NFC South: Keydrick Vincent
Carolina offensive line gets high praise
The Panthers have been named the NFC’s winners of the weekly Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award. A yearly winner of the award for best offensive line will be announced during Super Bowl week.
The performance of Carolina’s offensive line in Sunday’s victory against the New York Giants certainly deserves high praise. The Panthers helped Jonathan Stewart rush for a franchise-record 206 yards and the team finished with 247 rushing yards.
More importantly, the Panthers did it without their two best offensive linemen. Starting tackles Jordan Gross and Jeff Otah are out for the season with injuries. The Panthers went with Travelle Wharton at left tackle, Geofff Schwartz at right tackle, guards Keydrick Vincent and Mackenzy Bernadeau and center Ryan Kalil and were able to dominate against the Giants.
Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
I'm still working on transcribing tapes from the interviews I did on my tour of NFC South training camps. With our Camp Confidential series completed, I'm realizing I have a lot of leftovers.
That's why I'm starting a new occasional feature called "Five Minutes With ..." For the first installment, we'll use Jordan Gross, who isn't just one of the best left tackles in the league. He's also one of the best quotes and has a great sense of humor.
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When talking with Gross, who is coming off his first Pro Bowl and first time as an All-Pro selection at Carolina's camp in Spartanburg, S.C., a couple weeks ago, he provided both a light-hearted and serious scouting report on what he calls the best offensive line he's ever played on. He gave the standard speech about how right tackle Jeff Otah has a big future and right guard Keydrick Vincent is very solid. Then, he had a little more fun with center Ryan Kalil and Travelle Wharton, while also complimenting them.
Here's what Gross had to say:
"Kalil's an interesting guy. He was born to play center, as far as his athletic ability, because he really doesn't have that much in general terms. Yes, he's quick and strong and powerful, but you get him on the baseball field or the basketball court and he's not the greatest athlete by any means. But he can play center like you're supposed to.
"We play basketball at Travelle Wharton's house sometimes. Kalil's got this absolutely terrible hook shot and he yells "Shaq" when he shoots it and he misses the whole backboard about half the time.
"He can't dribble very well and he sure can't catch or throw, but he can play center very well. That's his one calling in life.
"Travelle's a good guard. I mean he's a really good guard and people don't realize it because he's so quiet. I always tell him he's messing up because he could be governor someday because he's a local guy and a great player.
"Overall, this is a great group of guys and a great group of players. I think this is probably the best O-line I've been on. Hopefully, we can play together for a long time."
DeAngelo Williams coming right at Cardinals
Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
We've noted this trend before, but it's worth repeating. Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams is at his best going up the middle or to the right.
That's kind of interesting because tackle Jordan Gross and guard Travelle Wharton, probably Carolina's two best linemen, play on the left side. Williams has been effective on that side, too.
But his success up the middle speaks volumes about the play of second-year center Ryan Kalil and rookie right tackle Jeff Otah (as well as right guard Keydrick Vincent, who was injured late in the year and probably will be replaced by Jeremy Bridges in Saturday's playoff game against Arizona).
Here's a breakdown of what happens when Williams has carried the ball in each direction:
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Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
For months now, Marty Hurney and John Fox have been getting credit for some of their big moves (their handling of the Steve Smith-Ken Lucas fight in training camp and the drafting of Jonathan Stewart and Jeff Otah), but those weren't the only key moves the Carolina general manager and coach have made.
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| Kevin Terrell/Getty Images | |
| John Fox and the Panthers host the Cardinals Saturday night. |
Time for a look at four other (some subtle, some pretty major) moves Fox and Hurney have made to put the Panthers where they're at:
1. They blew up the offensive line and made it better. Drafting Otah was only one in a series of moves the Panthers made as they ended up with new starters at each of the five positions. They started by trying to play to strengths -- putting Jordan Gross at left tackle and Travelle Wharton at left guard, the spots where they're most effective. They plugged in Otah at right tackle, cleared the way for second-year pro Ryan Kalil to take over at center and let Keydrick Vincent arise from a handful of candidates for the right guard spot. It's all worked out with Carolina having the most physical offensive line in franchise history.
