Varsity Insider

Despite the remarkable lack of media coverage and TV promotion (yeah, right), you may have noticed the Super Bowl is Sunday. Two of my colleagues had stories today on local products Devin McCourty (Brian Heyman) and Jimmy Kennedy (Mike Dougherty, who is in Indianapolis for the game).

MCCOURTY. Devin McCourty is interesting. Last season, he was one of the top rookies in the NFL. He made the Pro Bowl and more impressively was named an All-Pro. But, as it often does in football, the momentum of his career turned quickly. McCourty, a corner, was part of the Pats woeful pass defense that ranked 31st in the league during the regular season.

As he often does, Bill Belichick found a creative solution. Not only has he moved wideout Julian Edelman to defense as a slot corner, he’s shifted McCourty to safety on passing downs. The New England pass defense has actually been good in the playoffs, although Tim Tebow and Joe Flacco probably had something to do with that.

Anyway, Brian Heyman caught up with Devin recently for a story that ran in today’s paper. Hear what he had to say about what’s been a rocky season and about playing in his first Super Bowl.

KENNEDY. It hasn’t always been a picnic for Jimmy Kennedy either. The Roosevelt grad played good football earlier this season as part of the Giants’ rotation at defensive tackle, but he was soon suspended by the NFL for using a banned substance. He has not been active since and it would require a couple freak injuries for Kennedy to dress on Sunday.

Kennedy has never really explained what happened or why he tested positive. He said it was not for steroids but has not really elaborated further. The lack of playing time has been disappointing for Kennedy, who, regardless, has devoted his energies to working hard at practice and preparing his teammates for each game.

Mike Dougherty talked to Kennedy (and former coach Tony DeMatteo) this week for a story that ran in today’s paper. The defensive tackle remains focused on the present, but clearly has an eye on the future as well.

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