Clausen primer

fleetus · Post by **fleetus** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 3:49 pm

Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame - may be the most interesting pick with respect to the Skins anyway. Many think Bradford will be selected 1st by the Rams. Rams acquired A.J. Feeley as an interim QB, bolstering that speculation.

This leaves Clausen as the undisputed #2 QB of the 2010 draft. As usual, there are plenty of teams in need of a QB, the Skins being one of them. With the #4 pick it is only natural that some draft analysts are going to pencil Clausen's name at #4.

I'm actually coming around about Clausen. I still believe Okung is the best bet if he is available, but I am no longer staunchly against Clausen. At first I heard reports that he is immature, not a good leader, cocky etc. Since I feel we need to improve the O-line before adding a rookie QB, I just decided I was against Clausen, end of story.

But if you read through Clausen's history, he really hasn't done anything wrong. He got sucker punched in a bar by a drunk guy who was shoving Clausen's girlfriend and talking trash. Clausen intervened and got sucker punched. Big deal.

He's also been accused of not being very personable to the media. Whatever. The media thinks the whole world owes it the inside scoop anyway and gets pissed when people don't give them "the story".

Clausen has very good accuracy, an adequate NFL arm, very good decision making and coverage reading skills. He is probably not worth the #4 pick on his skills alone, but if you need a QB and you think he fits your system, I think he will become a good NFL player. I see him as a an Aaron Rodgers/Matt Schaub type of guy. Of course he would need to work hard and learn Shanahan's system to be as good as those guys. (It took each of them several years too) But We could do worse.

Here's some great insight about Clausen:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft10/ ... id=4872130

KazooSkinsFan · Post by **KazooSkinsFan** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 4:36 pm

I think Claussen is another Brady Quinn and if we draft him at #4 we're making the major mistake of drafting for need. I also predict like Brady he'll fall to late in the first round. With the #4 pick we should be picking a guy who will be a stalwart for a decade or more. Be it Okung or even D. You can't waste a pick that high with a reach who ends up being a mediocrity you want to upgrade in a couple years. Which is what I think Claussen will end up being. As a Wolverine in a down couple years for the Wolverines, I never feared playing him and never after the game looked at him as having been impressed with his tearing us up. He's not a #4 pick, I just don't see it.

PulpExposure · Post by **PulpExposure** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 5:44 pm

Here's what I think of Jimmy Clausen.

KazooSkinsFan · Post by **KazooSkinsFan** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 6:32 pm

PulpExposure wrote:Here's what I think of Jimmy Clausen.

! Which one is him?

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 8:05 pm

I recognize the bird on the left...

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 11:01 pm

I am not a Claussen fan but I am sure that Kyle, Mike and Bruce know a little more than I do and a whole lot more than some here - so, if they think that Claussen can help this franchise, I'm a Claussen fan - now, whose the best lineman we can get with that 37 pick? :lol:

I gotta find that Notre Dame fight song ...

crazyhorse1 · Post by **crazyhorse1** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 11:54 pm

SkinsJock wrote:I am not a Claussen fan but I am sure that Kyle, Mike and Bruce know a little more than I do and a whole lot more than some here - so, if they think that Claussen can help this franchise, I'm a Claussen fan - now, whose the best lineman we can get with that 37 pick?

I gotta find that Notre Dame fight song ...

Your endless faith in Kyle, Mike, and Bruce is so touching that I'm ashamed I have my own thoughts. I wish I was like you-- a guy with no need to to have his own thoughts or feel shame.

KazooSkinsFan · Post by **KazooSkinsFan** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 8:21 am

SkinsJock wrote:I am not a Claussen fan but I am sure that Kyle, Mike and Bruce know a little more than I do and a whole lot more than some here - so, if they think that Claussen can help this franchise, I'm a Claussen fan -

Most of us wouldn't force the PTB's in the Skins to pick the players we advocate or bar those we think we should avoid and we will give Clausen every chance and more if we pick him. The Hogs is a fan message board...we're saying our opinion...that's why we're here.

