Panther Paw Prints: Post Mini-Camp Edition
by Jaxon on May 3, 2010 10:48 PM EDT
Email
PrintThis edition of Paw Prints focuses on the feedback from the Panthers recently completed mini-camp. Mini-camp gave us our first look at the new faces on the roster, both rookie draft picks and the recent FA editions as it was a full roster camp.Let's go ahead and start with the guy creating most of the buzz, top pick QB Jimmy Clausen:
Rookie Clausen's fire impresses Panthers - Chicago Breaking Sports
"We said that's gutsy and arrogant at the same time -- and I think that might be a good thing in a quarterback," said Gross. "I remember when I was a rookie, I just had my head down and didn't look unless somebody was talking to me. It was such an intimidating situation to come into. "He's a guy who had a lot of press clear back in high school, so he's probably used to it a little more than I was or a lot of rookies might be.
Sounds like some of his team mates aren't exactly sure how to take this guy so far. Me personally, I'm liking the touch of arrogance (or it really confidence). Hey, they all agree he appears eager and open to listen and learn. That's all we can really ask for at this point. Yet for all the focus on the rookie and the pundits expecting him to win the starters job (not me), I was just as interested to hear how QB Matt Moore looked:
QB coach sizes up his 'eager' young squad - CharlotteObserver.com
"I see a guy playing with a lot of confidence. Matt has the right demeanor to be a quarterback in this league. You have to have a little bit of a Teflon mentality and let things roll off of you. Not that it's a nonchalance - it burns at him inside - but if you let it eat you up from inside out, you're going to be hurting."
I'm thinking Rip knows what he is talking about.
I can't decide whether I should be worried about our secondary depth even though I'm confident CB Richard Marshall will sign his RFA tender soon:
Observations on Carolina's camp - NFC South Blog - ESPN
I thought cornerback Captain Munnerlyn looked pretty good out there, running with the first-team defense. He was in there because starter Richard Marshall is looking for a long term contract and didn’t attend. Marshall could be trying to force a trade and I could see the Panthers doing something like that, in part because of the reasons we talked about in the first item. But Marshall, a restricted free agent, isn’t really dealing from a position of strength. Yes, the Panthers could definitely use him this year, let Munnerlyn develop as a nickelback for another season and groom some of their young guys for bigger roles. But Munnerlyn might not be that far away from being ready to be a starter.
In reality the only guy we lost from the secondary was dime back Dante Wesley so I'm not sure why I've been uneasy. Hearing this about Munnerlyn though helps tremendously...I love a good quote and here's one of the better ones I've heard recently:
Mick's Bag: New look Panthers
And if you start getting nervous wondering if these young pups will be up to the jobs that confront them, just remember the immortal words of hall of fame baseball executive Branch Rickey, who once told his Brooklyn Dodgers, "Gentlemen, I prefer the errors of enthusiasm to the indifference of wisdom."
Not to be outdone is our own team leader and master pontificator LB Jon Beason:
Jon Beason
For rookies, the work ethic is the most important thing. We call it being a true professional. If you’re not a true professional from the start, it’s going to be a while until you develop as a player. Other players won’t trust that guy, the coaches won’t trust him, and if he doesn’t know what’s going on he can’t get on the field anyway.
You can't put a value on that kind of trust. I think this really explains why its taken so long for WR Dwayne Jarrett to get his chance to get on the field... More insight regarding the youth movement with a tad of humor from LT Jordan Gross:
COLUMN: Budget cuts have led to younger, faster Panthers | led, budget, panthers - Sports - The Star Online : The Newspaper of Cleveland County
"There’s good energy and some good competition," Gross said. "There are a lot more positives happening than if you just look at it on paper. Just because we didn’t sign any major free agents doesn’t mean the young talent we have isn’t any good. Everybody is playing fast. That’s what happens when everybody is 25."
We will have one of the youngest teams in the league next season but please don't tell me the Panthers are 'rebuilding'. I'm not buying it for one minute. This team can and will compete in spite of the youth movement.Here's some more insight, this time from ESPN's Pat Yasinkas:
Young Panthers are Fox's kind of team - NFC South Blog - ESPN
Sometimes having a room full of guys who buy into your system can be a lot better than having a few very talented, but very unhappy guys tearing you down.
