There is no reason why this should be a quarterback competition at all. It's pretty clear to me that Jimmy Clausen doesn't have much of a future in the NFL. It is probably extremely harsh of me to say such a thing, but Clausen was beyond awful last season. Not only was he incapable of completing a pass, but he was also failed to make good decisions and was the worst quarterback in the league last year. Newly signed backup Derek Anderson is almost as bad, and his personality doesn't make him a good mentor either. I understand that his one big season came under current Panthers' offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, but there's also no reason for me to believe that he can come anywhere close to repeating that kind of success.

What I'm getting at here is that Cam Newton is clearly this team's starting quarterback. You don't draft a QB at number one for no reason. If you spend the first pick in the draft on a quarterback, you are essentially saying that you have nobody on this roster who is capable of taking the reigns; well, that statement was totally true before Carolina picked up Newton.

The league has evolved into a total WCO mentality; pass first, run later. The ball-control offenses based on running the football employed by former coach John Fox just don't work in the year 2011; you need a signal-caller who is above the replacement level.

I'm already under the impression that Cam Newton is a far better player than Jimmy Clausen, and you need to start your best players; rookie or not. The Panthers were 2-14 for a reason; they didn't have a legitimate quarterback. The team needs to do all they can to avoid another season like 2010, and the only way to do that is to start the best quarterback currently on the roster. As far as I'm concerned, that means that Cam Newton needs to start from day one; rookie or not. Carolina and head coach Ron Rivera need to come right out and declare publicly that Newton is starting right from the get-go, and they certainly need to rally around their prized rookie.

Start him

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Posted By: Joe Soriano - Category: NFL, John Fox, Panthers, Cam Newton, Derek Anderson, Jimmy Clausen, Rob Chudzinski, Ron Rivera

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5/24 NFL Rumors: The Free Agent Wideouts

May 24th 2011 14:02

Randy Moss had the most receiving touchdowns in an NFL season with the New England Patriots in 2007. After an ugly breakup last year, the Pats' biggest rivals could sign Moss. This would only happen if the Jets were unable to re-sign either Santonio Holmes or Braylon Edwards. Holmes and Edwards are better players than Moss at this point in time, but Moss would fit right in in New York.

Mike Brown is the worst owner in the league, and he has the most interesting QB situation on his hands. We all know about the Carson Palmer quandary, and Brown has reiterated the fact that the Bengals will keep Palmer. If Palmer holds true to his statement and retires, then Brown says the team will just put in Andy Dalton. He also added that Palmer would be the starter if he stayed. I think the Bengals need to move on and trade Palmer. They'll also get good value for him as opposed to getting nothing in return. Palmer was terrible at the beginning of the year, but he was great in the last few weeks of the season. Was it injuries or luck? Either way, I think there are going to be teams that will try and give too much for him.

The Carolina Panthers will start Cam Newton when he knows the offense, and when they assemble a solid supporting cast around him. Read: get another receiver to play next to Steve Smith. They will make a QB competition with Newton and Clausen, and Newton will act more of a game manager when he first plays. Yeah, they're going to play John Fox ball early on.

The Dallas Cowboys probably won't release Roy Williams, and I honestly wouldn't either. Why? Because there's this thing called trading where you can get something in return. Williams is way too expensive for a receiver who is only average. The Cowboys would also have to give about 12 million dollars to him if they released Williams. Yeah, not happening. Williams is a solid red zone target who can have that occasional big game when he and Romo click.

Barry Cofield wants a new and long-term deal. The defensive tackle is set to be a free agent, and the Giants should grant his request. He's one of the most vocal leaders in the NFL who is also a force on the line for the G-Men. Pay the man and give him a deal that gives him some security; he's earned it.

Mike Sims-Walker is good friends with Brandon Marshall, and he wants to join him in South Beach. I don't think the Dolphins should sign Sims-Walker because he's too similar to Marshall. They're both athletic possession receivers. I think the Fins need to sign a deep threat instead. It's not that I think Sims-Walker is a poor player. It's just that he's not the type of player the team needs. Sims-Walker is a very talented, but also very a inconsistent receiver who struggles against press coverage.

