Share
SPARTANBURG, S.C. As polished as he looked in college, rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen still needs camp time to acclimate to the pro game. So it was a relief when the Carolina Panthers reached a deal with their second-round pick on a four-year contract early Wednesday morning.
Clausen got to campus mid-morning, but didn't talk to reporters in advance of his first day of practice. He was the last of their 10 draft picks to sign, and they needed every bit of the overnight before players reported to finalize the deal.
"It was late, yeah," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said of the deal. "We had great communication with his agent throughout the process, and you could tell their goal was to get Jimmy into camp on time."
According to a league source, the incentive-heavy deal has a maximum value of $6.3 million, and includes $2.533 million in guaranteed money. It also contains a fourth-year escalator that could increase his salary to $2.85 million in 2013 if he hits all of his incentives.
Matt Moore 's already been installed as the starter, but Clausen could pass Hunter Cantwell for the second spot on the depth chart. Cantwell, who spent last year on the Panthers practice squad, worked with the second team throughout the spring.
For Clausen to be promoted, he couldn't miss time, however.
"I think with your draft picks," Panthers coach John Fox said, "any day you miss it takes a week to catch up."
WATCHING AND WAITING: Wide receiver Steve Smith won't be practicing today - and probably not during camp at all - as a result of the broken left arm suffered in an offseason flag football game.
Smith was feeling mischievous while discussing the incident, obviously feeling too much was made of his choice of hobbies.
"Just with the significance of the injury, I'm just lucky to be able to scratch my side and brush my teeth and stuff," Smith said. "So I'm just fortunate to be able to be walking."
Smith said he hasn't started lifting weights with the arm yet and wouldn't speculate as to when or if he would play in the preseason. When asked about practice, he did his best Allen Iverson impression before going back to dental hygiene: "You're talking about practice? I'm focusing on if I'm going to Wal-Mart or Target to get toothpaste."
Stewart, Otah unable to practice
The Panthers just announced that six players were placed on the active-physically unable to perform list, and won't practice with the team tomorrow when camp opens.
The list is headlined by RB Jonathan Stewart (ankle) and RT Jeff Otah (knee), both of whom were expected to participate in some form early in camp. Also on the list was G Duke Robinson, who failed the conditioning test, along with DT Louis Leonard (knee), and LB Thomas Davis (knee).
Players can come off the PUP list at any time, but not having Stewart and Otah complicates the preparation of an offense that was expected to be the strength of this team. Now, RB Tyrell Sutton will get more reps with the regular offense, and Geoff Schwartz will likely work in Otah's place.
The move could also kill any chance Robinson had of challenging for the starting RG job, which will likely fall to Mackenzy Bernadeau by default, since Schwartz was the other option.
ROSTER MOVE: After signing Clausen, the Panthers had to cut one player to get to the 80-man roster limit. The unlucky soul was linebacker Brett Warren, who was signed in January.
The move was more bittersweet than most bottom-of-roster transactions, since the Panthers just hired his father Don as a pro scout, and the former Washington Redskins tight end is at camp familiarizing himself with his new team.
OBSERVATIONS
The Panthers aren't going to waste any time easing into camp. Today's first practice (9 a.m.) will be conducted in full pads, the first contact work they've had all offseason.
This camp is expected to be more physical than some previous versions, since the younger roster hasn't had years of indoctrination to the Fox way.
Maybe it was the cool weather, or all the kids, but there was a very laid-back vibe coming from the Panthers Wednesday. That'll change once they start hitting each other, but there's a palpable sense of energy about the team.
Running back DeAngelo Williams has traded in his traditional camp scooter for a Segway, continuing his quest to not be on his feet more than necessary when not on the field.
QUOTABLE
"I've lost some muscle mass. I'm very disappointed. I was looking pretty good on the beach in Europe. But it went quick. Disappointed, really." Steve Smith, on the side effects of not being able to lift weights since breaking his arm playing flag football.
