Ever since the Carolina Panthers used the No. 1 overall pick on QB Cam Newton in the 2011 NFL draft, the question has been when, not if, he will become the Panthers starting quarterback. The NFL lockout has made it a lot more difficult on the former Auburn star as he's had no time with his coaches this offseason, thus already putting him behind the curve when it comes to trying to lead the offense.
Early Prediction Has Jimmy Clausen As Panthers Starter, Not Cam Newton
The obvious pick for the Panthers start when Week 1 hits is QB Jimmy Clausen. He was drafted in 2010 and, despite a poor showing in his rookie year, seems destined to be the opening day starter. One Panthers reporter, Tom Sorensen of the Charlotte Observer, has stated that it will be Clausen who gets the nod early in the season.
But while Newton adjusts to the NFL, Clausen will get every opportunity to prove he can play. The Carolina Panthers almost certainly will entrust Clausen with their offense when they go to the road to play Arizona on opening weekend.
Not a big surprise at all. If the lockout hadn’t hit then this could have been a legitimate competition. Now it appears that, in the best case scenario, Carolina coaches will get their hands on Newton when training camp hits. That leaves little time to understand an entire NFL offense and gain the starter’s job.
So it’ll likely be Clausen early in the season. The next question becomes at what point Newton will take over.
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