Saturday, August 27, 2005
The Curse of Pete Kendall
As you may recall, Pete Kendall our pro-bowl caliber lineman / center from the previous years was cut last year on the eve of training camp. Green cut Kendall because Kendall was one of two players who complained about too much hitting during the OTA's. Green sent Kendall a message and cut him as he was ready to load his car for training camp.
Coach Green then started 4th round Alex Stepanovich - rookie - in his place. He had a big learning curve, but eventually became solid as he played every snap last year. Well this year he breaks his hand. Then his back-up, Nick Lecky, also drafted last year sprains an ankle. In comes Conaty, a 5 year vet but mostly a back-up, recently with the Bills. He is named the starter, but manages to get hurt in practice. Now for the Raiders game, they start Adam Haayer (who?). Adam has never played center before in the NFL, but there he is, snapping balls.
Reggie Wells our starting left guard has been practicing at center as well. The latest scuttle is that Stepanovich might play guard with a cast on and make all the line calls, then Wells will snap the ball. Weird, but maybe it will work. In the mean time - this truely is the curse of Pete Kendall.
Coach Green then started 4th round Alex Stepanovich - rookie - in his place. He had a big learning curve, but eventually became solid as he played every snap last year. Well this year he breaks his hand. Then his back-up, Nick Lecky, also drafted last year sprains an ankle. In comes Conaty, a 5 year vet but mostly a back-up, recently with the Bills. He is named the starter, but manages to get hurt in practice. Now for the Raiders game, they start Adam Haayer (who?). Adam has never played center before in the NFL, but there he is, snapping balls.
Reggie Wells our starting left guard has been practicing at center as well. The latest scuttle is that Stepanovich might play guard with a cast on and make all the line calls, then Wells will snap the ball. Weird, but maybe it will work. In the mean time - this truely is the curse of Pete Kendall.