Your preaching to the choir Pat...Let's get back to that youthful exuberance that seems to be percolating from the the guy creating all the buzz:
Jimmy Clausen brings expectations, emotion to Panthers - BostonHerald.com
"I think that’s how you have to play," said Clausen. "It’s an emotional game. Guys are trying to rip your head off every time you have the ball in your hand, so you can’t be passive. You’ve got to attack, just like they’re attacking you. "It’s a great game and I love the passion about it. ... I want to win every single play. I love it when we have big runs and guys make great blocks or a great catch on the field. That’s what I get excited about."
I really can't get enough if this right now...Let's not forget the other QB drafted as well. Though Tony Pike is more of a project he has tremendous potential as well.
NFL: First minicamps generate positive vibes for Detroit Lions, St. Louis Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers - ESPN
Q: Jimmy Clausen wasn't the only quarterback the Panthers took in the draft. Tony Pike from Cincinnati was also picked by the Panthers. If Clausen doesn't do well in training camp, would he be in jeopardy of losing the No. 2 spot to Pike? Adam in CincinnatiA: I doubt it, but it is possible. Brian Brohm was a second-round quarterback taken by the Packers and he ended up losing a backup chance to Matt Flynn. Gus Frerotte was a seventh-round choice in Washington and he looked better than Heath Shuler in his first training camp. Based on the minicamp over the weekend, Clausen didn't fall into the trap that caught Brohm and Shuler. Clausen looked better than Pike, which doesn't mean Pike won't have a great career. Matt Moore is currently No. 1, but I believe Clausen will win the starting job and Moore will be the backup. Pike should end up as the third quarterback. What's great for the Panthers is that they have three young quarterbacks and are much more talented at the position than they were a couple of weeks ago. It was a great draft for the Panthers.
I just don't have anything left to say about this...for now!
22 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I'm just glad we came out healthy
The Steelers most likely lost Sweed for the season already, so it’s nice that our guys emerged unscathed.
Here’s to hoping that from now until training camp will be reasonably uneventful for the Panthers.
by the bomb dot com on May 4, 2010 1:10 AM EDT reply actions
How can you get injured in no contact drills?
That’s impressive.
He steps to the left, he steps to the riiiiiiight. That Amos Roberts, he'll make you look shite!
I'm really starting to wonder if we wont see Clausen starting sonner rather than later.
I’m so used to Fox putting the vet. out there no matter what. I just don’t expect another QB to have a realistic shot. So I’m expecting he would be the same way with Matt Moore. He might not be though.
If Jimbo shines then how could he not put him out there? I’m thinking of the Sanchez situation last year. Rex could have put Clemmons out there because he had the exp. But he went with Sanchez. And we do have that formula that Clausen could excell in. This is all getting really interesting.
If they are going to throw him out there soon this would be the ideal season to do it. We have a soft schedule. I want Moore to have a shot. In my heart. But if Jimbo is better I want him out there. I don’t really want to wait untill Moore destroys his value to see Clausen though.
Clausen is going to be our QB for a long time. This is obvious IMO. And if he can grasp the playbook and everything well enough to manage the game…then I think we have to start Clausen and trade Moore while his value is at its highest. It would be risky but if Moore fails then his value would be ruined.
So in closing if Furney plans to have Clasuen on the field by 2011 then they might as well start him this season and get the most you can for Matt Moore. Because bottom line is Jimbo is our QB and Matt is going to go. So we should get something for him while we can.
Thomas Davis, Jon Beason, Eric Norwood, Dan Conner, James Anderson, and Jamar Williams are our LB corp!!!!
Tank (306) and Leonard (325) will stop the run and collapse the pocket! I promise!
Our front 7 will be BEAST!
by STEVEN 785 on May 4, 2010 1:42 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
SOFT SCHEDULE
Don’t know what schedule you were looking at, but NFC south in general is rarely “soft”… also, a GM’s plans always look good on paper, but putting out a “highly taughted” rookie before he is ready has proved to create greater setbacks to their development, than positives. The “soft” schedule you speak of, goes out the window when that first coin toss hits the ground, and those DE’s and LB’ers are bigger, stronger and faster than most of what you saw in college. By all accounts, most teams have made pretty good pick-ups, and last years W-L records aren’t good indicators for their performance this year. I guarantee you didn’t think we would end up where we did last year, after coming off a 12-4 season. Paper is very deceptive, especially this early.
