Comeback Kennedy

[RamWraith]

By HAL PILGER
STAFF WRITER
Published Friday, August 05, 2005


ST. LOUIS - Late during his second season with the St. Louis Rams last year, defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy began making some pretty big strides.


That was very significant, considering for the first seven games last season - after breaking his right foot in training camp a year ago - the 2003 first-round draft selection wasn't able to make any strides at all.

Now the Rams are hoping the 6-foot-4, 320-pound third-year player out of Penn State picks up where he left off last season. And so far this training camp, Kennedy, 25, definitely has left coach Mike Martz with that favorable impression.

"He is probably the most dramatic change in any football player that I've ever been around in one year," Martz stated. "From where he was a year ago to where he is right now - he's not even the same person.

"I think that the strength that he's gained has been pretty dramatic in terms of allowing him to do things physically on the field. We've allowed him to be a little heavier than maybe what he was in the past - what we wanted him to be in the past - and he's started to be more comfortable with it."

That began to manifest itself late last season - after Kennedy had reassessed his career and recommitted himself to the weight room. After totaling just 10 tackles during his disappointing rookie season, Kennedy recorded 40 tackles in the final nine games last season and recorded his first sack in the NFC Wild Card game at Seattle.

"The good thing about it was, when I broke my foot, everybody was looking at me coming into the weight room saying that I was getting bigger but my weight was the same," said Kennedy, noting he is only three pounds heavier than his 317 rookie weight. "Coach Martz and those guys saw how hard I was working on getting back. And they said 'He's one of the strongest guys on the team.'

"They said, 'How is this guy bigger, faster and stronger?' Because my energy is up. I'm at my regular playing weight."

But now his weight distribution, especially in his upper body, is much better suited to the rigors of an NFL defensive lineman.

And Martz believes Kennedy's transformation has been psychological as well as physical, noting the two have gone hand in hand.

"He's having a lot of fun," Martz said. "I think the confidence that he's gained from his strength has allowed him to do some things physically that he wasn't able to do before.

"I think when kids come here with that No. 1 pick like that, there's so much pressure on them. And physically, he wasn't ready to play (in 2003). But there's a pride factor involved, too, so he took it upon himself to get himself physically prepared, and with that came the confidence. I think he's really enjoying himself."

Kennedy agrees with his coach.

"You know, when you come out of college, you get lazy," he said. "I am learning what it takes to be a pro. Our job is year 'round, so whenever I get a chance to hit the weight room, I'm there."

And how is that surgically repaired right foot these days?

"It's great," Kennedy said.

Just like his improved upper body strength, his agility and, perhaps most importantly, his attitude.



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[maineram]

Great news, cause we need ya this year "Bear".

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