Offensive Line Rankings, Panthers at #3

[R0CKnR0LLA]

3. Carolina Panthers (4)

LT: Jordan Gross

LG: Travelle Wharton

C: Ryan Kalil

RG: Mackenzy Bernadeau

RT: *Jeff Otah

Don't laugh. The Panthers went 2-14 last season, but they'll be much better this year and line play has a lot to do with it. Gross and Kalil return from Pro Bowl berths, and Wharton is an elite left guard in protection when healthy. A mammoth run blocker, Otah is the big addition after a season lost to injury. Bernadeau, the question mark, was shuttled between guard spots last year and briefly lost his job, but the Panthers could switch to mauling, 25-year-old "backup" Geoff Schwartz (19 career starts) and probably upgrade the position. G/T Garry Williams (11 starts) is another experienced reserve. Seventh-round value Lee Ziemba fits Carolina's nasty mentality up front.

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/38453/179/2011-offensive-line-rankings

I was somewhat surprised to see them this high after a pretty dismal 2010 season, though a lot of that had to do with injuries. Losing Otah of course was huge but on top of that Gross and Wharton were both dinged up and played below their normal levels (though Gross still managed a pro-bowl bid). RG is still a concern for me but between Schwartz, Williams, Bernadeau and now Ziemba hopefully someone emerges as a real stud for that last spot. Depth too may be a bit iffy but assuming the line stays relatively healthy I think we see a massive turnaround from a year ago.

Another thing to note is that every NFC South team is in the top 10, which should prove to be a good test for our DLine this year.

[Cat'sGrowl]

That's funny.

Jtgreensboro has told me both Gross and Wharton suck.

[HoFBound90]

Love the respect, I would hope our LB core gets as much too if they rank that position.

[davos]

That's nice to see.

It wil definitely be interesting to see how Bernadeau plays this season. If he steps it up and that line stays healthy that's the best thing in the world for Cam/Clausen

[Jangler]

It's about time somebody actually looked at the team and saw more than 2-14 and Clausen.

but it's the media. We don't need their praise or their respect. :eek:

[jtnc]

That's funny.

Jtgreensboro has told me both Gross and Wharton suck.

First of all stop putting fuging words in my mouth I never said Wharton or Gross

"sucks".

[Metal_Sparty]

First of all stop putting fuging words in my mouth I never said Wharton or Gross

"sucks".

And second of all?

Awesome to see that they're ranked so high, I can only hope they live up to expectations; injury free.

[Jackofalltrades]

Injury free that's accurate, but that would be a frigg'n miracle- though we're due.

[Floppin]

When was the last season our line was injury free?

[smitty_89]

Pats should be #1 and not the texans

[The Huddler]

Ya gotta give the big ugly's some love!

[Gipetto]

Only #3? Child please

[Blitz_2231]

That would be huge if they could achieve such a rating. It's like a double-bonus: keep our QB's uniform clean and open holes for the backs!

[panthers55]

What I like is that we will have some depth when injuries occur as they always do. Gil Brandt said it well last night when he was talking about Otah while at Panther camp for NFl Sirius. Gill said that when Otah realizes that all good football players learn to play through pain, he will be fantastic. Somehow I think that Rivera will put up with less than Fox did. Fox seemed to always side on being overly cautiousand sympathetic while Rivera strikes me as more no-nonsense and a "suck it Up" and play kind of guy.

But if he wimps out like last year, Ziemba can handle his duties as can Schwartz. Bernadeau and Williams offer depth but not much as far as starters based on last year although Williams wasn't bad.