Quick Analysis: Matt Kalil's Film Is Depressing, But Steps He's Taking In The Off-Season Provides Hope

[Saca312]

Matt Kalil. Former Vikings LT. Brother of Ryan Kalil.

We all hype up Matt Kalil, hoping he'll be the savior of our LT situation. After years of Byron Bell and Mike Remmers playing blindside, it's time we put in hope we'll finally find a solution to having a full-time protector for Cam Newton. A former pro-bowler, Matt Kalil is our last hope.

So, being the film-obsessed guru I am, I looked through a few clips of Matt Kalil in my spare time, trying to find some positives out of his game. After all, he couldn'e be that bad after a pro-bowl rookie season, right?

Sadly, I don't see much that's got me excited. In fact, I'm honestly worried about Cam's health.

Watching Matt Kalil's film makes me miss Remmers. And that's not a good thing.

What stands out is Matt Kalil's lack of explosiveness. He didn't seem comfortable moving around a lot and matching speed with some of the NFL's more athletic pass rushers. Take this for example:

Doesn't explode off the snap as fast and scoot over in time to meet with pass rusher. Result? Free lane to ram himself right into the Vikings QB. Not explosive in getting to the pass rusher and stopping him.

In another play, we see Matt Kalil unable to stop a pass rusher executing a simple move on him.

Chief pass rusher uses his hands to jab and rip right through Matt Kalil with little resistance. Result is Vikings QB on the ground.

In another play, Matt Kalil's lack of explosiveness continues to show as he takes a bad angle on a 49er Defensive End. Matt Kalil is unable to handle the 49er and lets him through.

The result is Teddy Bridgewater being forced to run for his life as both Kalil and the Vikings LG show their ineptitude.

Finally, we get to see exactly how Cam Newton is going to get IR'd this season.

No words. None.

I've never been so depressed after looking through someone's film history, but Matt Kalil scares me. Sure, what I've shown on here is just a small sample, but this was consistent in Matt Kalil's game. There's a reason many Viking fans point to Matt Kalil being the reason their o-line sucked.

So, Is There Any Hope?

Film wise, no. He does show good intelligence and technique, but his lack of explosiveness and action make up the majority of his plays. Left me wondering whether keeping Remmers and putting him at left tackle would've been any better.

However, Matt Kalil has been a pro-bowler before, so it's not like he can't be good. And when you realize he's been playing through an injury for most of his career, it's fair to wonder if that's why he was less explosive.

Take a look:

http://blackandbluereview.com/quotes-note-matt-ryan-kalil/

Matt Kalil

Quote

On getting a change of scenery

My first couple years with the Vikings was good, but I think I never progressed the way I should have. I don’t know what that’s attributed to. That’s not all on other people, that’s on me as well. There’s been a lot of players that have changed scenery and have met that potential that everyone’s been talking about. … I think it’s all for the best. It’s kind of reigniting that fire that I lost for a little bit. I’m just excited to be a part of this organization and see what I can do on the field, especially being 100 percent healthy and feeling the best I’ve felt in a while.

In here, Matt Kalil insinuates part of his regression was due to the incompetent talent surrounding him. He mentions that all the changes going on with the Vikings hindered his potential. He also takes some of the blame on him, knowing he is better than what his past few seasons have shown.

However, I want you to pay attention to the last part. 

"...being 100 percent healthy and feeling the best I've felt in a while."

So, it's apparent that something has hindered Matt Kalil in the past injury-wise. Yet, he claims that's all in the past now.

How so, and what was the cause?

Quote

On his injuries the past few years, including a labrum tear in his right hip

It’s something I’ve had since college, so it was something that progressed and got worse. But it got to the point where they went in there, they fixed it, and now this hip feels the best it’s ever felt in a long time, even since college. Now that that’s kind out of the way, I’ve been doing some workouts and things like that. Quickness that I haven’t had in a while has come back and that’s exciting.

This is significant. He mentions having a labrum tear in his right hip that progressed since college. Explains Kalil's lack of explosiveness and athleticism with dealing with NFL pass rushers.