2. They didn't try to overdo it when the defensive line blew up. Mike Rucker retired and Kris Jenkins wanted out of Charlotte more than the Panthers wanted to get rid of him. Fox and Hurney didn't panic as a defensive line once filled with big names dwindled down to Julius Peppers. They stuck with defensive tackles Maake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis, who already were on the roster and went out and signed end Tyler Brayton, who had been a bust in Oakland. Throw in second-year pro Charles Johnson and the Panthers found strength in numbers, instead of names. Of course, it also helped that Peppers bounced back from whatever slowed him last year.
3. They took a chance. Fox and Hurney are two of the most by-the-book guys in the NFL. That's why it was more than a little surprising when they burned a roster spot by keeping kickoff specialist Rhys Lloyd. But that's turned out to be an excellent move. Lloyd set a record (at least in the K-ball era) with 30 touchbacks.
4. They went for the sure thing. Faced with the annual rite of finding a receiver to complement Smith, the Panthers reached back into their past and signed Muhsin Muhammad. Deduct a point for also signing D.J. Hackett, who's been worthless, but give them at least two points for bringing back Muhammad. He's been a solid possession receiver and has brought a strong veteran presence to the locker room.
Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
Carolina's offensive line got lots of attention this season as running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart ran wild. That was justified, but it may have hidden how good Carolina's pass blocking has been. The team set a record by allowing a franchise-low 20 sacks throughout the season, and only one lineman was charged with allowing more than three sacks.
Rookie right tackle Jeff Otah surrendered a team-high five sacks, according to STATS. Left tackle Jordan Gross allowed three. Left guard Travelle Wharton allowed 2.5. Right guard Keydrick Vincent and top backup Geoff Hangartner each allowed two sacks. Center Ryan Kalil did not allow a sack. Jeremy Bridges and Frank Omiyale each got significant playing time and didn't allow a sack. The rest of the sacks allowed were charged to running backs and tight ends.
Gross was among the league leaders with seven false-start penalties, but the rest of the line fared pretty well in this category. Otah was called for five false starts. Vincent was flagged three times and Kalil twice. Omiyale had one false start. Wharton, Hangartner and Bridges weren't called for any false starts.
Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Panthers just made an interesting announcement. They'll start Geoff Hangartner at right guard tonight.
It was obvious the Panthers knew they'd be without the injured Keydrick Vincent, but there was an assumption that Jeremy Bridges would take his place because Bridges took over after Vincent got hurt last season.
Also, the Panthers made it official that Darwin Walker will start at defensive tackle in place of the injured Maake Kemoeatu, who will become the first Carolina defensive player to miss a start this year.
Kemoeatu is joined on the list of inactives by: Matt Moore, D.J. Hackett, C.J. Wilson, Adam Seward, Mackenzy Bernadeau, Hilee Taylor and Kenneth Moore.
The inactives for the Giants are: Lawrence Tynes, Sam Madison, Gerris Wilkinson, Adam Koets, Leger Douzable, Derek Hagan, Sinorice Moss and Jerome McDougle.
No longer under the radar, Panthers reach for top
Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
Let's get this out of the way at the start: The Carolina Panthers are the best team the NFC has to offer right now.
Kind of ironic because that's the kind of attention their fans have been begging for all season. It's also ironic because that's exactly the same type of attention their coach, general manager and owner absolutely despise.
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| Kevin Terrell/Getty Images | |
| John Fox has the Panthers poised for the top spot in the NFC playoffs. |
If John Fox, Marty Hurney and Jerry Richardson were piloting a plane up to New York for Sunday night's showdown with the New York Giants, they'd be scraping the ground all the way. These guys didn't invent flying under the radar -- they just have mastered it.
Tell Fox his team is 11-3 and he instantly will tell you the only thing guaranteed is the Panthers will finish with 11 wins. Pick up a phone in the Giants Stadium press box in the final moments of a 2005 playoff shutout of New York and start making hotel reservations in Chicago for the following week's game and Hurney, the bizarrely-superstitious general manager, will start screaming at a reporter, "Stan, hang up that phone right now. This game's not over. You're going to jinx us."
Richardson, the owner who brought the franchise to the Carolinas, gets bashed on talk radio for not giving any interviews. In recent years, he's sat down with a beat writer or columnist from The Charlotte Observer once or twice a year for one-on-one chats. In those settings, Richardson shows a tremendous mind and a brilliant common touch. He'll give good answers and, inevitably, the beat writer or the columnist would look at him and say, "See it's not so hard. Why don't you do this more often?" Richardson would then say he prefers not to because it's not about him, it's about the team.
