Is Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen Ready for the NFL?

How quickly the outlook of a season can change. Just two weeks ago Notre Dame was 6-2. They looked ready to finish strong and possibly make a return to a BCS bowl. The talk wasn't whether Charlie Weis would be back in 2010, but rather whether or not Jimmy Clausen would be.

But after two disappointing losses to Navy and Pittsburgh, all the talk about Clausen leaving has become secondary to the discussion of who will be coaching the Irish next year. In all likelihood, it won't be Weis.

Although the talk of Clausen's decision is on the back burner, its impact on both him and the Irish is still huge. Three weeks ago, most around the country saw him as a 2010 NFL draft prospect. He looked ready to go without question. After the last two games, however, I have real questions as to whether or not he is ready for the next level.

I had already questioned his escape ability and whether or not he was able to consistently make a play outside the pocket. The last two weeks have only reconfirmed those fears.

I am not trying to attack Clausen. The young man has played his heart out all year and has definitely shown toughness. However, for the second straight week, he failed to deliver with the game on the line because he was unable to escape the pressure and make a great throw.

I know there are readers thinking right now that the line let him down and didn't block. That is true. If either Evan Sharpley or Dayne Crist are in the game, I would blame the line and not the quarterback. However, when I have a big-time quarterback like Clausen, I expect him to make a big-time play in a big-time moment.

I remember the Super Bowl two years ago when Eli Manning escaped a fierce rush from the Patriots and made an unbelievable throw to David Tyree.

Am I being a little unfair to Clausen? Perhaps. But I hear things like "he is a legitimate Heisman candidate," "he will be playing on Sundays for years to come," and "he is even better than Brady Quinn." When I hear things like that, I expect him to produce with the game on the line.

As much as I hate to say this, he hasn't done it consistently all year. Don't believe me? Let's go week by week.

In Week 1 against Nevada, Clausen had a great game. It was put out of reach early and he never had to produce with the game on the line.

Week 2 was against Michigan. Clausen had another great game and put Notre Dame ahead in the fourth quarter. However, with about a minute left he missed Golden Tate on a third-and-long. Michigan got the ball back and we know the rest. Knowing what we do about Michigan now, the Irish clearly let one get away.

Week 3 was against Michigan State. Here I will give him the credit for hitting Tate late in the game on the play that the Spartan band felt. There he came through for the Irish.

Week 4 was at Purdue. An injured Clausen got it done again with a last-second pass to Kyle Rudolph.

Week 5 was at Washington and, for the third straight week, Clausen produced with the game on the line. He rallied his team late and forced overtime. Then the Irish took control. Clausen was really looking like a quarterback you want in the clutch.

Two weeks later, USC came to South Bend. After being shut down for three quarters, Clausen led the offense on a fourth-quarter comeback. With a second to go in the game and the ball only a yard away, Clausen was unable to get his team in the end zone to force overtime. The sad part is that we now know that USC isn't even very good.

The seventh game was against Boston College. It was an ugly game for the offense and the only time the defense led the team to a win.

The next game was against Washington State. Clausen was great and never had to produce with the game on the line.

The last two games were Navy and Pittsburgh and we have already been there.

Looking at it closely, in all four of the games Notre Dame lost (Michigan, USC, Navy, Pittsburgh), the game was in the hands of their superstar quarterback and he didn't produce.

For that reason, Clausen really needs to think long and hard on whether or not he really is ready for the NFL. I bring this up because I want Clausen to succeed in the NFL. I will not recommend him going there when I clearly see aspects of his game that need improvement.

Again I understand that the line has to block better. However, Clausen needs to realize that in those passing situations, the pass rush is coming and he has to escape it. It may not sound fair, but great players make great plays in these situations. Here's how it's supposed to work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnj0I0-aN8w&feature=related

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