From modest goals to NFL stardom for Patrick Kerney

<p>Patrick Kerney had rather modest expectations when he went off to college.</p><p>"I wanted to be the backup defensive end by my redshirt junior year," Kerney said, unable to stifle a grin.</p><p>He did a lot better than that, playing well enough at Virginia to be a first-round NFL pick. Now, in his sixth season with the Atlanta Falcons, the defensive end is poised for stardom.</p><p>More comfortable in a new 4-3 scheme, Kerney leads the league with seven sacks _ more than he had all of last season. He was named the NFC defensive player of the month for September. He's a major reason the Falcons (4-0) have matched the best start in franchise history.</p><p>And he probably does his best work when it's not Sunday.</p><p>"I keep a tape of Jerry Rice's last practice with the 49ers so I can always go back and see his work ethic," said Falcons coach Jim Mora, a former San Francisco assistant. "Now, I think I'll keep a tape of Pat Kerney at practice. He has the same approach. He just goes and goes and goes and goes. He's relentless."</p><p>Kerney actually went to Virginia on a lacrosse scholarship. As a freshman, he played defense on the team that advanced to the NCAA championship game, losing to Princeton 13-12 in overtime.</p><p>Kerney played football in the fall, walking on at first but quickly realizing where his focus should be. After all, the NFL paid a lot better than professional lacrosse.</p><p>Weighing only 230 pounds, Kerney managed to hold his own with all the better-known players on scholarship.</p><p>"I expected the other freshman defensive ends to show up weighing 275 pounds, running a 4.5 40, bench-pressing all this weight," he recalled. "But I was right on the level with all the big recruits. In the scrimmages, I made some plays and managed to get a sack or two. The coaches began to notice me."</p><p>The only struggle for Kerney was keeping on the pounds. He never weighed more than 253 at Virginia, held back by a ferocious work ethic and high metabolism that can be traced to his family.</p><p>His parents, John and Janet Kerney, were always on the go at the family's small farm near Philadelphia.</p><p>"My dad was always a busybody," Patrick said. "He would spend all his free time working in the yard. All he wanted to do when he got home from work was work."</p><p>Same with mom.</p><p>"You would think she's got 30 hours in a day," Kerney marveled. "She holds down a job, takes care of grandkids, donates her time to charities, makes time to do favors for me."</p><p>Growing up, Kerney often held down two jobs, influenced by four older sisters who already were making their way in the world. At one point, he worked days at a T-shirt shop, nights as a bus boy and wouldn't get home until 3 o'clock in the morning.</p><p>"I was making some jack," he said. "I made 1,500 bucks one summer. I thought I was rolling."</p><p>Kerney doesn't have to work two jobs anymore. He's good enough at the one he has.</p><p>Teammates marvel at his combination of speed and strength, which was put to better use when the Falcons shifted back to a 4-3 defense. Kerney was part of a three-man front last year, often facing double-teams from players who outweighed him by 50 or 60 pounds.</p><p>Now, he's lining up further outside, giving him a chance to beat bigger players with his speed. If Kerney gets double-teamed, the extra man is usually a smaller tight end.</p><p>Defensive tackle Rod Coleman points to Kerney's technique. He is able to get lower than most defensive linemen, giving him better leverage to take on a blocker.</p><p>"He can really get under the pads and beat the mess out of those tight ends and tackles," Coleman said. "He's a tall guy (6-foot-5), but he's really got good pad level. He can get way lower than me."</p><p>Kerney tried to bulk up in the 3-4, but felt like it took away his quickness and cutting ability. He's back playing at around 270 pounds, though it takes four meals a day and plenty of snacks to maintain his weight.</p><p>Kerney is still driven by the memory of his older brother, Thomas, a South Carolina policeman who was killed 15 years ago when his patrol car hit a patch of ice and swerved off the road en route to a call.</p><p>Since his big brother served in the Army, Kerney remembers him before every game when the national anthem is played.</p><p>"I certainly keep him in my mind," Kerney said. "He's been there for every game I've played."</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/10/159183