The Prospect: Shannon Kennedy

[cooljayhu]

here's to going undrafted, hooray!

[Loki]

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February 11th, 2006
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Well my NFL Draft page is up, check out the information....

Shannon Kennedy (QB)
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 190 lbs.
College: San Jose State
Conference: WAC
Hometown: Allentown, PA
High School: Allentown Central Catholic

Overview
Second-Place finisher in the Heisman Race his Sophmore Season, multiple NCAA rule infractions got him kicked off the San Jose State football program after an impressive 12-1 season by the team with him at the helm. During his short two-year tenure at SJSU, Shannon eclipsed or just missed many NCAA passing records and was a guaranteed lock to do so after his Junior year.

Had he played this past season, he may have been up for a 1st round pick despite his small stature but now, there are many questions regarding his play after a full year away from football.

Career Notes
Holds all SJSU passing records as well as the NCAA single-season passing records in yards, touchdowns, and interceptions thrown....Ran for almost 3,000 yards in his two seasons as a Spartan in their spread-style offense....Only Sophmore in SJSU history to be named a team captain....Also won the Maxwell and Best QB Awards in his Freshman and Sophmore seasons.

High School
Attended Allentown Central Catholic High School (Allentown, PA), starting three years on Varsity at the quarterback and safety positions. He was named one of the top athletes in Pennsylvania in his Senior year. Came in third place for Pennsylvania's "Mr. Football".

Analysis
Positives: Despite his small frame, he has impressive arm strength....runs with a strange stride for his size but is FAST in and out of the pocket that forces defenders to cheat up in case he takes off which leaves the field open for him....Easily eludes defenders in the pocket, stepping up, and hitting his targets most of the time....Plays with good intensity and doesn't let the smaller things effect his game....Though mostly played out of shotgun in college, he has the skills and quickness to set and throw from center....Great accuracy and awareness all around the field.

Negatives: His size is far from NFL standards and has always been a concern throughout his career....Lacks good weightlifting habits that would allow for him to gain some more prized sized in the weight department....Despite his good skills, he has a tendency to get passes knocked down at the line or picked off in coverage....Makes silly mistakes and forces turnovers when he doesn't need to....Struggles to maintain balance when rolling out that caused a lot of his passes to be intercepted....Missed an entire season due to NCAA rule infractions, could hinder his playing ability.

Compares To: Honestly, Shannon's game is unlike any other. Not that that's good or bad, but there is no one in the NFL that compares to him.

Injury Report: Did not miss a game during his collegiate career.

[SilverChaosVII]

This is great

[D-Mac]

Cant wait for next post keep it up man.

[Loki]

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February 23rd, 2006
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I knew the Combine would be a whole nother experience but I didn't realize how serious it was. Ashley and I got to the RCA Dome at 7 AM and we checked into the hotel across the street. I gave her a kiss, called up my brand new agent....Drew Rosenhaus!....and headed over to the stadium.

Once I stepped in and saw all the other players, the nerves really set in. For something that represented so little of what you might be able to do on the field, it was probably one of the most vital things for a guy like me trying to sneak my way into the draft.

They've been predicting me to probably go undrafted due to being off for a year and my whole dramatic past, those who pass me up are gonna regret it, just ask Tom Brady what that's like.

Anyway, at about 11 AM, workouts officially started. I was part of Group 3 of the quarterbacks and we started off with the vertical jump. Must admit I don't see the point in the workout for my position but I went ahead and did it anyway. 32 inches was my best jump which seemed to impress the scouts though like I said, it doesn't really matter.

After that workout, we headed over to the field to do some work with the wide receivers while other groups did their verts and other statistics off-field. I got to take a few throws, including a few buddies of mine that I met around the NCAA like the 6'5" beast Blake Short for UF. I did pretty well there as well, missed one or two receivers on overthrows; I'll admit I'm still a little rusty mechanics-wise.

Next up was bench press. Most of my group chose not to do this workout and if I'm not mistaken, most of the quarterbacks all together but I wanted to show off my strength so I went ahead and did it. Got 225 up 18 times, I'd say that's good for a scrawny little, 190 lb. QB wouldn't you?

