SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The Carolina Panthers spent the offseason re-signing or bringing in eight giant offensive linemen. The shortest is 6-foot-4 and the lightest is 305 pounds.

Yet in the middle of the new-look line that will likely see different players starting at all five positions is the little ol' Ryan Kalil. At 6-2 and 297 pounds, he looks tiny around his teammates.

"The idea that I'm an undersized lineman, it's kind of followed me my entire career," Kalil said Tuesday. "I keep elevating and I keep getting to play at the next level and for the most part I'm doing all right.

"I don't have the 350 pounds to sit on, but I bring the strength and quickness and I try to implement as much technique as I've learned from the coaches over the years. That has worked out for me."

The Panthers thought so highly of Kalil that they took the Southern California product in the second round last year despite giving free-agent center Justin Hartwig a five-year, $17 million deal a year earlier.

The Panthers tried out Kalil at guard in his rookie year without success. He spent most of the season as Hartwig's backup, but earned the starting job when the Panthers released Hartwig in March.

"I was surprised," Kalil said. "It's tough when you see a locker room change. I'm excited to be able to step into the center role and I think we have a great offensive line and I'm excited about the season."

While left tackle Jordan Gross (6-4, 305), left guard Travelle Wharton (6-4, 312), right guard Keydrick Vincent (6-5, 325) and right tackle Jeff Otah (6-6, 330) leave the guy snapping the ball looking puny, Kalil likes the new line.

"Yeah, they make me look small, but I also feel big being around them," Kalil said. "It's definitely nice when you are blocking on a guy and one of our big boys comes and beats him up on the side. It's definitely nice having those guys around."

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BEASON ON MORGAN: Dan Morgan may have retired, but the man who replaced him at middle linebacker hopes he reconsiders.

"If he took three years off I think he could still come back and be a great player," Jon Beason said. "I wouldn't put it past him. I'm definitely pushing the envelope for him to come back. He's still got it in his heart."

It's his body that failed him in seven seasons with the Panthers. The former first-round pick played in only 59 of a possible 112 games due to a variety of injuries, including at least five concussions.

The Panthers released Morgan after the season. He signed with New Orleans, then decided to retire in May when his body continued to ache.

But Beason said Morgan still has a passion for the game. The two have talked numerous times since training camp began.

"Right now he's got that feeling like he wants to know what's going on," Beason said. "It's understandable because if he was injured or healthy he'd be with us right now."

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DIGGS ON FAVRE: Landon Johnson worked with the first team at strongside linebacker Tuesday ahead of Na'il Diggs in one of the more intriguing position battles.

As Diggs tries to keep his job over the newly acquired Johnson, the ex-Packer is keeping one eye on the Brett Favre saga.

Diggs played six seasons with Favre in Green Bay, but isn't surprised the Packers decided to move on with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback after Favre attempted to unretire.

"I've seen Aaron play. He's a great quarterback. He's going to be a good quarterback in the league," Diggs said. "I think the higher administration is tired of the waiting game, as far as retiring or not retiring. And since some new management changes have been made, I think they're a little less tolerant with Brett's back and forth decision making."

Diggs, though, isn't surprised Favre changed his mind.

"Deep inside, I know football is what is his comfort zone," Diggs said. "He's had a lot of things go on the past five or six years in his life, that football has been his crutch. It's hard to leave that crutch, especially when it's saved you. ... For a lot of us, we can leave our daily troubles when we come in here."

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EXTRA POINTS: Starting DTs Damione Lewis (leg) and Maake Kemoeatu (shoulder) spent most of Tuesday's practice riding stationary bikes. Ian Scott and Gary Gibson filled in on the first unit. ... DT Darwin Walker (head) and T Charles Spencer (knee) also sat out. ... RB Nick Goings (ankle) returned after missing two days. ... The Panthers worked on red zone offense, with D.J. Hackett catching two touchdown passes over the middle in three-receiver sets. ... WR Jason Carter has been returning punts with Ryne Robinson. ... T Travelle Wharton and LB Thomas Davis had a brief shoving match after a play, a sure sign the training camp grind has begun.