Moore will have more value after a full season, than right now. He’s earned his shot, I would be disappointed if he gets bypassed, unless of course, it is that obvious that Clausen is superior, but I don’t see that right now. In time, he’ll have his day.
We play the NFC south every year
In case you didn’t notice we are in that division. So I would then be looking at the non-divisional opponents. And we play the NFC west…not as tough as the NFC east. And the AFC north…th only team in that division that I would worry about going all the way would be Baltimore. Then we have the Bears in our house…very possible we lose that game if JP decides to take over the game. And we have the Giants week 1 under a new DC.
So yeah I would consider this schedule soft pal. It could definately be worse.
Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Mark Sanchez, and Matt Stafford did pretty well.
I think we would have done a lot better than 8-8 if Jake wouldn’t have thrown 18 INTs. And I’ve already heard Clausen is our most accurate QB. So I don’t think he would give away that many.
If Moore comes out with those wild passes that he did in the first half of every game he started last season, and defenders actually catch them instead of dropping them, the his value will drop. Right now (I assume) half of the league thinks he is a legit starting QB just stuck behind Jake Delhomme. If he comes out flat they they will say “that’s why he never beat out anyone” and everyone else will say “I told you so”. And then what do we get? A 7th?
Matt is going to be gone very soon. I don’t expect us to resign him after this year. He doesn’t believe he is a career backup. So why would he stay? Unless Jimbo has. Career ending injury, or just has a complete meltdown, or rapes someone, he is going to be our franchise QB.
Thomas Davis, Jon Beason, Eric Norwood, Dan Conner, James Anderson, and Jamar Williams are our LB corp!!!!
Tank (306) and Leonard (325) will stop the run and collapse the pocket! I promise!
Our front 7 will be BEAST!
by STEVEN 785 on May 4, 2010 11:04 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
agreed could be worse
still dont think it is soft… did you consider buffalo a soft game last season? No need to be snippy, either, pal.
agreed that 49ers, seahawks, and rams, don’t quite scare anyone, but the 49ers in particular have picked up some talent, they could make a game of it, not sure about seahawks. Rams have their troubles, but they have talent as well, could play out like the dolphins game last season…who thought Ricky Williams would run all over the panther D….
I don’t necessarily agree that half the league thinks he’s a legit starting quarterback yet, i think it would be much closer to our fan base here, we think he has the tools, and most hope he breaks out this season, but i believe most GM’s are taking the same, wait and see approach.
Sample size for success and leadership i think are still way too small for Matt.
Ryan, Flaco, Sanchez and Stafford
benefited from teams not needing them to do too much right away. Given the fact that we have made wholesale changes at alot of positions, may make a rookie QB’s insertion a little more difficult.
Those four teams had solid defenses, and had enough on the offensive side, that minimalized the risk. I remember early on, they each had significant struggles. Flaco was lucky to get 150 yards passing per game, but he didn’t need to in most cases.
Same could be said about a QB stepping into our offense, I suppose, but the questions are on the defensive side, as there is substantial change there. When you know your defense is going to keep you in a game, you can be more conservative with your offense (see Flaco and Ravens).
With so much in flux, on offense and defense, I don’t see throwing a rookie QB into the mix, but I am open to changing my mind once the whistle blows, and passes are actually being thrown.
all the changes...
…are a non issue for me. I have faith. Huge faith in the D. I’m high on what we are doing on that side of the ball. I’m very high on the Martin/Godfrey duo. Our CBs will do what they do. And our LBs will do what they do.
I also think everyone is going to be shocked with our DL. DTs,DEs the whole unit. We have great options with our rotation.
I think the “?s” surrond OC,WRs#2#3#4, and STs,that’s about it man. Pretty much everything else is a sure thing.
