Gross' injury means more action for Bernadeau

By Darin Gantt - daringantt@carolina.rr.com

CHARLOTTE -- The eerie part is that it was part of the breakfast conversation Sunday morning.

But the reality for the Carolina Panthers quickly came to bear in the second quarter, when their offensive line changed significantly for the rest of the season.

When left tackle Jordan Gross went out for the season with a broken right ankle, it caused left guard Travelle Wharton to kick out one spot and second-year backup Mackenzy Bernadeau to move into Wharton's spot, the arrangement that likely will hold up the rest of the year.

“It's crazy, it's just like we talked about this morning,” Bernadeau said with a shake of his head after Sunday's game.

Wharton just nodded knowingly, because he has been through a similar situation. He was a rookie in 2004 when his chance came because of Tutan Reyes' ankle injury, and Wharton has only left the lineup because of his own injuries ever since. There was a six-year, $35 million contract mixed in there as well.

“We had a talk earlier at breakfast,” Wharton said when asked about Bernadeau's on-the-fly promotion. “I told him I got my shot because someone went down. So you just never know when the opportunities come; you never know what's going to happen. So every play you have to approach it like it's your last or a brand new opportunity

“He did a great job getting in there; he was on point. We'll be working on our fits as we go, but he's coming along real good.”

Bernadeau hardly represents the best-case scenario for the Panthers, but he does underscore several realities.

Because of the enormous contract they had to give defensive end Julius Peppers (the $16.7 million franchise tag), the Panthers had to go cheap in others. Bernadeau is making a healthy $385,000 this year (the second-year minimum), along with the $37,000 signing bonus he pocketed as the team's third seventh-round pick (250th overall) in 2008.

That shows the kind of extreme economic bind the Peppers deal put the Panthers in, because backups Geoff Hangartner and Frank Omiyale left for starting jobs and starter contracts the Panthers couldn't afford. Other teams have had to push similar buttons (the Colts are famous for plugging in sixth- and seventh-round offensive linemen to protect Peyton Manning and his giant contract), but this is the first time in a number of years the Panthers haven't had a Hangartner to rely on.

Bernadeau had to go into the game preparing to play either guard spot or center, since the only other backup was tackle Geoff Schwartz (another 2008 seventh-rounder).

“We prepared that way,” Panthers coach John Fox said. “The unique part about the National Football League is most teams go into a game with seven linemen. They have to be versatile in what they do, the two backups and the five starters. Those guys work that way, and it's a tribute to them and (offensive line coach) Dave Magazu. They stepped right in and did well.”

Bernadeau admitted it wasn't the way he wanted to get into the lineup, but he was well aware that whenever he got an opportunity, it was going to be this way. He laughed and took some ribbing from Ryan Kalil — who encouraged him to talk about the impact of his wise center — but has caught up fairly quickly.

“Obviously, it's not the way you want to go into the game. It's unfortunate, but that stuff happens,” Bernadeau said. “I'm lucky to have a great offensive line, a center next to me who made me right at home, feel comfortable. It's jut like practice in the end, just playing football, you know.

“I was just focusing on playing the best I could every play. One play at a time, that's the way you've got to think during the game. I was just worried about that, and what we needed to do.”

The Panthers lose some things beyond experience in the shuffle. Obviously, taking Gross off the field can't help, but at least Wharton has 33 starts at left tackle. The other difference is the dropoff from the powerful Wharton at guard to Bernadeau.

Wharton is bigger in the legs and stronger but both are athletic guards who can work on the move. Bernadeau is fairly quick as well, and has increased his strength considerably the least two offseasons.

Part of that is his strongman-contest training at DeFranco's Training in Wyckoff, N.J. Bernadeau is a two-time winner of the gym's annual strongman contest.

“He's a quick guy, very versatile,” Wharton said. “He can move well. He's strong, very strong. He may not be big in stature, but he's a strong guy that can get low pads and get up under guys.

“For him, it's just going out there and staying focused, and we all have to stay in tune and communicate.”