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Every NFL team has weaknesses, especially during the salary-cap era when they must be selective about how – and where – to invest.
The Carolina Panthers are fortunate to have what appears to be a strong starting lineup as they approach the start of training camp Sunday, but their depth in several areas is questionable.
Over the next four days, we'll look at the places on the depth chart where the Panthers are most vulnerable.
Today we'll focus on the offensive line and specifically hone in on the interior of the line – the guard-center swing position that was manned so capably last year by superb backup and part-time starter Geoff Hangartner. He's now a member of the Buffalo Bills.
The Panthers' starting offensive line has a chance to be recognized as one of the NFL's finest, especially in the running game. It's hard to imagine a group better suited to their team's style of play than Jordan Gross (left tackle), Travelle Wharton (left guard), Ryan Kalil (center), Keydrick Vincent (right guard) and Jeff Otah (right tackle).
But, unlike last season, there isn't any veteran depth behind them. This is partly because the Panthers have committed so much salary-cap space to re-signing veterans like Gross, kicker John Kasay, cornerback Chris Gamble, quarterback Jake Delhomme, plus the more than $18million defensive end Julius Peppers is counting toward the cap as the team's franchise player.
Last season, there was extremely good veteran depth on the offensive line. Hangartner, Jeremy Bridges and Frank Omiyale were seasoned veterans who filled in admirably when the starters were injured. Omiyale, like Hangartner, became an unrestricted free agent after the season and signed with Chicago. Both might start this season. Bridges was released for salary-cap reasons and signed with Washington.
Heading into camp, none of the Panthers top three reserves have played in a game. Center-guard Mackenzy Bernadeau and tackle Geoff Schwartz were seventh-round picks in 2008, and guard Duke Robinson was a fifth-rounder this year.
The Panthers' philosophy is to build through the draft. Thus, they're hoping this trio will develop into solid backups.
That's Plan A, which team officials will evaluate during the preseason.
There also needs to be – and almost certainly is – a Plan B if the youngsters fail to impress. Once other teams start making cuts in about a month, there should be able veterans available.
As long as the Panthers stay healthy along the line, as happened during their 2003 Super Bowl season, depth won't be an issue. But if they have a year anything like last season, when backups combined for 13 starts, depth will be critical to their chances of success.
One position where the Panthers feel secure is at left tackle. If something were to happen to Gross, either Wharton or Otah could fill in. But that would leave a vacancy at another position, and it's iffy right now as to how the Panthers would patch that or any other hole along the line.