Rex Is Interested

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Posted By: Joe Soriano - Category: NFL, Patriots, Jets, Braylon Edwards NYJ, Santonio Holmes, Dolphins, Brandon Marshall, Mike Sims-Walker JAX, Bengals, Andy Dalton, Carson Palmer CIN, Mike Brown, John Fox, New York Giants, Barry Cofield NYG, Cowboys, Roy Williams DAL, Tony Romo, Panthers, Cam Newton, Jimmy Clausen, Steve Smith

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2/2011 Team Scope: Denver Broncos

February 28th 2011 16:02

I like John Elway as the new Broncos' owner. He is making the majority of the team decisions public, which is nice because the fans get more of an idea of what their favorite team is doing. I hate GM Brian Xanders, and I will continue to hate him. He makes awful trades and decisions, and then he blames it on his coach who just happens to be a high profile one in the midst of a minor scandal which gives him adequate reason to fire the said coach. That being said, I love Denver's new coach John Fox. I have met him, and I think he is one of the best defensive minds of the past decade as well as a great people person. Players love to play for Fox. He handles everything systematically and diplomatically. Fox will bring something to this punchless defense.

Speaking of defense, that will be the Broncos' primary need heading into the draft. The Broncos will most certainly take a defensive player with the number one pick, and that player will probably be defensive end Da'Quan Bowers. He will fit whatever scheme the Broncos choose. Bowers led the NCAA last year with 15.5 sacks, and he is also a stout end against the run as well as a leader. The Broncos will definitely need all the rush D they can get. Let's take a look at the Broncos' current roster.

I think Kyle Orton should be the starter for Denver. Tim Tebow doesn't look like a true QB, but he isn't a bad player. I think he looks like a solid player right now, but Orton is far more accurate as a passer and is more efficient. He gets the ball downfield. Knowshon Moreno is a solid running back, but he is injury prone. Correll Buckhalter is an adequate backup. Brandon Lloyd is a speed demon that goes deep well. Jabar Gaffney is a solid veteran that provides some run blocking. Eddie Royal is speed and nothing else. DeMaryius Thomas has a ton of ability if he can get healthy, and fellow sophomore-to-be wideout Eric Decker is a sleeper for a nice year. They have depth, but they don't have much star power. However, I think the Broncos are fine at receiver.

Ryan Clady is one of the best offensive linemen in the league, and right tackle Ryan Harris is also a stud. Chris Kuper is a solid right guard, so the Broncos have a good foundation there. However, they need more depth on the O-Line. Their lack of depth showed last year when the injury bug took its chomps. Daniel Graham is a horrible tight end, and they need to upgrade at TE. Graham doesn't cut it. This offense is solid and gets the job done, but it isn't great. After this coming season, they need to assess where their wideouts are in their standing with the team. They need to cut and replace when needed, but that comes next year. For now, they have to wait and see.

The defense is where everything gets interesting. Jamal Williams is a great veteran nose tackle, but the depth at the position is really bad. Louis Leonard and Ronald Fields are terrible. If the Broncos ever want to think about using a 4-3 package- Fox's favorite- they are going to need to get a depth guy. Drafting Da'Quan Bowers would solve the problems at end. Justin Bannan isn't really a true end, and Kevin Vickerson is a poor player.

Elvis Dumervil is one of the best outside pass rushers in the game. Having him back will really boost the Broncos. DJ Williams is a great tackler that will get his mojo back. I hate RILB Wesley Woodyard. He was one of the worst players this past season, and it was no surprise when you look at just how terrible he is. They really need to start Mario Haggan over him.

Champ Bailey isn't getting any younger, but he is still a beast. Andre Goodman- 2 CB- and Perrish Cox- 3- should switch spots on the roster. Cox is a solid corner, but Goodman is a liability. Goodman might be okay as a nickel corner. Brian Dawkins is done, and he and fellow safety Renaldo Hill get burned too easily. One of them has to be replaced by a safety that is solid in coverage. Say bye, bye Brian.

Briton Colquitt is a solid punter, and Matt Prater is a decent kicker. Eddie Royal and Eric Decker make up a great return game tandem. Royal is one of the marquee punt returners in the NFL. The Broncos are not going to be in the playoff mix. They don't have enough star power for it, and they are still a rebuilding team. However, they will make some improvement from last year; especially if they have a good draft. They are in the position to take some nice pieces home on draft day.