Then, Richardson would sit for an hour or two and talk off the record, asking the columnist about his family or asking the beat reporter what parts of the team could be run better. Part of it was a genuine concern about the person he was talking to and part of it was to take the attention off himself.
But it's no longer possible for Fox, Hurney and Richardson to stay under the radar. Their team is playing the defending Super Bowl champions in a prime-time slot -- nobody's overlooking the Panthers anymore.
Maybe those fans who have been beating their chests and sounding like helicopters can stop. The Panthers are getting attention and respect.
As I said at the start, the Panthers are the best team in the NFC right now. And I'll take it one step further and say the Panthers are the NFC's best bet to get to the Super Bowl.
Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
Time for the Panthers' edition of the mailbag.
Lamar in NC writes: I keep seeing that the Panthers are a bad road team this year. I've seen a stat that we're 3-3 on the road. Do people realize we're in the NFC South? Nobody has won hardly when a team in the NFC South is at home. Take out those two losses and suddenly we're 3-1 on the road, even if was against the Raiders, Packers, and Chargers. I think it's unfair to label the Panthers as a bad road team without pointing out the rest of the NFC South, the division they play in.
Pat Yasinskas: True, the NFC South teams are a combined 24-2 at home this season and that should be considered. One other thing that should be considered before anyone calls the Panthers a "bad'' road team: The Panthers have the third-best road record in the NFC. Only the Giants (5-2) and Redskins (4-3) have winning records on the road. Also, back when the Panthers won at San Diego, the Chargers still were considered a very good team.
Adam in Columbia writes: Pat, Just wanted to let you know that I loved your debate with MM from the NFC East. Your coverage for the NFC South is always fair and unbaised, which I appreciate. I thought you had some great arguements as to why the Panthers may win. All of us Panthers know this will be a tough game, but I don't think its crazy to believe that we can go into the meadowlands and come out with a win this year. As far as Delhomme goes, tell Matt that Delhomme has led the Panthers on 17 comeback drives in his 5 seasons, and he was a FG away from getting that SB ring 5 years ago. I would take Jake over Eli every time a game winning drive was needed. Jake may not be flashy, but he knows how to win.
Pat Yasinskas: That was a fun debate with my friend and colleague Matt Mosley. Enjoyed doing it and really looking forward to heading to the Meadowlands this weekend, although it looks like the weather could be nasty. As I said in the debate, I don't think it's a stretch to think the Panthers can win up there. They're the best team in the NFC (at this moment) and have momentum. They also have shown they can win up there. I've said it before and I'll say it again, John Fox coached the game of his life in a shutout victory at Giants Stadium in the playoffs after the 2005 season.
Kelly in Springfield, OR, writes: Hey Pat. I've been hearing a lot about if the Panthers win this weekend they have the inside track for the #1 seed. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if they beat the Giants this weekend, don't they clinch the number 1 seed, considering they'd be a game up on the Giants with 1 game left, and have the head-to-head tiebreaker? I haven't heard an "expert" mention that the Panthers clinch the #1 seed with a win on Sunday. Also, love reading your blog. As a Panther fan here in Oregon, you're my best source for Panther and NFC South coverage. Keep up the good work!!
Pat Yasinskas: Yes, this game is for the No. 1 seed.
Todd in Knoxville writes: There a lot of people out there wondering how DeAngelo Williams didn't get a spot on the NFC's Pro Bowl roster. His stats show that he is more than deserving. While writing about it won't put him in Hawaii, it would be nice to see someone give him the recognition he's owed (which is more than an alternate)...I'll keep an eye on your blog.
Pat Yasinskas: No doubt DeAngelo Williams has had a great year and his stats compare nicely to the guys who did make the Pro Bowl. He is a first alternate and still may get in that way. The Pro Bowl voting isn't always fair (just ask Atlanta's John Abraham). I'm guessing the fact Williams shares carries with Jonathan Stewart probably worked against him in the eyes of some voters. But that shouldn't have been an issue.
John in Fairfax, VA, writes: Do you think that the Carolina Panthers will be able to hold onto both Gross and Peppers this offseason?
