Fixing the front 5

[MHS831]

What a difference a year makes. Major decisions will be necessary to repair the oline in the offseason. What happens here will determine success in 2011 more than a QB change.

LT- Gross will be 31 and is probably just passing his prime. Quality depth is needed. Wharton sliding out is not the answer. Never was.

LG- Wharton has been pretty solid, but Bernadeau is a failed experiment. I see him looking back at the QB, RB before most plays are over.

C- Kalil could walk. We will not tag him because we have to pay LT money. Not much is being said about him, but this is huge. We have no decent backup center. We need to look at the position in the draft and perhaps free agency.

RG- Where have you gone, Duke Robinson, Panther nation turns its lonely eyes to you. Schwartz is decent depth, but we need a stud RG.

RT- Is Otah going to continue his string of injuries dating back to Pitt? \

OK GMs. Fix this mess.

[klumme]

Kalil should be our top priority... Then get a FA RG and some depth in the draft.

Mankins is a beast. But very expensive.

[MHS831]

Agreed. Kalil is our top priority. Love Mankins. I think the Saints' guards are UFAs as well.

We have the money now. Mankins would make a difference and be worth the $

[panthers55]

If we can resign Kalil, the O-line should be fine next year. The only hole will be at right guard and with Bernadeau and Schwartz both getting reps this year plus finding someone in FA to fill in like we did with Vincent in 2009, we should get fine. One of the few pluses of having injuries at a position is that the backup gains experience. We had little depth on the O-line this year but many of those guys are a year further in their development.

And of course getting a mobile quarterback like Newton would instantly make this O-line 100% better in spite of any changes.

[scpanther22]

If we can resign Kalil, the O-line should be fine next year. The only hole will be at right guard and with Bernadeau and Schwartz both getting reps this year plus finding someone in FA to fill in like we did with Vincent in 2009, we should get fine. One of the few pluses of having injuries at a position is that the backup gains experience. We had little depth on the O-line this year but many of those guys are a year further in their development.

And of course getting a mobile quarterback like Newton would instantly make this O-line 100% better in spite of any changes.

Do you want Newton over luck?

[X-Clown]

I think the Saints' guards are UFAs as well.

Jahri Evans is not, he signed a massive deal in the offseason.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5165219

[panthers55]

Do you want Newton over luck?

It reminds of what the debate would be if Payton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger had come out in the same draft. They are very different guys. We should have a coach by them and based on what he wants to run we should pick accordingly.

At first look Luck would appear to be the top choice but if we continue to run as much or more than we pass, Newton could be a better fit. Plus i want to hear what folks say about their work ethic, football knowledge, and other features. Because Newton was a transfer and Luck is a redshirt sophomore neither really showed up on the radar screen until this year.

If Luck stays in school, newton becomes the prohibitive favorite for the top pick.

[MHS831]

Newton definitely has our attention. THe best thing about Newton--we could trade down, grab a second rounder this season and a first rounder in 2012, and still get him or Mallet. The bidding for Luck would be high. With the second rounder we could get a good DT and use the third round for CB--or vica versa.

Newton is an interesting thought, but he is a risky pick. If Clausen finishes strong, and can serve as a safety net, I might do it. If Clausen continues to struggle, I say we should take Luck. The next coach may not focus on the run as much, as Luck is the most NFL ready (deja vu). I still think both are hype. I see Vince Young in him. Not fair I know.

[scpanther22]

It reminds of what the debate would be if Payton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger had come out in the same draft. They are very different guys. We should have a coach by them and based on what he wants to run we should pick accordingly.

At first look Luck would appear to be the top choice but if we continue to run as much or more than we pass, Newton could be a better fit. Plus i want to hear what folks say about their work ethic, football knowledge, and other features. Because Newton was a transfer and Luck is a redshirt sophomore neither really showed up on the radar screen until this year.

If Luck stays in school, newton becomes the prohibitive favorite for the top pick.

Newton seems like such a project to me..lots of potential there but IDK if he can start in his first year..

[House]

I am just SO fuging excited about these QB's in the draft that all of you keep hyping.

I mean, we are going to be so good next year because the success rate of 1 and 2 year college starters that jump to the NFL is SO fuging high.

If nothing else the next QB for the Panthers should give Claussen and Moore about a million dollars each. The same way Bradford should give Fitzpatrick and whoever else started for the Rams last year a fat present.

"We've won 6 games with this guy, he is the real deal!"

[Lumps]

What happens here will determine success in 2011 more than a QB change.

Not even close.

[philp]

lol, i'd take manning every single time.

[Snake]

If we upgrade the G and maybe the RT position we will be fine.

[Miaoww]

What a difference a year makes. Major decisions will be necessary to repair the oline in the offseason. What happens here will determine success in 2011 more than a QB change.

LT- Gross will be 31 and is probably just passing his prime. Quality depth is needed. Wharton sliding out is not the answer. Never was.

LG- Wharton has been pretty solid, but Bernadeau is a failed experiment. I see him looking back at the QB, RB before most plays are over.

C- Kalil could walk. We will not tag him because we have to pay LT money. Not much is being said about him, but this is huge. We have no decent backup center. We need to look at the position in the draft and perhaps free agency.

RG- Where have you gone, Duke Robinson, Panther nation turns its lonely eyes to you. Schwartz is decent depth, but we need a stud RG.

RT- Is Otah going to continue his string of injuries dating back to Pitt? \

OK GMs. Fix this mess.

It all depends on the offensive philosophy of the new HC.

Kalil is a talented C (though he's having an off year), and fits into most systems.

Gross isn't as good as he used to be, BUT he has a monster contract, so he isn't going anywhere. I would be tempted to move him back to RT if the opportunity arises though, 'cos he's not an elite LT.

Otah. Who knows? All the talent in the world, but he can't stay on the field. Obviously he's a monster run blocker, but his pass blocking is merely adequate (though much, MUCH better than the guys we've subbed in for him). If we go to a pass happy offence we might look to shift him.

Wharton is still a good G, but again he's had a bit of a down year. Still, he's worth retaining regardless of the system.

Schwartz and Bernadeau are trash.

How would I fix it? Tough to do with the draft picks we have. I don't think there are any studly OTs coming out this year (though I've not analysed the draft in depth yet) and few Gs are worth first round picks. Free Agency seems to be the way to go, which is never advisable as you always end up overpaying.