With all due respect Coach, I think you're selling Kendrick a little short. I think he contributed more to the Lions last year than just "the catch." In fact, I thought he had several outstanding games in 2006 (who could forget his performance in Hamilton?). Is he in Tony's league? Not yet, but I thought he acquitted himself very nicely in his first season in the CFL.
Of course, I want Tony Simmons to come back this year (that one seems a no-brainer to me), but I sure hope we can find a way to hang onto Kendrick as well. He showed me great potential.
Kendrick played in 10 games, caught 21 passes for 308 yards....an average of about 2 catches per game and approximately 30 yards average receiving per game. Yes, he missed training camp, yes he has speed, and yes, he has potential.
However, watching Simmons blow past defenders like they had their feet stuck in cement and doing things that even Geroy can't do at times...can only make one be very impressed with his talent. Simmons/Jones is a GOOD problem to have but I still don't see them in the same league, talent wise, and that isn't selling Kendrick short..David...it's saying how good I believe Simmons is!
Simmons played in two games, caught eleven passes in those two games for 183 yards. He also showed how good he is after making a catch. While not a kickoff returner he also returned two kickoffs...the second one for 73 yards on the play that he got injured on. It's not even close between Simmons and Jones if Simmons could stay healthy.....and there is no reason why he can't! This thing likely comes down to money!
"When I went to Catholic high school in Philadelphia, we just had one coach for football and basketball. He took all of us who turned out and had us run through a forest. The ones who ran into the trees were on the football team". (George Raveling)