I talked with a couple of the other quarterbacks in the class like Matt Leinart, Ingle Martin, and Bruce Gradkowski. Cool guys, would've been cool to have played against them. We tossed the ball around to stay loose as we waited to take part in the 3-cone drill. I gotta say this was my favorite workout at the combine. There's a lot of footwork and speed involved so I got the opportunity to show the scouts how quick I can move in and out of the pocket, as if they don't already know from my two seasons in San Jose State. . I scored the best time among the QB class as well as most of the running backs on the day. If that doesn't impress than hopefully my 40 will....

4.46....yep. I was a little disappointed because I thought I'd run better than that but I can't complain. How often do you see a quarterback run a 4.46 40? Hardly ever. But I did and I know that means a lot to some of the teams that may be looking to draft me. Just about every team had a scout watching me as I lined up at the goal line.

"Ready....Set....Go!"

I burst off the line and took it all in stride. Leinart told me afterwards that his jaw dropped to the floor when he saw how fast I was.

"I knew you were fast but I had no idea you were THAT fast," he said.

I just laughed. Yep. .

I choose against performing in the 20 and 60-yard shuttles, I don't think I had anything left to prove to be honest. Athleticism-wise anyway.

Now we wait. Drew told me he's gonna call around and see if he can get me some private workouts and stuff, see who's eye I can catch. And yes Drew Rosenhaus is my agent, it took a lot of convincing but he bought into it.

[Loki]

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February 26th, 2006
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Finished everything at the combine up today. Had a few team interviews with Baltimore, Minnesota, Oakland, Pittsburgh, and Washington. They all seemed pretty happy with me and maybe I'll get drafted by one of them, preferably all of them but Pittsburgh. I wanna play and that's kinda hard to do with the Super Bowl Champ QB Ben Roethlisberger holding up my spot. .

The Wonderlic Test was next and I gotta say I had fun with it. Some really strange questions I got but I guess I did alright, 30/38. That's something like a 80%. Word around combine was that Vince Young got a 9....ouch! I sure hope not, dude seemed like an intelligent kid to me but who knows?

Then I met up with Drew and we went into some training room with all the crazy machines. I thought I was in Men in Black or something with how eery this room felt. I was lost. They hooked me up and told me that this was the Cybex Test. Alright....I don't care, just do what you gotta do with these things and get me outta here, haha. I'm still al little lost on what it was doing but Drew told me not to worry about it.

Last but not least was my physical and then I was good to go. I'm excited man, I'm really headed to the NFL. I really just hope I get drafted, media's been asking me all week where I wanted to go and I told them, "To the NFL." Like is there anything else I should want? I'm not going in the first round I know that, heh, I'm probably not even going on the first day but I'm content with simply playing. I'll earn my spot as the starting quarterback as long as a team gives me a shot. That's what this game's about anyway isn't it?

BTW, here's a little Q&A thing from my draft page....
Growing up, who was your favorite NFL player and why?
Barry Sanders, skills and character.

In college, what player hit you the hardest? Who was the recipient of your best hit?
Darryl Tapp from Virginia Tech laid me out pretty bad in the bowl game but I got him back too later on in the game. We jabbed back and forth it was fun!

What TV-show marathon will keep you on the couch all day?
Saved by the Bell can waste my day away anytime.

What are the five most-played songs in your iPod? What's the one song you hope nobody ever finds out is in your iPod?
Eminem -- When I'm Gone, The Spill Canvas -- Lust A Prima Vista, Underoath -- I'm Content With Losing; James Blunt -- You're Beautiful....haha.

What celebrity would play you in the movie version of your life and why?
Channing Tatum.

What reality TV show would you like to be on and why?
I honestly can't stand reality TV but I think the Real World could be interesting.

What's your proudest moment in football? Proudest moment off the field?
Beating VT in the MPC Computers Bowl. Graduating despite all that adversity.

When you play Madden, what team do you use? Do you put yourself on the team?
G-Men, No.

Who has been the biggest influence on your football career and how?
My father. He was never easy on me with football but I always knew he was just trying to get me where I am now.

