Share
SPARTANBURG - When Panthers center Ryan Kalil stepped in front of a bank of microphones and tape recorders Saturday, this was the first question posed to him:
“So, anything been going on with you?”
“Not too much,” Kalil said and smiled.
It's been three days since Kalil took out a full-page ad in the Charlotte Observer promising fans their loyalty would be rewarded with a Super Bowl title this season.
“I knew I'd take some heat for it, and rightfully so. It's a bold thing to say, especially in such a tough game,” Kalil said. “But what I care about is who I wrote it for and who it was intended for, and that was the fans and my teammates. So in that regard it's been very positive.”
Actually, most of the public response to Kalil's 178-word message has been positive. And while Kalil said he didn't intend the ad to be a Super Bowl guarantee, the three-time Pro Bowler believes the Panthers have the talent and drive to make it happen.
Kalil has been encouraged to see quarterback Cam Newton taking on more of a leadership role during the offseason. Newton was the Rookie of the Year in 2011 and broke Peyton Manning's rookie passing record, but Kalil and offensive tackle Jordan Gross talked to him midway through the season about his leadership abilities.
“You see him in the (TV) commercials and all that kind of stuff and it's easy to think he's just enjoying the offseason. But that's not the case at all,” Kalil said. “He's really committed to having a better season, being a better quarterback and being a better teammate and leader. And guys see that.”
“He doesn't do it for show,” Kalil added. “He does it because it means something to him, and it's personal this season. That's the thing we get excited about, and that's the thing that's going to make him a better quarterback”
