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more Kendall info from teammates


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FYI:

Former mates have nothing but praise for Kendall

BY TOM ROCK | tom.rock@newsday.com

9:34 PM EDT, August 23, 2007

In the preseason game against the Falcons earlier this month, quarterback Kellen Clemens was about to take a snap when he heard a gruff voice: "It ain't gonna work, get out of it!"

It was guard Pete Kendall, who recognized a glitch in the Jets' plans as they matched up against the defense. He was able to orchestrate a change at the line of scrimmage, and the play wound up a touchdown pass to Sean Ryan.

The Jets will not miss the rants Kendall issued almost daily during training camp. But they will miss the value he provided in times such as that nearly-doomed preseason snap, as well as the knowledge he imparted to his fellow linemen.

Glauber's NFL Blog

In Kendall's stead the Jets will attempt to use rookie sixth-round draft choice Jacob Bender, a product of .Division I-AA Nicholls State who played primarily tackle in college and early in training camp, and Adrien Clarke, a free agent who has started just four games in his career, all for the Eagles in 2005. Coach Eric Mangini said Wade Smith could also be considered a candidate for the left guard job, and he held open the idea of bringing someone else in either through trade or as rosters are trimmed in the coming week. "The roster is fluid," Mangini said.

Kendall left a legacy on the offensive linemen who remain here.

"He came to this team when I was just becoming a starter and I took a lot from him," said starting right guard Brandon Moore, now the elder statesman of the line. "Just watching him go about his business and being a pro and learning how to approach every week, that's what I'll take from Pete."

"One of the greatest things about Pete is that he is a teacher and he helped with a whole bunch of guys," said center Nick Mangold, one of Kendall's star students as a rookie last year. "It'll be tough not having that kind of teacher around."

Even Bender, who appears to be Kendall's successor and will likely start on Saturday against the Giants, said he learned from Kendall.

"I would come to the sideline and Pete would say 'You took this step wrong' or 'You did this'," Bender said. "I was thankful to spend some time with Pete. Pete helped me a lot in transitioning to guard and I'm still learning."

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Copyright © 2007, Newsday Inc.

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Good find but not surprising. O-Lineman are generally the smartest players on the field. I thought I read about a comparison to QB's in decision making. How they have as many decisions to make as a QB; and then some. Every time someone like Peyton audibles it puts stress on the O-Line to survey the defense, figure out what they're hiding and then recalculate their scheme.

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Kendall's definitely a quality guy. It seems that we're accumulating more and more of these top character guys on the roster - Kendall, Beasley, Fletcher, Godfrey. Even Smoot was a good locker room presence his first go-around here. That has to be good for team chemistry, one ingredient that may have been lacking in past seasons.

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This will be awesome. He's going to be able to help train the Line, and the QB on what to look for... :cheers: Can't wait to see him play..

We have a veteran line with great leadershp, I'm not sure how he'll be able to help train it unless you're talking about the reserves. His knowledge of the game should make his gelling process with his new linemates an easier one.

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We have a veteran line with great leadershp, I'm not sure how he'll be able to help train it unless you're talking about the reserves. His knowledge of the game should make his gelling process with his new linemates an easier one.

yes the reserves ;) Not to mention...even veterens can learn something from another veteran that may have a different perspective ;)

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Going from the "WadeProject" to an inexperienced Mike Pucillo definitly had me worried considering how dominant our line was last year and in '05. I feel a TON of relief that we have done something to get a vet in there. Granted its about 2 weeks til opening day, i think he will have things down pat with the system/scheme of Al Saunders.

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Good to see we have some veteran leadership on the line. That's one important thing to have if you want your quarterback to strive is a great offensive line.

And it is "better" to have veteran o-line if you are playing a young QB

You think if Samuels and Kendall are in the game that they let JC call the play as is and not check out and allow Vincent Fuller of the Titans to come in wide open to force a fumble?

Probably not. More so then anything this will help Jason Campbell. If he misses a blitz pickup or read in his pre-snap looks, the veterans on this o-line SHOULD be able to recognize it and still make the right blocks. As JC matures and gains more expierence, he will recognize different looks quicker, but for now having the veteran o-line will make JC's job much easier

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Being a lineman is as much about mental prowess as it is physical. Kendall has all the tools, and will be a solid player for us. In his interview he mentioned that learning the playbook (even one as large as Al Saunder's) isn't too tough, its learning the communications and nuances of the other linemen. I beleive Kendall will pick these up quickly enough.

I am one to advocate hoarding our draft picks... but even I am releived at this trade. Solid pickup for a fairly low asking price. Not bad FO.

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Always good to see an o-lineman that has some brains. Understanding what you see at the LOS is critical at the interior line spot

Who knows, he may help Rabach become an even better center now, and I doubt you will see many missed assignments on the left side of the line

That's right. And thats exactly what we need. Both CP and Betts have good vision, if a guy doesn't come free - they will have time to make that first cut.... they will make at least 4-5 yards per carry.

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Our O-line definitely looks better on paper.

:cheers: Here's to the O-line looking better on Sundays....and some Mondays and Thursdays.

HAIL

Note to Bugel: Move Wade to LT and let him learn his natural position on that side of the line, then we'll have good OT depth.

Another note to Bugel: Please don't ever try any 'project' like that again....please.

:logo: HAIL :logo:

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He seemed well spoken and pragmatic when he was talking about how he would try to fit in with the rest of the O-Line. Check it out on Redskins.com I liked how he said that in terms of the "X's" and "O's", he shouldn't have much of a problem learning his assignments, but he then emphasized how important it would be to learn how to relate and communicate with his teammates. He knows what time it is.

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