Carolina Fans, You'll Be Alright (As Far As QB Goes), It's Not That Bad Of Luck

"Party at the Clausen house" is probably what Jimmy Clausen had to say after he heard the news this morning that Andrew Luck will stay in school next semester to pursue a degree.

Because now in all likely hood, Clausen will/should be the starting QB for the Carolina Panthers in 2011.

Yes, Luck will be the better quarterback when its all said and done (In my opinion), but relax panthers fans, It wasn't all Clausen's fault that this season went so horrible.

First off, lets look at Jimmy Clausen career.

Clausen had an outstanding prep career at Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, California. In 2006, he threw 49 touchdown passes for the season to lead the Lions to their first ever Division III state title.

Clausen never lost a football game he started in his prep career (42-0) and also holds California state records for career touchdowns (146).

Recruiting analysts considered him a “once in a decade” quarterback talent and ranked him as the #1 overall prospect of the 2007 high school class. 

Clausen enrolled early at Notre Dame and was Rushed into the starting roll following Notre Dame's opening loss to Georgia Tech in the 2007 season. The season ended in disaster (3-9) particularly like his rookie season in the NFL. and ironicly Clausen's freshman year stats are quite similar to his rookie season.

Take a look. 

Freshmen year-  56.3% completion percentage, 1254 yards, 7 TD to 6 int ratio, and he was sacked a team-record 34 times

Rookie season- 52.5% completion percentage, 1558 yards, 3 TD to 9 int ratio, and he was sacked 33 times

As Clausen's career continued he improved tremendously although his team did not.

During his sophomore season, he completed 60.9% of his passes for 3172 yards, 25 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He led the Fighting Irish to a 7-6 record, culminating in a 49-21 victory against Hawaii in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl. Clausen set Notre Dame bowl records with 406 yards passing and five touchdowns and was named the bowl's co-MVP.

Clausen's Senior season was about as perfect as you get stat wise, 3,722 yards passing, a 68.8% completion rate, 28 touchdowns, and only 4 interceptions. Yet his team once again failed to perform resulting in a 6-6 record.  

I state theses stats to show Clausen is truly all about improving. If the similar statistical trend continues then hey Carolina, you may have one great QB just waiting to explode.

Now the Panthers forgettable season was not all because of Clausen's poor play, and it would be unfair to put it all on him.

The defense Couldn't stop the run, the O-line let Clausen experience pressure so much that it probably became the expected (sacked 33 times), and most importantly Clausen had no one to throw to but a washed up Steve Smith.

If you watched most of Carolina's games, when Clausen wasn't getting pressured he flashed signs of being a legit NFL QB with some of his throws. But he needs weapons.

Now that Luck wont be entering the draft this gives the panthers the chance to address that need.

"Cough" AJ Green "Cough".

Clausen needs a down field threat and Green brings the speed, size, hands, and the most polished rout-running there is. Defensive Line is a big need too and maybe drafting DE Da'Quan Bowers here wouldn't be a bad move either considering this class is very very deep at WR. 

Clausen, playing his senior season with a toe injury that required off season surgery, leading multiple 4th quarter comebacks, posting a flawless 28TD to 4INT ratio (2 of those picks were tipped balls), and coming from a pro style offense, proved that he was a tough, hard-working, pro-ready QB.

Just wait Panther nation, get Clausen some help, give the kid a chance, and great QB play is what you will receive.