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          NFL Nation

          Mailbag: Keep an eye on Amini Silatolu on Panthers' O-line

          • David Newton, ESPN Staff WriterJul 4, 2015, 08:00 AM ET
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              David Newton is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the Carolina Panthers. Newton began covering Carolina in 1995 and came to ESPN in 2006 as a NASCAR reporter before joining NFL Nation in 2013. You can follow Newton on Twitter at @DNewtonespn.
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          CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Here's hoping all of you are somewhere enjoying a Fourth of July holiday.

          If you have downtime before the fireworks, here's a Carolina Panthers mailbag to help keep you entertained.


          @DNewtonespn You could see some changes once they put the pads on in training camp. The most likely would be left guard, where Amini Silatolu is returning from a knee injury. As well as undrafted rookie Andrew Norwell played down the stretch last season, Silatolu has started all 25 games in which he's been healthy the past three seasons. I could see him earn that position back, but the key is he'll have to earn it. The other X factor on the line is Nate Chandler. He was the starting right tackle last year before a knee injury ended his season. I don't see him factoring in at right tackle, where it appears Mike Remmers or draft pick Daryl Williams will be the starter. But I could see Chandler being a factor, at least as a backup, at right guard where he started much of the 2013 season. It's hard to imagine him figuring in as the starter there with Trai Turner returning. He also could be a backup tackle on the left or right side. Versatility is his strength. But again, it's early.


          @DNewtonespn I just don't see it. As well as Bene' Benwikere played as an every down corner at the end of last season, Charles Tillman is an upgrade if his age (34) hasn't caught up with him. Benwikere is more valuable as the nickelback. If anybody were to beat out Tillman, it might be veteran Chris Houston, who was added to the roster late. He was solid as a starter at Atlanta and Detroit before a toe injury led the Lions to release him last year. That injury appears to be healed after surgery, so he could be a factor. At worst, he's a good insurance policy.