Somebody call George Cohen! This jersey issue needs some mediation!

That includes punters. Baker knew the situation we would be in this year before anyone else, and now stands to get money from two different people to make this whole jersey thing happen. Crafty punters.

I don’t know if this fan base can take a return of Jake Delhomme. I think they will go looking for a veteran QB who cuts the mustard well enough to start right away and let Cam do some necessary learning.

I like the idea of McNabb coming to Carolina! Delhomme would be interesting (I’m not in real favor of it though)…wonder if Steve Smith would give him much of a welcome (…before possibly leaving)?

Situation is interesting, indeed. I look forward to seeing how that all plays out.

I’d prefer that we bring in a vet to start, but if we have to go with a vet to mentor rather than start, I hope really hope it’s Jake Delhomme. Above all the others, I think Jake would be able to teach some valuable intangibles that some of these other guys cannot. Also, this would allow him to retire a panther. I would love to see this.

He has veteran leadership and he can start now if need be. He can also show Cam the fundamentals of what it takes to be a successful “scrambling” NFL QB. Not just running but keeping his eyes down field while avoiding the pass rush.

I love the guy with a passion. He’s my favorite Panther of all time. But my concern is that there are still players in that locker room that would have followed Delhomme to hell, so how will that affect Cam Newton’s ability to win over a team?

I worry that the more veteran players (and I use that term loosely) would gravitate towards Delhomme. This whole team seemed to have a Delhomme hangover last year, and I think bringing him back would perpetuate that.

Honestly, I wouldn’t have a problem if any of those veteran QBs came to town.

McNabb is intriguing because he kind of fits Cam’s style to a degree. He’s a scrambler and an innovator and he can run…but he can also throw the deep ball with a pretty big arm. Cam could probably learn a lot from him. But, I think it would be pretty clear if McNabb came here, it wouldn’t be as a “mentor”…i.e., he’d be looking to start. McNabb is one of those QBs who still feels he has plenty left in the tank and wants the starting job. If I were in his shoes, I’d feel the same way. Also, with McNabb in the starting role, I’d feel a bit more confident about our offense going into this season. His experience would make a big difference.

With regards to Jake Delhomme, I’d be down for that, too. But only in a mentoring capacity. Jake’s intangibles and leadership are the things I’d want to Cam to pick up from him. And I think Jake would make a pretty good advisor on the sidelines for him. Plus, he would make a decent insurance policy in the event of injuries. Would his return stir up some fans? Yeah. Would people be really worried if he got forced into the starting role? Yeah. But again, if he just came in as a #2 QB to help mentor Cam, I think most people would welcome him back. And that would also make for a nice situation whereby Delhomme could eventually retire as an active Panther…and I think that would be good for the history of the franchise.

As for Kerry Collins…the same thing kind of applies. He had a lot of growing up to do. And he took his hard knocks and made something out of his career eventually. It just happened while he was away from the Panthers. But, if we could bring him back, I’d be okay with Kerry in either role…i.e., starter or mentor. His skillset is probably stronger than Jake’s at the moment. He’d be about as reliable experience-wise as McNabb. And he could adquately prepare Cam for eventually taking over the offense (if Kerry starts) or come in as a backup in the event of injury (if Cam starts).

Lastly, regarding Billy Volek…I don’t have a strong opinion either way. The guy has performed when called upon. He’s probably a better option than most other veteran QBs we might bring in. I’m sure he too could fulfill either role…i.e., he could start for us or serve as a backup (something he’s done for awhile now).

Just my two cents,
—Neil

I think that would give Cam the drive to be a great football player
Tell Smitty give us one more chance
Give Cam 2 Clausen 00 and keep Baker at 7

so I don’t mean to be the debby downer but I don’t know if I see it happening. There seems to be a Vikings McNabb romance in the air and while I know that we’re all aware of just how good this team is I don’t know if a player of McNabb’s status (and use of being in the spotlight) would choose Carolina over Minnesota. I would love for McNabb to be here though and think some of the above skills would benefit Newton tremendously from seeing first hand (keeping eyes down field while scrambling). That being said, I think they go the content back-up route.

With no new news in the CBA I hope they tell us more soon so I can get my daily fix in.

 Why should another player cause his fans to go out & buy a new jersey when they dont have to? Someone that bought a Baker #7 jersey doesnt want Clausen or anyone else coming in taking that #.

Having Delhomme return to mentor our young QBs would be an excellent idea AND perhaps the means to talk Smitty into staying one more season in Charlotte. If anything those of us with Delhomme jerseys can wear them on game day again.
Realistically, I would imagine the optimal move to properly mentor Cam would be a trade for McNabb. Think about what he did for Vick and since they share similar skills it makes sense.
However, it should be assumed any solution to the QB spot will be short term to get Cam ready to take the helm. I would love to see Clausen develop into a decent starter so we can trade him for good value.