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 9:03 am

no worries - like I said - my opinion is that Kyle, Mike and Bruce know what is best for this franchise and the constant bashing of players and coaches is just tiresome
my opinion is that a lot of it just has no merit - they are all trying to undo the mess the best they can

this is where we can come to post whatever drivel we want to - we see evidence of that a lot - we can agree with it or we can make a mountain out of it :lol:

I'm just so glad that Snyder and Cerrato are not trying to get us out of this mess and I also think that we're a couple more drafts away, AT THE EARLIEST - so who they take with the 4 pick is really not that big a deal anyway :roll:

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 9:08 am

there is no shame in watching these guys undo the mess - I'm actually thinking that this franchise is begining to look like it is heading in the right direction

PATIENCE - we are in a mess - nothing is going to suddenly, magically, change things here - the constant bashing is just pointless

Manchester_Redskin · Post by **Manchester_Redskin** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 9:25 am

No matter who we select in the first round, half the people on here will say it was the wrong choice. Its the nature of things.

fleetus · Post by **fleetus** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 11:10 am

KazooSkinsFan wrote:I think Claussen is another Brady Quinn and if we draft him at #4 we're making the major mistake of drafting for need. I also predict like Brady he'll fall to late in the first round. With the #4 pick we should be picking a guy who will be a stalwart for a decade or more. Be it Okung or even D. You can't waste a pick that high with a reach who ends up being a mediocrity you want to upgrade in a couple years. Which is what I think Claussen will end up being. As a Wolverine in a down couple years for the Wolverines, I never feared playing him and never after the game looked at him as having been impressed with his tearing us up. He's not a #4 pick, I just don't see it.

I agree there are better players at #4. But everything else you said, sounded like me, before I studied up on Clausen. Maybe you have and just disagree, which is fine. But don't buy into the misconception that Clausen is Brady Quinn II. (not that Brady Quinn's career is over yet either) But Clausen has some unique skills that set him apart and make him very NFL worthy. For a fairly poor Notre Dame team, he put up these numbers:

NAME CMP/ATT/YDS/CM%/YPA/LNG/TD/INT/SK/RAT
Clausen 289/ 425/ 3722/ 68.0/ 8.76/ 88/ 28/ 4/ 24/ 161.43

B.Quinn 289/ 467/ 3426/ 61.9/ 7.34/ 62/ 37/ 7/ 31/ 146.65

I think Clausen is better in many ways. 4 INT's in 425 attempts when your team is losing most of the time and defenses are playing pass defense most of the time, is amazing. But I still hope we get Okung.

fleetus · Post by **fleetus** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 11:32 am

SkinsJock wrote:there is no shame in watching these guys undo the mess - I'm actually thinking that this franchise is begining to look like it is heading in the right direction

PATIENCE - we are in a mess - nothing is going to suddenly, magically, change things here - the constant bashing is just pointless

I agree. I've heard comments from L. Fletcher, Dockery and others saying they see an immediate change in how the FO is doing business. Comments like "very methodical", "they let you know exactly where you stand with them", "there is no doubt what is expected of you".

I'm not drinking the kool aid, because it takes years to turn things around in the NFL and it starts with being very, very stingy with draft picks. The Patriots mastered the art of acquiring draft picks and we need to learn that skill too. But, I like what I'm seeing/hearing.

If they decide to pick Clausen, I will be somewhat excited because I'll think, this kid passed all their drills, tests, private investigations, interviews and workouts and they like him better than everyone else available. People forget, Shanahan has had some good years with QB's. Griese, Plummer, Cutler and even arguably Elway had their best years playing for Shanahan. You could add Schaub had his best year playing for Kyle Shanahan. So I expect to see good QB play soon.

crazyhorse1 · Post by **crazyhorse1** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 11:40 am

SkinsJock wrote:there is no shame in watching these guys undo the mess - I'm actually thinking that this franchise is begining to look like it is heading in the right direction

PATIENCE - we are in a mess - nothing is going to suddenly, magically, change things here - the constant bashing is just pointless

Here's a suggestion about what you can post instead of having to compose different variations of the same message every time:

"I'm still here. Patience. Don't bash. Don't think. Right track. Let coaches decide."

KazooSkinsFan · Post by **KazooSkinsFan** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 5:38 pm

fleetus wrote:I agree there are better players at #4. But everything else you said, sounded like me, before I studied up on Clausen. Maybe you have and just disagree, which is fine. But don't buy into the misconception that Clausen is Brady Quinn II

Fair enough, I am mostly going on my perception of him from playing Michigan.

