Position Battles, Offensive Edition.

[Ivan The Awesome]

Positions Battles. Decent piece by Joe person. I know, Joe person...

The Panthers begin Phase 3 of OTAs this week, beginning with a helmets-and-shorts practice on Tuesday.

They'll practice a total of 10 days over the next three weeks, before holding a minicamp June 12-14.

NO. 2 WIDEOUT

Candidates: Brandon LaFell, David Gettis, Armanti Edwards, Darvin Adams, Seyi Ajirotutu

Favorite: LaFell

Comment: The Panthers play a ton of three- and four-receiver sets, and their hope is that LaFell will continue to develop and Gettis will come back strong from ACL surgery. If not, they could always rent a veteran like they did last year with Legedu Naanee. Joe Adams and Kealoha Pilares aren't included here because they play exclusively in the slot.

So Pilares and Joe Adams are slot only? Didn't hear the coach say that.

RIGHT TACKLE

Candidates: Jeff Otah, Byron Bell, Garry Williams, Bruce Campbell, Lee Ziemba

Favorite: Otah

Comment: The Panthers shut Otah down last year and put him on injured reserve (again) in the hopes that he could stay healthy long-term. If Otah's healthy, he's the best option here. Hands down. But that's been a big if the last two-plus seasons.

I think Otah is in Rivera's Dog house. My point of view for it. If Otah wins this and stays healthy. I'll be very surprised. Pleasantly of course.

If this was posted, my bad. Did not see it in the search bar.

[SN03]

Where's the #2 corner battle?

[Ivan The Awesome]

Offensive edition, Captain.

But to follow your question, I think Norman will win that battle. Just call it a hunch.

[SN03]

Offensive edition, Captain.

But to follow your question, I think Norman will win that battle. Just call it a hunch.

Just making sure you were on top of your game.

I want one of Hogan, Norman & Butler to step up & really take that spot. Doesn't matter who.

But to the OP I'll go with LaFell & Otah.

[PhillyB]

chudz has to be loving this conundrum. regardless of who wins WR2, any three-wide sets are going to pit either lafell or gettis (or smith, as he desires to play from that position while someone else takes over outside) against nickelbacks, and any of those three are likely to outclass most of the league's nickelbacks in man coverage. lafell seems to find a knack for getting open against zones as well.

being the number three wideout doesn't necessarily mean you're automatically the slot guy, but they often end up in the slot (or against nickelbacks. if gettis ends up as WR3 with his speed there will be a whole lot of one-on-one matchups with smith and lafell - teams will be forced to keep an extra safety back to account for gettis' threat as a deep receiver, opening up patterns for the other guys. throw olsen's abilities in there and safeties are going to be shitting their pants.

however this shakes out the offense comes out on top.

[Ivan The Awesome]

Just making sure you were on top of your game.

I want one of Hogan, Norman & Butler to step up & really take that spot. Doesn't matter who.

But to the OP I'll go with LaFell & Otah.

Thanks man, you're a regular Catfish. You can make the Defensive Edition if you'd like.

The real battle for the CB#2 is between Butler/Hogan/Norman. Normans size and skill will be a huge factor though. Munnerlyn will probably be #3.

[SN03]

Thanks man, you're a regular Catfish. You can make the Defensive Edition if you'd like.

The real battle for the CB#2 is between Butler/Hogan/Norman. Normans size and skill will be a huge factor though. Munnerlyn will probably be #3.

Agreed. I think all 3 have potential. I just want somebody to solidify themselve as the #2.

IMO long-term Gettis is the only WR on the roster with the potential to be Smith's successor down the road. He has a rare combination of size & great speed. For this year, though, I don't see anyone beating LaFell. He will be a very solid #2 for a long time.

And lastly, Otah. If he is healthy & goes all in he is the nest offensive lineman not named Kalil on our roster. He is an absolute monster. I expect him to return to '09 form this season. Everyone thinks he'll play, get paid, then revert back. Honestly I don't care I'm focused on 2012.

[PantherPhann89]

Positions Battles. Decent piece by Joe person. I know, Joe person...

So Pilares and Joe Adams are slot only? Didn't hear the coach say that.

I think Otah is in Rivera's Dog house. My point of view for it. If Otah wins this and stays healthy. I'll be very surprised. Pleasantly of course.

If this was posted, my bad. Did not see it in the search bar.

You forgot about the LG position between: Amini Silatolu, Mike Pollak, Byron Bell, Garry Willams. I think Rivera really likes Silatolu. I haven't heard anything about Pollak since we signed him, he has the most experience. We'll see what happens.

[Urrymonster]

You forgot about the LG position between: Amini Silatolu, Mike Pollak, Byron Bell, Garry Willams. I think Rivera really likes Silatolu. I haven't heard anything about Pollak since we signed him, he has the most experience. We'll see what happens.

I'd like to see Hangman work for his job as well. He's a pretty average starter, so I'd like to see someone push him as well.

[PantherPhann89]

I'd like to see Hangman work for his job as well. He's a pretty average starter, so I'd like to see someone push him as well.

. True, on Paper, we0 seem to have a good quality O-line. I'd like to how Cam does with better protection and how well D. Will & J. Stew runs behind this line. Man. I'm ready

[Soul Rebel]

For WR2, I was hoping Gettis would be the hands down guy and Lafell had dropsies, but after last season, I am warming up to Lafell as the #2. I think our offense is very flexible in personnel sliding between 2, 3, and 4 WR sets, so Gettis' speed might be better served as a #3.... not necessarily a traditional "slot" WR, but someone that could utilize that speed and height down the seam against LB's and safeties, and in the red zone. Lafell reminds me more of a Moose kind of posession WR, but not as precise with route running and sure hands. I like the way Lafell uses his body in traffic and finds his place in zones to get open.

[j2sgam]

chudz has to be loving this conundrum. regardless of who wins WR2, any three-wide sets are going to pit either lafell or gettis (or smith, as he desires to play from that position while someone else takes over outside) against nickelbacks, and any of those three are likely to outclass most of the league's nickelbacks in man coverage. lafell seems to find a knack for getting open against zones as well.

being the number three wideout doesn't necessarily mean you're automatically the slot guy, but they often end up in the slot (or against nickelbacks. if gettis ends up as WR3 with his speed there will be a whole lot of one-on-one matchups with smith and lafell - teams will be forced to keep an extra safety back to account for gettis' threat as a deep receiver, opening up patterns for the other guys. throw olsen's abilities in there and safeties are going to be shitting their pants.

however this shakes out the offense comes out on top.

I like this even more because the backfield isnt mentioned. If Chud having said conundrum as to who to give the ball, and DCs are deficating at the thought of our receiving corp, then how much worse does it get when you throw Stew, Tolbert & DWill in the mix? Stew & Tolbert are definite receiving threats, I recall DWill droppin a few thrown his way over the years..Then there the occasional throw to Cam, but thats not often enough to be a factor here. Like I said in another post, defenses are going to be cross-eyed by halftime...

This is shaping up like Chico said soon after he took the job.."We are going to run the ball when we want, we are going to throw the ball when we want. We're not going to take what their giving us, we're dictating to them what we are going to do.." Of course, Im paraphrasin a bit, but yous get the gist...

[pantherclaw]

I like how a little motivation from head coach to player translates to player being in the dog house.

Otah is by far, the most talented guard on the team. Coach is just motivating him.

So it won't be any surprise when Otah wins back his starting gig.

[KillerKat]

TE3 and RB3 will be interesting as well