I took your job, now I’m taking your number…

We all understood that when the Carolina Panthers had the number one pick in this year’s draft, Cam Newton was the viable choice to go first overall. With Newton’s remarkable athleticism and his physicality every team looked at the tremendous upside Newton could have in the NFL. It really helps that everywhere you have played football the teams have won; it shows that you can truly have an impact as a player and as a leader on the field. Is there a lot of risk in taking Newton with the first pick, yes, he has upside but he also has baggage that comes with him. Newton, as of now, seems to be the run first pass second type quarterback, as he transitions to the pro game he will learn that the NFL is a lot faster than that of college. It will be interesting to see how teachable Newton can be at the next level. I am sure there is a lot of animosity in Charlotte as just last season the Panthers drafted Jimmy Clausen in the second round of the draft. To hear experts tell it, Clausen was ready for the pro game and would be a good fit in Carolina, not so in the first year. So much so that they were willing to take another quarterback the next year with the first pick in the draft. Imagine now Clausen’s thoughts, as the Panthers say to him one and done. Not only is this guy coming in and expected to start but now in college Newton was #2, and that’s right you guessed it Clausen with the Panthers is #2 and Cam wants his number.

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In my opinion it seems a little much to have a guy come in and take you starting job (let’s face it you don’t draft a guy number 1 to have him sit around, when the other quarterbacks aren’t working out). Clausen is getting a hard lesson on the business of the NFL, drafted last season as the potential starter to being on the bench or now possibly being on the trading block. We all know business is business but you have to feel for this guy, for him his job is taken and now his number. If Clausen has already given up his position (I know it’s going to be a competition or at least that’s what they say) why give up his number? Don’t do it Jimmy, don’t you go down without a fight and keep your number he can get it when you are gone (which will probably be as soon as business resumes for the NFL) but until then you are #2 for the Panthers (in more ways that one).

By Sam Adams
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer