Ryan Kalil predicts the Carolina Panthers will win the Super Bowl this season - and he put his money where his mouth is to prove it.
The Panthers three-time Pro Bowl center took out a full-page advertisement in the Charlotte Observer on Wednesday boldly declaring fans will be rewarded for their unwavering support with a "one hundred-percent, sterling silver victory - the Lombardi Trophy."
That's a bold prediction for a team coming off a 6-10 season that hasn't won a playoff game since 2005.
But Kalil believes in his teammates.
In the 178-word letter Kalil says something special is happening in Carolina.
He says there's "a sense of urgency, a winning attitude that I haven't seen before" and "fans will see it in the way that we play."
"If we don't have 53 guys with the same attitude walking in that building then we have to find 53 guys that do," coach Ron Rivera said.
Steelers. For only the second time since 1997, Pittsburgh opened training camp without Hines Ward.
But as notable as the recently retired Ward's absence was, it was a no-show by another receiver that stole the show on the annual reporting day at St. Vincent College.
Restricted free agent Mike Wallace's training-camp holdout became official when he did not arrive by 3 p.m. Wednesday to move into his dorm room and take part in coach Mike Tomlin's conditioning test.
Jets. Newly acquired offensive tackle Jeff Otah failed his physical and has been placed on the active-physically unable to perform list, meaning New York's trade with Carolina is on hold.
Seahawks. Seattle has locked up center Max Unger beyond the 2012 season after signing the anchor of Seattle's offensive line to a multiyear extension. Terms of Unger's deal were not released.
Bengals. Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, who was selected in the first round by Cincinnati, is expected to miss up to six weeks after fracturing a bone in his knee during a workout earlier this month.
Lions. Detroit signed veteran cornerbacks Drew Coleman and Justin Miller as they try to fill a position weakened by their dismissal of the legally challenged Aaron Berry and the loss to injury of Chris Greenwood.
Patriots. New England cut former Indianapolis running back Joseph Addai and signed tight end Visanthe Shiancoe and defensive lineman Tim Bulman.
Packers. Green Bay released veteran safety Charlie Peprah a day before their first training camp practice, apparently over concern about a lingering knee injury.
Lawsuit. Former Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler is the latest big name from the NFL's past to sue the league over head injuries.
Stabler is the first plaintiff among 73 listed on a federal lawsuit filed Monday in Philadelphia.
