Vincent, Bernedeau, or Robinson?

[capfolly]

What do you think happens at the RG position next year? Keydrick Vincent will be a FA once the FA period starts. Has he played well enough for the FO to resign him? Mckenzy Bernadeau played well at LG but Travelle Wharton will be back once Gross heals up. And Although Duke hasn't had much playing time, alot of people think he is a sleeper once he gets the chance.

Who do you think goes into camp as the starter?

[Mr. Scot]

Vincent. I don't see them tampering with continuity.

Bernadeau essentially proved he can be Geoff Hangartner's successor. The team prefers to keep at least one "utility" guy who can play multiple spots. That's his role now.

Robinson will get a chance to show what he can do. Could he conceivably prove to be a younger option and displace Vincent? Maybe, but I don't think they go into camp looking for that.

[panthers55]

What do you think happens at the RG position next year? Keydrick Vincent will be a FA once the FA period starts. Has he played well enough for the FO to resign him? Mckenzy Bernadeau played well at LG but Travelle Wharton will be back once Gross heals up. And Although Duke hasn't had much playing time, alot of people think he is a sleeper once he gets the chance.

Who do you think goes into the offseason as the starter?

I suspect keeping or releasing Vincent will be a function of what he costs to re-sign. With no cap we don't have to limit how much we spend within reason. No doubt Bernadeau and Duke will be back. Thet are still on their rookie contracts and are cheap.

I expect that right guard will be another one of those positions where there is plenty of competition this year.

[magnus]

Schwartz proved he could theoretically have good enough feet for the edge, but he's as good a lineman as any listed above. Would love his power and mobility at RG.

[Mr. Scot]

Schwartz proved he could theoretically have good enough feet for the edge, but he's as good a lineman as any listed above. Would love his power and mobility at RG.

Would you set him as the primary backup at both tackle spots?

[magnus]

if I didn't throw him in at RG/he didn't win, maybe. We do need to come up with a cheap youngster at LT, though maybe they see Garry Williams as that guy (and the track record suggests if he is, he's worth it). We don't need a bigtime guy at OT, just a solid backup. Schwartz could be that. I don't think they'd ever see it as anyone but Wharton backing LT, though. Schwartz obviously earned the right to be that backup RT. I just think he's as able as anyone to play the RG spot too. My only concern would be making sure he can keep his pad level low.

With Kalil's contract slowly nearing completion, Bernadeau's status as a permanent guard might not be unclear. I don't think they'd have a problem putting him at center if they needed, and unlike Hangartner, Montgomery, or Hartwig, he has the power Kalil does.

I don't see Vincent coming back personally. Down the stretch, with two seventh rounders on the line, he was still the worst of what we had. Missed blocks, holds. Plus with three bigtime contracts, and hopefully one at C soon as well, even the difference between cheaper vet salary and young players can be a difference.

[Mr. Scot]

if I didn't throw him in at RG/he didn't win, maybe. We do need to come up with a cheap youngster at LT, though maybe they see Garry Williams as that guy (and the track record suggests if he is, he's worth it). We don't need a bigtime guy at OT, just a solid backup. Schwartz could be that. I don't think they'd ever see it as anyone but Wharton backing LT, though. Schwartz obviously earned the right to be that backup RT. I just think he's as able as anyone to play the RG spot too. My only concern would be making sure he can keep his pad level low.

With Kalil's contract slowly nearing completion, Bernadeau's status as a permanent guard might not be unclear. I don't think they'd have a problem putting him at center if they needed, and unlike Hangartner, Montgomery, or Hartwig, he has the power Kalil does.

I don't see Vincent coming back personally. Down the stretch, with two seventh rounders on the line, he was still the worst of what we had. Missed blocks, holds. Plus with three bigtime contracts, and hopefully one at C soon as well, even the difference between cheaper vet salary and young players can be a difference.

The way Schwartz was getting ripped by Magazu in minicamp I wasn't sure he was even going to make the team. That was, of course, pretty early in the process though.

Agree that as long as Gross and Wharton are here, Wharton likely remains the backup LT.

I still think Vincent goes in as the starter next year, but it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see him transitioned out. I pinned a load of the early line troubles on him but thought he got better down the stretch (could have been lingering injury issues).

[panthers55]

If we had to get rid of one guy I suspect it would be Vincent, he isn't under contract and even at a vet minimum will cost around 720,000. One thing the Panthers have shown is that they can develop offensive linemen and salvage guys from the scrap heap. It is unclear how much Vincent's struggles in 2009 were due to a lingering injury issue. I also doubt we will sign him for longer than 1 year so it is possible he might get a better offer elsewhere. I suspect they won't jump to make a deal so it will be interesting to see whether he gets any looks from other teams once free agency begins. We have shown that we won't get in a bidding war for offensive linemen backups so we might lose him to someone else before we decide what to do with him. At 31 we might not think he has much tread left on the tires and will opt for a youth movement at the position.

[Mr. Scot]

The contract thing does make a difference, granted. I may be putting too much import on Fox's tendency to favor veterans at certain spots. Capped or uncapped season could also come into play.

Still, I think they might rather have Bernadeau as the utility guy. If not Vincent, maybe Robinson does get the start.

[OneBadassCat]

Though I like Vincent I think Bernadau and Schwartz could do more than replace him. Duke should start to come around next year as well.