Notre Dame's Clausen lands in sweet Carolina

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney spent much of Friday trying to move up in the draft to take Jimmy Clausen, a day after the Notre Dame quarterback was a surprising first-round snub.

Hurney couldn't strike a deal, however, and when Arizona traded up to the 47th slot - one pick ahead of the Panthers - Hurney acknowledged he was crushed, sure the Cardinals were going to take him.

"I could lie, but I won't," Hurney said.

Only the Cardinals passed on Clausen, too. It didn't take Hurney long to pounce - shaking up Carolina's newly shuffled quarterback depth chart.

"You always say anything can happen," Hurney said, smiling. "Wow, it happened. ... We think he's an excellent quarterback and we feel extremely fortunate to get a quarterback of his ability with the 48th pick."

Despite not having a first-round pick, Carolina feels it got a high first-round talent and perhaps immediate competition for newly minted starting QB Matt Moore.

The 6-foot-3, 222-pound Clausen was rated as a first-round pick - perhaps even in the top 10 - by many analysts. But he wasn't selected Thursday, perhaps because of concerns about his arm strength and leadership abilities.

Carolina didn't hesitate, taking him ahead of his college teammate, Golden Tate, and other receiver prospects.

It ended a wait for Clausen similar to fellow former Fighting Irish QB Brady Quinn in 2007. Even Florida's Tim Tebow was picked ahead of Clausen on Thursday.

Clausen said his agent had told him Washington had considered taking him at No. 4, and that Pittsburgh had been trying to move up into the top 10 to get him, but the moves didn't happen.

As he continued to plummet Friday, Clausen even stopped watching the draft with his family in Palm Springs, Calif. He was playing pool with his friends when his brother handed him the phone. Panthers coach John Fox was at the other end.

"He told me he was trying to get up to the 33rd pick," Clausen said. "He was just really excited to have me on the team. I told him I can't wait to get there and go to work."

Clausen, who threw 60 touchdowns and 27 interceptions with the Fighting Irish but was just 16-18 as a starter, will join a thin quarterback unit with Carolina. The Panthers released longtime starter Jake Delhomme last month. Moore has started eight NFL games and Hunter Cantwell none.

Clausen will also get a pretty good target to throw to in four-time Pro Bowl receiver Steve Smith.

"I can't wait," Clausen said. "Trying to get his phone number right now so I can call him."