Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Training camp is under way around the NFL and it’s time for players that are on the bubble to start performing at a higher level or risk losing their job. For the Carolina Panthers, one young quarterback is playing for something much different.
Jimmy Clausen is now three years removed from his only playing time in the league and it is still tough for Panthers fans to forget about those three measly touchdowns. Well, maybe not too tough because of the fact they have a young, athletic and multi-dimensional quarterback in Cam Newton who figures to be there for a long time.
Clausen on the other hand probably won’t be in Carolina beyond 2013. After this season he is a free agent and this year’s training camp will be a big factor into whether or not he gets a shot elsewhere as a backup.
At this point, it’s a virtual guarantee that he won’t be a solidified starter in this league — ever. The one-time promising college prospect out of Notre Dame has shown the lack of arm strength needed to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.
Throughout training camp this year, though, he has shown a little more zip on the ball and has been fairly accurate. There have even been days where Newton has struggled and according to some observers, Clausen had a better day than all the quarterbacks.
Now, don’t go assuming he’s on the rise and could completely rejuvenate his career. It just won’t happen. But, if he can continue a solid camp and do all the things necessary to get a shot elsewhere next season, he could extend his professional career a few years longer.
Ryan Heckman is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ryanmheckman, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
