What's not surprising is rookie OG Trai Turner (pictured) buried on the depth chart. Even 1st round WR Kelvin Benjamin started with the 3rd team. They will get their chance to move up though.
Initial Impressions: Panthers May 28 OTA -
First team offense: Anderson, Williams, Tolbert, Cotchery, King, Olsen, Chandler (LT/RT), Silatolu (LG), Kalil, Scott (RG), Bell (RT/LT)Nate Chandler: Switched pretty much every drill at left and right tackle with Byron Bell. Said he lost 10 pounds this offseason.
Byron Bell: See above. Knows all about what people are saying and writing about him. Claims it doesn’t bother him a bit.
What surprised me was that they are not really set with Bell moving to the left side. In the end it may simply be Chandler at LT and Bell stays at RT. I'll tell you what...if this coaching staff should somehow find even a decent LT from a guy converted from DT less than two years ago, well they deserve huge praise. Like 'Coaching move of the Franchise' praise. That really can't happen right? You can't just mold a LT out of a guy you didn't spend a high draft pick on right?
I guess I remain shocked the Panthers really think the answer is on the roster. At any moment I think they will announce 'Just kidding' and exercise a huge trade or sign a free agent OT (as if there are any decent ones out there at this point).
I think that point remains even if the means will not happen. The line-ups at the start of OTAs are fluid and more of nod towards veterans than anything else. Players like Trai Turner, Kelvin Benjamin and Bene Benewikere could find themselves running with the first team well before this season kicks off.