The Panthers currently have four guards listed on the roster (including Jeremy Bridges who listed as an ‘OL’ for some reason). Only one, Bridges, has started a game at guard for the Panthers. Yet there are three other players listed at other positions who may be competing for a starting guard spot: Travelle Wharton, Justin Hartwig and Geoff Hangartner.

Starter: Jeremy Bridges RG
Bridges started ten games at RG for the Panthers last season. He sat out the final game reportedly because of injury but later it was reported he was benched. This suggests Bridges will not receive any favoritism in training camp. Bridges played well at times but other times he was barely average. I think the Panthers are hoping to upgrade the position through free agency hence the guy listed next. Bridges can play guard or tackle so that flexibility may hold his roster spot.

Back-up: Keydrick Vincent
I guess technically he’s a starter at LG until they formally announce Wharton’s move. Vincent is here to compete for either guard spot and brings 49 starts of experience. He most recently started eight games for the Cardinals in 2007, not an awe-inspiring accomplishment. He will have an uphill battle against Hartwig, Bridges and Hangartner to win the right guard job.

Back-up: Evan Mathis
Mathis has 25 starts as a Panthers but served strictly as a back-up and special teamer in 2007. He has the strength but is still weak in his footwork and technique; can’t handle the better tackles in the league. I’d be very surprised if he was a starter in the season opener.

Back-up: Rueben Riley
Riley has yet to appear in an NFL game as he stayed on the practice squad or bench all season. I doubt that will change in 2008.

Position Change: Travelle Wharton (LT)
Wharton is projected to move to LG though no formal announcement is expected until after the draft. He has experience at the position in both college and the pro’s. If that happens he should win the position pretty handily unless the Panthers draft a guard early in this draft (very unlikely). I think this is a good move provided the Panthers draft a tackle early in the draft.

Position Change: Justin Hartwig (C)
The word is the Panthers are going to move Hartwig to guard and promote 2nd year center Ryan Kalil. In turn, Hartwig has the inside track on the starting RG spot though he started fourteen games at center in 2007. I’m not sold on Hartwig at guard myself, hoping the free agent Vincent can beat him out. If not, Hartwig will get a good chance to make good on that fat contract they signed him to.

Possible Position Change: Geoff Hangartner (C)
Hangartner will have a shot at the RG spot but if he doesn’t get it expect him to be a back-up at center and guard. He’s only played three seasons, has nineteen starts and the Panther FO feels he still has upside.

Final Words: It stands to reason that Wharton and Hartwig will be the starting guards at this point. Vincent is the wildcard who could supplant Hartwig since he’s making a position change. The additional back-up will be Jeremy Bridges. Since Hangartner can play center and guard I don’t expect the Panthers keep more than four guards.