Doomsday101
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 107,762
- Reaction score
- 39,034
DALLAS -- Lincoln Kennedy is back, but not where many might think.
On Jan. 23, the former Washington All-American and 11-year NFL offensive lineman, signed with the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League.
Kennedy, who retired from the NFL after the 2003 season and turns 36 on Monday, was a three-time Pro Bowler who played in the 2003 Super Bowl with Oakland. A first-round pick of Atlanta in 1993, he was a member of the Huskies' 12-0 team in 1992 that won the national championship under Don James.
Since his retirement, Kennedy has worked for the NFL Network and Fox Sports Radio. But last summer, he said, he realized that something was missing.
"I woke up one day and had a burst of energy," he said Wednesday at Texas Stadium, where the Desperados are holding training camp. "I was covering the game from the media side and felt that I could still play. All I wanted was an opportunity."
He admits that being out of football for several years and his age mean that there are questions about his comeback.
"When you're down for a while, people doubt whether you can come back," Kennedy said. "After I had tried out for some NFL teams, I knew that I needed to be in a camp. I needed to get my sea legs back and also needed to get the game back in my head from a player's standpoint."
That is what ultimately led him to the AFL. Kennedy arrived in Dallas on Tuesday and was barely off the plane when he went through his first practice. He promptly suffered a broken finger on his right hand. He participated in another workout on Wednesday morning sporting a cast, which he will wear for the next several weeks.
Desperados coach Will McClay likes what he has seen of Kennedy, a San Diego native who lives in Phoenix.
There's still some rust, which he has to knock off," McClay said. "But he's willing to learn. He needs to learn about this game because it's a different one than he's used to. He recognizes that and is absorbing the teaching. ... He's also sharing his knowledge with the guys to make them better. That's definitely a benefit, too."
One of the big questions about Kennedy's comeback centered on what kind of physical condition he would be in. The Raiders listed him at 6 feet 6 and 335 pounds during his final season in 2003.
"He's in decent shape, but has to get in even better shape since he hasn't played in a while," McClay said. "Getting in treadmill shape and getting in football shape are two different things. But I know he will put the work in to get there."
"In football thinking, I'm not close to where I need to be," Kennedy aid. "I know the speed of the game and know the game in and out, but I need to knock off the rust. I have to get consistency and let the game dictate itself to me and let my body adjust to that. It will either come naturally or it won't come at all."
When asked about why he abruptly retired from the NFL in 2003, Kennedy offered a direct response: "I left the game because I was burned out, not because I was injured. I just needed a break because I had been doing it for so long. Once I got my energy back, I knew that I could do it again. All I needed was a shot."
After Wednesday's practice, Kennedy spent several minutes instructing teammate Devin Wyman on some of the finer points of line play, something he views as an important part of his role. But his primary reason for coming back is to win a championship.
"They were only a few plays away from winning a championship last year," he said. "Whether it's in the NFL or Arena Football, I want to be part of a championship team because you're only defined by how many rings you have.
"When I was doing media stuff, I would get introduced as a guy who played in a Super Bowl, but didn't win it. Nobody remembers who came in second. You want to be a champion. I want to walk off the field after it's said and done and be able to say that I've won.
"Prior to coming into the league, I had won a championship at every level."
Since the Desperados are owned by the Dallas Cowboys, should Kennedy do well, it would leave open the possibility of him getting a shot with America's Team. One of the biggest questions for the Cowboys in 2006 was their offensive line.
For now, Kennedy is focused on adjusting to the nuances of indoor football.
"I'm not used to this confined space," he said. "I'm used to coming up against some skinny guys that want to run around all day and I have to chase them. Here I have guys who can't afford to run around. So, they run through you."
LINCOLN KENNEDY
LAST PLAYED: 2003, his final season with the Raiders
RECENT JOB: Radio and television football analyst
NEW TEAM: The Dallas Desperados of the Arena League
WHY HE'S COMING BACK: "Whether it's in the NFL or Arena Football, I want to be part of a championship team. ... Nobody remembers who came in second."
