FanHouse NickMangold

The AFC and NFC Pro Bowlers were announced a short while ago, and why make some pointless comment you are sure not to laugh at when we can just give you the rosters instead? Here goes.

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is a month off, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: Chad Pennington enters 2008 trying to prove yet again that he -- wait, what? Who? Really? Didn't he retire? Oh. I see. It doesn't seem like Brett Favre wants to play in New York this year, he's basically said so much in the most diplomatic way possible, which means this is the year where Favre stops having fun. This is the year he stops looking like a kid again, to support the cliche. And it can be argued that that magic has perpetuated itself, and has been the reason Favre is still considered -- rightfully or not -- one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Without it, I can imagine 2008 being a disaster for Favre -- bad play and missed games. And then the New York media jumps in and the misery just compounds. That's how I see 2008 rolling. Oh, plus, they don't have a decent backup quarterback. Heat Index: 6

We're two days into this thing and Jets fans still seem pretty psyched about landing former Steelers guard Alan Faneca.

Sure, New York might've paid a premium for one of the few competent offensive linemen in free agency (five-year, $40 million, $21 million in guarantees), but ultimately, it's probably worth it.

As FanHouse's Tom Mantzouranis wrote on Friday, "On top of his toughness and tenacity, traits the Jets sorely lacked last year, Faneca will do an awful lot for the Jets' youth. On the left side, Faneca will reside between tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold, both third-year players."

Most definitely. But here's the thing: was it really such a good idea to tie up so much money in a 31-year-old player? The offensive line mess is the Jets own doing -- they ran Pete Kendall out of town last off-season, and his departure indirectly led to the Faneca signing.

The Jets noticeably lacked guard Pete Kendall last year. Getting that talent back at guard was a priority this offseason, and with so many young faces on the line a veteran would serve far more good than a rookie. So the soon-to-be signing of Alan Faneca, the best offensive lineman on the market, is cause for Jets fans to celebrate.

Faneca's deal -- believed to be four years for $32 million with $23 million in guaranteed cash -- is a pretty good bargain considering the rising costs of mediocre guards, and the Jets will get more value even after Faneca is gone.

On top of his toughness and tenacity, traits the Jets sorely lacked last year, Faneca will do an awful lot for the Jets' youth. On the left side, Faneca will reside between tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold, both third-year players. The duo will probably learn quite a bit from Faneca while he plays out the tail end of an excellent career. And in the meantime, that's a pretty nice left side to trot out.

This is a perfect fit for both sides, and something that will make between-the-tackles runner Thomas Jones a little happier.

Laveranues Coles, Nick Mangold and Kerry Rhodes; other than being employed by the New York Jets, what do these three have in common? Well, I can only assume that the subject headline ruined the surprise, so I'll end the charade here.

All three made NFL.com's "2007 All-Underrated Team."

While it's debatable that Coles and Mangold are underrated, it is nice to see them getting their kudos. Both had quality seasons for the Jets last year and barring injuries, should be equally as valuable and impressive this season.

Rhodes, on the other hand, is a perfect example of underrated. Although he's become a household name in New York, the media capitol of the world, casual NFL fans are only vaguely familiar with him. He reminds me a lot of the Cardinals' Adrian Wilson, prior to last season, in that regard.

After a 98 tackle, five sack and four interception season, he's becoming much more popular and hopefully that trend will continue.

NFL scouts think they know him, but they're wrong ...

Ryan Kalil: senior center, USC

WHAT NFL SCOUTS ARE SAYING

Pro Football Weekly: The most athletic center in the draft, he maximizes his ability with tremendous savvy and football smarts. Great football character. Unselfish team player. Good work ethic. Has NFL bloodlines and a great understanding of the game. Tremendous football intelligence --- makes all the line calls and adjustments. Is a little undersized. Is not an overpowering in-line blocker.

Street and Smith's: Agile and able to work in space on the second level. Excellent technique and is like a coach on the field. Has a problem with massive defensive tackles, but has the frame to get bigger.

PROBABLY GETTING DRAFTED ...

Middle first to early second round. Kalil is the consensus top center, much like Ohio State's Nick Mangold last year. Mangold did well for the Jets, indirectly boosting Kalil's draft stock. The NFL rarely drafts centers in the first round, but Kalil's about as good as they come at the position and won't fall very far if he isn't a first rounder.

GUY WHO WATCHED HIM FOR FOUR YEARS IS SAYING

The NFL guys pretty much have him pegged here. Kalil is the complete package. His father played in the NFL so he knows how things work. He's a three-year starter who led the inner attack on one of the best collegiate lines ever assembled in 2005. Easily beat out Jeff Byers - considered the best high school lineman in a generation and the Parade Magazine Player of the Year - as an inexperienced sophomore in 2004. Has an easygoing and affable personality with zero character concerns. Oozes leadership.

Will give his all and looks to be a great investment as a player who can make a 10-year career or more in the NFL. Very light on his feet, moves quickly as a pass blocker but can also get nasty and drive block or quickly disengage and push to the second level to spring longer running plays.

Bonus video below: Kalil hanging with the USC Song Girls at their "Boot Camp"
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