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Panthers' Gross has helped anchor line, no matter where he has played
Veteran has moved to left tackle this season to make room for rookie Otah
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Published: August 21, 2008
CHARLOTTE
Jordan Gross knows the routine.
Right, left, right, left, right, left.
That's how Gross has spent his six seasons with the Carolina Panthers, moving back and forth from right to left tackle ever since being the team's first-round draft pick in 2003.
He's back at left tackle this season, moving again after another shuffling on the offensive line. Travelle Wharton, last season's starting left tackle, has shifted to left guard. Rookie Jeff Otah, a first-round pick, has moved into Gross' old spot at right tackle.
Gross is up front in saying that given his preference, he would stay at one position his entire career. But that's not the way it is, so he isn't complaining.
"I think anyone would tell you that they would rather stay at the same position, whether is on the right side or the left side," Gross said. "The longer you stay on one side, the more comfortable you get and the better you get. But I have proven I can play either side and really, I'm fine with whatever they want me to do.
"You could kind of understand it this time because Otah's a rookie and he's better suited for the right side."
Gross has started every game since he came to the Panthers, a span covering 80 regular-season games and seven playoff games.
He played right tackle as a rookie. He moved to left tackle in 2004. Then it was back to right tackle in 2005, and he began the season there in 2006. But an injury to Wharton in the season opener forced another switch, and he started the last 15 games at left tackle. Then it was back to right tackle again last season.
At left tackle, he'll usually take on the opponent's top pass-rushing defensive end, and has added responsibility in that he'll be protecting quarterback Jake Delhomme's blind side.
"It was a little learning process early in camp, but the last 10 days or so, I've felt really, really comfortable there," Gross said. "I feel like I'm kind of picking up where I left off on the right side."
Gross said he is excited because he likes this new-look offensive line, which was put together with the goal of being bigger and more physical. At 6-5 and 305, Gross isn't anywhere near the biggest; Otah is 6-6, 330, Wharton is 6-4, 312, and right guard Keydrick Vincent is 6-5, 325. The runt of the litter is center Ryan Kalil at 6-2, 295.
"When you're lining up and almost man for man you're all bigger than the guys across from you, just simple math tells you that's going to be advantageous," Gross said. "I definitely like looking down across the line and seeing all that size. I know Jake has spoken about that a few times too, and he's excited."
Gross is also trying to keep a good frame of mind about his contract situation.
His original contract expired at the end of last season, making him an unrestricted free agent. When his agent and the team couldn't agree on a long-term contract, the Panthers chose to retain his rights for this season by putting their "franchise" tag on him.
That meant that Gross will be paid $7.455 million this season -- franchise players are paid the salary-cap average of the top five players at their position -- but he didn't get any bonus money that would have come had he signed a long-term contract. He will be a free agent again at the end of this season.
"A year ago I never would have thought I would be in this situation," Gross said. "But it's not something I'm disgruntled about or anything. It didn't work out and I think we had different ideas about the parameters of the contract. We'll see how it goes. Everyone gets along and likes each other, it's just that it didn't happen."
He said he sees where having a big season this year could actually benefit him on the contract front eventually, since the premier left tackles command bigger contracts than the top right tackles.
"I think things work out," Gross said. "I've never been a look-down-the-road type of guy. Especially in my case because I've been moving back and forth, so I don't have time to look down the road. But being on the left side, if I have a great year, that is the spot on the o-line that is most touted. So we'll see what happens. I've been lucky enough to stay healthy, and as long as I'm healthy, the sky is the limit."
The Panthers will play the Washington Redskins on Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium in their third preseason game. They beat Indianapolis in their opener and lost at Philadelphia last Thursday.
■ John Delong can be reached at jdelong@wsjournal.com.
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