We’ve covered Cam Newton’s first offseason extensively at PFT and the kid seems to be preparing hard.
The presumption, at least from us, was that he was preparing for a starting job. (Won in a competition in camp.) Tom Sorensen of the Charlotte Observer, who knows the team’s dynamics better than us, sees things differently.
“The Carolina Panthers almost certainly will entrust Clausen with their offense when they go to the road to play Arizona on opening weekend,” Sorensen wrote over the weekend.
Sorensen makes the case that Clausen can and still will be a quality starter in the NFL. Putting that question aside, we’re more interested in his prediction about the opener.
Is this something Sorensen has heard from the coaching staff or front office? Is it a way to motivate Newton or possibly a way to let Clausen know he has a shot?
In the long run, it probably doesn’t matter if Newton makes his first start against the Cardinals in Week One or sometime around Week Five. He’s going to start.
In the meantime, it appears Clausen at least has a chance to start a few more games before the Newton era begins.