On Jan. 23, the former Washington All-American and 11-year NFL offensive lineman, signed with the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League.
Kennedy, who retired from the NFL after the 2003 season and turns 36 on Monday, was a three-time Pro Bowler who played in the 2003 Super Bowl with Oakland. A first-round pick of Atlanta in 1993, he was a member of the Huskies' 12-0 team in 1992 that won the national championship under Don James.
Since his retirement, Kennedy has worked for the NFL Network and Fox Sports Radio. But last summer, he said, he realized that something was missing.
"I woke up one day and had a burst of energy," he said Wednesday at Texas Stadium, where the Desperados are holding training camp. "I was covering the game from the media side and felt that I could still play. All I wanted was an opportunity."
He admits that being out of football for several years and his age mean that there are questions about his comeback.
"When you're down for a while, people doubt whether you can come back," Kennedy said. "After I had tried out for some NFL teams, I knew that I needed to be in a camp. I needed to get my sea legs back and also needed to get the game back in my head from a player's standpoint."
That is what ultimately led him to the AFL. Kennedy arrived in Dallas on Tuesday and was barely off the plane when he went through his first practice. He promptly suffered a broken finger on his right hand. He participated in another workout on Wednesday morning sporting a cast, which he will wear for the next several weeks.
Desperados coach Will McClay likes what he has seen of Kennedy, a San Diego native who lives in Phoenix.
There's still some rust, which he has to knock off," McClay said. "But he's willing to learn. He needs to learn about this game because it's a different one than he's used to. He recognizes that and is absorbing the teaching. ... He's also sharing his knowledge with the guys to make them better. That's definitely a benefit, too."
One of the big questions about Kennedy's comeback centered on what kind of physical condition he would be in. The Raiders listed him at 6 feet 6 and 335 pounds during his final season in 2003.
"He's in decent shape, but has to get in even better shape since he hasn't played in a while," McClay said. "Getting in treadmill shape and getting in football shape are two different things. But I know he will put the work in to get there."
"In football thinking, I'm not close to where I need to be," Kennedy aid. "I know the speed of the game and know the game in and out, but I need to knock off the rust. I have to get consistency and let the game dictate itself to me and let my body adjust to that. It will either come naturally or it won't come at all."
When asked about why he abruptly retired from the NFL in 2003, Kennedy offered a direct response: "I left the game because I was burned out, not because I was injured. I just needed a break because I had been doing it for so long. Once I got my energy back, I knew that I could do it again. All I needed was a shot."
After Wednesday's practice, Kennedy spent several minutes instructing teammate Devin Wyman on some of the finer points of line play, something he views as an important part of his role. But his primary reason for coming back is to win a championship.
"They were only a few plays away from winning a championship last year," he said. "Whether it's in the NFL or Arena Football, I want to be part of a championship team because you're only defined by how many rings you have.
"When I was doing media stuff, I would get introduced as a guy who played in a Super Bowl, but didn't win it. Nobody remembers who came in second. You want to be a champion. I want to walk off the field after it's said and done and be able to say that I've won.
"Prior to coming into the league, I had won a championship at every level."
Since the Desperados are owned by the Dallas Cowboys, should Kennedy do well, it would leave open the possibility of him getting a shot with America's Team. One of the biggest questions for the Cowboys in 2006 was their offensive line.
For now, Kennedy is focused on adjusting to the nuances of indoor football.
"I'm not used to this confined space," he said. "I'm used to coming up against some skinny guys that want to run around all day and I have to chase them. Here I have guys who can't afford to run around. So, they run through you."
LINCOLN KENNEDY
LAST PLAYED: 2003, his final season with the Raiders
RECENT JOB: Radio and television football analyst
NEW TEAM: The Dallas Desperados of the Arena League
WHY HE'S COMING BACK: "Whether it's in the NFL or Arena Football, I want to be part of a championship team. ... Nobody remembers who came in second."