The Carolina Panthers are in a tough spot after drafting QB Cam Newton because ideally you want to have a full offseason to evaluate what you got and give him time to learn the offense. Unfortunately with the NFL lockout that won't be happening.
Cam Newton Won’t Start For Panthers Without Firm Grasp Of Offense
So what will the Panthers do with Newton? Will he immediately start over QB Jimmy Clausen? Bucky Brooks of NFL.com predicts the Panthers could be cautious with Newton.
Ultimately, the team will likely make it a quarterback competition with both guys vying for the job during training camp. I've heard from team officials that the Panthers will not play Newton extensively until he shows a firm grasp of the offense and they build a supporting cast that will enable him to have success as a starter.
Once he’s ready, he’ll be the starter, obviously. But, as we noted, the lockout makes being ready very difficult. He played in a more simplistic offense at Auburn and has already had a month of OTAs taken away so the idea of him starting from day one is hard to grasp. I just don’t see how it can be done.
As I’ve previously said, I think ideally you let Newton sit for a while on the bench. However, the Panthers quarterback situation is such that Newton may be the best option right off the bat which means he has to start from day one. I don’t think that’s the best case scenario but it may be the one that happens.
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