FanHouse Ryan Kalil

Every week we look at some aspect of line play around the league with our Between The Lines feature.

As the playoffs get closer and closer, the Panthers may supplant the Plaxico Burress-less Giants as the NFC's No. 1 seed. If they do, a lot of the credit will go to an offense that can run (with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart) and pass.

But an even bigger reason the Panthers are 6-1 over the past seven games is because they have finally gotten their starting offensive line playing together.

Early in the season, injuries wrecked the Panthers' line. First guard Travelle Wharton missed two games with a knee injury. Tackle Jordan Gross missed a game with a concussion. Then ankle injuries sidelined tackle Jeff Otah (four games) and center Ryan Kalil (four games). Because of all the injuries, right guard Keydrick Vincent is the only lineman to start all 14 games this season, and three different Panthers' substitutes have started a total of 11 games this year.

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: Jake Delhomme is coming off Tommy John surgery so no one knows what to expect. At the end of 2006, some fans wanted someone new at quarterback. Before he was injured in 2007, he was off to a white-hot start. How he recovers will go a long way to a successful Panthers season. Matt Moore filled in nicely late last season and may be the team's future. Brett Basanez isn't ready for prime time. No more Vinny or Mr. Mittens. Heat Index: 5

Running backs: The Panthers have been looking for a Stephen Davis type back and may have found one in rookie Jonathan Stewart. He's the kind of bull coach John Fox likes to center his offense around. DeAngelo Williams will be more efficient as a change-of-pace back. Brad Hoover is back again as an effective fullback. Nick Goings is always around to back up anybody. Heat Index: 5

Soon, Natalie Nelson will be headed East with husband Ryan Kalil to join the Carolina Panthers, but she took time to say a final goodbye to the Trojan Nation with an Exit Interview with WeAreSC.

The cheerleader, once linked romantically to Washington Redskin Dallas Sartz gained notoriety for cheering whilst Texas quarterback Vince Young scored a touchdown in the 2006 Rose Bowl.

But although the interview is hardly 60 Minutes, Nelson addresses the incident, claiming the mis-timed cheer never happened: One of the toughest things was definitely the Photoshopping. It was hard to see myself that way because none of the referees hands are up and I'm just there trying to get the crowd pumped up because everyone in the stands was nervous we were going to lose because they were right in front of us."

Interestingly, "photoshopped" is the same answer we were given by the head of the Song Girls when one of them exposed her John David on national television during the 2007 Rose Bowl.

Sorry, No Photos

Today's the day, folks. That's right, the NFL Draft is here. And for the University of Southern California, it could be a really good day. That's because strength coach Chuck Berry's innovative workout regimen has the draft-eligible Trojans in the best shape of their lives. Or something like that.

Actually, this is an NFL Network commercial set to air during today's draft coverage and, well, it's magnificent.

Sack ... and delicious. Thanks to Sports by Brooks for the link.

Ever since she infamously cheered when Texas quarterback Vince Young scored against the USC Trojans in the 2006 Rose Bowl, people have derided USC Song Girl Natalee Nelson has a reputation for being, um, confused.

Suspicions were confirmed, however, this week, when Daily News blogger Scott Wolf reported that Nelson will marry former USC center Ryan Kalil.

The news sent shock waves around the Trojan Nation, which had believed that Nelson had been dating golden-boy linebacker Dallas Sartz, a former teammate of Kalil. We were so incredulous we tried contacting Dallas through Facebook but Sartz has not returned our request for confirmation or comment.

One thing Nelson may not be confused about, however, is which player is most likely to get taken in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Sorry, No Photos

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"
Sorry, No Photos