Joe Soriano
O.J. LewisUnsung Heroes: Ryan Kalil and Jordan Gross
January 29th 2011 12:20
I really wish that people would talk more about Ryan Kalil. Just because he plays for a 2-14 team doesn't mean he should go unrecognized. Kalil is the second best center in the NFL behind Nick Mangold, and he is just ahead of Andre Gurode. All three centers are great, but all of them get credit except for Kalil. Ryan Kalil was a solid starter for the Indianapolis Colts. When signed by the Panthers in 2008, Kalil blossomed into one of the NFL's best young players.
Only those that properly scout the positions on the offensive line will tell you how great Kalil is. He is not only a great pass blocker, but he is also a ferocious run blocker that obliterates those in front of him. Kalil made the Pro Bowl twice, but both times as an alternate. What makes me shake my head is that he was voted behind Shaun O'Hara this year. I never care about the Pro Bowl, but this is an example pointing to how undervalued Kalil is.
I once said he was the best center in the league- much like many sports magazines state. I believe that Nick Mangold is the best at he position, but Ryan Kalil is certainly a prolific number two. He is only 25, so he has ten good years left in this league. Kalil is part of a vastly underrated offensive line that includes Jordan Gross, Travelle Wharton, and Jeff Otah.
Let's talk about Jordan Gross. Both Gross and Kalil were listed on the Pro Football Focus Pro Bowl Team and rightfully so. By the way, check em out at www.profootballfocus.com. They do a great job. Anyway, Gross won the Ed Block Courage Award which shows how much of a leader and great person he is. It is a shame that a contributor on and off the field like him flies under the radar.
Gross is one of the best left tackles in the game- heck, one of the best offensive linemen in the game- who is extremely excellent in pass protection. He is one of the top five pass protecting offensive linemen in the league, or at least somewhere in the top ten. Gross is a technical wonder that is extremely strong. He is a vocal leader on the Panthers. My wish is that everybody that follows the NFL learns about these two superstars and finally gives them the credit that they deserve.
Only those that properly scout the positions on the offensive line will tell you how great Kalil is. He is not only a great pass blocker, but he is also a ferocious run blocker that obliterates those in front of him. Kalil made the Pro Bowl twice, but both times as an alternate. What makes me shake my head is that he was voted behind Shaun O'Hara this year. I never care about the Pro Bowl, but this is an example pointing to how undervalued Kalil is.
I once said he was the best center in the league- much like many sports magazines state. I believe that Nick Mangold is the best at he position, but Ryan Kalil is certainly a prolific number two. He is only 25, so he has ten good years left in this league. Kalil is part of a vastly underrated offensive line that includes Jordan Gross, Travelle Wharton, and Jeff Otah.
Let's talk about Jordan Gross. Both Gross and Kalil were listed on the Pro Football Focus Pro Bowl Team and rightfully so. By the way, check em out at www.profootballfocus.com. They do a great job. Anyway, Gross won the Ed Block Courage Award which shows how much of a leader and great person he is. It is a shame that a contributor on and off the field like him flies under the radar.
Gross is one of the best left tackles in the game- heck, one of the best offensive linemen in the game- who is extremely excellent in pass protection. He is one of the top five pass protecting offensive linemen in the league, or at least somewhere in the top ten. Gross is a technical wonder that is extremely strong. He is a vocal leader on the Panthers. My wish is that everybody that follows the NFL learns about these two superstars and finally gives them the credit that they deserve.
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I like the write up. Linemen just don't get enough credit for the hard work they put it. These are the guys who usually end up with alot of problems after their career is over. Keep up the good work buddy.
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