Thomas Davis, Jon Beason, Eric Norwood, Dan Conner, James Anderson, and Jamar Williams are our LB corp!!!!
Tank (306) and Leonard (325) will stop the run and collapse the pocket! I promise!
Our front 7 will be BEAST!
by STEVEN 785 on May 4, 2010 12:10 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Agreed
and certainly, i appreciate your faith. Being a Pastor, that carries me a long way in all areas of my life.
I share your faith in the D, and in what Meeks is doing. These guys will just need to gel as a unit, and put it together on the field. Hopefully, we’ll stay away from injury issues that plagued the unit early on, and the system will fly from game 1, and not wait till mid season to peak. I believe it can. FAITH.
Also, for the sake of conversation...
the difference between our D, and those of Ravens, Jets etc., is they had been proven for several seasons as pretty consistent. Not sure that it could be said of ours, after last season, and with all of the additions this season.
Until some games are under the belt, for us it is still Faith, hope and speculation.
Wish the season started this weekend…
I agree
They are consistent. I don’t think we have been consistently dominant,but we always have a good D for the most part. Right now I think we are headed in a good direction under Meeks. And with all the youth we have I think we will be able to continue for years to come.
Thomas Davis, Jon Beason, Eric Norwood, Dan Conner, James Anderson, and Jamar Williams are our LB corp!!!!
Tank (306) and Leonard (325) will stop the run and collapse the pocket! I promise!
Our front 7 will be BEAST!
by STEVEN 785 on May 4, 2010 12:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
yeah I consider Buffalo soft.
We should have won that game hands down. But Jake made sure we didn’t. If I don’t sense some kind of attitude or smugness in your comment then I won’t be snippy, pal.
The Cardinals are also in that division, and they will suck this year. 3rd place finish. 49ers will win the division. No way in hell the Rams beat us. Our 2nd team is better than the Rams.
There has to be a good number of people that see what Matt Moore did in December. And a good number of people would give him a shot. Off the top of my head…BUF, TB, ARI, PIT SEA. BUF and ARI I could see giving up good picks.
I just think that if we are going to shove Clausen out there mid season or next year" then do it now and get something for Matt Moore. If Moore throws a bunch of INTs and fails to lead the team in come from behind victorys then his value drops.
Granted if Moore does well then his value would go up no doubt. But then we get nothing because he can walk after this season. We could tag him…but that’s risky. But he isn’t going to want to resign with us to just eventually be benched for Clausen.
It really all depends on what Furney wants from Clausen in the near future. He has the talent around him and a forgiving schedule for this season. It should be very interesting how it all plays out.
Thomas Davis, Jon Beason, Eric Norwood, Dan Conner, James Anderson, and Jamar Williams are our LB corp!!!!
Tank (306) and Leonard (325) will stop the run and collapse the pocket! I promise!
Our front 7 will be BEAST!
by STEVEN 785 on May 4, 2010 11:59 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
smug
nor snippy have ever been used to identify me so far in my life. hopefully that will continue. I was just sharing my thoughts. I also pointed out where I agreed with yours, so it should be obvious that I wasn’t trying to pick an internet fight with someone I do not know. There is a good chance you may be bigger than I am.
similar to the way “e-mails” sometimes get misrepresented, since you cant see body language or hear the tone of voice.
As for the teams you mentioned interested in Matt, no one was knocking down his door that I recall reading. I do remember him saying he signed his tender quickly because this is where he wanted to be. I still think the FO’s of other teams want to see a fuller portfolio, just like we do. Can he bring you back fron 14 down in the 4th quarter, can he lead this team consistently and win the games we probably should’ve lost? I don’t think they’ve sen enough to be sold on him, definitely not like Cassell taking over for Brady.
I agree there is risk either way you look at it. Let him go now, and he becomes everything we thought he would be, except for someone else, or he bombs here, which could also happen to Clausen.
I’m just not sure Matt’s perceived value is what you think it is.
well then I'm sorry for being snippy.
I don’t think anyone is going to give up a 1st and 3rd for him. But let’s say a 2nd or a 3rd, I think ARI, and BUF would make the move depending on how their TCs and PSs go.