So, what kind of surgery did he go through, and what was wrong with the hip?

Quote

On the nature of the injury

My ball joint in my hip was misshapen. It sounds like a major surgery, but it’s actually not that hard to fix if you go to the right guy. They just got to kind of reshape that bone so it doesn’t grind down in your joint. (They) went in there, made the joint round, cleaned up the labrum, and that’s about it. Everything’s moving the right way. Everything feels great. I just got cleared by the doctors, so everything’s been going real well.

Matt Kalil says the surgery he went through wasn't difficult at all. It went completely well, leaving him feeling great. Sounds like it was a regressive issue that was treatable rather than an injury that could come back. He says he feels quite great now.

Not only that, Kalil feels like he's in his best shape since college. That right there should be very comforting. If he truly feels good, it's just a matter of realigning technique to his newfound physical burst to finally put the pieces together for a turnaround season.

This is certainly achievable, and this explains his lack of explosiveness. If he's fully healthy (knowing modern medicine, it's very likely he is), he may actually be worth the money.

So, how will he build up his technique?

Quote

On Offensive Line Coach John Matsko

I think Matsko is one of the best offensive line coaches in the NFL, and I wanted to go to a team that is going to make me play to the best of my ability and kind of break me out of my shell.

He notices we have talent when it comes to position coaches, and believes Matsko is one of the best. He has dreams and hopes of being able to finally burst that shell he's surrounded by, and achieve greatness. He believes Matsko will be just the guy to get him on track.

If Matsko is able to turn Oher into a great LT, he could get Kalil right back on track. With Andrew Norwell right next to him, Matt Kalil may finally have the talent surrounding him to take the next step.

So, what does Ryan Kalil think about Matt Kalil turning around his season?

Ryan Kalil

Quote

On the confidence he has that his brother can bounce back from some disappointing seasons

You can’t ignore the amount of positive tape on him. … They spent countless hours — Mr. Gettleman, he’s a former scout, that’s what he’s done his whole life. I know he spent a lot of time watching the tape on Matt and he was more excited about the good than any of the inconsistencies that he’s had that goes along with some of those bad seasons.

What I like is that Ryan Kalil attempts to be objective in this situation. Everyone knows he's Matt Kalil's brother, and everyone knows he obviously wanted Matt Kalil to come on the Panthers.

Even so, Ryan Kalil deviates his opinion to originate from another source: Gettleman.

He makes known that Gettleman saw the potential in Matt Kalil. Likely understanding the situation concerning Matt Kalil's hip injury and speedy recovery, Gettleman feels Matt Kalil will finally have the physical traits to achieve what he wow'd the NFL with in his rookie season. 

Ryan Kalil talks of Gettleman's credibility as a scout, and how Gettleman sees that Matt Kalil has more potential out of anyone in this FA class.

What this also verifies is the question "why even go so hard for him?" Gettleman went for Kalil because he knows he'll be back. He acknowledges his hip is healing up, and the Vikings also figured that out. High figures and numbers were thrown because of such, but Gettleman persisted. 

Ryan Kalil doesn't let his opinion get in the way. He lets the opinion of the guy who looks at film for a living speak for itself.

So, what's Kalil's opinion of Matt Kalil's injury?

Quote

The other thing I’ll say about Kalils is he did this in his fifth season. I went on IR in my fifth season and then it took another five years for me to go on IR again. So Kalils are good — we break every five years. They got a good lease on him for five.

Turns that into quite the humorous joke. Gotta love that.

I'm putting a lot of hope on Matt Kalil. While I do have low expectations, I do expect him to improve to at least Mike Remmer's level at first. He still has a lot of years left ahead of him, and he does show the technique and mindset of a top-tier NFL tackle.

I think this surgery impacted Kalil in a positive way, and I can see him being more athletic and explosive more than he once was. If all plays out, we may have found our answer.

Although I can't provide any film to hype you guys up in that regard, I can tell you the steps Kalil's taking to turn his career around. Whether it works out or not remains to be seen, but I do feel it's only going to prove beneficial for Matt Kalil in the long-term.

