Chris Vangas gets a little coverage. The senior center is of course hoping to win the starting job.
After three seasons as the primary backup at the University of Pittsburgh, however, Chris Vangas is eyeing the starting center spot this fall. But before he even took a snap during training camp, the Panthers fans had Vangas as a bridesmaid once again with classmate Mike McGlynn or junior C.J. Davis moving to starting center.
“I’ve got all the confidence in the world in Chris,” offensive line coach Paul Dunn said. “He’s done everything that he can to prepare himself for this season. So, I feel very strong about the way he prepared in the summertime. Buddy Morris describes him as a warrior, and I would have to concur.
“He’s going to give you everything that he has, and that’s anything a coach could ever want. And Chris has played some football here. He just hasn’t been a starter, so that’s probably why he’s being overlooked. But that’s not by us. We think very highly of Chris, and his work ethic can’t be overlooked.”
Okay. Um, it wasn’t the fans moving him down the depth chart at Center. It was Coach Wannstedt saying that McGlynn might be moving to center to get the best starting 5 O-linemen on the field. With McGlynn out of the practices still, it’s not like Vangas (or Bachman) have exactly done anything to seize the job according to what the beat writers are writing.
I think most fans would like to see Vangas step it up and win the job. That would mean the chance for some actual depth with the O-line rather than living in complete fear after every snap.
Not having McGlynn in practice means the O-Line looks as shaky as ever, and it seems the center position hasn’t exactly been looking good so far.
But center exchange problems have been frequent, which highlights the Panthers’ biggest need — finding a center. And, with fifth-year senior Mike McGlynn recovering from shoulder surgery, the coaches have not had a full group. That’s made it tough to shuffle players around and find the five best linemen.
Left tackle Jeff Otah, who did not have a good day but is expected to have a big year, is the one player who is set in his spot. Right guard Joe Thomas, who started most of last season, also is expected to step forward.
That leaves unsettled spots at left guard, center and right tackle until McGlynn, clearly one of the five best linemen, returns. C.J. Davis also seems to be one of the five best players, so he’ll either be the left guard or center and Jason Pinkston is likely going to be a starter. That all could change if senior Chris Vangas, penciled in as the starting center, proves he can handle the job.
Please do.
