DT Nate Chandler to offensive tackle?

[PantherFeez]

if the panthers just left it at DT he would continue to get better at a position he has been playing since college and maybe play his way on to another team but now the kid is forced to learn a new position and then hope he can get up to speed well enough to play that position at a professional level. the only way this works out well for him is if the panthers are willing to invest a few seasons in him no matter how bad he is early on.

At no point are the Panthers thinking about what's best for Chandler on another team. He is a Panther, and they like the guy, but if he sticks its going to be a position other than DT. Their concern is "what can he do for the Panthers" nothing else

[La Pantera]

if the panthers just left it at DT he would continue to get better at a position he has been playing since college and maybe play his way on to another team but now the kid is forced to learn a new position and then hope he can get up to speed well enough to play that position at a professional level. the only way this works out well for him is if the panthers are willing to invest a few seasons in him no matter how bad he is early on.

He played TE and OL for most of his college career...sooo?

[La Pantera]

I could see him coming in and playing as an extra Lineman. He could also play TE in a jumbo package...could be a very versatile addition to our offensive line.

[The Golden Child]

Well there ya go. There's our new starting RT. Problem......solved!

[Razeyfingers]

Lol out of control. The dude goes to see Rivera and it goes like this:

 

 

Chico: Son, we've got 100 DT's on our roster, youre probably not gonna make it

Nate: Hmm what else you got?

Chico: You could try O line.

Nate: OK

 

 

the huddle: BRILLIANT!

 

 

 

holy poo all I have to say is one thing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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longshot

[La Pantera]

"When we were looking at him last year, I called the people at UCLA, and they said the moved him to the defensive line out of necessity, not because he couldn't play offensive line," Rivera said. "Last year when we needed someone because of all our injuries, he was our emergency offensive tackle.

"All offseason, Coach (John) Matsko and Coach (Ray) Brown kept talking about him, and after we drafted a couple of defensive tackles, we realized this could be a great opportunity for the young man. He struggled a little bit today, but he's athletic and very powerful"

[JawnyBlaze]

6'6" you say? Well that's a little more like it.

 

If his arm length is 33"3/4 as mentioned earlier in the thread, that's really more important than the 2" of height.  Short with long arms might even help with his quick step and with maintaining leverage.

[TripleTrouble]

He was moved to guard. They said he was too stiff to play tackle. He may have been drafted higher if it weren't for his off the field issues. He was one of my college roommates best friends.

 

Off the field issues?!??!!?1?1  I don't know what you're talking about.  That poor old bus driver deserved to be beaten up....

[MHS831]

I revisited this thread because I do not think this was really analyzed for what it could be--our future LT.

 

What do we actually know about him?  The guy is the same height Gross is, and weighs 15 pounds less.  He has fairly long arms, longer than Kyle Long, a raw project drafted in the first round.  He has good feet and good athleticism.  He is 23.  He has only played DT for 2 seasons (1 in college, and 10 games here) and he managed to win a roster spot on an NFL team after 6 weeks. 

We also know that the coaches seem to like him.

 

I found it very odd that, after free agency and the draft, we had only 4 OTs: Gross, Campbell, Bell, and Garry Williams.  We cannot be satisfied that these 4 are all we might need. I am willing to bet that Chandler (and possibly Rivera) thinks he can beat out Campbell or Williams.  I would not bet against that.

 

Now take a look at Chandler's background.  Aside from possessing adequate height and arm length, he has a pretty solid background for preparing one for LEFT tackle, aside from actuallly playing LT.  Let's face it, many college offenses do not require the same skills that the NFL does at the position, so do not overestimate the college experience.  He was a TE, which tells me that he has athleticism and feet.  Many LTs in the league were once TEs.  Lane Johnson was drafted 4th overall--he is a raw TE convert to T.  However, Chandler has 2 years (1 in college) experience at DL.  Two years of learning what the Defense does to win battles.  Two years of tough pounding. 

 

Chandler will be raw, but he will have at least a year to develop.  I think he is PS eligible, so he could develop without taking a roster spot.  If he is able to put it all together, what do other Tackles have that he does not?  

 

This could be nothing, but I think it is a brilliant move that could pay off in a huge way.  Imagine if we could enter next year's draft unconcerned about the LT position?  I think Chandler has the raw ability to be our next LT down the road.   If not, he was a fifth T on the PS.   

 

 

 

[MadHatter]

if the panthers just left it at DT he would continue to get better at a position he has been playing since college and maybe play his way on to another team but now the kid is forced to learn a new position and then hope he can get up to speed well enough to play that position at a professional level. the only way this works out well for him is if the panthers are willing to invest a few seasons in him no matter how bad he is early on.

I hope you are 12 yo....if so, is still hope for you.

If not.....get used to "ding fries are done".