Carolina Panthers Offensive Line: Forgotten member provides hope

Man behind the Carolina Panthers offensive line play provides hope for the future…

The Carolina Panthers offensive line depth is already being tested despite the team not having played one snap of live action. That changes tonight as Carolina visits Buffalo for their first preseason game and coach John Matsko will be busy.

Already down two starters at left guard and right tackle, Matsko and coach Ron Rivera have been searching for potential replacement options available on the current roster. After tackle Daryl Williams suffered a torn MCL and dislocated knee cap, Taylor Moton, in his second season, has been called upon.

At guard, Amini Silatolu recently tore his meniscus and although expectations are he won’t be sidelined as long, Carolina needs someone to step up in the interim. Those currently on the roster will be evaluated first, beginning with rookie guard Brendan Mahon. The undrafted free agent has been impressive during camp to this point, but initially wasn’t anticipated to be relied upon – especially this early.

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Fortunately, the Panthers have Matsko overseeing his development and the man behind the offensive line has a history of getting the best out of his players. Joining Carolina in January of 2011 under the newly named Rivera, the two have been inseparable.

Serving in his position alongside three different offensive coordinators, Matsko has guided the Panthers offensive line to many a productive season with a bevy of players who have gone from relative unknowns to NFL stars.

In just his second season and without veteran center Ryan Kalil for five games, Matsko used multiple combinations of players to set the third highest mark in total yards by the offense (5,771). A year later, both Kalil and tackle Jordan Gross earned Pro Bowl nominations but Gross would retire following the season.

Having to replace a key figure (sound familiar), the Panthers relied heavily on four undrafted players up front and started two rookies in 2014 on their way to finishing No. 7 in rushing and winning the NFC South.

The 2015 season was a magical ride where the Carolina offense led the league in scoring, finished second in rushing and saw Newton earn MVP honors before the second Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.

Two years ago Matsko again had to piece together various combinations of players in order to even make it through the season. Only guard Andrew Norwell, one of the undrafted rookies from 2014, played his intended position all season yet the team finished in the top-10 with 1,814 yards rushing.

Over the past two seasons, Kalil missed more time with various injuries but another undrafted player, Tyler Larsen, who recently signed an extension, has proven capable of filling in for the seasoned veteran.

Entering 2018, Matsko and Carolina still have time to prepare for the regular season and neither is a stranger to shuffling players because of injury or developing rookies. The spotlight will be on Mahon and Moton tonight in Buffalo and throughout the preseason but both seem up to the task.

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Remembering Matsko, and his track record, are behind them should also be reassuring.

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