The preseason games will show us who the real starter will be just as the OP said.

[dexterpyro]

Cam will be the starter unless he has trouble grasping the entire offense. I was a big supporter of the jimmy but from what ive seen and heard, cam is right there, if not better than jimmy. If Jimmy or DA is tje opening day starter, there will be plays for cam in the offense, such as wild cat or Donovan's rookie year.

[Carl Spackler]

There's never been a make-or-break preseason opener and this is no exception. Too many knee-jerk reactions. There are four preseason games. I imagine Clausen and Newton will struggle in some and show promise in others. We'll see.

[Lout]

Cam has looked better than Clausen in 7 on 7 and 9 on 9 drills.. but for some reason Clausen has looked better in 11 on 11 drills.

[Jpjr]

There's never been a make-or-break preseason opener and this is no exception. Too many knee-jerk reactions. There are four preseason games. I imagine Clausen and Newton will struggle in some and show promise in others. We'll see.

Things change. This is Jimmy's Super Bowl. If you don't believe me, watch what happens to the depth chart if he doesn't perform. There is no recovering from that when you have 3 years left on your contract and a rookie has already taken your spot.

[Kyle82]

Clausen will have to play head and shoulders above Newton to hope to get playing time. Otherwise he plays only if Newton screws up or gets hurt. If they both play equally, Newton will start given they believe he has more upside.

Yep....man I would hate to be in Clausen's shoes....lots of pressure for a second year guy. This will be a really exciting pre-season to watch unlike most teams who know who their starting QB is!

[Peppers90 NC]

Cam is the starter, no doubt. But if anyone thinks that ONE preseason game determines someone's professional fate, unless they just shti the bed, is crazy. So to the OP, I disagree.

[Carl Spackler]

Things change. This is Jimmy's Super Bowl. If you don't believe me, watch what happens to the depth chart if he doesn't perform. There is no recovering from that when you have 3 years left on your contract and a rookie has already taken your spot.

The first half of the first preseason game is all the time you're giving Clausen to show dramatic improvement, while Newton gets two full seasons? You're too biased for me to take anything you're saying seriously. Step back and consider you're calling the first half of a practice game, one of four, the biggest moment in a second-round second-year player's career. Thanks for playing.