Maake

Kemoeatu

Kemoeatu, now 33, was out of the league last season after being released prior to the start of training camp. He’ll have to prove that he’s finally over major Achilles and shoulder injuries to earn a spot as a reserve in Baltimore.

Kemoeatu was out of the league last season as he rehabbed from Achilles’ tendon and shoulder injuries. His weight ballooned to 415 pounds, but he’s now in the 330s and is battling with Terrence Cody for snaps. “Kemo is pushing for a starting job. He’s in great shape, and he’s playing extremely well,” coach John Harbaugh said.

Out of football last year due to weight and injury issues, Kemoeatu dropped nearly 80 pounds this offseason. Cody could reclaim the position once he fully recovers from a preseason hip injury. The Ravens run defense can do better than the 91 yards allowed to BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Including the playoffs, Kemoeatu started 17-of-20 games for the Super Bowl champion Ravens after weight and injury issues held him out for all of 2011. It’s a neat story on paper, but Kemoeatu graded out very poorly in Pro Football Focus’ ratings, and played just 439 regular-season snaps. Kemoeatu should draw little interest as a starter on the open market.

We’re taking a wait and see approach with Kemoeatu, who required a second surgery after the first was botched. If he does manage to recapture his old form, the Redskins can then move Albert Haynesworth out to defensive end.

It’s a major injury, and we remain skeptical about Kemo’s status for Week 1. He also conceded that he’s 15-20 pounds overweight, and wants to get down to a playing weight of 345 pounds. The Skins badly need Kemoeatu healthy, as he’s their best option to hold down the nose in their new 3-4 scheme.

This is an enormous blow to a defensive line extremely short on depth. For perspective, Kemo’s backup is undrafted FA Marlon Favorite. The Panthers took an obvious risk entering camp so thin on both lines, but there wasn’t much they could do because Julius Peppers swallowed up so much cap space. They may have a hard time just affording a street free agent tackle.

The chances of Kemo being remotely effective late in the year even if he’s kept on the roster are slim to none. Torn Achilles’ tendons can take two years to fully recover from, and often end careers. Don’t expect him to play in ’09.

Kemo wouldn’t rule out a return in December or January, but that’s almost certainly not happening. Carolina may still wait into the season to place him on injured reserve just in case a miracle of epic proportions happens.

Kemo had hoped to come back in late December, but Carolina was never going to hold a roster spot that long. Keep in mind how weak the Panthers’ run defense will likely be without their massive interior clogger. Kemoeatu is signed for next season, but will be 31, coming off a career-threatening injury, and is due a $9.3M option bonus in March 2010. He may be a cap casualty.