20 Questions for the Next Three Weeks

Bill VothBBR This Morning, News19 Comments

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J ust a few years ago, offseason workouts came and went without much fanfare. But now that the NFL is a 365 days a year league, OTAs help temporarily quench our insatiable thirst for football. And while the practices are more like glorified walk-throughs, the next three weeks should help us clear up some questions.

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Phase 3 of the Panthers’ offseason programs kicks off Tuesday at Bank of America Stadium. The bulk of work will be done in the classroom, but they’ll also spend some time on the practice fields.

Jobs aren’t really won or lost right now, but after the craziest start to an offseason in franchise history, there’s a whole lot of dust that remains to be settled.

Media access is limited to just one day per week — Wednesday — but here’s 20 guys we’ll be watching, and questions we’ll be wondering:

  1. Amini Silatolu (G) — Expected to regain starting job. How far along is he in return from torn ACL?
  2. Brandon Williams (TE) — Was a project in 2013. Can he be more during his second season?
  3. Byron Bell (OT) — Has first shot at left tackle. Will he hang on?
  4. Cam Newton (QB) — Offseason ankle surgery will keep him off the field. How vocal will he be on sideline?
  5. Charles Godfrey (CB) — Achilles tears are toughest injuries to come back from. Can he settle in at nickel?
  6. David Foucault (OT) — Towered over all others at rookie camp. How will he hold up against better competition?
  7. De’Andre Presley (WR) — Converted defensive back. Can this former App. State QB do better than the last?
  8. Ed Dickson (TE) — Has tempting talent. Will change of scenery make a difference?
  9. Edmund Kugbila (G) — Not expected to do much the next month. How far away is he from getting back out there?
  10. Greg Hardy (DE) — Back at work on the field. Will the Panthers keep him away from media when he comes off it?
  11. Jonathan Stewart (RB) — Says he’ll do more this offseason. Does his body agree?
  12. Kelvin Benjamin (WR) — Man among boys at rookie minicamp. Will better DBs give him more problems?
  13. Kenjon Barner (RB) — Didn’t have much of an opening as a rookie. Can he grab return job?
  14. Kony Ealy (DE) — Struggled at times during rookie minicamp. How much will coaches be on him?
  15. Marvin McNutt (WR) — Panthers wanted to get him reps. What will he do with them?
  16. Nate Chandler (T) — Another position change. Is he answer at left tackle?
  17. Tavarres King (WR) — See: Marvin McNutt.
  18. Tiquan Underwood (WR) — Yes, he has big hair. But can he replace Ted Ginn’s vertical threat and help on returns?
  19. Trai Turner (G) — Many assume he’ll be a starter sooner than later. How quickly can he adapt to the pro game?
  20. Tre Boston (S) — UNC fans have bad memories. What did the Panthers see to make him a fourth-round pick?

YOUR TURN — Who are you most interested in hearing about during OTAs and why? Let us know in the comments below!

BBR NUGGETS (An ICYMI Holiday Weekend Edition)
  • Bene Benwikere graduated. — Twitter
  • A handful of players went to the race. — BBR
  • Cam Newton and Kelvin Benjamin hung out. — BBR

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  • http://MSN.com Steve Danner

    Ricky Proehl tweeted on May 23rd that he’s planning on bringing the Greatest Show on Turf to training camp to mentor our rookies.If so,that means we will have Proehl,Bruce,and Holt all working with the rookies.I am curious to see how much that helps.

  • billvoth

    Steve Danner Guessing if that happens, it’ll just be a one-day thing like Jerry West last year.

  • appgrad22

    How well do you think Cam will do in building an on-field rapport with the WR’s without being able to practice on the field?  Should we be nervous?

  • billvoth

    appgrad22 Plenty of things to be nervous about. Think that one can be slightly overblown.

  • appgrad22

    billvoth appgrad22 Well that is a relief…kinda!

  • my1voice57

    Will the Panthers organization make any statements to the media coming out of OTA’s today concerning how things went? Or do they just talk with Panthers staff writers like Strickland & Henson?

  • tfroning86

    Request: Sometime over the course of the offseason (OTA’s / Training Camp), we need a “How-To” demonstration from Tiquan Underwood of him putting a helmet on over that hair.

  • appgrad22

    tfroning86 I’ll second that motion.  All those in favor?

  • billvoth

    my1voice57 They’ll just do things with their internal folks.

  • billvoth

    appgrad22 tfroning86 I’d usually love stories like that, but I fear it’s been done over and over again!

  • cousteau_below

    What’s up with Josh Norman? Why can’t he get out of that dog house

  • appgrad22

    I’ll believe you when I see video proof!

  • carpanfan95

    FB Michael Zordich is the outside this list I’m the most curious about. Since we are a run first time to control the clock we haven’t had a true FB with size since Brad hoover opening holes for double trouble’s 100 yard seasons.
    Zordich being 6’1 240 lbs is the biggest back on the roster. Zordich also comes from an NFL family.

    Why did Zordich fly under the radar being the #2 FB coming out of College? Simple remember the Sandusky scandal. Everyone distanced themselves from Penn State.

    Michael Zordich isn’t scared of taking a hit and he can lay the wood too.
    IMO one of the most complete FB’s coming out of college who can block, run and catch the ball. Gaffney was drafted because he can block on a blitz.

    Michael Zordich Jr. Penn State Highlights

    So what’s your thought’s?

  • carpanfan95

    Remember our 1st set of Double Trouble RB’s were Foster & Davis both 6’0.
    Zordich 6’1 240 and Gaffney 6’0 226

  • olskoolbr8ks

    chandler/bell.  no ifs ands or butts.  this is the biggest question on our roster.

  • http://www.cbynum.com/ cbynum

    +1 to this.  Norman looked like he was turning a corner sans the Buffalo game gaffe

  • JLYON1975

    What are the coaches saying about Lyndon Gaydosh’s progress, versus where he came in last year? Is he a full participant in OTAs?

  • Trex499

    It would be nice to get a real update on all these injuries, something more than his rehab is going well. We will have to wait and see, bring in the team Dr. For some questions.

  • FriscoKTank

    Kony Ealy is #1 for me. I understand the value pick for the Panthers at #60, even though there were more pressing needs. But it ends up looking like we really need him to step up in place of Alexander for the 1st 4 games, plus need to show that losing Hardy next year wouldnt be a gut punch. I think Ealy has that type of ability, so very interested to seeing how he progresses.