[Loki]

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April 29th, 2006
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"With the 1st choice in the 2006 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select Mario Williams, Defensive End, North Carolina State."

Haha alright I never expected to go first but I think it'd be nice to start this entry off that way. A lot of people were in shock, including myself and the Texans' fan in attendance, that they went ahead and blew Reggie Bush, probably one of the greatest college players of all-time, off for Mario Williams, who, I'll give credit is a great player on the field but....the Texans could've used the options they get with a guy like Bush.

I gathered a bunch of my friends and old teammates and invited them over to my parents' crib to chill and watch the draft with me. Ashley flew in this morning as well and I picked her up from Newark around 6 AM. I was so happy to see that gorgeous face of hers. To think how close marriage is with this girl is unbelievable.

We sat through Round 1, even played a little Madden because the draft got boring at one point. The Giants picked Mathias Kiwanuka from BC, gotta say that was a great pick. With Strahan set to retire at any point, Kiwanuka is going to be a big-time replacement, if you can ever replace Strahan and that big ol' mouth of his. My friend, Donnie Mullady who also played some college ball and entered himself into the draft, joined us at the start of the second round and soon after got a call from the Giants informing him that they were planning on drafting him at some point during the second day if he was still there. Lucky dude he is, I'd love to play for the Giants but I know Eli's the man there.

Hopefully for their sake, no one picked him up sooner.

"With the 64th choice in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select, Tavaris Jackson, quarterback, Alabama State."

Ouch. That was the last pick of the day. I'll admit I was a little hurt. Five quarterbacks were already drafted in front of my on the first day, how many more would happen on the second day? Will I even be drafted? I let my head fall back onto Ashley's lap as I sat on the floor against the couch. She pulled my hair back like she always does and gave me a kiss on the forehead. I smiled at her and she told me things would work out.

She was right. Whether I'm drafted or not, I'll get on that field. If I have to bust my behind for ten years in the CFL to get there, I'll do it.

Hopefully it doesn't come to that....haha....peaaaace!

[SilverChaosVII]

Come on! I want to know damnit!!!! WHERE IS HE GONNA PLAY!!! lol

[Loki]

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April 30th, 2006
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Six rounds had already passed and it was the middle of the seventh round by now. Donnie got drafted by the Giants like he was promised and was on the phone with Tiki talking about everything and getting congratulated. I seriously thought about passing out on the couch but remember hearing a story about someone who did that, missed their call, and didn't get drafted by the team they were gonna get drafted by so I passed on that one.

I went to get up and turn the TV off, I was that pissed, when suddenly my phone rang. I leaped over my boy Jimmy on the floor and snatched it out of my mom's hand, placing a kiss on her cheek before picking it up without even reading the caller ID.

"Hello?" Geez, how eager could I sound.

"Hello son? This is Jim Mora, the Head Coach of the Atlanta Falcons," said Mora on the other end.

"What can I do for you sir?" I replied. I felt like an idiot.

"I was wondering how you'd feel about joining the Atlanta Falcons with the 223rd pick," he said.

A smile the size of the Mississippi must've hit as soon as he said that because everyone started quietly going nuts. We said a couple more things to each other and soon enough I was off the phone.

"Who was it?" my mom asked but I just smiled and forced them all to watch on the TV. Ashley was literally punching me in the arm to get it out of me until James wailed her with a pillow.

"That's his throwing arm, he's gonna need that!"

I should mention before I move on, he's going to Penn State. Gonna start over that Anthony Morelli kid hopefully.

Finally whoever the NFL guy was walked up to the booth. By now, everyone in the building had stopped caring and the ESPN analysts hardly had any opinions on the matter.

"With the 223rd pick of the 2006 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select...."

I looked at Ashley and smirked.

"....Shannon Kennedy, Quarterback, San Jose State!"

Everyone in the crib went nuts but I wanted them to shut up. I wanted to see what Berman and the gang had to say about me.

"Wow....just, wow. This could potentially be something big don't you think TJ?" Berman asked.

"Well at one point he was looking like someone who could be great but now, what do we know about him?"

