Pro Bowler Kalil the lone constant in Panthers' ever-changing O-line
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Panthers' offensive line certainly lived up -- or down -- to the expectation of being bad last season.
But through it all, Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil never had a disparaging word to say about his fellow linemen, though it would have been easy to do so.
Kalil literally had three lineman that weren't long for the NFL alongside him in the starting lineup.
With the final week of Carolina's Organized Team Activities, this year's version of the offensive line appears to be markedly better, even with a group of young starters.
"There's nothing easy about the NFL," Kalil says. "It's definitely not. Every season is different. Even when you do have guys returning back, there's all sorts of variables and things that change in the offense. You're constantly growing and constantly adapting. So, I don't think it's any easier or any harder.
"It's the process we go through, and I think the hardest thing is to not think that way and to come in every year and reset, because that's what you have to do. You have to start back at square one and go back through the basics and keep harping on the fundamentals and going over that and not getting complacent. That's how you get better and that's how you become a good football team."
The 30-year-old Kalil, entering his ninth season with the Panthers, has a decorated track record of four Pro Bowls and one All-Pro berth (first team). At various points in his career, he's been called the best center in the NFL.
Even so, there was only so much Kalil could do to stabilize that porous offensive line last season. It took a toll on his own play, calling on him to double as a protection aide for the inexperienced O-guards to his left and right.
But then came sweet relief, in the form of Andrew Norwell taking over at right guard. That coincided with rookie Trai Turner coming into his own at left guard.
Throw in the addition of Mike Remmers at right tackle ... and a once-fractured offensive line in Carolina had evolved into a respectable corps.
The three newcomers allowed Kalil to return back to his dominant ways at center. He no longer had to worry about whether the person beside him could block his own man.
"Continuity is great and all, but the reality of the NFL is that you're always going to have a revolving door of guys and you've got to adjust," he said. "At one point, I was the young guy coming in with older guys around me and helping me out. That's what it's all about.
"I'm still learning going into year nine and still trying to figure it all out. I haven't gotten the entire offense down yet because we're always changing and evolving. It's not the same playbook every year, even though for the most part it is. But we still are still changing and adding and evolving and growing. It's a learning process for everybody, but that's football."
The Panthers offense must be better this season. There appears to be no more excuses. The line is solid, quarterback Cam Newton has more playmaking weapons and running back Jonathan Stewart looks to be healthy for the first time in several years.
Kalil has been in this position before, regarding high expectations. He's been part of great success and great failures ... and through it all, he has enjoyed every minute of it.
"I think you just have fun and you enjoy what you do," he said. "These practices are not easy even though they're not full-contract. They're still tough practices. We're out here two hours and we're working hard and we're in the meeting rooms, and we're staying focused and you're watching a lot of the same stuff.
"A football film can get monotonous. So, you just take a moment to realize how special the opportunity is and how fortunate you are to be in this situation and to be able to play in this league. I know a lot of guys wish they were here. So, I think for the most part you just kind of remember that and you go forward and take it day-by-day."
