Clausen- One And Done?
In the last several weeks, a whirlwind of rumors have surfaced regarding the quarterback position and the future of Jimmy Clausen with the Carolina Panthers. Plenty of pundits have weighed in, some claiming inside sources who suggest that Carolina will take Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert with the first overall pick. In other instances, evaluators have come to believe that both Gabbert and Newton have the upside to warrant #1 consideration.
That’s a fair argument, right? Well, here are a few other points worth mentioning.
8 of the last 10 players selected first overall were quarterbacks.
Seems good so far.
How about pointing out that Carolina hired a new head coach to turn around this wayward franchise. And this coach has done and said many things to suggest he is very serious about finding a franchise quarterback, including handing out playbooks for his top 3 QB candidates to study, so that he can test their ability to absorb an NFL offense.
Awesome, it’s only a matter of time, now!
One more thing, I left out one small, tiny, minuscule draft history fact.
In the last 20 years, no team has ever burned a 1st round pick on a QB after spending a first or second round pick at the position the previous Draft. No exceptions.
Wait……what?
When teams spend a high round pick on a QB, they seem to be very afraid to give up on him so soon. To do so, would be to admit failure. After all, Marty Hurney (GM) is still there, and he was the guy who drafted Clausen in the first place.
Then, why the QB smokescreen?
Teams love to play this game because it supposedly hides their true intentions. In this case, it my belief that the Panthers want to build trade value, in order to satisfy other needs, like DT. Broadcasting an interest in the top QB’s could potentially lead other QB hungry franchises to fall for Carolina’s bluff.
As some of you may know, I am strong believer in looking at Draft history to help shed light on tendencies in this unpredictable game that we know and love.
Can’t wait until the Draft!
