Ryan Kalil 2nd round selection

ESPN Insider
About the pick
The pick: Ryan Kalil, OC, USC
Scouts take:The bottom line is a team can't go wrong by taking Kalil at this point. While Justin Hartwig is an adequate starter, Kalil represents an upgrade and could emerge as one of the best centers in the league. He is a technician who gets into good position and he's strong enough to drive defenders off the ball when he gets under their pads. His pass blocking is just as strong if not better because he has excellent quickness and he has the quick feet to counter when defenders throw double moves at him.

Insiders opinion
Strengths: An experienced and battle-tested center prospect with very good consistency. Does a good job with his first step and takes solid overall angles. Explodes out of his stance with good leverage and shows the initial pop to knock defenders back onto heels. He shows above average overall mobility. Is quick and mobile enough to consistently reach the second-level and hit the moving target in the running game. He is very effective on pulls, traps and screens. He displays good quickness in his short-set in pass pro. Plays under control, shows good balance, and is able to shuffle laterally with very good effectiveness. While he lacks ideal size, he has room on his frame to get bigger. He shows good upper body power for a smaller center. He has been extremely efficient at the highest collegiate level. Also has been a durable player throughout his career. A leader and hard worker with very good overall intangibles. Is technically sound.

Weaknesses: Lacks ideal bulk and lower body strength. Needs to add some bulk to his frame and continue to improve his base. He will have some trouble anchoring versus bigger, stronger bull rushers. Almost always in position but will struggle to sustain blocks at times.

Overall: Kalil served as USC's backup center as a true freshman in 2003, seeing limited action in six games. He then started all 13 games at center during the 2004 season. Kalil once again started every game (13) for the Trojan's in 2005 and was named to the All-Pac-Ten First Team. In 2006 Kalil was a unanimous All-Pac 10 first team selection after starting every game (13) for the third straight season.
Kalil emerged as one of the most efficient and consistent centers in the nation over the course of his first two seasons (2004-'05) as a fulltime starter at USC -- and he took his game to the next level as a senior in 2006. His lack of ideal size and strength are obviously somewhat concerning, but he continues to add bulk to his frame and he proved during postseason workouts that he can maintain his quickness with additional weight. In our opinion, Kalil is the most complete center prospect in the 2007 NFL draft class. He is a proven commodity with great intangibles and enough upside to warrant first-round consideration.

 

I understand the need for lower body strength, but 34 reps on the bench press is certainly encouraging in terms of his upper body.

 

didn't Nelson do that many reps one handed?

 

Mathis did a lot of reps, too. Montgomery as well.

Sometimes it has to be functional. He's a better prospect than they are.

Linemen this highly rated who start 3+ years rarely wash out.

 

thanks to chuck barry we should be good to go

http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1756317

 

That is a funny video!

I want to be like that dipwad on here that kept posting the firehurney.com link--let's start a firejerrysimmons.com push!

FIRE JERRY SIMMONS! FIRE JERRY SIMMONS!

HIRE CHUCK BARRY! HIRE CHUCK BARRY!