Kalil Rolls Out Annual BS Excuse...

[Kentis]

hmm...sounds vaguely familiar  B) Matt Kalil feels like himself again, more than a year removed from hip surgery.

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The Panthers spent a pile of money on a left tackle an offseason and a General Manager ago, and may only now get a true sense of what they bought.
Left tackle Matt Kalil told Bill Voth of the team’s official website that he’s feeling normal again, after a year spent recovering from hip surgery. He was able to play last year, but said he didn’t feel like himself until training camp, and that resulted in a slow start for a guy previous G.M. Dave Gettleman gave a five-year, $55 million contract to.
“Obviously, you saw during the season the first few games I was kind of just iffy and a little behind,” Kalil said. Even coach Ron Rivera, one of the most positive coaches in the league, admitted: “Early on he was a stiff”



https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/06/07/matt-kalil-feels-like-himself-again-more-than-a-year-removed-from-hip-surgery/

[Guest]

That slow start is something the Panthers can’t really afford this year, not as they’re looking for a replacement for All-Pro left guard Andrew Norwell, who left in free agency. But Kalil said feeling healthy again will allow him to show more of what he’s able to do, and allow him to actually work on football.
“I used to have to do what I could to survive. Now it’s to the point where physically nothing’s holding me back,” he said. “So I have a chance to excel and work on the things I want to work on rather than doing maintenance 24/7 and just trying to survive out there.
“I would say the point where I’m starting off now to last season is not even close. You can’t compare the two. It’s the difference between actually working out and training or rehabbing. Just from a strength standpoint, I feel night and day the difference.”
The Panthers will take it, in hopes of having one less thing to worry about as they install a new offense with new weapons around Cam Newton.

[Guest]

what does “feels like himself” even mean?  the dude has been injured so often that normal for him isnt healthy

[Guest]

@AGRforever said:
what does “feels like himself” even mean?  the dude has been injured so often that normal for him isnt healthy

Translation:
Off season: "Feels great for the first time in my career"
Season: ""I'm playing with some nagging injuries"

Wash...rinse...repeat

[Guest]

It is what it will always be with him. He plays through nagging injuries but never what one hopes his level would be. I had high hopes for the guy after his rookie season. Now I'm just glad it's not us paying for him anymore. Some really like to bash him. That's not me. Like I said he plays through the pain. I don't think he's lieing about that. I just don't think he'll ever be healthy enough to earn his pay by other means then suffering though pain to stay on the field. He did start all 16 games last year for them.

[Guest]

I am glad we went in another direction.  Reiff was a huge upgrade is an understatement.  The supply is so limited for top level LT's it is in QB range IMO.  I say there about 5 elite LT's then about 10 average leaving about 17 below average and teams looking for upgrades. 

That is why the investment in a young guy like O'Neill who is built like a LT and has the feet might payoff in a couple years right when Reiff is about done.  

[Guest]

Matt Kalil. Blair Walsh.  These are 2 guys who wasted years of my football life.

[Guest]

@Vanguard83 said:

@AGRforever said:
what does “feels like himself” even mean?  the dude has been injured so often that normal for him isnt healthy

Translation:
Off season: "Feels great for the first time in my career"
Season: ""I'm playing with some nagging injuries"

Wash...rinse...repeat

Very true, though it's often:
End of Season: I was actually injured all season (but I didn't ever report it...)

Actually, I don't think he is lying about being hurt, but it's very possible ALL offensive linemen play with nagging injuries 90% of their active games. I also suspect his injuries are at least partly caused by carrying too much weight. He weighed 306 at the combine and I believe had played under 300 in college, listed at 315 now but I suspect he's carrying more than that.

[Guest]

@Jor-El said:

@Vanguard83 said:

@AGRforever said:
what does “feels like himself” even mean?  the dude has been injured so often that normal for him isnt healthy

Translation:
Off season: "Feels great for the first time in my career"
Season: ""I'm playing with some nagging injuries"

Wash...rinse...repeat

Very true, though it's often:
End of Season: I was actually injured all season (but I didn't ever report it...)

Actually, I don't think he is lying about being hurt, but it's very possible ALL offensive linemen play with nagging injuries 90% of their active games. I also suspect his injuries are at least partly caused by carrying too much weight. He weighed 306 at the combine and I believe had played under 300 in college, listed at 315 now but I suspect he's carrying more than that.

Hopefully O'Neill can put on the weight without any injury bug because they are the same build - 6'7 around 300lbs in college.  Looking at their frames it does not look like 15 lbs or 5% body gain would be much of a problem for them to carry but once Kalil got his injury he does not seem to be able to overcome the bug.  

[Guest]

He talked himself into a lot of money though regardless of all the injuries.