tool name
closePITTSBURGH — When the 2003 college draft was held, former Penn State defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy was a happy camper as he was the first round pick of the St. Louis Rams, the 12th choice overall.
After working his way up the Rams’ ladder, Kennedy made his way to the starting lineup during the 2005-06 campaigns.
But after four years with the Rams, Kennedy found himself traded to the Denver Broncos in 2007, also spending time with the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars.
After being waived by the Jaguars in the middle of last season, Kennedy signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings. After the season, free-agent Kennedy again found himself without a team until re-signing with the Minnesota, where he is currently listed third on the depth chart at defensive tackle. Kennedy’s signing gives the Vikings some added depth at tackle, where Kevin and Pat Williams face a possible suspension by the league.
“I think it is more of the media and fans who emphasize that stuff,” said Kennedy about moving around. “I am happy with who I am and I count my blessings every day because I am still in the NFL and playing on a great team. All I am doing is trying to do my part to help this team win the division first and then the Super Bowl.
“I don’t use it to motivate me and I don’t even think about it other than doing a lot of interviews about it. I woke up all week thinking about playing the Steelers and if we were back in Minnesota today, I would be thinking about playing Green
Bay. I don’t even think about the wouldas, couldas and shouldas. Those things are for somebody else.”
Still, Kennedy admitted fitting in quickly is difficult going from one team to another.
“If you look at my career, I have been with seven different teams with seven different (head) coaches and seven different defensive coordinators,” explained Kennedy. “I have been around, but you learn from those things. I have been blessed with the opportunity to keep playing ball and I have had some great coaches.”
Kennedy said two of those coaches — defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and defensive line coach Carl Dunbar — are a big reason why he’s back with the Vikings.
“This is the first time since my third year as a Ram that I came back and had the same coaches,” Kennedy said. “I know what they want. I work hard on the things I do wrong and I just work hard each day to try and improve. As long as I continue to work hard and stay focused, I think I’ll be fine.”
Playing behind the Williams’, Kennedy made the most of his first lengthy appearance in Sunday’s 27- 17 loss against Pittsburgh, sacking Steeler quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for a four-yard loss and getting a lot of snaps.
“It was nothing special for me,” said Kennedy about the sack. “... I was in Jacksonville last year and they told me that I wasn’t good enough to play the Steelers for the most part. The Steelers came down to Jacksonville and ran through us, so now when I get a chance to come out here and play. I use those feelings and emotions to my advantage.”
Although they didn’t meet each other face-to-face on the field, Kennedy likened his situation to that of Steeler linebacker James Harrison.
“They have a guy who has been cut multiple times and I liken my career to his,” Kennedy said. “But, look at him. He is a Super Bowl MVP and he is still out there working hard. I feel my career is somewhat like that in that (Harrison) didn’t give up, so why should I? I had to fight all of my life for everything I have so you’ll never hear me alibi about things.”
Although out of Happy Valley for several years, Kennedy admits that he still keeps tabs as much as possible on how the Nittany Lions are doing.
“I was ‘amped up’ for (the Michigan game) because they have been playing good ball,” said Kennedy. “I am a huge fan when it comes to college football, especially a huge Penn State fan. I haven’t been back as much as I would have liked, but I still watch my boys and it still thrills me to tell everybody, ‘We Are, Penn State.’”
In Print
@Nyx.CommentBody@