Just over one year after he was originally scheduled to make his NFL debut, linebacker Sergio Kindle finally got on the field Thursday night in the Ravens’ 13-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
And while is still remains to be seen what his performance means as to how much he contributes this season, the fact that Kindle made it through the game unscathed was a positive step.
“Of course, I felt like I could have done better, but overall, it was a nice outing,” said a smiling Kindle in the locker room at Lincoln Financial Field. “Anxiety and all that stuff wasn’t there, being nervous wasn’t there because the hits that my own teammates give me, I can take that.”
Kindle tallied only two tackles, but the way in which he engaged in contact and flew around the field was good to see.
Last summer, Kindle didn’t even make it to training camp because of a head injury he suffered falling down two flights of stairs in July.
So, now Kindle is attempting to start his rookie season a second time.
“It was good to get back on the green grass live,” said Kindle. “That’s what I’ve been waiting a whole year and some change for.”
Head Coach John Harbaugh has said that anything Kindle can give in 2011 would be a bonus, and the Ravens could use the pass-rush ability he showed at the University of Texas to complement sack leader Terrell Suggs.
Kindle almost got a sack of his own when he chased down Eagles quarterback Vince Young, but Young slipped out of his grasp.
“The running back came in out of nowhere and picked me up. I was a hair away. I told him that after the game too,” Kindle said. “My emotions would have been through the roof if I had gotten that sack, but besides that, it was great.”
Did Kindle take a bad angle or show poor tackling?
“Or… it’s Vince Young being real elusive,” Kindle said with a smile. “But, I feel with more time I’m actually on the playing field, things will happen in my favor.”
After the game, Harbaugh was measured in his praise for the former second-round draft pick.
“If you’re looking for spectacular, I don’t think it was spectacular. He did a good job and played hard,” said Harbaugh. “We’ll look at the tape and see what the details are.”
