Carolina Panthers Aren't Out of Luck: Veteran Options at QB for the Team
As we enter the 2011 offseason, the Carolina Panthers are in need of players in many positions. They hold the first overall pick, but with Andrew Luck deciding to stay in school at least another year, they lost out on a franchise quarterback.
There are other quarterbacks in the Draft that are available, including Blaine Gabbert, Jake Locker and Cam Newton, who would be an improvement for Carolina considering the production they had last season. However, none of which are worth and first overall pick or seem be the savior of a 2-14 team.
With so many people focusing on the Panthers taking a quarterback first overall, I have to disagree.There is a very talented group of players this year's draft class.
Carolina hired Ron Rivera as their head coach last week, a former defensive coordinator for Chicago and San Diego. There is a lot of talent in the draft defensively with Nick Fairley, Da'Quan Bowers and Patrick Peterson. Although Peterson is not the answer for Carolina, the defensive line is one of their top needs.
Carolina could also go offense with their first overall pick by selecting Georgia wide receiver AJ Green. I have no doubt in my mind that Green is going to be an elite receiver in the next upcoming years.
But Carolina already has their four-time Pro Bowl receiver Steve Smith, and youngsters David Gettis and Brandon LaFell showed promise and potential during their rookie season.
If Steve Smith is traded away, which their is a good chance of it, AJ Green is my pick for Carolina.
As of right now, I believe the Carolina Panthers should select Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley with their first overall pick. With what Ndamukong Suh did for the Lions last season, I wouldn't doubt Fairley had the same impact for Carolina.
Now that I have thrown out their what Carolina should do with their first overall pick, now we turn to their next issue: quarterback.
Carolina has their top selection/young quarterback in Jimmy Clausen, who they spent a second-round pick on last season. Although he disappointed, this is a whole new staff, a whole new attitude and a probable remade franchise.
The Panthers need a veteran quarterback.
Here are some options for Carolina at quarterback.
Billy Volek, San Diego.
1 of 6
2011 Statistics: 8 yards, zero touchdowns, zero interceptions.
Volek was once a top-candidate for a future starting quarterback when he took over in Tennessee in 2004. That all ended when he was traded to San Diego to be the backup to Phillip Rivers.
Rivers has been able to stay healthy, so Volek hasn't had much playing time in recent years.
At 34 years old, he is no long-term option, but would be great if Carolina wanted to stick with Jimmy Clausen has their franchise quarterback, or wait and find a quarterback in 2011 or 2012 NFL Draft.
He would be a cheap option, and would allow Carolina to spend their money elsewhere.
Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos.
2 of 6
2011 Statistics: 3,653 yards, 20 touchdowns, nine interceptions.
The Denver Broncos have said that they would be willing to trade quarterback Kyle Orton for a second-round pick.
Is he worth it? Yes.
Kyle Orton would be a great fit for Carolina until they are able to find themselves a franchise quarterback. If Orton played well enough, he could become their franchise quarterback.
He has put up great numbers in his two seasons with Denver, even topping guys like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady and one point in 2011. Kyle Orton, for whatever reason, just hasn't been able to win.
Donovan McNabb, Washington Redskins.
3 of 6
2011 Statistics: 3,377 yards, 14 touchdowns, 15 interceptions.
Growing up, Donovan McNabb was my favorite quarterback, so this would be a dream come true for me.
However, would he be the same for Carolina and their fans?
There are two different sides of Donovan McNabb. You'll see him completing ever pass, moving out of the pocket, making big plays when needed.
But then you see the McNabb who forces plays when they are not there, turning the ball over and taking sacks.
If the first McNabb I listed is able to come up every week for Carolina, he would be perfect here and would help improve this team and the players around him. If not, it'll be deja' vu for McNabb after struggling in Washington.
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Vince Young, Tennessee Titans.
4 of 6
2011 Statistics: 1,255 yards, 10 touchdowns, three interceptions.
I think the type of quarterback Vince Young is is exactly what Carolina needs.
A speedy quarterback that knows how to get out of the pocket (Sort of like Michael Vick, who Carolina had every opportunity to have. *sigh*).
But the kind of baggage that Young brings in is not what they need right now.
Young had many incidents in Tennessee, involving being in and out of the lineup, depression and struggles with head coach Jeff Fisher.
I see this being the least-realistic scenario for Carolina. Distractions are the last thing that Carolina needs for their team as they start to rebuild.
Kevin Kolb, Philadelphia Eagles.
5 of 6
2011 Statistics: 1,197 yards, seven touchdowns, seven interceptions.
Out of all the players listed, Kolb has the most potential out of them all. But Carolina doesn't need potential right now, they need a sure thing.
Kolb, a former second round pick, was supposed to be the future of the Philadelphia Eagles, until Michael Vick took over and turned into one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
Eagles head coach Andy Reid has said he will not say who will be the starting quarterback next season, but let's be real here, its going to be Vick.
Kolb has said that if he isn't the starter in Philadelphia, he wants to be a starter elsewhere. I completely agree with him, since he has looked good when given the chance.
But should that opportunity be given by Carolina? No. This is when you choose experience over potential.
Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals.
6 of 6
2011 Statistics: 3,970 yards, 26 touchdowns, 20 interceptions.
Sunday morning, Carson Palmer said he wanted a trade or he would contemplate retirement. Monday morning, Bengals president Mike Brown stated he had no plans to trade Palmer.
This is just the beginning of a story that could end three different ways: Palmer traded, staying with the team or retiring.
Usually, when we see situations like this, the franchise usually wins, not the player. But, the fact still stands that Palmer wants out, so his name is out there for a list of quarterbacks available.
I think Palmer would be a solid fit for Carolina. A former first overall pick in 2003, he seems to be exactly what the Panthers need at quarterback. A 6'5", 236 pound frame with a strong arm would be great for receiver Steve Smith.
Although Palmer has been very inconsistent in Cincinnati, a change of scenery could be exactly what he needs.
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