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

[jtnc]

How is it not valid? Not Bell's job to lose- it's Otah's. If Otah does not stay healthy, he doesn't play, and has lost his job

Similarly, Beason and Edwards if healthy will regain their starting positions...

Assuming Otah is healthy right now, just because he has always been injured is not going to hurt his chances of being the starting RT... his past injuries are going to affect whether or not he is on the team next year, or how much less his contract extension is going to be worth

Wtf are you talking about? Beason and Edwards are already locked into their starting positions.

[panthers90]

Consistency. Beason and Edwards were not Injury prone like Otah was. Do you think the new regime is not aware of Otah's health issues?

Edwards had a freak accident, much like Beason. Otah on the other hand has a consistent injury. His knee. It's always been that. He has to show Rivera that he's ready to make it through a season without making it to IR.

Okay, I don't think I'm expressing myself clearly- what I'm trying to say is just because Otah was injured, he did not lose the starting spot. If he is healthy, he will be the starter, which is why I used the example of Beason and Edwards- they are healthy, so they will get their starting spots back. Contrary to what most of this thread is saying, it is OTAH's job to lose if he can't stay healthy, NOT Bell's job to lose.

I completely agree that he has to show Rivera he can stay healthy for a year- but I do not believe that his durability is being put into question whether or not who is going to start- once again, if healthy he will start. As I said in the last post, his durability will be taken into account on his contract extension offer, or even leading to him being cut.

[Ivan The Awesome]

Okay, I don't think I'm expressing myself clearly- what I'm trying to say is just because Otah was injured, he did not lose the starting spot. If he is healthy, he will be the starter, which is why I used the example of Beason and Edwards- they are healthy, so they will get their starting spots back. Contrary to what most of this thread is saying, it is OTAH's job to lose if he can't stay healthy, NOT Bell's job to lose.

I completely agree that he has to show Rivera he can stay healthy for a year- but I do not believe that his durability is being put into question whether or not who is going to start- once again, if healthy he will start. As I said in the last post, his durability will be taken into account on his contract extension offer, or even leading to him being cut.

You made yourself pretty clear. I understand that you're behind Otah as long as he's healthy. But the thing is. He's not been for the past 3-4 years? It's a trend. I'll be the first to admit that Otah is a beast when healthy. But that's the thing. He's not healthy. He hasn't finished a season since he's been drafted. What makes you think he will this year? Because it's his contract year? If it is that, then it's clear he's in it for the money. Which is sad. Rivera knows what he's doing. I wouldn't question him at the moment.

[panthers90]

You made yourself pretty clear. I understand that you're behind Otah as long as he's healthy. But the thing is. He's not been for the past 3-4 years? It's a trend. I'll be the first to admit that Otah is a beast when healthy. But that's the thing. He's not healthy. He hasn't finished a season since he's been drafted. What makes you think he will this year? Because it's his contract year? If it is that, then it's clear he's in it for the money. Which is sad. Rivera knows what he's doing. I wouldn't question him at the moment.

Haha, we got really off track here. I have no idea if he's gonna be healthy or not, and am not gonna guess if he will be or not. Hope he is tho. The first post I quoted in this thread just stated that Bell was our starting RT, and it was his now job to lose... haha my only point in my last 3 posts was that Otah was not demoted to 2nd string- if he is healthy, the job is still his. That's all.

[Ivan The Awesome]

Haha, we got really off track here. I have no idea if he's gonna be healthy or not, and am not gonna guess if he will be or not. Hope he is tho. The first post I quoted in this thread just stated that Bell was our starting RT, and it was his now job to lose... haha my only point in my last 3 posts was that Otah was not demoted to 2nd string- if he is healthy, the job is still his. That's all.

No biggie man. I wish nothing but the best for Otah. But he really has to prove he's ready to show Rivera he's going to be the man for the job. I hope he does. I hope he makes me eat crow. At this time, I don't have much faith in the guy. I hope he makes me think otherwise for sure.

[SIGCHI222]

Once is an anomaly, twice is a coincidence, three times is a trend.

As this off-season continues, none of my Cam confidence has waived, but my RR confidence is getting stronger everyday. I put so much emphasis on #1 but it may be Rivera's leadership that I should be watching develop.

Go coach, go!

[Carolina Mike]

Seems like some of "you guys" are caught up on individual players “you” like rather than the team needs. The Team Needs are to have a player that can do the job adequately for this scheme. A player might be projected great (some make Otah sound like a Hall of Famer) BUT if he is rarely on the field then too bad. Bell might not be the best player ever, but if he can do what is only asked of him & BE ON THE FIELD for game day each weekend, then he should start over Otah.

If your boss could find someone that might not be as “Great” as YOU (think you) are” but was more dependable and cheaper....... Yeah you would be replaced too. Time to give your best with RR or you can go play in Canada. Otah will get his chance & better bring it or he will NOT be starting!

[Match.com]

i WANT WINNERS....BELL HAS A LOT TO PROVE BUT HEART ALWAYS OUTSHINE WASTED TALENT IN THE LONG RUN

[Urrymonster]

Otah hasn't been dominant since 2008, why would he automatically get the starting spot if proven to be healthy? In '09 he was distinctly average, '10 was a right off and in '11 he was essentially abused in the passing game.

Now I know Bell was pretty poor last year, but the guy was a rookie without a training camp, do you think it impossible that the guy might improve? I will state again that his final four games were significantly improved from mid season form, could that be a sign of things to come?

Otah not only has to prove he is healthy, he has to prove he is reliable, prove that he can return to '08 form. If he can't achieve any of those, he not only will be allowed to hit free agency (he probably will regardless), but our team might want to find his replacement sooner rather than later.

Not writing him off, but there is absolutely no way this guy deserves to walk back into the team if he's "healthy" like some of you want him to.

[Herbert The Love Bug]

as long as a big person is there then i dont care