Don't get your hopes up on Matt Kalil. But don't think he's a lost case either. 

[Saca312]

Hey, maybe there IS hope for Matt Kalil:

 

[maddog1945]

Ok, great breakdown!  But where does that really leave us?

We will see in a few more weeks. Hoping he has got well and is ready get that fire back in him!

I'm thinking positive! 

Just my two cents worth!!! 

[XOBlackxJokerOX]

Setting the bar real low if you expect him to start off or "improve" to Mike Remmers level. That's his natural position so he better be greater than Remmers out of the gate. Unlike some, I'm taking the "wait and see" approach like I did with Oher. Good analysis btw.

Sent using the amazing CarolinaHuddle mobile app

[Wolfcop]

Matsko is the biggest factor...same as with Oher (pre-injury). Good analysis!

[MBronson]

[Hogmolliesmaht]

Seriously? You couldn't find  but one single gif where he wasn't giving up a sack?

 

Anyway, I keep going back to one of RR's pressers during OTA's when somebody asked him what kind of improvement he's seen out of Kalil and he said that he was working with Matsko to improve hand placement and footwork. Plus, he's healthy now.

[Jeremy Igo]

Everyone needs to be hoping Moton is the long term answer at LT. Would save a ton of cash after this season. 

 

Early indications are the guy could be. 

[Cyberjag]

It would have been interesting to contrast this with what you might have written before Oher played a down in Carolina.

In Matsko We Trust...

[Jeremy Igo]

7 minutes ago, Cyberjag said:

It would have been interesting to contrast this with what you might have written before Oher played a down in Carolina.

In Matsko We Trust...

I would be more worried if Minnesota didn't want to keep him. They definitely tried. 

 

Much of it could be coaching related. The first gif for example...

Looks like 44 went to the outside first then came back inside for the blitz. 

Poor blitz recognition. Poor communication. Poor execution. 

So much of that is coaching related and poor quality along the offensive line in general. 

 

It could be that:

a) Improved coaching

b) playing next to Norwell

c) being led by big brother Ryan

 

Will cure so many ills for this guy. 

[Saca312]

1 hour ago, Jeremy Igo said:

I would be more worried if Minnesota didn't want to keep him. They definitely tried. 

 

Much of it could be coaching related. The first gif for example...

Looks like 44 went to the outside first then came back inside for the blitz. 

Poor blitz recognition. Poor communication. Poor execution. 

So much of that is coaching related and poor quality along the offensive line in general. 

 

It could be that:

a) Improved coaching

b) playing next to Norwell

c) being led by big brother Ryan

 

Will cure so many ills for this guy. 

I think so too. I hope so. 

[csx]

This is a genuine observation and question. We tend to always be down on our line play even when it was at its best but love Matsko and anticipate him getting to work with guys. Why do we hold him in a regard seemingly much higher than the results?  Im not saying he's not a good coach....more noting a disconnect in fan opinions.

[Jeremy Igo]

This is a genuine observation and question. We tend to always be down on our line play even when it was at its best but love Matsko and anticipate him getting to work with guys. Why do we hold him in a regard seemingly much higher than the results?  Im not saying he's not a good coach....more noting a disconnect in fan opinions.

 

I think you have the balance results with what he has been given to work with.

 

One single draft pick in the first 3 rounds since 2011. That one pick is a pro bowler.

 

Other than that and inhereting Ryan Kalil he has had late round guys and cast offs.

 

We got to the Superbowl with Mike Remmers for Christ sake.

 

 

 

[Steve_Smith_Sr.]

I have the same feeling as the OP.  I don't think we would have gone after him had he not been Ryan's brother, which is a problem IMO.  I haven't lost all hope but this is the one move that has me the most concerned.

With that said, I can't handle anymore feel good, cutesy vids/stories/tweets about the brothers either.  I hope he's a beast, but enough with the childhood pictures and whatnot.  

 

I think Moton is a monster and really hope he does well.