Pat Yasinskas: Nothing's a given when it comes to contract negotiations. But from what I hear out of the Panthers, they remain optimistic they can find a way to keep both Jordan Gross and Julius Peppers, even after signing John Kasay and Chris Gamble to big extensions. It won't be easy and the Panthers will have to be creative in the way they structure things. My best guess is they'll get one of the two re-signed and use the franchise tag on the other. One heads-up there, if the Panthers do keep Gross and Peppers, don't look for them to do much of anything in free agency because they won't have a lot of room under the salary cap.
Joseph in Gastonia, NC, writes: Do you think the money carolina panthers spent on gamble is worth it. him and lucas plays off the receivers 10 yards every play.
Pat Yasinskas: I have to admit I was a little surprised when the Panthers gave Chris Gamble a $53 million contract extension because they also have Ken Lucas and Richard Marshall at cornerback. But, after talking to the Panthers' folks and people around the league, the logic was that Gamble, who is in his prime and a tremendous athlete, would have gotten even more if he reached the open market. He is Carolina's best cornerback and Lucas isn't getting any younger.
Adam in Charleston, SC, writes: Hi Pat, Interesting point about Williams running right. Do you think that that is a direct result of Jeff Otah? I have a hunch that the surge in the panther's running game this year is largely do to the decision to trade up for the second 1st round pick in Otah. Funny how decisions like that are criticized when they don't work, but praised as genius when they do. It's a sly coach indeed that can make a panther hunt like a Fox.
Pat Yasinskas: I think the success in running right is definitely attributable to the arrival of Jeff Otah at right tackle and, to a lesser extent, Keydrick Vincent at right guard. I remember general manager Marty Hurney telling me the Panthers felt they needed a "mauler'' at right tackle. That's what they found. They had to trade back into the first round to get Otah, but the move has been well worth it.
Evening roundup: Brooks' injury better than expected
Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
Some notes from around the NFC South.
BUCCANEERS
Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden said the Bucs got some good news on linebacker Derrick Brooks, who suffered a rib injury Sunday. Gruden said Brooks' injury isn't as serious as first thought. Brooks didn't practice, but Gruden said he's hopeful the linebacker can continue his streak of playing in every game since coming to the NFL in 1995.
Gruden also said he hopes Jeff Garcia (calf) will be ready to start Sunday. Garcia practiced on a limited basis, but the Bucs changed up their practice schedule a bit to get backups Brian Griese and Luke McCown some work with the first team. Defensive ends Gaines Adams and Stylez (formerly Greg) White and offensive lineman Jeremy Zuttah were limited in practice. Defensive tackles Jovan Haye and Chris Hovan, who had been bothered by injuries, were able to practice. Punter Josh Bidwell did not practice because of an illness.
PANTHERS
Carolina's in danger of having a defensive starter miss a game for the first time this season. Defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu (ankle) missed Wednesday's practice. Offensive guard Keydrick Vincent (groin) also missed practice. Darwin Walker would be the likely starter if Kemoeatu can't go and Geoff Hangartner is the top backup at guard.
ESPN Stats & Information passed along some notes on Carolina's road record. The Panthers are 3-3 on the road, but the wins have come against teams (Chargers, Raiders and Packers) that currently are a combined 14-28. Carolina's three losses (all on the road) are against teams (Vikings, Bucs and Falcons) that currently have winning records. Carolina's losses have all been by double digits and quarterback Jake Delhomme has thrown just one touchdown in those three games. Delhomme's passer rating at home is 100.8. On the road, it's 63.3.
SAINTS
Left tackle Jammal Brown returned to practice after missing last week's game with an injury. The Saints also signed cornerback Michael Lehan off Miami's practice squad to fill the roster spot that came open after the Saints placed Reggie Bush on the injured reserve list.
FALCONS
For those who have been asking for Atlanta's playoff scenarios since about Week 10, the NFL finally has sent out an official list of ways the Falcons can get into the playoffs this week.
Breaking down Carolina's rushing attack
Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- We mentioned earlier about how Carolina's offensive line dominated Tampa Bay's defense. But now, thanks to ESPN Stats & Analysis, we've got even more detail.
Running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart each averaged over 6 yards per carry between the tackles, and they were even better when they ran outside to the right side.
