Rookie linebacker Devon Kennard has been an ascending player even as the Giants have stumbled through this season, and on Wednesday he was recognized for his progress. Kennard was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his all-around performance in last week's 36-7 victory over the Titans. Kennard is the first Giants rookie to receive that award.
He didn't even know about the honor until after practice.
"A couple of people congratulated me, but I didn't really know why,'' Kennard said. "I thought they were just saying 'Good game' after practice. I was like 'Thank you.' ''
Kennard, a fifth-round draft pick from USC, did a little of everything and a lot of some things as the Giants ended their seven-game losing streak. He had two sacks — his second consecutive game with two sacks — and one of his hits put Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger out of the game with a shoulder injury that ended his season. Kennard also forced a fumble by Mettenberger that defensive tackle Markus Kuhn scooped up and returned 26 yards for a touchdown. Kennard also added six solo tackles.
"Kennard has played very well," coach Tom Coughlin said. "He has been a really outstanding player for us in the last few weeks. He has had a number of sacks, a number of hits on the quarterback and he has played well at the linebacker level, whether it is in coverage or whatever. He is a young man, for as long as you have been asking me, I have said that he loves to play. He is physical and he is one of those guys by just looking in his eyes [you know] that he wants to be on the field.''
The Giants were high on Kennard in training camp, where he displayed his versatility and his ready-for-the-NFL body. A strained hamstring slowed his progress, but he has started the past four games and has 32 tackles in those games. Now he has achieved something no other Giants rookie linebacker has — not even future Pro Bowlers Carl Banks or Jessie Armstead — since the award was first instituted in 1984.
"There's been some incredible linebackers to play for this organization so something like that, it's definitely special,'' Kennard said, "but I know I have a long way to go and a lot of things I want to improve and continue to develop in my game. Just taking it one day at a time and grateful for that accomplishment.''
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