Panthers Position Review- Quarterback

The best word to describe the Panthers quarterback position from 2009 into 2010 is tumultuous. In years past the waters have been quiet at the QB position with Jake Delhomme seizing control since week one of 2003, but this offseason will be marred with questions by the national media on touted rookie Jimmy Clausen and his role in the battle with incumbent Matt Moore who finished the final five games of last season with great poise.

Today we'll be looking at all the quarterbacks on the roster right now, their chance to remain on the roster come the end of training camp and who could potentially start at the position.

Matt Moore: 6'3", 202 lbs; 4^th year- Oregon State

In past training camps Matt Moore has been rather underwhelming, but he shines during the regular season when it counts. This camp marks the first time where Moore will have ample time working with the 1^st team. In limited time as a starter he has already forged valuable bonds with Steve Smith and other key members of the Panthers' offense and that should translate to a better understanding on the field. While the coaching staff haven't officially named a starter and have been advocating ‘competition' I think everyone knows that it would take a momentous event for Clausen to unseat Moore.

100% chance to make the roster, 92% chance to be named starter

Jimmy Clausen: 6'2", 222 lbs; Rookie- Notre Dame

Clausen is going to be the focus of much of the media attention on Panthers' camp. A polarizing figure he is both loved and hated by college football fans around the nation, but there's no denying Clausen has talent. Entering the 2010 draft there were several pundits who believed the Notre Dame product was a better pro prospect than #1 overall pick Sam Bradford, but nobody truly believed Clausen would fall out of the 1^st round. What he offers is a very accurate, good arm and high football IQ, but there are questions about his social IQ as numerous charges have been leveled about his inability to relate to his teammates- only time will tell.

100% chance to make the roster, 8% chance to be named starter, 88% chance to be named backup.

Hunter Cantwell: 6'4", 236 lbs; 2^nd year- Louisville

During the 2009 preseason Hunter Cantwell caught the eyes of Panther fans with solid play, crisp throws and a winning mentality. Cantwell is still very, very raw but he is a solid project who could become a poor man's Matt Schaub in time. For now, he's battling rookie Tony Pike for who stays on the roster and who's relegated to the practice squad. At times Cantwell looks like he's tripping over his own feet in his back pedal and it's small mechanical issues that are holding him back right now. That being said, there's been numerous reports that the Panthers love Hunter Cantwell and are marveling at his seemingly endless arm strength.

55% chance to make the roster, 10% chance to be named backup

Tony Pike: 6'6", 222 lbs; Rookie- Cincinnati

The ‘other' QB taken in the 2010 draft was considered to be as high as a 2^nd round pick until the combine where a terrible show destroyed Pike's draft status and allowed him to fall to Carolina. Pike is first and foremost a spread QB and from the video we've seen from the Panthers' OTAs he looks clumsy taking snaps under center, which was to be expected. Pike is the kind of player who is a perfect backup for the Panthers because he plays like a taller Chad Pennington, he doesn't make mistakes very often but he has very little arm strength. If there was a situation where he would be needed to step up Pike couldn't make the deep throws, but he could hand off and make short passes where needed. To be in that position though he'll need to make big strides in training camp.

45% chance to make the roster, 2% chance to be named backup