When they ran in the middle, Williams had 83 yards on 13 carries and Stewart gained 76 yards on 11 carries. That's a 6.4 average for Williams and 6.9 for Stewart. Stewart also scored a touchdown on a run to the middle.
When the Panthers ran to the right side behind rookie tackle Jeff Otah and free-agent pick-up Keydrick Vincent, the numbers got even better. Williams ran four times to the right for 82 yards (a 21.0 average) and Stewart ran that way twice for 32 yards (a 16.0 average). Williams and Stewart each had a touchdown running to the right.
Carolina's offensive line just hitting its stride
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| Streeter Lecka/Getty Images | |
| DeAngelo Williams and the Panthers steam past the Buccaneers, 38-23, to take the lead in the NFC South. Williams carried 19 times for 186 yards and two touchdowns. |
Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- If it looked like the Carolina Panthers' offensive line played the perfect game Monday night, think again.
The good news for the Panthers is they rushed for 299 yards in a 38-23 victory over Tampa Bay and their offensive line may have not hit its peak. Seriously.
"The best part about it is even with all the success, all the stats and all the touchdowns we got tonight, there's still a lot of room for improvement,'' center Ryan Kalil said. "We came out against a really good defense and did what we did and we know there's room to keep getting better.''
Think about what Kalil's saying and it makes a lot of sense. Carolina's offensive line really hasn't played together very much. Kalil and right tackle Jeff Otah each missed significant time with injuries and the Panthers were forced to shuffle in reserves Geoff Hangartner and Jeremy Bridges. It's only been in the last three games the intended starting offensive line has gotten back to being together.
Kalil and Otah both missed an earlier loss to Tampa Bay, a game that Tampa Bay's defense dominated.
"It was really embarrassing,'' left guard Travelle Wharton said. "40 yards rushing or whatever. They really put it to us.''
The Panthers really put it to the Bucs this time around and the offensive line deserves most of the credit. DeAngelo Williams carried 19 times for 186 yards and two touchdowns and Jonathan Stewart had 115 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.
The Panthers (10-3) pushed past the Bucs (9-4) to take control of first place in the NFC South and it's because Carolina pushed Tampa Bay all around at the line of scrimmage. The stamp on it all was a four-play, 90-yard drive in the middle of the fourth quarter. The Panthers ran on all four downs and built a 31-17 lead.
Carolina's running game was so good late in the game the Panthers attempted only two passes in the fourth quarter. That was precisely what the Panthers were hoping to build up front when they blew up their offensive line after last season.
"It's kind of what we're built around,'' coach John Fox said. "Props to [general manager] Marty Hurney, [director of scouting] Don Gregory and the personnel department. I think we got bigger and more physical up front and those two backs are pretty special. We've got the people to do it and now it's going to be if we can do it consistently moving forward.''
After two non-winning seasons, the Panthers felt they had to get more physical up front. They let guard Mike Wahle and center Justin Hartwig, a pair of high-priced former free agents, go. They then assembled an offensive line that wouldn't feature any of the regular starters from last year's line in the same spot.
The Panthers took Wharton, who played left tackle last season, and moved him inside to guard. They took veteran right tackle Jordan Gross, the team's best offensive lineman, and put him at left tackle. They brought in Keydrick Vincent as a free agent and he won a training camp battle for the right guard job.
The biggest piece of all might have come when the Panthers, after drafting Stewart, traded back into the first round to draft Otah out of Pittsburgh. They also took a bit of a leap of faith on Kalil, who had played only sparingly as a rookie last year, and made him the centerpiece of the line.
The injuries may have slowed the line a bit early on, but everything was clicking against the Bucs.
"I don't think Jeff and I by ourselves make that much of a difference,'' Kalil said. "But the rhythm and continuity of having the same guys in there is the biggest part. It was rough early on with not having a lot of stability. But these last couple of games have helped us get in a rhythm. When you get comfortable as a group, you know what the call is going to be and don't have to call it, you can play a lot faster and do what we did tonight.''
The Panthers totally dominated up front. They caught a bit of a break because Tampa Bay defensive tackle Jovan Haye was out with a knee injury. His replacement, Ryan Sims, showed why he was a first-round flop with Kansas City. The Panthers consistently drove Sims off the ball. In the process, they also gave the other starting defensive tackle, veteran Chris Hovan, a tough time.
