The Commish comes calling

Fans, media treated to a special guest and the escalating arms race to September

John Ellis

the212

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Roger Goodell is a polarizing figure. Seems as though we’ve heard that term used before—you know—about a certain rookie quarterback from Auburn

But for a night—if only one night—Goodell, the Commissioner of the NFL, made things right.

In town for an hour-long chat with fans, Goodell was gracious with everyone he had time to engage with, asking them about their kids, their families, jobs. Life in general.

Like the man, or not, there’s no denying he is doing his best to repair the fractured image of a league that teetered on the brink of collapse for the better part of 2011.

“This is the first (stop),” said Goodell, “I traditionally go to about a half-dozen training camps.”

It’s clear from being around the man that he loves football. And it’s not a farce. He engages with players, coaches, staffers, media, fans, kids. Everyone.

His relationship with Jerry Richardson, owner of the Carolina Panthers, proved pivotal in the NFL reaching a labor agreement with the NFLPA last month, ending a lockout that once threatened the 2011 NFL season.

“Mr. Richardson’s leadership is extraordinary,” said Goodell. “I think the reason we have an agreement within his timeframe was his leadership.”

Richardson, who stood by Goodell’s side during the entire media conference, said little—per usual—but did offer a few thoughts on his new team, led by first-year head coach Ron Rivera.

“We can't help but be optimistic,” said Richardson. “We have to guard against trying to force meeting expectations. Sometimes they can be too high.”

Aiming high are two men in particular, quarterbacks Cam Newton and Jimmy Clausen. If not for the pomp and circumstance of Goodell’s red-carpet visit, this would have been the prevailing story of the night. On the field, at least, it was—yet again.

As I mentioned in last night’s column, Clausen—to me—appeared to be gaining confidence, a notion that many of my peers don’t see. Wednesday night, Clausen gained even more momentum, and significantly, kept his slim lead over the mega-star rookie Newton for the opening-day starting job.

Part of keeping one’s job is not necessarily being exceptional, but simply doing the little things better than the other guy. That was a cornerstone to the 1970’s Chuck Noll philosophy. Wednesday, Clausen did the little things better than Newton.

Taking snaps with ease from both under center and in the shotgun, Clausen managed to pitch perfect game of sorts during full team drills. Not one pass from the 2^nd year player’s hand missed a receiver’s hands. And no receiver dropped any of Clausen’s passes.

Newton, on the other hand, threw for just over 50%, with an interception to safety Michael Greco, and another near interception with a rancid toss into double coverage. To be fair, on his first two plays during 7 on 7 drills, Cam tossed, in order, a 40-yard touchdown to Steve Smith on a go route, and a beautiful 20-yard post-corner to Armanti Edwards.

Before we begin to celebrate quarterback greatness, consider the following: What I would deem to be Clausen’s most confident practice to date as a professional took place on a day where the starting CB’s were Robert McClain, R.J. Stanford and Captain Munnerlyn.

Chris Gamble, team’s best option at CB by a Carolina mile, missed practice again Wednesday with an illness. Without any veteran presence at CB, both Clausen and Newton had their pick of the litter, in terms of receivers being open by 1-2 yards.

This makes me wonder what General Manager Marty Hurney has in mind. Rivera, along with defensive coordinator Sean McDermott, have made it clear through their deeds and words, that blitzing from the “back seven” will be instrumental in their defensive architecture.

Without the brand of corners that can hold their own at the line of scrimmage, I already have visions of Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Josh Freeman carving up a helpless blitz-happy defense.

Gamble needs to be on the field, a fact that has been made clear by Rivera. Gamble also needs what he received in 2005: a solid bookend who can keep any variety of WR jammed up while LB’s Jon Beason, Thomas Davis and others work to generate additional pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

With former Redskins corner Carlos Rogers signing with the 49ers, the market is drying up fast. Asante Samuel remains the hot topic in the media room, as Philadelphia may view him as expendable with the recent acquisition of Nnamdi Asomugha.

It’s a viable move, less the contract and cap number that Samuel carries. That would require some work, and it might be out of this team’s budget.

Fact is, both Clausen and Newton faced the same rotation of mediocre CB’s. And of the two, Clausen showed a higher degree of discipline in terms of his drops, release point, and overall accuracy.