The Detroit Lions released safety Kenoy Kennedy on Friday, adding him to the growing list of players that have left the team this offseason.
Kennedy (6-1, 218) signed with the Lions as an unrestricted free agent in 2005 and spent the last three seasons with the club. Over his eight years in the league, the strong safety has played in 115 games (99 starts) and has recorded 626 tackles (456 solo), 6.0 sacks (42 yards), 10 interceptions (153 yards), 46 pass defenses, five fumble recoveries, six forced fumbles and 32 special teams tackles. In 2007, Kennedy played in 16 games (15 starts) as he finished the year with 91 tackles (61 solo), two interceptions, six passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Kennedy garnered a career-high 127 tackles (84 solo) in 2005, his first year in Detroit, as he led the team in tackles. Kennedy tied a career-high in interceptions (2) in all three seasons with the Lions.
Prior to his arrival in Detroit, Kennedy spent the first five years of his NFL career in Denver after being selected by the Broncos in the second round (45th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft out of Arkansas.
Kennedy's status with the team became a question mark when the Lions signed safety Dwight Smith last month. With the addition most recently of Kalvin Pearson, Kennedy's services were no longer needed as there was sufficient depth at the safety position. Kennedy became the odd man out and now will have to find a new team.