Panthers take steps

to improve offense
By Steve Behr
sports@wataugademocrat.com

CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers decided that two No. 1 draft picks in 2008 were more important that one first rounder in ’08 and ’09.

And if the Panthers were serious about improving their running game, they took steps to do that with their first two picks Saturday in the NFL Draft. For starters, they went for depth at running back by selecting Oregon’s Jonathan Stewart with the 13th overall.

Then they found somebody to block for Stewart by trading up to the 19th position with the Philadelphia Eagles to draft offensive tackle Jeff Otah from Pittsburgh.

The Panthers paid a heavy price for Otah, a 6-foot-6, 339-pound tackle. Carolina gave up its second round pick Saturday, a fourth-rounder Sunday, and its first-round pick in 2009.

Panthers general manager Marty Hurney and head coach John Fox acknowledged that it was an expensive trade, but both were pleased to get the tackle they coveted.

“Whether it’s a 13th or a 19th, it’s still a first-round pick,” Fox said. “They’re both just this year.”

Hurney admitted that the price was steep, but worth the picks the Panthers traded away.

“We’ve got two players who will help the personality of the offense that we want from our team,” Hurney said. “I think we’ve got two really good physical football players today.”

Both picks are in line with the power running game that Fox likes to use. Fox said Otah will likely be lined up on the right side opposite veteran, and former No. 1 draft pick, Jordan Gross.

“Otah is a big, physical offensive tackle,” Hurney said. “We don’t have a lot of opportunities to get players like him, so we made several calls and when we got to Philadelphia, we went and made the deal.”

Stewart, who is 5-foot-10, 235 pounds, gained 1,722 yards and scored 11 rushing touchdowns last year for the Ducks. He also averaged 6.2 yards per carry and 132.5 yards per game.

Stewart was the second running back taken in the draft. The Oakland Raiders took Darren McFadden with the fourth overall pick.

The Panthers took DeAngelo Williams No. 1 in the 2006 draft. Williams split time with DeShaun Foster during his two years with Carolina before often-injured Foster was released this year.

“We knew that at 13 there were a handful of guys,” Hurney said. “After the 10th (pick), we knew one would be there. We took Jonathan Stewart and we think he is an excellent back. When you pair him with DeAngelo, we have two good running backs.”

Stewart, on a conference call, said he is looking forward to being teammates with Williams.

“I remember him from when he was with Memphis,” Stewart said. “He tore it up. I’m thankful for the opportunity to learn the ropes from him. He’s a great back and I want to be a great back as well.”

Stewart was the featured back in the Ducks’ Spread Offense attack. He was a unanimous All-Pac 10 selection and finished with 2,481 all-purpose yards. He ran for over 100 yards in five games.

Stewart struggled with turf toe in his senior year and had surgery in March, done by Panthers’ team doctor Robert Anderson, to repair ligament damage.

Stewart, who said his recovery is on schedule, won’t report to the Panthers’ rookie minicamp this week, but should be ready for training camp in July.

“The recovery and everything, Dr. Anderson promised that everything is going on schedule. I’ll be starting rehab in about a week or so and I’ll be ready by training camp.”

Stewart finished with 981 yards and scored 10 touchdowns during the 2006 season at Oregon despite an ankle injury, a neck strain and a chest muscle strain. He gained 2,891 and scored 27 touchdowns in three seasons with the Ducks.

Stewart liked the ideas of drafting Otah and the fact that the Panthers prefer a good running game to compliment their passing attack.

“My reaction was that they really want to run now,” Stewart said. “He’s a big guy. The Carolina Panthers have a plan to run the ball and they’re definitely getting that instilled in their offense.”

Fox is looking for both Stewart and Otah to add power to Carolina’s offense. Plagued with injury problems and ineffective play, particularly from the quarterback position after starter Jake Delhomme went down to an injury, the Panthers’ offense slipped to 29th out of 32 teams in the NFL.

“Time will tell, but we got two guys who we thought physically and mentally will help our offense,” Fox said.

Otah did not play football in high school until his senior year when the coach, Bill Cole, talked him into playing. He played two years at Valley Forge Military School before transferring to Pittsburgh in 2006.

Otah was an All-Big East Selection last year. He started all 12 games and helped the Panthers average 141.4 yards rushing per game and 319.5 yards in total offense.