Byron Bell Starting At Rt In Otas, Ahead Of Jeff Otah

[Black]

Skills: Otah > Bell

Effort: Otah < Every single player in the NFL

That's certainly not true, Otah just can't say healthy.

[panthers55]

What we saw of him was pre-accident almost 2 years ago. I don't think we can tell anything about his current functioning. That is why I want to see what he does once the pads are on. What any of us know about him is ancient history in NFL terms.

[Ivan The Awesome]

There is no question when Otah is healthy, he's dominant. He's your starting RT. But he's not healthy. He hasn't finished a season and has been on IR for too many seasons. Bell took over and has had 11 starts since Otah went down. He's not missed a start. Bruce Campbell has been brought in for more competition. Matt Reynolds is another good candidate for this competition.

Otah has to win his old job back. I love it. Rivera isn't going to hand him that job back like Fox did, all because he was a 1st round pick without competition.

[CRA]

All pro is pushing it. He looks very good in the run game, but is no better at pass blocking than Bell.

Maybe...

Otah is without a doubt a run grader.... But he is still better IMO than Bell as a pass blocker by a fair margin. Cam prevented Bell from looking as horrible as he really was. His play would have hurt us much more if Cam Newton wasn't the mofo bees knees

[4Corners]

Hey bros

If anyone had any doubts about otah being in the doghouse, this should speak volumes to you.

Motivational tool for otah.

[rainwater]

Skills: Otah > Bell

Effort: Otah < Every single player in the NFL

Simply not true. I've never seen anyone question Otah's work ethic other than people on this board. People may question is ability to manage injuries but the guy plays hard and always has. Can he play through pain? So far, he hasn't shown that ability but that has nothing to do with effort.

[Snake]

Bell was very surprising from where he was drafted. Which was not at all.

[rainwater]

It should be noted though that Otah wasn't any better in pass protection.

I want some of that crack you are smoking. Otah may be average in pass blocking, but Bell was one of the worst pass blockers ever to play for the Panthers. He forced the offense to completely adjust their system and continuously provide help to his side. This is the reason why the two TE system did not excel in the second half of the season. I think Pro Football Focus said it best: "Bell was horrible in every phase of the game."

[rainwater]

Hey bros

If anyone had any doubts about otah being in the doghouse, this should speak volumes to you.

Motivational tool for otah.

I don't think he is in the dog house. I'm sure it is a bit of motivational tool. But if healthy, Otah will start. I don't think anyone thinks otherwise.

[top dawg]

This is not a surprise. There is really nothing to speculate, as Ron Rivera has told Otah and the world exactly what he feels about the situation. Otah is not going to return to his presumed incumbency as the starter by default. Even Bell ain't gonna retain his starting role just by showing up to work (notwithstanding the decent work that he put in last year). They are going to have to compete.

Now, sure, reading between the lines, Rivera suggested that Otah has a higher ceiling in regards to potential at the position, but he is going to have to prove it by putting in the work, in the way that the coaches want him to do it. It's that simple.

[Lumps]

4 years, 1st rounder in a contract season vs. undrafted rookie who had no time to prepare

otah needs to step the fug up or gtfo...in other words I agree with Rivera.

[Hairless Cat]

This is all just so Rivera can prove a point and people buy what he is selling. There is no way Bell starts if Otah is healthy come September.

I wouldnt be too sure about that - how long did it take for LaFell to get the start last season?

[rainwater]

I wouldnt be too sure about that - how long did it take for LaFell to get the start last season?

A skill position is much different. You don't learn pass blocking in the off season. My guess is the Panthers will pick up another lineman to start if Otah doesn't look healthy going into the season. They would be in serious trouble if they plan on relying on one of the worst rated lineman in the NFL last season.

[PantherPhann89]

I'm sure that Otah will come on strong this year. I'm not sure if we'll overpay to keep him based off one year of production and potential.