Newsletter

2010 Offensive Line Analysis - Carolina Panthers

2010 Projected Starters:
Left Tackle: Jordan Gross
Left Guard: Travelle Wharton
Center: Ryan Kalil
Right Guard: Mackenzy Bernadeau
Right Tackle: Jeff Otah

2009 Injuries:
T Jordan Gross: Weeks 11-17
T Jeff Otah: Weeks 15-17

2009 Statistics:

Overview:
Despite losing their starting left tackle Jordan Gross in the second half of the year, the Carolina Panthers offensive line was amongst the best once again in run blocking and was above average in pass protection. Unfortunately that success didn’t transfer over to the rest of the offense as they were below average in yards of offense for the fourth time in the past five years.

At tackle, the Panthers will start their 2003 first round pick Jordan Gross as well as their 2008 first round pick Jeff Otah. Gross made the switch to left tackle a couple of years ago after spending the early part of his career on the right side. Gross had missed only one start in his NFL career until he broke a tibia in week ten last year. Gross had struggled in the past in pass protection and after a great 2008 season, he struggled again in 2009. He was responsible for six sacks in only ten starts, well below average for a starting left tackle. Despite that, he was very good in run blocking and an above average tackle in 2009 but he has the potential to be much more than that. He is not overly physical but he is a very smart blocker with good technique. On the right side will be Jeff Otah, a very big lineman, at 6’6” and 325 lbs, with great strength. He is very powerful and aggressive off the line and his quick feet allow him to block downfield. Otah was known to have poor technique in college but he really improved in the past two seasons. He had somewhat of a sophomore slump as his pass protection slipped compared to his rookie year. At this point, Otah is probably slightly below average in pass protection and slightly above average in run blocking but, similar to Gross, has the potential to be much better than that. He will however need to stay healthy, something he hasn’t done in his first two NFL seasons. Seventh round draft pick in 2008, Geoff Schwartz is the top backup at tackle; he looked pretty good in his three starts in place of Otah last year.

Travelle Wharton made the move to left guard a couple of seasons ago; the Panthers 2004 third round pick started all 16 games at left tackle in 2007. It proved to be an excellent move as Wharton has been a much better lineman in the past two years. Wharton however had to start seven games at left tackle in place of Gross. He was probably better than most other backup left tackles in the NFL but it was obvious that he wasn’t comfortable on the end of the line. Wharton is more suited to play inside because he lacks the quick feet and technique to play at left tackle in order to stay with speedy defensive ends. He remains an average pass blocker at guard but is a good run blocker because of his strength. Keydrick Vincent was the starting right guard for the past two years but the Panthers have not resigned him and it looks like Mackenzy Bernadeau will be his replacement. Bernadeau started the final seven games last season at left guard after Gross went down and Wharton moved to left tackle. The seventh round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft struggled in his seven starts, especially in run blocking. Bernadeau should be much better in 2010 in his first full season as a starter but will most likely be the weak link on this line once again.

Ryan Kalil will return as the starting center for the third consecutive season and can now be considered amongst the NFL’s best. Kalil made his first trip to the Pro Bowl in 2009 after an excellent season. Over the past two years, he has probably been one of the most improved offensive linemen in the NFL. He is very smart and athletic, two excellent qualities for a center but lacks strength at 6’2” and 295 lbs. However, critics said the same thing about Jeff Saturday who made it to four Pro Bowls throughout his career. If Kalil can stay healthy, he has all the tools to be a very similar player and be amongst the best at his position for the next ten years.

2010 Outlook:
The Panthers offensive line was amongst the best in the NFL in 2009 despite a number of injuries. The most impressive statistic is that the running game averaged over 4.5 yards per carry in every game but three in 2009. The bad news however is that pass protection was average all year long and the 33 sacks weren’t caused by injuries. In those first eight games with the group of Gross, Wharton, Kalil, Vincent and Otah, the running game averaged 4.7 yards per carry and the line allowed 18 sacks. Bernadeau should be an upgrade over Vincent in pass protection but this change could hurt the running game a little. Depth is a pretty big concern since Geoff Schwartz is pretty much the only backup than can be trusted to step in at this point. Duke Robinson has a lot of potential but still has a lot to learn. Overall, this line will once again be amongst the best in run blocking and should be improved in pass protection but they absolutely need everyone to stay healthy, which hasn’t been the case in the past two years.

See all of our 2010 Offensive Line Analysis Articles