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 5:54 pm

If these guys decide that Claussen can be a really good QB they will surround him with all the tools he needs to be successful and they will not risk his progress until the support cast is also ready

- I am happy that we have guys in charge here finally that know what they're doing -- despite the constant drone from certain fans here that are predicting these guys do not have a clue about how to put together a franchise, I think that given time, we will see a product on the field that will be the envy of many other franchises in the NFL

hail to the Redskins and to the new era in Redskins football

patience people, patience :wink:

crazyhorse1 · Post by **crazyhorse1** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 1:40 pm

SkinsJock wrote:If these guys decide that Claussen can be a really good QB they will surround him with all the tools he needs to be successful and they will not risk his progress until the support cast is also ready

- I am happy that we have guys in charge here finally that know what they're doing -- despite the constant drone from certain fans here that are predicting these guys do not have a clue about how to put together a franchise, I think that given time, we will see a product on the field that will be the envy of many other franchises in the NFL

hail to the Redskins and to the new era in Redskins football

patience people, patience

Alright, I'll be patient, but so far there is no basis for being impressed with Shany and Allen. All they've done is acquire older and/or average or below average players. There has been no upgrade at any position nor a clear attempt to upgrade (unless you think Johnson is better than Betts) any position. Also, the acquisition of Kemo and the possible switch to the 3-4, along with cutting ten players, is the only move they've made that even hints at rebuilding. Even so, Kemo is too old. And please don't tell me that Hicks is an upgrade. I'd rather have Mike Williams. Hicks will likely be a backup next season and shortly gone thereafter.

You guys who believe Shany and Allen are going to "professionally" rebuild the Skins: The ball is in their court-- when are they going to start.
Please don't tell me any nonsense about drafts picks. Every team in the NFL will take draft picks. We only have five. Even if we take OL in rounds one and two, which we should, we'll not be progressing as quickly as our opponents unless we do something of stunning brilliance. Let me know what happens.

KazooSkinsFan · Post by **KazooSkinsFan** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 3:20 pm

crazyhorse1 wrote:so far there is no basis for being impressed with Shany and Allen

You nailed this one. We're already two months into the off season and they haven't won a super bowl yet or even taken us to the playoffs. What a disaster this regime is, it's time for a change...

crazyhorse1 · Post by **crazyhorse1** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 4:32 pm

KazooSkinsFan wrote:
crazyhorse1 wrote:so far there is no basis for being impressed with Shany and Allen

You nailed this one. We're already two months into the off season and they haven't won a super bowl yet or even taken us to the playoffs. What a disaster this regime is, it's time for a change...

I'll try to be patient, as I implied. What I refuse to do is be impressed by Allen and Shany before they've done anything. Most of the posters here are like little girls swooning and giggling over rock stars. I don't need to be in that claque.

crazyhorse1 · Post by **crazyhorse1** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 4:54 pm

As for Clausen, I don't know what I'm talking about since I haven't seen much of him and when I did was more impressed by Golden Tate than him.
I'd much rather have Bradford than Clausen. Bradford looked to me like maybe one of the most accurate QB's I've ever seen, college or pro, but then again, he was throwing to open receivers and against inferior opponents. Still, I want Okung. I think he's another Samuels and also think that Campbell is very underrated. He's improved every year and had a remarkable year last year inspite of one of the poorest Redskin OL's in history.

So, no to Clausen. Rather, please no.

Incidently, I think the kid is hard to like. There's something about him of the cocky jerk. An unscientific view of course, but I can well imagine his teammates wanting to punch him out. Maybe he'll grow on me. I think that Shany and Allen are a couple of rubes and will probably take him.

yupchagee · Post by **yupchagee** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 5:56 pm

I DON'T want a QB with questionable leadership. If that's all we want, stick with JC.

fleetus · Post by **fleetus** » Mon Mar 22, 2010 8:33 am

crazyhorse1 wrote:As for Clausen, I don't know what I'm talking about since I haven't seen much of him and when I did was more impressed by Golden Tate than him.
I'd much rather have Bradford than Clausen. Bradford looked to me like maybe one of the most accurate QB's I've ever seen, college or pro, but then again, he was throwing to open receivers and against inferior opponents. Still, I want Okung. I think he's another Samuels and also think that Campbell is very underrated. He's improved every year and had a remarkable year last year inspite of one of the poorest Redskin OL's in history.

