Carolina Panthers Blog » otah

Kalil and Otah Practice

admin — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:43:29 +0000

According to Carolina Panthers head Coach John Fox, both offensive linemen Ryan Kalil and Jeff Otah were full participants in Wednesday’s practice. It is really exciting to finally get these two back on the field, as both Kalil and Otah have been out for almost and entire month. If Kalil and Otah do return Sunday, it will be the first time since week one that the Panthers will have all of their projected starters on the field.

Jeremy Bridges and Geoff Hangartner have filled in wonderfully for Otah and Kalil respectively, but the sooner the Panthers can get the entire line back the better. With Kalil and Otah back, the line can really start to build some continuity and chemsitry. I’m not saying that the line didn’t have continuity with Kalil and Otah out, but it really helps when you have the same five guys starting every week, because it allows for the trust between the players to grow. Now that Otah is back, look for DeAngelo Williams to have another big day Sunday. Otah’s specialty is run blocking, so he should really help improve an already potent ground game for the Panthers.

Otah and Gross Practice

admin — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:18:55 +0000

The Carolina Panthers got their two starting tackles, Jeff Otah and Jordan Gross, back on the practice field Thursday. Although both were limited in practice, it is very likely that they will both be able to play, Sunday, in a huge divisional game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneer. This is reassuring news for the offensive line, which is also missing starting center Ryan Kalil.

The Panthers have yet to play and entire half with all of their projected offensive line starters, but Frank Omiyale, Geoff Hangartner, and Jeremy Bridges have filled in wonderfully. It is imperative that the Panthers are able to run the ball Sunday, as they are facing a very stout Tampa Bay defense.

D.J. Hackett will be out for Sunday’s game with an MCL sprain. Also, the Panthers got Matt Moore back on the practice field Wednesday for the first time since Moore broke his fibula in the last execbiton game.

Stewart, Otah “Close” to Signing

admin — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:30:30 +0000

Per CarolinaGrowl.com:

Coach John Fox said Friday first-round draft picks Jonathan Stewart and Jeff Otah are “fairly close” to signing with the Carolina Panthers and he seems optimistic both will be on the field Saturday when the team begins practice.

I’m glad to see that there will be no hold-outs this year. Can’t wait to see them on the field.