If I were a BUF fan and looked at the QB ratings for December then I would be begging them to pull the trigger. Same with the 49ers. I would much rather have Moore than Smith.
Moore might be good. Those wild throws were nerves I think. He showed a lot of upside. But I don’t think he will ever be a Manning, Breed, Brady. And while he has the hype I think we should get the value while it lasts.
Thomas Davis, Jon Beason, Eric Norwood, Dan Conner, James Anderson, and Jamar Williams are our LB corp!!!!
Tank (306) and Leonard (325) will stop the run and collapse the pocket! I promise!
Our front 7 will be BEAST!
by STEVEN 785 on May 4, 2010 1:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
accepted and appreciated
as I hope any “smugness” from my end, you would erase with my apolgy for sounding smug and snippy as well.
You make valid points. I guess i just don’t have the faith in Clausen yet, to let go of your only QB with NFL experience, even if it’s a thimble full. Seeing that behind Moore is a slew of unproven (NFL level), yet very talented Rookie’s, would make it very hard for me to pull that trigger yet. In my mind I wonder what all of the other teams were thinking that passed on Clausen, who early on was regarded as an “EARLY” first rounder, to dropping far enough for us to get him.
Can’t wait to see what all these guys bring out on the field though!
I concede to you, that as far as Clausen goes, you out-faith me!
water under the bridge
Lol at the Clausen comment. Its not that I believe in Clausen like that. I’m not willing to let go of Moore so easy. But if Jimbo shows that he can manage the game. If he can out play Moore, then I want him in there. And I want to get something for Moore while we can.
But if Moore is okay with being #2 then I want him here. The best back up in the NFL. Why wouldn’t we want him? I just think he wants more for himself. And if he can be a starter then I want that for him to. But we didn’t draft Clausen to be a back up. We drafted him to be a franchise QB. If Furney plans on puttuing him out there half way through the season or next season then I would just rather do it now.
But this all depends on where Clausen is in his development, and what Furney expects from him. And Furney usually expects big things from their first pick.
Thomas Davis, Jon Beason, Eric Norwood, Dan Conner, James Anderson, and Jamar Williams are our LB corp!!!!
Tank (306) and Leonard (325) will stop the run and collapse the pocket! I promise!
Our front 7 will be BEAST!
by STEVEN 785 on May 4, 2010 10:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yes Buffalo was very soft
We were just softer. A soft game doesn’t mean the Panthers win just for showing up, but it does mean that we will be playing a sub .500 team. Like Buffalo last year.
If God came down on Christmas Day
I know exactly what He'd say
He'd say "Oi!" to the punks
and "Oi!" to the skins
but "Oi!" to the world and everybody wins.
-The Vandals
Noted
and understood. my point was the overall schedule is not soft, IMO, seeing as only about a fourth of our games are against sub 500 teams, tampa, cleveland, seattle and st. louis. Tampa even at their worst always plays us tough no matter what their record is, and even at 3-13 last year, i don’t consider them a soft team. the only game on this schedule in my mind that has the potential to be “soft” is st. louis. the rest look pretty competitive based on past history and recent additions to their teams. On first glance, the so called “soft” teams on our schedule have pretty decent defenses, they typically struggled on offense. I think it is more difficult with the greater parity of NFL teams, to proclaim a schedule soft enough to insert a rookie quarterback, based on what it looks like on paper. In the case of Tampa, they lost 4 games by a td or less, which would’ve made them a more respectable 7-9 had those games gone in their favor. I do agree our schedule could’ve been much tougher, though.
I usually have complaints but none so far. I really liked the draft picks, I like what they did this season by getting rid of the old, dead weight, and I like the direction this team is going. We needed young, hungry players on this roster, we needed open competition, and we needed new life. With a strong o-line, a solid running game, and qb who doesnt turn the ball over, I think the O will be fine. On D, my only minor concern is d-line, but I have faith in E. Brown and they said Hardy was flying all over the field. Plus, I think Meeks will do another outstanding job with all the young guys.
"It's a bad day to have a bad day" - Coach John Fox of the Carolina Panthers
No complaints DWG? That is high praise indeed!
I kid I kid…hey, you were one of the first to say Jake was headed down hill last season so I’m giving you props!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
