Kennedy speaks about Rams

[RamWraith]

Camp diary: Jimmy Kennedy
Aug. 8, 2007

By Lee Rasizer
For Sporting News


The Broncos' defensive tackle talks about his first training camp and first upcoming season with the team after coming over from St. Louis:

"It's camp, and the learning curve is big. I'm trying to forget that I was even a Ram, trying to learn these calls and do the best I can. And it's just about getting my swagger back and trying to improve, although I've got a long way to go. . . .

"Once you get used to being in a system and just hearing negative criticism all the time you tend to lose your edge. I'm confident. I know I can do it. But it's about having that swagger of knowing I'm wanted around here. That's rare.

"(In St. Louis) I didn't feel beaten down as much as I felt I wasn't maximizing the talent that I have. They didn't use me right. And because they didn't use me right, I ended up losing some things that I felt were needed and the Broncos are now giving me a chance to regain that. When I say swagger, it's more about rushing the passer, lining me up at d-end, lining me up at defensive tackle, letting me be a guy where I could use some power.

"Last year in St. Louis, I was just a straight nose guard. I lined up over the center and I was supposed to take double teams. That's it. I'd get in trouble for making too many plays. Now it's about how can I be in a powerful situation but get sacks as well as show my athleticism and keep the linebackers free. . . .

"(The trade) was definitely for the best. . . . and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to prove myself, not for the organization or the Rams or anyone else, but myself. I know what I can do. It's just about doing it. I've got to practice smarter, stay healthy and go out the best way I can."

[laram0]

D-end? Got in trouble for making to many plays?

Sour Grapes if you ask me.

[badmoforamfan]

I'm trying to forget that I was even a Ram, trying to learn these calls and do the best I can.

So are we.

But it's about having that swagger of knowing I'm wanted around here. That's rare.

Nobody likes me. Everybody hates me. I guess I'll go eat worms.

"Last year in St. Louis, I was just a straight nose guard. I lined up over the center and I was supposed to take double teams. That's it. I'd get in trouble for making too many plays.

Thats because you were trying to get the QB as the running back passed you on the way to the end zone.



(The trade) was definitely for the best. . . .

Agreed.

[ramsbruce]

Who? ? ? ?

[RamsFanSam]

Kennedy...isn't that a Massachusetts name?

[Nick]

"Last year in St. Louis, I was just a straight nose guard."

And what about the three years before that where you still underperformed and weren't a straight nose guard?

Guy's got nothing but excuses, glad to see that kind of attitude away from our new young linemen.

[ramsanddodgers]

"Last year in St. Louis, I was just a straight nose guard."

and I was only doing my job the best I could. I don't know why I was traded, but I have to keep telling myself it was for the best and I will be way more better under a system that is not as hard to understand what my job is.

[Goldenfleece]

You know, I really do understand what he's saying about swagger, but what is this "they didn't maximize my talent" rubbish? If he really had that much talent as a pass-rusher, he wouldn't have been riding the pine behind Damione Lewis for so long.

...knowing I'm wanted around here. That's rare.

Sometimes you have to ask yourself why that is so rare.

[TheBritishRam]

Once you get used to being in a system and just hearing negative criticism all the time

What did he expect to hear after four years of unproductive play? A declaration of our undying love for him?
Maybe he should have taken the hint and improved his game slightly, just my opinion though.

[Keenum]

Maybe his skills just didn't match up with what we wanted our defensive linemen to do. Heck, the Broncos may be able to match him up great, and he may turn into a solid starting defensive tackle after all.

[BIG-BLUE]

Maybe his skills just didn't match up with what we wanted our defensive linemen to do. Heck, the Broncos may be able to match him up great, and he may turn into a solid starting defensive tackle after all.

now thats funny!!!!

[Keenum]

now thats funny!!!!

lol. Common now, there is always a chance. They've seemd to have some luck with all the former Browns rejected D-linemen, so you never know.

[RedArcher7]

Got in trouble for making too many plays? Quick someone name one.

[Drew]

Got in trouble for making too many plays? Quick someone name one.

think he must be talking about the bull rush team mates to get to the buffet first play, apparently he excelled at that....

[RamDez]

another ex Ram talking cwap .................. yawn