Kenneth Pettway

Strengths: Pettway is from the northeast Texas town of Gilmer and played at Division II Southern Arkansas (the Muleriders) for his first two years of college. He sat out the next season as he moved up to a higher level of competition at Grambling, where he played as an outside linebacker in 2003, then shifted to defensive end for his senior year.

He has the size to be a 3-4 outside linebacker and plays with enough strength and leverage to take on blockers and fulfill his contain responsibilities on the edge. Pettway can also penetrate and make plays in the backfield, as shown by his 13.5 sacks, 10 quarterback pressures, four deflected passes, and 30 tackles for loss in just 23 games at Grambling. Pettway blocked a pair of kicks for the Tigers so he has special teams potential as well.

Areas of Concern: Pettway does not have the quick first step of a top pass rusher. While he was productive at the I-AA level, he didn’t distinguish himself at the Las Vegas Classic all-star game so he may struggle against NFL competition. Probably due to his movement between schools and between positions, Pettway doesn’t always play sound technique and will need work in pass coverage.

2005 Expectations: Pettway will have a hard time earning a roster spot at outside linebacker as a rookie, although as last year’s sixth-rounder Charlie Anderson showed, it can be done. Kailee Wong’s move inside opens up a position, and if Pettway can make an impact on special teams in the preseason he has a shot. More likely, Pettway will be signed to the practice squad where he can work on the flaws in his game.

by Warren DeLuca

YEAR G TAK TFL SACK FF FR 2004 11 45 16.0 8.5 2 0 2003 12 70 14.0 5.0 1 0 2002 Redshirt-Transfer (S. Arkansas) 2001 8 27 7.0 4.0 0 0 2000 8 25 11.0 6.0 1 0 TOTALS 39 167 48.0 23.5 4 0 Kenneth Pettway Home

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