Jets’ Kalil closer to playing, feeling ‘like my old self’

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) » Ryan Kalil has had a whirlwind month.

From retirement to a new team in a new city with new teammates and coaches. And, now, the New York Jets center is nearly ready to play again.

“I feel like I’m getting my legs back,” Kalil said Tuesday, “and feel like my old self.”

The 34-year-old Kalil walked away from football after last season, his 12th with the Carolina Panthers. He was convinced he was done with the game — until the desire to play again began gnawing at him during the winter.

It all led to Kalil signing a oneyear deal with the Jets earlier this month, and began a process to him getting back on the field in a game. It nearly happened last Saturday night against New Orleans, but instead it will wait until the regular season.

“We were talking throughout the week whether we’re going to play or not,” he said. “Just, last minute, we just decided just to give me more time — more so mentally than physically.”

The last few weeks have been all about Kalil getting back into football shape and learning the terminology of coach Adam Gase’s playbook.

“I didn’t take that much time off,” Kalil said. “It wasn’t like I was (Dallas tight end) Jason Witten, took off a year and came back. So, just being able to play fast, feel comfortable with the playbook. You know, it’s easier when it’s in a more controlled environment (in practice) and you can call timeout because you’re not quite sure what the play is but in a live game situation, that’s not OK.”

Kalil, who made five Pro Bowls with the Panthers, is confident that by the time the regular season kicks off on Sept. 8, he’ll be where he needs to be mentally, as far as having the plays down.

When asked if he has second-guessed his decision at any point so far during his comeback, Kalil insisted he hasn’t.

“No, those moments came in the offseason and that’s why that’s why I’m here,” he said. “So, no, listen, I’m fired up to be here. I’m excited and, obviously, I just want to do well. It’s important to a lot of guys in this locker room and, you know, I don’t want to let them down.”

Kalil watched from afar over the weekend when Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck stunningly retired while still in his playing prime. He could empathize with Luck, having gone through a similar experience when he asked himself if it was time to step away from the game.