Jim Harbaugh Unlikely Candidate for Panthers, Andrew Luck Practically Certain
Filed under: Panthers, NFC South
The Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson pretty much booted the idea the Panthers‘ next coach will be a college guy. He said the team has not talked with the logical college choice out there, Jim Harbaugh, which seems to suggest Richardson prefers an NFL coordinator.
John Fox was the defensive coordinator at the Giants when he was hired in 2002. The team’s other two head coaches, Dom Capers and George Seifert, were also NFL guys.
Now, which side of the ball does the owner and GM favor? Offense or defense or best available?
The team will likely draft quarterback Andrew Luck of Stanford. They should go all in with offense and get a coach who can scheme some plays.
There is a serious question, though, about how the team brings along Luck. He must be the starter in 2011 for the Panthers to reinvigorate the fan base following a 2-14 season, but what if there is no mini-camp? What if there is a lockout?
If the labor strife carries to training camp and then, suddenly, there is a season, a rookie quarterback would be overmatched, especially in a division like the NFC South, which has three formidable teams like the Falcons, Saints, and Bucs.
How does he get his work in? Other teams will have to deal with the issue of grooming rookies, but those teams trying to help themselves with a new quarterback will be hurt the most.
The $40-$50 million signing bonus and the Sam Bradford episode is enough to chase Luck from Stanford. Bradford stayed at Oklahoma an extra season and hurt his shoulder and his career was threatened. Oliver Luck, Andrew’s dad, a Rhodes Scholar and a businessman, will be the wise counsel here.
Luck sure looked the part of a No. 1 pick Monday night who is worth millions. That was a college defense he dissected, but it was still impressive. He throws on time and a catchable pass, not a bullet that rips through hands or makes it difficult to react to.
Luck is mobile, an attribute that has gained with NFL scouts. There are so many pressure packages that quarterbacks are frequently moved off their spot in the pocket. They have to quickly reset and throw and he does that.
You look at Drew Brees this season. He likes to plant that back foot and hurl. This season, more teams came with pressure on Brees and he threw a career high in interceptions.
Richardson is going to pay a cost for a lockout. The Panthers suffered through a 2-14 season because of a poor offense.
It is even harder to see Luck staying at Stanford if Harbaugh leaves for another job.
The labor issue, if it is not settled could cost the Panthers in grooming their quarterback. Jimmy Clausen will get another shot, but Luck is their future.
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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/04/jim-harbaugh-unlikely-candidate-for-panthers-andrew-luck-practi/