pastabelly on center spot

More certain, it appears, is the return of Justin Hartwig to the Carolina Panthers' lineup. A former Tennessee Titans starter, Hartwig was a key unrestricted free-agent acquisition in 2006, signing a five-year, $17 million contract with Carolina. But he sustained a season-ending groin injury in the opening game. Although not fully rehabilitated this spring, Hartwig was able to participate in some of the individual drills during minicamps, and if healthy, could reclaim his No. 1 job.

The three-way battle for the starting job will be one of the more compelling elements in Carolina's training camp.

Geoff Hangartner, who started 15 games in place of Hartwig in 2006, is in the mix. Perhaps a more viable contender for the starting job, though, is former Southern California snapper Ryan Kalil. Universally regarded as the top center prospect in this year's draft, and viewed by some scouts as arguably the second-best player at any offensive line position, Kalil for some reason slipped into the late second round.

In the days following the lottery, several talent evaluators suggested Kalil might have rated as the biggest steal of the entire draft.

Still, in a summer in which the various competitions for starting hub jobs around the NFL will be highlighted, Kalil is one of just several centers of attention.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer with ESPN.com.

 

this is about where I had him too, but as much because I didn't like guys like Brown.

either way, nice situation to have, though I'd like to have known a little more about the team's intentions with Hartwig at G, which would be the type insight I'd want and expect.

 

If he's capable of starting now, I've got to start Kalil if I'm Fox. Simply for the fact you can develop faster as an O-Lineman on the field. Even if he and Hartwig are equal I'd have to do that. Then I let Hartwig battle out for a guard spot.

 

I just like the fact that we actually, for the first time in team history, have serious depth all along the OL... not just depth, but talented depth. The competition in camp isn't going to be who will back up the mediocre incumbent, but which of the starting calibre guys is going to get bumped. This is a sweet predicament to have to be sure! Last year was the best to date, but this year will be even better. With all the injuries a year ago though, we weren't able to see the fruition of the new line. As long as those injuries aren't linering, it could be a blessing in disguise because most of the young guys with potential logged serious PT.

I am stoked about the potential of this OL paired along with the our new zone blocking scheme. Barring injuries *fingers crossed* I think our running game is going to be nasty this year.

 

O-line injuries have fucked the Panthers in recent years and with the quality depth we now seem to have it won't be an issue. They'll be healthy now that they are prepared.
Better QB depth, RB depth is solid, the depth at WR and TE isn't that great...THAT is where they get fucked this year. I still think Ryne Robinson is going to contribute to the offense, though.
I am not real impressed with the depth at any defensive position other than DT and even that isn't great. I guess CB is solid.

 

If there will be a full recovery by Wharton and Butler proves to be something more than a complete unknown and Wahle and Hartwig get back to form and Kalil has had at least a few months to live up to the initial expectations
I can't agree with the above . ..

I will join in with the "no injury finger crossing" stuff though

 

I'm with 45catfan. I'm very cautiously optimistic about this year's running game.
As far as who starts at Center- It will depend more on whose skills and abilities fit the new blocking scheme. I don't think Fox starts a rookie at Center unless the two vets really flop or are (god-forbid) injured...again. I don't see us making the move to a rookie at center unless forced.

 

I've been watching game tapes from last year, and I saw a bit from when Hartwig was healthy. We NEED him on the field. He was so much better than Hangartner, it wasn't even funny.

As high as I was on Kalil (and still am), the thought of a rookie making blocking calls in a brand new blocking scheme is not very comfortable. I'd rather Hartwig start out at C, letting Kalil learn on the bench for a while. When he's ready to start, move Hartwig over to G.

 

A rookie making the calls really isn't a problem, especially a multi-year starter at a program like USC. Furthermore, I would think that the line calls would be easier in this offense.

 

Hartwig has no more experience in this offense than Kalil. I would rather have our most talented players on the field. If that is Kalil at center and Hartwig at guard then that is what I want to see.