NFL Draft 2011: 5 Reasons the Panthers Should Draft A.J. Green Over Cam Newton

Five Reasons the Panthers Should Draft A.J. Green over Cam Newton

1. The owner does not believe in Cam Newton.

2. The loyal fanbase does not believe in Cam Newton.

3. If Jimmy Clausen is that bad, then Andrew Luck will be ours for the taking in 2012.

4. Steve Smith is not getting any younger.

5. Steve Smith and DeAngelo Williams may both be leaving the team if we draft a young QB.

1. As we all know by now, Carolina Panthers majority owner Jerry Richardson does not believe in Cam Newton and actually prefers A.J. Green. However, with that said, we have also been made aware that Richardson will defer to Marty Hurney and company when it comes to football decisions.

2. In talking with Panthers fans all over the globe, one thing has become painfully obvious: Not many fans believe in Cam Newton’s ability to make an immediate impact, and most believe that there is no QB in this class worthy of the No. 1 overall pick. Now if the Panthers can trade down to No. 3 and draft Newton, the fanbase would be all for it.

It seems that while Newton is viewed as a boom or bust pick, someone like A.J. Green is perceived as more of a sure thing and would provide the Panthers with one of the most lethal receiving duos in the league.

3. I, for one, do not believe Jimmy Clausen is as terrible as many would like to make him out to be. The fact of the matter is that when Steve Smith is blanketed in coverage, there is simply no one to throw the ball to save a possible check-down to the running back. With A.J. Green, Smith and Jeremy Shockey, Clausen will have the weapons to succeed, and thus a proper evaluation of the QB can take place.

If he turns out to be as bad as some currently believe, well, then we would have already agreed to contractual terms with Andrew Luck by this time next year.

4. Steve Smith is not getting any younger, and he has already publicly asked for some elite receiver help. Julio Jones is probably the receiver he would prefer due to his run-blocking skills, but A.J. Green is a superior red-zone weapon and makes more sense for the Panthers' long-term plans.

5. If we draft a developmental QB like Cam Newton, then DeAngelo Williams will likely be leaving for Miami, while Steve Smith will likely also be traded as the Panthers begin an official rebuild. The Patriots have already been linked to Smith and would be a wonderful landing spot for one of the most talented receivers in the NFL.