Williams went over 1,000 yards for the season and became the first Carolina running back since Stephen Davis in 2003 to reach that milestone. Think about this for a second: 2003 was Carolina's Super Bowl season.
With the New York Giants only a game ahead in the battle for the top seed in the NFC and the offensive line suddenly playing extremely well, anything is possible. The Panthers, who host Denver in Week 15, travel to New York to play the Giants on Dec. 21.
"People remember what you do in December,'' Fox said. "This was a big stage. I like the way our guys met this challenge.''
If Carolina's offensive line keeps getting better, people might remember what the Panthers do in January -- and February.
Tale of the tape: Bucs vs. Panthers on the O-line
Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
We'll really get into breaking down the crucial Monday night game between Tampa Bay and Carolina on Thursday when both teams return to practice. But it's not too early to start talking about the biggest game of the year (so far) in the NFC South.
There's been bickering all season between Tampa Bay and Carolina fans about who has the better offensive line. That's always a tough call to make and there aren't a lot of stats for offensive linemen to go by.
But, with a little help from STATS, we're going to compare the two lines by looking at penalties and sacks allowed. I'm going to use the top seven offensive linemen for each team because both have had to play backups because of injuries.
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NFC South roundup: Brees not satisfied so far
Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
A quick morning trip around the NFC South.
SAINTS
- Quarterback Drew Brees, who often is his own biggest critic, is at it again. Brees said he can play a lot better than he has in the preseason.
FALCONS
- Last year, coach Bobby Petrino tried to change quarterback D.J. Shockley's throwing motion. This year, the new staff has told Shockley to go back to what worked for him in college.
PANTHERS
- Keydrick Vincent pretty much has wrapped up the starting spot at right guard.
BUCS
- Running back Michael Bennett is having a strong preseason. But he's still likely to be third on the depth chart behind Earnest Graham and Warrick Dunn.
Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
Five questions to ponder as the Carolina Panthers wrap up training camp:
1. Is Jake Delhomme's elbow ready for a full season? It had better because the Panthers have put pretty much all their chips behind their quarterback. They didn't go looking for help and they're going with the promising, but inexperienced Matt Moore as their backup. Delhomme looked good all through camp and says his elbow feels better than it has in several years. Having to go with revolving quarterbacks last year, the Panthers missed the playoffs. With Delhomme back, they should be a contender.
2. Will Julius Peppers show up? After a horrendous slump last season, Peppers had a great camp and looked dominant in the preseason opener. He's switched from left to right end and he's playing for a new contract. The motivation should be there and the physical skills never have been a question. If Peppers plays like he did earlier in his career, Carolina's overhauled defensive line has a chance to be good.
3. How much will Steve Smith's suspension hurt? Plenty. Smith will be out for the first two games after beating up teammate Ken Lucas on the sideline in training camp. Without their best player, the Panthers run the risk of starting 0-2. They open at San Diego before hosting Chicago and they need to at least split those games or else they'll start the season in a hole that's tough to dig out of.
4. Where can they turn for big plays while Smith is out? The Panthers have a lot more options than they did a year ago when Smith was the whole offense. Veteran Muhsin Muhammad gives them a steady possession receiver, but they need free agent D.J. Hackett or second-year pro Dwayne Jarrett to come up big in the first two games. Jarrett showed improvement in camp and Hackett has downfield speed. And don't forget DeAngelo Williams at running back. Rookie Jonathan Stewart may end up as the starter, but the Panthers are going to try to get Williams on the field a lot and he can make things happen in the passing game.
5. Will all the changes on the offensive line help? Yes, the Panthers made a major overhaul, but it should all be for the better. Center Justin Hartwig and guard Mike Wahle are gone. Both were living off past reputation and weren't overly effective last year. Second-year pro Ryan Kalil takes over at center and he has the intelligence and quickness to do a lot of different things. Travelle Wharton has moved from left tackle to left guard, where he's a better fit. Jordan Gross moved from right tackle to left tackle, where he's an upgrade over Wharton. Rookie Jeff Otah will be the right tackle and the Panthers think he's already very solid. The right guard spot is still open, but it looks like Keydrick Vincent is the leading candidate.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Pat Yasinskas
Yasinskas joined ESPN.com in January 2008 after covering the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer for nine seasons. He began his journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990.