"Well he runs a 4.46 40 and is definitely faster on the field from what we saw at college. He's got hands too so who knows, we could see him at wide receiver and this is the Falcons. If he doesn't fit into that style of offense, he isn't going to fit into any offense," Mel Kiper replied.

"I'll tell you this, Vick is always at risk to get injured and this could step in and steal his job don't you think so?" Berman asked of the gang.

"No. No way. Not because he can't be great but because of what they have invested in Vick. Vick is going to be on this team for the next decade or so. This is something that could work out like it has for Schaub and the deal's he's expected to get coming his way after this season but no, Vick isn't going anywhere," said Chris Mortensen.

Now I turned off the TV.

"Don't listen to them baby," said Ashley as she came over and hugged me.

"Oh no, I'm not worried about it, they're probably right about the whole Vick thing, unless of course he's got some kind of deep, dark secrets but I will make my way in somehow. And I'm not playing receiver they can forget about that one!"

Atlanta....gotta say I've never been there. It's gonna be a whole new experience for me but I'm gonna have to make the best of it huh?



.

[SilverChaosVII]

HAHAHAHA

deep, dark secrets

HAHAHAHAHA

That a boy.

[Loki]

Here's where the rest of you fellas are at....
Chris Ball, FS - Arizona
J.J. Blitz-Ellis, QB - NY Jets
Brett Desmond, TE - Seattle
Jeremy Grayson, CB - Atlanta
Mike Mill, WR - Philadelphia
Donnie Mullady, HB - NY Giants
Jake Orr, WR - Tennessee
Brad Potter, QB - Miami
Blake Short, WR - San Diego
Matt Walker, HB - Cleveland
Steven Walters, FS - Tampa Bay
DeAndre Williams, HB - Minnesota
Ryan Womeldorf, OLB - Chicago

[Loki]

silverchaosvii said:

HAHAHAHA

deep, dark secrets

HAHAHAHAHA

That a boy.

MWAHAHAHA!

[SilverChaosVII]

I'm a receiver not running back

[Loki]

silverchaosvii said:

I'm a receiver not running back

My mistake, fixd'd.

[Leak2Troupe03]

loki1230 said:

I got to take a few throws, including a few buddies of mine that I met around the NCAA like the 6'5" beast Blake Short for UF.

Haha ;D This is great stuff man, I think the storyline and being in the NFL now will make this even more interesting, and loses the unrealistic stats. I wonder what you have in store as far as you earning the starting job in Atlanta?

[Loki]

leak2troupe03 said:

loki1230 said:

I got to take a few throws, including a few buddies of mine that I met around the NCAA like the 6'5" beast Blake Short for UF.

Haha ;D This is great stuff man, I think the storyline and being in the NFL now will make this even more interesting, and loses the unrealistic stats. I wonder what you have in store as far as you earning the starting job in Atlanta?

Haha Idk about everything else yet but you guys don't have to worry about the overblown passing statistics....ouch.

[Leak2Troupe03]

Your issue is going to be awards. It would probably be pointless for you to announce the real awards because as a scrambling quarterback your most likely to win atleast five MVPs. So for that I would just announce it as you winning if you feel you really deserved it. As far as passing, they won't be as crazy as in college, but your bound to get great passing numbers if this is next-gen Madden 08?

[Loki]

leak2troupe03 said:

Your issue is going to be awards. It would probably be pointless for you to announce the real awards because as a scrambling quarterback your most likely to win atleast five MVPs. So for that I would just announce it as you winning if you feel you really deserved it. As far as passing, they won't be as crazy as in college, but your bound to get great passing numbers if this is next-gen Madden 08?

Rookie year is in Madden 07 on PS2. I'll be honest I don't expect to play much, after that, depending on my financial situation, it'll be on 08 on PS2 or 360....looking like PS2. I'm gonna do my best to make this realistic, if I'm gonna be a beast I definitely won't let it be in my first few years.

[ChisAto]

lol I'm in Arizona. Can't wait for you to start your season.

[SilverChaosVII]

I'm happy to be a receiver on my favorite team

And Shannon... what ever happened to Chloe??? lol not that I care. She was a bitch anywho.