Intent of the LT position

[Gin and Juice]

The versatility of starting right guard Nate Chandler, Gross’ back up in 2013, allows the team to move him to left tackle to replace Gross; Scott, Chandler’s back up, could move to starting right guard seamlessly. These moves essentially allow the Panthers offensive line to stay relatively intact, and chemistry cannot be overstated, especially for a young quarterback.-quote from isportsweb.com article

I think this has been the plan the whole time. Amid all the hoopla over Gman's left-handed talk, Rivera stated Bell would be competing for the LT job. I think the staff feels they have a diamond in Chandler. Have read several quotes about him being our most athletic O-lineman and developing nicely as pass-blocker.

Thoughts?

[TheRumGone]

Fwiw he was amazing in preseason at pass blocking while at LT.

A lot of unknowns are scary to people, myself included.

[QCkilla]

We can only hope there's a second or third rounder out there that's ready to start (unlikely IMO) because, unless a miracle happens, there's not going to be anyone worth taking with the 28th. But at least Chandler isn't Bell.

[MHS831]

I have that thought as well, but it seems too crazy to say in public--I am not an expert at LT, but Chandler was remarkable at RG when he was thrown in there.  Now, I know that does not make him a LT, but it does make a statement about his ability to adjust.  I think his first game was SF, and they threw some bodies at him. Yes, he was burned a time or two, but it was not a train wreck by any means vs. a good D and a bright Def. Coordinator. 

 

Chandler is a former TE (some of the best LTs were) who has experience at DT, so he knows how the DL thinks.   Maybe he is the perfect LT because he has seen so many perspectives.   I know that they knock on TEs converting to LTs is that they are often lacking in technique and strength--Chandler seems OK in those areas. 

 

I still want us to draft a LT candidate.

 

Back to Scott.  I thought, with Chandler, Bond, and Kugbila able to play RG, we did not need him.   But if you move Chandler to LT and list Bond as a RT, it makes sense.

 

 

[t96]

We really just gotta hope for the best from these guys... Unless Lewan falls to us, I don't see the answer being in the draft this year.

[DaveThePanther2008]

I really like Chandler and it would be a welcome surprise for him to step into the role.  What I do like about him moving into the LT spot is.  He already knows the speed of the game.  He knows what to expect.  As opposed to a rookie coming in.  Every year the quote of all rookies is.... "The speed of the game is much faster"   So what advantage we gain in a rookie we already have in a veteran like Chandler.  

 

This is not saying Chandler will be our L or RT but it also implies that the rookie (whovever he may be) isn't going to be handed the job either.

[LinvilleGorge]

Sounds better to me than Bell to LT, which ain't saying much, but hey... it's something.

[iamhubby1]

So I guess you can say, I am totally confused.

Don't you expect your 1st round draft pick of an OT to start? Hellz, I'd go as far as to say maybe even your 2nd should start, and your 3rd should push to start. Normally.

We have a draft class considered deep in Tackles. Yet folks are telling me we can't get a starting Tackle outside the top 3. This is where my confusion comes in. I was kinda hoping for our top 3 picks to start this year. And for at least one of them to be our LT of the future. But if our LT of the future is long gone for us this year. What's a poor boy to do?

We are going to be playing the kids this year. In my mind. It is imperative our top 3 picks all push for significant playing time. IF one were a LT, and another to be a WR, well, that would just tickle me pink.

[jptaylor84]

Yeh he was great in pre season, wasnt Josh Norman running around being all Richard Sherman like in pre season? Teams don't go fully at it so it's hard to say this guy is this or that because of this! Yes he may be better than Bell but who isn't? but I m stil would prefer an actual naturally OT with our #28th pick and start him! I'm happy with Chandler at RT.

[nagai]

So I guess you can say, I am totally confused.

Don't you expect your 1st round draft pick of an OT to start? Hellz, I'd go as far as to say maybe even your 2nd should start, and your 3rd should push to start. Normally.

We have a draft class considered deep in Tackles. Yet folks are telling me we can't get a starting Tackle outside the top 3. This is where my confusion comes in. I was kinda hoping for our top 3 picks to start this year. And for at least one of them to be our LT of the future. But if our LT of the future is long gone for us this year. What's a poor boy to do?

We are going to be playing the kids this year. In my mind. It is imperative our top 3 picks all push for significant playing time. IF one were a LT, and another to be a WR, well, that would just tickle me pink.

 

Both Gettleman and Rivera has said that rookies from your first two rounds should be starters. I see no reason not to take them by their word. Whether those guys will be OT's though is more up in the air.

 

[jarhead]

Easy to talk about but much more difficult to execute

[Guest]

If we draft a tackle at #28, then hopefully he should be ready to start. On the other side I suppose it depends on whether they keep Bell at RT and Chandler at RG, or if they let Chandler compete for the position. I wouldn't mind seeing us take a chance on a rookie LT and Chandler at RT.

Hopefully we see a tackle and receiver taken in the first three rounds. The other pick could be a DB or perhaps a linebacker to push Chase Blackburn (unless Klein is going to step up and push him).

[DaveThePanther2008]

It is pretty much a given that 1st two rounds are normally starters.  Third round are borderline starters.    I believe OT will be in round one or two.  They should start but not necessary on the left side.   I could see a rookie coming in starting at RT and in a year or two move to the left.  

 

Chandler was a practice squad player who played tackle, last year he was on the team as a G/T.   It is feasible that he would battle whoever it is they put in at tackle.   I am not saying he would win the spot but I think it is going to be fun watching Bell moving to his natural side, Chandler with a little LT experience and a 1st or 2nd Round OT battle it out in the next couple of months.

 

Didn't Gross start out on the right side?

[KillerKat]

The versatility of starting right guard Nate Chandler, Gross’ back up in 2013, allows the team to move him to left tackle to replace Gross; Scott, Chandler’s back up, could move to starting right guard seamlessly. These moves essentially allow the Panthers offensive line to stay relatively intact, and chemistry cannot be overstated, especially for a young quarterback.-quote from isportsweb.com article

I think this has been the plan the whole time. Amid all the hoopla over Gman's left-handed talk, Rivera stated Bell would be competing for the LT job. I think the staff feels they have a diamond in Chandler. Have read several quotes about him being our most athletic O-lineman and developing nicely as pass-blocker.

Thoughts?

This is what I've been saying all along. It makes no sense to make 3 moves by putting your worst tackle at LT protecting your QB's blindside, move Nate Chandler to RT, and Garry Williams to RG. That's 3 moves to compensate for 1 damn player leaving. Moving Chandler back to LT and just plugging in Scott back at RG makes way more sense.