Otah Completes Panthers Offensive Line Shake-up

The Panthers were hell bent on blowing up their offensive line this off-season and succeeded in a big way. By drafting OT Jeff Otah they have completed the rebuilding process.

Fox said he expects Otah to start at right tackle, with Jordan Gross moving to left tackle and Travelle Wharton to left guard. Ryan Kalil will start at center, but the right guard spot is up for grabs between a number of the players with newcomer Keydrick Vincent seemingly the frontrunner.

So the going wisdom is that the Panthers will have a new starter in all five positions this season. With Jordan Gross moving to the left side to protect Jake Delhomme’s blind side, Travelle Wharton is expected to move to LG, a position that is his to lose this training camp. Second year player Ryan Kalil takes over for the departed Justin Hartwig (thank you) while new comer Keydrick Vincent has the inside track at RG (Fanoti could surprise though). Yet not everyone is so sure Otah will play the right tackle position. The Sports Memo (author not referenced) thinks Gross will stay at RT:

As mentioned above, the price paid for the addition of Jeff Otah to the offensive line will be criticized but his run blocking skills and tenacity won’t. He figures to become a solid protector of QB Jake Delhomme’s backside. The Panthers will now plug Otah in on the left side to bookend with six year veteran and former first round choice Jordan Gross on the right. This offensive line instantly becomes more powerful and formidable. Expect the upgrades at running back and offensive line to tremendously help the scoring production of this team.

I think the Panthers will move Gross to left as to better protect Jake with the veteran. In time Otah may move to the left, certainly if the Panthers elect not to pay Gross’ asking price next off-season. I would bet if Otah starts on the right side and the Panthers win then he will stay there all season. If the Panthers tank early (1-2 start is possible) then anything could happen.

Honestly I wasn’t too hip at first on the Panthers draft. Trading next years 1st round pick gave me flashbacks to the Sean Gilbert trade. It took a day or so for my head clear. It also helped when I heard that Charles Godfrey has experience playing free safety. I was also skeptical of adding another LB but Dan Conner is huge value in the 3rd round. Think of the combinations we can run at teams with three (or more) LB’s that could make the Pro Bowl in 2009. I’m not expecting much from the remaining draft picks so if they end up starting I’ll be pleasantly surprised. I can’t say with confidence this line is going to be a Top 10 line at this point. I will certainly give you my opinion after a couple training camp sessions (meet me there in July). On paper they look Top 5 but so did the 2006 Panthers and we know how that one went (we couldn’t blame that one on Jakes elbow). I have to say though I have more confidence in this squad than I have any line in the Panthers history. We have a lot of be positive about this off-season. Come on training camp (and sign those rookies)!

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Here’s someone who really liked the Panthers draft:

One of the more pro-active teams in the draft, the Panthers get kudos for that alone. Carolina took Oregon's star running back Jonathan Stewart at No. 13 -- ignoring his recent toe surgery which happened to be performed by one of its team doctors -- to fill a major need in the backfield. The Panthers then traded up to land behemoth offensive tackle Jeff Otah before grabbing linebacker Dan Connor -- a tackling machine out of Penn State who some said could go in the first round. Hurney and Fox need all the cheerleading they can get.

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Quote of the Week By Jonathan Stewart:

"My style of running is just all of the things that a great back has. I'm an explosive, powerful runner. I run north and south -- but mostly more north. I just try to make the best out of every opportunity when I get the ball, whether it is going around a defender or going through a defender. You have to do what it takes.

Mostly north? Jonba buddy…you play half the game going in one direction and the other half going the opposite direction. And if your really into metaphors consider that he is about to run South a long way. Oregon to Charlotte is a haul no matter how you get there.