As the 2010-2011 NFL draws closer the Carolina Panthers training camp got underway this past Thursday. The good news..everyone showed up!! Everyone showing up to your training camp is a much larger feat then you would imagine if you are not versed in the ways of NFL offseason drama. Staying in Michigan I’m forced to swallow the media barrage that is the Detroit Lions coverage. I always like to compare the Panthers to the Lions and the Lions are still waiting on two of their rookies to sign. So, once again the Detroit Lions will be off to a bad start as they are more then likely going to have to deal with rookies Ndamukong Suh and Jahvid Best holding out of training camp, which means they aren’t happy with the money they are being offered and that aren’t going to practice until they get paid millions upon millions of dollars. This year, all 10 of the Carolina Panthers rookies drafted are signed to contracts and will be there from day one of training camp. This allows our rookies to learn the football system that they will be in for probably the next 2 – 10 years depending on if the Panthers want to keep them or not. The big rookie contract signing that the Carolina Panthers nation has been waiting for was Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen.
As you may remember from my previous post Jimmy Clausen represents the future of the Carolina Panthers franchise. Many NFL observers viewed him as arguably the most physically gifted quarterback in this years draft. Unfortunately for Clausen he had made a reputation for himself as being arrogant and cocky. Enter head coach John Fox who immediately made the prized rookie feel welcome.
From what I’m hearing from the Carolina Panthers training camp is that John Fox was all over Clausen the first day of training camp. I’ve been told that Clausen was very nervous his first day and fumbled at least three snaps of the football, something that he has never been known to do. Jimmy had to take snaps from the third string offense which is more of a practice squad then the actual team. Never before has he been in other other position other then top priority. I’d almost feel bad for him if I didn’t have faith in John Fox. I know that making him work his way from the bottom to the top is going to be the best way to prepare him. I know that when he is ready he is going to come into a game and make in immediate impact. I almost can’t wait.
I currently own 2 active Carolina Panthers jerseys. The first being Jonathan Stewart and the second being Jimmy Clausen. Why spend the money to buy the jersey of a player who has yet to play in pro football game? The answer to that question is hope. He gives the Panther nation a reason to look forward to our future. I plan on seeing a Carolina Panthers team win their first Superbowl. The quarterback of that Superbowl winning Carolina Panthers team will likely be Jimmy Clausen. That’s the jersey I plan on wearing when I’m celebrating and celebrate I will. Oh yes, celebrate I will.
Just A Carolina Panthers Fan 