Interesting article on Kalil

[MNSportsNut]

I found this on 1500espn.com. I found it to reveal what I thought was happening with Kalil the last 2 years. I thought it was a good read.

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Afte ... rink080815

Comments?

[Mothman]

I found this on 1500espn.com. I found it to reveal what I thought was happening with Kalil the last 2 years. I thought it was a good read.

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Afte ... rink080815

Comments?

Thanks for the link. I thought it was a good read too.

I'm glad to hear Kalil's rebuilding his confidence as he rebuilds his technique. I don't doubt his talent so as long as he can stay healthy and keep getting the support he talked about in the article, I feel pretty confident he'll improve over the course of both the summer and the season.

[fiestavike]

Thanks for the link. I thought it was a good read too.

I'm glad to hear Kalil's rebuilding his confidence as he rebuilds his technique. I don't doubt his talent so as long as he can stay healthy and keep getting the support he talked about in the article, I feel pretty confident he'll improve over the course of both the summer and the season.

Interesting that he acknowledged being that close to retirement. If he doesn't bounce back this year I'm guessing he hangs it up.

[Mothman]

Interesting that he acknowledged being that close to retirement. If he doesn't bounce back this year I'm guessing he hangs it up.

I'm thinking that would depend on his health. It sounded like the pain was what had him thinking that way. It sounds like it took a lot of willpower to keep practicing and playing through that.

[fiestavike]

I'm thinking that would depend on his health. It sounded like the pain was what had him thinking that way. It sounds like it took a lot of willpower to keep practicing and playing through that.

No doubt, and I give him a lot of credit for that. I like Kalil and don't blame him for making those considerations, but its hard to maintain the edge to be an NFL player when those thoughts are in your mind. I'm just surprised he acknowledged it. I'm also skeptical that his knees, which were that bad last year, will be able to maintain the grind of an NFL season without further issues, but hopefully this new medical procedure he's had is extremely effective.

[losperros]

No doubt, and I give him a lot of credit for that. I like Kalil and don't blame him for making those considerations, but its hard to maintain the edge to be an NFL player when those thoughts are in your mind. I'm just surprised he acknowledged it. I'm also skeptical that his knees, which were that bad last year, will be able to maintain the grind of an NFL season without further issues, but hopefully this new medical procedure he's had is extremely effective.

I'm concerned about his knees too. We fans don't realize just how much physical pain many players have to endure throughout a season. Despite what some head coaches say, a player can lose his position if he doesn't play through pain. Playing through pain is basically expected in the NFL.

I think Kalil's health will be the defining factor regarding his performance and how long he'll keep playing.

[VikingPaul73]

Thanks for the link.

I know that was supposed to be a feel good read, but honestly after reading this article, I have even less confidence in Kalil this season.

He's what? 25? And he's already having major chronic knee and back issues and has contemplated retirement already. Also, in a league as competitive as the NFL, I think once you lose your confidence it would be very difficult to get back. He might play well for awhile, but once a couple of things go wrong, it might all spiral down quickly again.

I really hope that I'm wrong, but I'll be surprised if he's still in the league in 3 years.

[jackal]

I think the fans were pretty hard on him, I hope he has a pro bowl year.

I still think Johnson's poor play, affected his confidence and reaction time.

[PurpleMustReign]

I'm going to take a bit of a different spin on this.
If his knees hurt that bad why didn't he tell someone and take time off? I commend him for playing through pain, but it clearly affected his play, and it affected the team to a great degree. I understand there is some pain players need to play through, but when it starts affecting the team as much as Kalil did, it isn't fair for the other players to have to try to pick up your slack.

[Mothman]

No doubt, and I give him a lot of credit for that. I like Kalil and don't blame him for making those considerations, but its hard to maintain the edge to be an NFL player when those thoughts are in your mind. I'm just surprised he acknowledged it. I'm also skeptical that his knees, which were that bad last year, will be able to maintain the grind of an NFL season without further issues, but hopefully this new medical procedure he's had is extremely effective.

Let's hope so. It's certainly not a good sign that he's had such painful knee problems so early in his career

I'm going to take a bit of a different spin on this.
If his knees hurt that bad why didn't he tell someone and take time off? I commend him for playing through pain, but it clearly affected his play, and it affected the team to a great degree. I understand there is some pain players need to play through, but when it starts affecting the team as much as Kalil did, it isn't fair for the other players to have to try to pick up your slack.

He probably did tell someone but to an extent, taking time off runs counter to an NFL culture in which players are expected to work and play through pain. Players are sometimes reluctant to give up a starting spot for fear they will lose it too, although I have no idea if that was the case with Kalil. I doubt it. I think it's more likely that he played, and was allowed to play, because even injured and in pain he was probably better than the healthy alternatives they had on the roster last year.

Ultimately, after a bad start, he was able to play effectively during the second half of last season, despite the pain, so he must have found a way to deal with it.

[jackal]

Kalil had a monster push to get line into the end zone.. he drove back one player almost yards
which tangled up another.. that was good to see

[jackal]

I saw some plays in the Dallas game that worried me little bit. He reached out and got that holding call
and ended up getting knocked down more than once I believe. To be honest I wan't Kalil to get a little
mean on plays. Not dirty per say, but dish out some, if needed.

[Pondering Her Percy]

I think the fans were pretty hard on him, I hope he has a pro bowl year.

I still think Johnson's poor play, affected his confidence and reaction time.

I agree to an extent. I truly think he will have a lot better year. Especially with a good LG next to him in Fusco. I'm more concerned about the right side. Specifically Mike Harris more than Clemmings but regardless, Loadholt was a huge loss. Just his presence, veteran leadership and much improved play