We need a right guard

[Jackofalltrades]

Pouncey in the second?

Not a chance and no thanks on Locker.

[Cyclonus]

Pouncey in the second?

Not a chance and no thanks on Locker.

Pouncey is the name that popped in my head when I read the title of this thread. If the Panthers could trade into the 2nd round and grab him I'd be happy.

[thunderraiden]

You need to remember that Schwartz was at RT for OTAs, training camp, and half of the season. He was learning at RG, and made some huge steps--he was a major reason the line started playing better.

Is he the answer? I dunno. But i agree with Rock--we should draft a project LT to develop behind Gross and we should draft a backup center who can compete at RG. The reason for the center? We cannot franchise Kalil and he will be hard to re-sign.

When do "project" LT's ever work out? I was under the impression that that position was most suited in football for mainly pure talent taken in the 1st round.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Rivera needs to address this position through Free Agency so we don't have to waste a draft pick on a rookie guard. I personally want a young guy to keep the youth movement alive but I want a young guy that has already started progressing into his full potential. Personally I would think the most likely targets would be Marsahl Yanda from Baltimore who can play right tackle or right guard or Chris Chester from Baltimore who is specifically a right guard and both played under Coach Matsko.

[Actionman0z]

wet wipes FTW

exactly or its like smearing peanut butter through a shag carpet.

[MHS831]

When do "project" LT's ever work out? I was under the impression that that position was most suited in football for mainly pure talent taken in the 1st round.

Good point, but I was thinking along the line of a converted TE who has not played LOT long. Someone who dropped because of technique and experience but has the athleticism to play LT when he is ready. In fact, we could find an undrafted free agent-- a big, blocking TE and convert him here, over time. Some of the best left tackles were TEs at one time.

[Urrymonster]

Rivera needs to address this position through Free Agency so we don't have to waste a draft pick on a rookie guard. I personally want a young guy to keep the youth movement alive but I want a young guy that has already started progressing into his full potential. Personally I would think the most likely targets would be Marsahl Yanda from Baltimore who can play right tackle or right guard or Chris Chester from Baltimore who is specifically a right guard and both played under Coach Matsko.

Yanda is one of the best RT's in the game and his only issue is staying healthy...much like our own Jeff Otah. Chester is a decent RG, but isn't exactly any better than Schwartz. Chester is also going to be 29 at the beginning of next season so likely is looking for a big contract to see him into his mid 30's.

I don't personally see how bringing in that kind of player will do us any good. We just end up paying a fairly hefty contract for a player that isn't any better than what we have on the roster.

Honestly I would look at a free agent in his 30's who is just a solid dependable player. If anything we were too young and too inexperienced last year, but had the raw skills and abilities to do well. A genuine vet who has no problem being a mole player will only help our younger players get better.

[TANTRIC-NINJA]

Yanda is one of the best RT's in the game and his only issue is staying healthy...much like our own Jeff Otah. Chester is a decent RG, but isn't exactly any better than Schwartz. Chester is also going to be 29 at the beginning of next season so likely is looking for a big contract to see him into his mid 30's.

I don't personally see how bringing in that kind of player will do us any good. We just end up paying a fairly hefty contract for a player that isn't any better than what we have on the roster.

Honestly I would look at a free agent in his 30's who is just a solid dependable player. If anything we were too young and too inexperienced last year, but had the raw skills and abilities to do well. A genuine vet who has no problem being a mole player will only help our younger players get better.

We will probally get a guy from Baltimore..Yanda or a developmental guy or...isnt Gaither a FA?

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

^ Yeah, I think Gaither may be a FA but I heard that Yanda may be moved to right guard next year and if Baltimore is planning on moving him I would think the Panthers would go ahead and pursue him for their right guard position.

[OneBadassCat]

For those of you worrying about our future at LT, Otah was supposed to be the future there. Otah would coming along as a RT and finally be ready when Gross leaves. But since he's been hurt so often I don't know what the plan is.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Yanda is one of the best RT's in the game and his only issue is staying healthy...much like our own Jeff Otah. Chester is a decent RG, but isn't exactly any better than Schwartz. Chester is also going to be 29 at the beginning of next season so likely is looking for a big contract to see him into his mid 30's.

I don't personally see how bringing in that kind of player will do us any good. We just end up paying a fairly hefty contract for a player that isn't any better than what we have on the roster.

Honestly I would look at a free agent in his 30's who is just a solid dependable player. If anything we were too young and too inexperienced last year, but had the raw skills and abilities to do well. A genuine vet who has no problem being a mole player will only help our younger players get better.

We don't need to pay a hefty contract for a good player, Baltimore has already told Yanda that he is going to become the full time right guard so the Panthers and specifically Matsko need to convince Yanda to play in Carolina as their right guard. The Panthers already have the coach in place to lure Yanda from Baltimore and Yanda only had injury problems in 2008. In 2007 and 2009 he played in every single game.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh has vocally expressed his desire to move Marshal Yanda to right guard full-time.

"Personally, I like Marshal Yanda at right guard," he said. "I think that's his position. He's a dominant puller. He's physical. If you can put a nice, big right tackle next to him, that would really help." Baltimore experienced a lack of front five continuity throughout 2010. Yanda is a free agent, so the Ravens will have to re-sign him before anything else.

Source: Carroll County Times

[Urrymonster]

We don't need to pay a hefty contract for a good player, Baltimore has already told Yanda that he is going to become the full time right guard so the Panthers and specifically Matsko need to convince Yanda to play in Carolina as their right guard. The Panthers already have the coach in place to lure Yanda from Baltimore and Yanda only had injury problems in 2008. In 2007 and 2009 he played in every single game.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh has vocally expressed his desire to move Marshal Yanda to right guard full-time.

So how in the blue hell do we get him if they are already talking about having him full time at RG next season?

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

^ We pay him more than they do???

[Urrymonster]

^ We pay him more than they do???

If only it were that simple. For a start it might not be a while until FA opens (if at all before TC's etc are over), so players who are wanted by their team will likely stay with their current team. It just makes it more like they will do well.

Secondly, where would you want to be after this season? Baltimore or Carolina?

Third, they will get the first chance to re-sign him before he's officially a FA.

Finally, he WILL command a decent salary IF he hits FA. Do you really want to get into a bidding war for a RG when we have someone on the roster already who played well this year?