NFC Notes: Cardinals, 49ers, Seahawks

Cardinals

Cardinals’ new LB Devon Kennard said it’s a surreal experience signing with Arizona given his father, Derek Kennard, played for the organization from 1986-1990. 

“It’s a little surreal,” Kennard said, via Mason Kearn of Sports Illustrated. “My dad spent a lot of time here playing for the Cardinals. That’s why my family ended up making this home and why we live here to this day. So, to be able to play for the same organization, I think that’s rare. That doesn’t happen a ton and to be able to do that in my hometown and everything is just something I’m truly grateful for. It’s a great opportunity and I really believe in the team that we have and what we can do this year.”

Kennard mentioned that his family is located in around Pheonix and that he usually traveled to the area during the offseason. 

“Being able to play in the place that I grew up in and I loved — and I haven’t been able to live here for a long time. I spent four and a half years of college (at USC) and then played in the NFL, going into my seventh year, so I come here for a couple of months in the offseason and that’s usually it. So, it’s already weird for my family that I’m still here, I’m still around and I’m not going anywhere.”

49ers

49ers scouts were impressed by DT Javon Kinlaw during the 2020 Senior Bowl and eventually went on to select him to replace DT DeForest Buckner, whom they previously traded to the Colts for the draft pick.

“It was kind of man among boys,” said 49ers director of college scouting Ethan Waugh, via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. “And it was one of those where it’s like, ‘Hey, after two practices, I think I’ve done everything I need to do. I think you guys have seen everything you need to see.'”

Seahawks

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes that a season with limited or zero fan attendance could hurt the home field advantage teams like the Seahawks have traditionally had. 
• Breer mentions the Seahawks as a potential landing spot for DE Everson Griffen.