Otah passes first testJune 2, 2008Andrew MasonPanthers.comCHARLOTTE -- With a snap of the fingers, Jeff Otah's perception of pro football began to change Monday morning. Since being drafted in April, Otah had diligently studied his playbook as he continued his rehabilitation to full strength following several months in which he played and went through pre-draft preparations on an ailing ankle that he sprained last year in preseason practice at the University of Pittsburgh.But mental preparation could only take him so far. Monday, he got to take the next step -- onto the practice field as the Panthers reconvened for a second week of summer-school sessions."You know, when you look at your playbook, you know your plays," he said. "It's a little different when you've got to get out there and know them like that --"Otah snapped his fingers once."And know audibles like that."Two snaps of the fingers.The physical element of football isn't present at these summer-school sessions. But not unlike actors in the early phases of rehearsal for a stage performance, it's important to know where one needs to be and what one needs to do when the curtain lifts."It felt good to finally get out there," Otah said. "You know what you're doing, but you've got to get it in your head a little faster so you can react.""All these (organized team activities) are basically to get your assignments down and what to and how to do it," head coach John Fox added. "Then they'll put on pads and play real football when (training) camp starts."Otah's classroom work in the bowels of Bank of America Stadium in the previous four weeks will likely prove invaluable as his gestation continues. But donning his helmet and stepping into the huddle with the first-team offensive line during summer school was a necessary next step in continuing his progress toward immediate contribution."He has digested all of the protections, the run schemes, the calls, so this was the first time, physically, he got to come out and actually execute that, so when we get to (training) camp, he's not thinking," Fox said.Added Otah: "You've got to know what you're doing, and even if you know what you're doing, you still might not have a good practice if you don't take (mental) reps at it."But just as important as the mental aspect for Otah was the physical side, as this represented his first chance for on-field work without the specter of a high ankle sprain in over nine months. The first-round pick affirmed that the ankle was now close to 100 percent after the rest he was able to take in recent weeks."It feels good," he said.Sitting Otah for mini-camp and the first week of summer school wasn’t essential, Fox noted, but was helpful nonetheless."It was just precautionary," Fox said. "If we were playing games, he’d play. But we at least wanted to get it all squared away. Today was our first day looking at it, and I think he got through it pretty good."And Otah’s next step appears clear – to work on the field Tuesday."I can't wait until tomorrow," he said.And after many more tomorrows, Otah hopes the pro game will be a snap.
Grab an OL that can play for 10+ years instead. It still helps the running game and there are plenty of RB's that will be there after the first round, too.
Of course, they could always take Stewart and trade up in the first round to grab an OL, too....
I'd wrap this in quotes, but it isn't working right for me.
