Kennedy gets shipped to Denver

[RamWraith]

By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Saturday, Jun. 09 2007

Try as they may, the Rams never could get the Jimmy Kennedy experiment to work.
So they finally decided to junk it.

Kennedy, a defensive tackle who was the Rams' first-round choice (No. 12
overall) in the 2003 draft, was traded to the Denver Broncos on Friday for a
sixth-round pick in next year's draft.

The trade was no surprise to Kennedy.

"Naw, I knew it was going to happen for a while now," he said. "I was just
waiting."

Kennedy said he welcomed the change of scenery.

"I'm definitely encouraged by it," he said. "It's great to go somewhere where
I'm wanted. I'm looking forward to starting over."

Rams coach Scott Linehan acknowledged that the deal carries "a certain amount
of risk." But he added: "I think our depth on the defensive line made it
possible to move in another direction. Jimmy gave us four good years."

Just how good those four years were is debatable, however. Kennedy's stay in
St. Louis was marked by a succession of injuries and a failure to meet the
expectations of a first-round draftee.

The 6-foot-4, 325-pound Penn State product was a part-time performer in his
first three seasons, getting just 14 starts in 37 games.

Last year, the Rams shifted Kennedy to nose tackle from under tackle, or the
"three-technique" spot, and named him a starter for the first time. It was a
move that defensive coordinator Jim Haslett believed suited Kennedy's skills.

"He's smart, he doesn't make a lot of mistakes, and he listens," Haslett said
then. "He's going to be a heck of a player."

But it didn't work out that way. Kennedy, 27, suffered a broken hand on the
second play of the season opener and, though he started all 16 games, was
unable to master a position he hadn't played previously. He finished with 55
tackles and one sack last year for career totals of 149 tackles and five sacks.

The Rams spent three of their eight draft selections in April on defensive
linemen, including first-rounder Adam Carriker. He played defensive end at
Nebraska but is expected to take over at nose tackle.

"With the addition of the young tackles, including Claude Wroten from a year
ago, I really think that we're closer to what we want to do," Linehan said.
"After a month of evaluating our young guys, we came to the conclusion that we
might be able to do a deal."

The trade also could indicate that the Rams are interested in resuming trade
talks with Carolina about veteran Kris Jenkins.

Kennedy was heading into the final season of his original five-year, $9 million
contract.

The Broncos have a whopping 17 defensive linemen on their roster, including
veteran Sam Adams, who signed as a free agent earlier this week.

Kennedy will vie for a spot in the tackle rotation with Adams, Gerard Warren,
Demetrin Veal and rookie Marcus Thomas.

Kennedy stressed that however things go for him in Denver, he'd remember fondly
his days with the Rams,

"I'm blessed that they gave me an opportunity to be a professional, and if I
had it to do over again, I would," he said. "But change is good sometimes, and
I'm looking forward to this change."

[THEFIELDGOAL]

Let's get this matter straight. Kennedy was a liability and not what he was intended to do for the Rams. Denver will find out the Kennedy effect. And they will learn that in 2008.
We are better off in the long run.

[blood85]

The guy was a major bust, at least we got something for him in return.

[marccat]

talk about major disappointment. I for one thought he had star quality...wish him the best but as we've seen so will Den..

[timsum1283]

I wish it was a 5th rounder but hey, they're better off without him

[MASSIVE]

"With the addition of the young tackles, including Claude Wroten from a year
ago, I really think that we're closer to what we want to do," Linehan said.
"After a month of evaluating our young guys, we came to the conclusion that we
might be able to do a deal."

If this is TRUE then it was a great move.

[laram0]

"With the addition of the young tackles, including Claude Wroten from a year
ago, I really think that we're closer to what we want to do," Linehan said.
"After a month of evaluating our young guys, we came to the conclusion that we
might be able to do a deal."

If this is TRUE then it was a great move.

That's a pretty big IF?

I just wish the Rams would have waited a bit longer to make this move. Maybe showcase a healthy Kennedy during the preseason? Might have helped improve the level of thedraft pick we are getting?

[r8rh8rmike]

Rams coach Scott Linehan acknowledged that the deal carries "a certain amount of risk." But he added: "I think our depth on the defensive line made it
possible to move in another direction.

I don't know, most of that depth is unproven. I hope Linehan is right on this because I'm still a bit uneasy about the true depth of the DL.

[PHAT-MONEY]

i was really going to ride the jimmy kennedy band wagon this year.. i guess now i will have to ride the adam carriker paddy wagon.

[Javaman]

Quote:
Rams coach Scott Linehan acknowledged that the deal carries "a certain amount of risk." But he added: "I think our depth on the defensive line made it
possible to move in another direction.


Hmm!! Maybe a 3-4?
Little, Carriker,Hall
Tinoisamoa,Witherspoon,Draft,Chillar

[mikhal5569]

Quote:
Rams coach Scott Linehan acknowledged that the deal carries "a certain amount of risk." But he added: "I think our depth on the defensive line made it
possible to move in another direction.


Hmm!! Maybe a 3-4?
Little, Carriker,Hall
Tinoisamoa,Witherspoon,Draft,Chillar

Hey maybe your on to something, that doesn't look like a bad line up for the 3-4 at all! Hopefully we'll see them give it a shot sometime in preseason, although I know it's kind of unlikely. :\

[Nick]

I just wish the Rams would have waited a bit longer to make this move. Maybe showcase a healthy Kennedy during the preseason? Might have helped improve the level of thedraft pick we are getting?

Taking Kennedy through camp and into the preseason reduces the amount of practice time that guys like Carriker, Jackson, and Ryan could get to hone their skills for this year. Furthermore, Kennedy likely would have had to sprout wings and take off into the air to take down ball carriers in order for a few appearances in the preseason to drastically alter his value. The guy really has not produced and hasn't been anything more than occasionally adequate with brief flashes of potential. Put yourself in Denver's shoes and objectively ask yourself what YOU'D be willing to give up for Jimmy Kennedy.

[HUbison]

Hmm!! Maybe a 3-4?
Little, Carriker,Hall
Tinoisamoa,Witherspoon,Draft,Chillar

hoo boy, I don't know about that one, Java. That's a front 7 manned by exactly 1 player with any 3-4 experience and that is the NT who played there on select downs in college. Not to mention, that would be the smallest 3-4 DL on the planet.

I know the 3-4 is exciting and all the rage these days, but we just don't have the personnel yet.

[RealRam]

As far as size is concerned, Carriker and Chillar are definitely not on the small pattern but I definitely agree with the rest of that 3-4 scheme: inexperienced as a unit and not big enough. Need bigger LBs for that.

I agree, HUb. We just don't have the personnel yet for an effective 3-4. With or without Kennedy in there, it most likely wouldn't work.

[Goldenfleece]

If we were going to go to a 3-4, Little would almost have to move to outside linebacker. He's really not that big for a defensive lineman. Glover or Wroten or maybe Adeyanju would have to play end opposite James Hall. Tinoisamoa and Witherspoon would probably have to play inside. There have been some smaller guys who have had success as interior linebackers in a 3-4. Donnie Edwards comes to mind who actually weighs less than either of them. My guess would be Raonall Smith as the final linebacker because the "buck end" position Haslett refers to sounds very similar to a 3-4 linebacker (sometimes lining up on the line of scrimmage, other times dropping into coverage), but I really don't know. None of our linebackers are really sack artists.

I wouldn't be surprised if Haslett tinkered with the idea of using a 3-4 set as a changeup, as he hinted he might in the off-season last year. However, I'd have to agree the talent is not there to make a full switch.