Panthers: Taylor Moton leading the charge at left guard

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - AUGUST 19: A Carolina Panthers helmet sits on the field during an NFL preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on August 19, 2011 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - AUGUST 19: A Carolina Panthers helmet sits on the field during an NFL preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on August 19, 2011 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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At the very least, the Carolina Panthers have a leading candidate…..

Many Carolina Panthers fans are nervous about the prospects of the left guard position, and rightly so. Luckily, I have some news that may ease your fears.

Thursday, Stephen Igoe of 247Sports wrote a piece detailing who he thought were the standouts from OTAs as practices concluded Thursday. No. 1 on the list was left guard Taylor Moton, who by Igoe’s measure looked strong over the course of the three weeks of practices.

"The second-year pro and 2017 second-round pick spent much of the last three weeks as the team’s top left guard, and by all reports, performed rather well. Of course, like most players who excel during OTAs, the real test for Moton won’t come until the pads are actually put on for training camp in July. Still, Moton performing well at the position ahead of several other candidates in line to replace the loss of Andrew Norwell can only be good news for the Panthers."

Last season, Moton appeared in 16 games, but did not start in any of them.

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I realize that this has been a big topic of discussion over the past couple of weeks. I realize it may seem like you are reading the same article over and over.  However, it is an important discussion to have and this is a major development at the position. While this does not mean anything is set in stone, the fact that Moton has appeared to move ahead of the competition bodes well for naming a starter when the time comes.

The fact that Moton appeared in all 16 games last year also bodes well for his chances at having the starter spot for next year. You want someone with familiarity protecting the quarterback’s blind side. In the case of the Carolina Panthers, you want to be certain you have the right guy for the job at the position as well. The last thing Cam Newton needs is to keep getting hit.

It will be interesting to see how the battle at left guard continues to play out. Will Moton be the answer the team is looking for? Unless other challengers step up and have a tremendous preseason, the former looks to be in good shape for the position.

Next: Fozzy Whittaker candid about injury, recovery

Then again, anything can happen.