If we don’t bring Jake in as the vet QB, I hope we bring him back sometime to retire as a Panther. I would also like to see him in the front office one day.

(And forgive me if I’m echoing some things that have already been said.)

Hasselbeck, McNabb, and Bulger would be the guys who would give us the best chances of winning were they to take on starting roles if you’re planning on Cam spending at least several weeks sitting (and maybe playing a little “garbage time” before actually starting). Because he has been a backup at Baltimore, I think Bulger might be the most amenable out of those guys as far as sharing the spotlight. While I initially wasn’t too high on the idea of Bulger, he’s really starting to become my preference out of those guys. I just get this feeling that he might have a Kurt Warner-like end of career. If that’s the case, Cam has plenty of room to sit. People would be pretty happy as long as we could win games with Bulger, and Cam gets more time to learn. I’m afraid that Hasselbeck and McNabb think they have a lot more left in them than they do, and I don’t see them making sudden comebacks. Again, just a feeling on my part.

The idea of Jake is really intriguing. It’s just that his departure has been so recent. As has been said, his personality may unintintionally take over the locker room because of the emotional attachment I imagine the players would still have to him. But I do think he realizes that he’s likely to primarily be a back-up for the rest of his career. It kills me that he all of a sudden had a meltdown in the 2008 Arizona game, and he has yet to get over it. I think he absolutely has the physical ability to play at the level he played at in the regular 2008 season. It’s just the psychological aspect I’d be concerned about. If a sports psychologist could snap him out of it somehow…if he could get back his confidence…I’d welcome him back. And everyone could pull out their Delhomme jerseys again.

Kerry Collins definitely realizes that his role is a back-up role except when a team really needs him to be the starter (a la Vince Young’s meltdown). He still can throw a deep ball – good for a vertical passing game. But, he’s not as accurate as he once was. He’s also taken one heck of a physical beating in Tennessee – reminds me of Favre’s 2009 playoffs and his 2010 season. If the O-line could hold up a pocket and protect him, I think you could still get some good play out of him. It’s been a long time since he played here…so maybe some of the bitter taste he left in a lot of fans’ mouths has dissipated. If you’re looking for a person who can still play, who knows he’s really a back-up, who is capable of starting some games, who could win you some games…he really might be your guy if you’re hoping to start Cam sooner rather than later. Collins also might be one of the most easily attainable QBs.

As to Jersey Numbergate, it really would be nice to see a Cam pay Clausen to give up #2 and to pay Baker to give up #7 to Jimmy (Cam’s the new rookie coming in, so I think he should take on the full cost of jersey-switching), and for Baker to take one of his former numbers. That way, everyone gets a jersey number that they have an attachment to, and then the money could be donated to a good cause. It seems like it would be a win-win for Cam, Clausen, and Baker – and it would make all of them look good for helping out a charity.

Chances are he’ll get it back sooner rather than later. I mean, as James said, he’s already worn 3 different numbers.

That way Cam can take number 2.

Honestly though, Cam should start fresh, IMO. Get 5 or 9 or something. Who wears 12? 15?

I know there’s complications bringing him back. But let’s be honest… Whether you love or hate the guy, he’s the best QB to ever put on a Panther jersey.

There is no debating that Cam Newton is the future of the franchise. So this has little to do with Jake’s game time performance. It’s all about the intangibles that he brings to the locker room… The things that we all agree Jake excels at. If Cam needs to learn how to simultaneously be a leader and be humble, then there’s nobody better to do it than Jake.

Cam cuts out the middle man and buys the #7 from Baker… forcing Clausen to buy it from him and getting the #2 for free

POWDERKEG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UceCrHl_KHU

At this point I trust the FO to bring in the right guy.

The article at the time was about potential free agent QBs who would serve as a great backup to Matt Moore or a starter in their own right. It compared specifically Marc Bulger and Jason Campbell. Obviously now you can ignore the piece about Campbell, but I would read the rest of the article to review what the Bulge can do for you.

Battle of the Bulge: Why I’m not drinking Campbell’s soup

Remember, this was a simpler time. It was before Jimmeh, before the 2-14 ordeal, and before we knew that Matt Moore was NOT the future.

I still stand by Marc Bulger as being the ideal candidate in free agency as someone who could come in, lead the time for awhile, and give Cam the time he needs to learn. Even once Cam is the starter, Bulger would certainly be a great veteran back up. Unlike McNabb and Hasselbeck, both of whom consider themselves to be full time starters (I think Hasselbeck still is, but i just don’t see it in McNabb anymore), Bulger is okay with his role of backup and mentor, and could even see a career resurgence here in Carolina.

That’s how I’d roll.

He’s already one of the most hated guys in Panther nation. His jobs on the line, while Cam’s not going anywhere. If a rift is created between him and the new, shiny, 1st overall QB, then he’s the one that will suffer for it.