So, no to Clausen. Rather, please no.

Incidently, I think the kid is hard to like. There's something about him of the cocky jerk. An unscientific view of course, but I can well imagine his teammates wanting to punch him out. Maybe he'll grow on me. I think that Shany and Allen are a couple of rubes and will probably take him.

Unfortunately, this is the conundrum NFL teams find themselves in every year. IF you don't have a top tier QB that instills confidence in the team, coaches and fans, then you find you'll picking through the draft for that SPECIAL QB. But rarely are QB's anywhere close to ready for the NFL out of college. It's one thing to be a little immature at LB or WR. But at QB, it is inexcusable. If they haven't played under center much, since the Spread Offense is all the rage in college, then they aren't ready for the NFL. If they have ANY issues with reading the relatively simple coverages in college, look out, it's going to be a long road in the NFL. If their throwing motion is slow, loopy or just plain weak, they're dubbed a project (meaning 4th round or later).

So, how do you find an NFL QB? I think every owner, GM and coach is searching for that answer. But I think the key is coaching. In fact, I don't think there is such a thing as a rookie QB is ready for the NFL. Even P. Manning, who has amazing work ethic, took some time and had good coaching to turn the corner. I don't think Tom Brady becomes the great QB he is, out of the 6trh round, if he was drafted by Oakland or Cleveland.

Shanahan may have some recent issues drafting RB's and putting together a defense. But, QB is not something he has ever struggled with, compared to the rest of the league. I believe he will solve the QB issue here within 2 seasons. It may be JC17. it may be a rookie. It might be a trade for a young veteran.

But one thing is for certain, if you're looking at QB's in the draft, you are looking at players who will only succeed IF they land with a team that can put the right tools around them and IF they have the work ethic to bridge the gap from college to the NFL.

Bradford, Clausen, Tebow and McCoy have enough tools that they could be successful in the NFL. But if they land in Oakland, my guess is they will fail and be considered a bust. If they land in Washington with the Father/Son Shanahan team, my guess is they will be a success.

markshark84 · Post by **markshark84** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 1:00 am

crazyhorse1 wrote:
SkinsJock wrote:If these guys decide that Claussen can be a really good QB they will surround him with all the tools he needs to be successful and they will not risk his progress until the support cast is also ready

- I am happy that we have guys in charge here finally that know what they're doing -- despite the constant drone from certain fans here that are predicting these guys do not have a clue about how to put together a franchise, I think that given time, we will see a product on the field that will be the envy of many other franchises in the NFL

hail to the Redskins and to the new era in Redskins football

patience people, patience

Alright, I'll be patient, but so far there is no basis for being impressed with Shany and Allen. All they've done is acquire older and/or average or below average players. There has been no upgrade at any position nor a clear attempt to upgrade (unless you think Johnson is better than Betts) any position. Also, the acquisition of Kemo and the possible switch to the 3-4, along with cutting ten players, is the only move they've made that even hints at rebuilding.

You guys who believe Shany and Allen are going to "professionally" rebuild the Skins: The ball is in their court-- when are they going to start.
Please don't tell me any nonsense about drafts picks.

I can tell that you are working on your patience.... :roll:

Also, do you understand the concept of rebuilding? They cleaned out a number of guys (major dead weight) and are replacing them with veterns that they like. I guess you think rebuilding takes 1-2 years.....if that were the case we would be drafting a QB in R1. I find it interesting that you say we only have 5 picks -- something that the new group couldn't control. Then you say that we haven't upgraded at a position -- which in the FA market is usually signing high priced older vets whose contracts have expired. Those FAs are the types of players you AVOID when rebuilding. You either bring in youth -- but in the FA market, those guys are restricted FAs, hence you have to give up picks; or you bring in older vets that are cheap and are willing to coach and train.

But continue to practice patience.....

BigRedskinDaddy · Post by **BigRedskinDaddy** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 2:35 am

crazyhorse1 wrote:Your endless faith in Kyle, Mike, and Bruce is so touching that I'm ashamed I have my own thoughts. I wish I was like you-- a guy with no need to to have his own thoughts or feel shame.

So you think we would be mistaken to draft any QB with our 1st rounder, rather than a LT or another OLineman?

The Hogster · Post by **The Hogster** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 2:44 pm

I'd say "No" to Clausen for this alone.