Former Petersburg lineman a hit in NFL

Petersburg, VA - Kendall Langford's presence is still being felt in Petersburg (Virginia). Langford, who currently plays defensive end for the Miami Dolphins, was honored at the annual Lachunda McGee Petersburg High School alumni football game Aug. 14 at Cameron Field.

"I'd like to thank Petersburg - the whole city and the school system," Langford said during a phone interview with The Progress-Index in July. "This is my city. Petersburg will always be my city."

And Langford, who graduated from Petersburg High School in 2004, is showing his gratitude. The former Crimson Wave and Hampton University standout has donated three Sorinex weightlifting machines and several lifting platforms, complete with standard and hexagonal grip bars, to the school. The Sorinex machines can be used for both bench and squat lifting. Langford also paid all shipping costs.

The 6-foot-6, 290-pound Langford started 14 games in 2009 for Miami, recording a career-high 43 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He has two solo tackles to his credit through two preseason games this season. But Langford's heart - and not his stats - are why he remains so beloved in Petersburg.

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Former Hampton Pirates' Langford gives back to PHS

Former Hampton University and third year Miami Dolphins defensive end Kendall Langford provides a helping hand to his home team, Petersburg High School, with the donation of "state of art" weight equipment for its student-athletes.

PETERSBURG, VA - Strength training and safety got a boost at Petersburg High School this summer, thanks to a generous alum.

Kendall Langford, a 2004 Petersburg graduate who now plays defensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins, visited his alma mater recently and toured the school's weight room.

Seeing a need, Langford purchased and shipped in three Sorinex bench and squat combination weight lifting machines and several lifting platforms, complete with standard as well as hexagonal grip bars designed for safer weight lifting. The Sorinex machines include additional exercise options and cross belts to prevent the dangerous scenario of a lifter being trapped beneath his weight bar.

"The new equipment will help PHS student-athletes enhance their mental, physical and psychological power," said Crimson Wave football coach Mike Scott. "Weights are important for building an athletic program that will compete against other perennial power-high school athletic organizations. "This is a good start for us. We greatly appreciate what Kendall Langford has done. This is one of a series of great events for the Petersburg City Public Schools. "

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TUESDAY: 2010 Michael Vick Football Camp Meet & Greet

Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick

For all Hampton Roads/Hampton University Pirates football and Michael Vick/Philadelphia Eagles fans, the 2010 Michael Vick Football Camp Meet and Greet will be held tomorrow, June 22, 2010 from 4-6 p.m., at the NASCAR Sports Grille in Hampton, Virginia. The 2010 Michael Vick Football Camp will be taking place on the campus of Hampton University from June 23-25. The three-times NFL Pro Bowler and Hampton University's football Coach Donavan Rose will conduct a question and answer session regarding the camp.

So far, two current NFL players with ties to Hampton University--Jacksonville Jaguars middle linebacker Justin Durant and Miami Dolphins defensive end, Kendall Langford are confirmed for the event. Plus Aaron Brooks (University of Virginia), retired NFL quarterback for the New Orleans Saints and Vick's second cousin will be there.

Michael Vick and Coach Donovan Rose are hosting the meet and greet and it will be broadcast on the Tony Mercurio (aka "The Blastman") show as he will be at the Sports Grille too. The Blastman program is on ESPN Radio 94.1 FM (Hampton Roads) between 3 and 7 weekday afternoons, and is where listeners turn for sports talk.

The event is free and open to the public. The NASCAR Sports Grille is located at 1996 Power Plant Parkway, Hampton, VA 23666, Telephone:757.224.5802. Stop by after work for some sports talk and fun.

Dolphins/Former HU Pirates Kendall Langford Unfiltered

Dolphins rookie DE Kendall Langford attempts to knock the snot out of Bills QB J.P. Losman in road game several weeks ago.

Kendall Langford has stood tall all season, anchoring one end of the Dolphins' front line. The Hampton University product, who has contributed 31 tackles, two sacks and three pass deflections this season has been one of the Dolphins' four rookie starters who have held their own this season. His steady play as a run stuffer has not only provided hope for the future, but the present looks pretty bright.

During this unfiltered Langford, the Dolphins' third-round pick, explains why he wouldn't do anything different with his football career if he had to do it all over again, he breaks down the other rookie contributors, and he talks about his team's storybook turnaround.

I'm disappointed to inform you that Langford did dodge my bar fight question, calling it a "trap." Considering he beat out Matt Roth for the starting spot during training camp it's hard to believe he's scared of the team's resident tough guy. But exactly how am I going to force a guy twice my size to answer a question. I tried, but much like this season, Langford held his ground.

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Langford signed, Favre-to-Miami rumors escalate

Photo: Former Hampton University All-American Kendall Langford inks multi-year contract with the Miami Dolphins. (Mark's Digital Photography)

Seven down, two to go for the Dolphins’ 2008 rookie class. While many teams are struggling to sign any of their draft picks, the Dolphins moved one step closer on Friday to having all of theirs under contract by the opening of training camp on July 26.

The Dolphins inked defensive end Kendall Langford, the team’s third-round pick, to a multi-year contract today, the team announced. The 6-foot-6, 287-pound Langford was the No. 66 pick in April’s draft out of Hampton University and is expected to fit the Dolphins’ 3-4 defensive scheme. With two weeks to go before players are expected to report, the Dolphins are hoping to sign their two second-round picks, defensive end Phillip Merling and quarterback Chad Henne.


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Hampton's Kendall Langford drafted by Miami Dolphins, 3rd Rd. #66

Photo: Hampton University's Kendall Langford, defensive end, was drafted in 3rd Round, #66 by the Miami Dolphins.

DAVIE — The Dolphins were busy trading partners today, trading down to tab defensive end Kendall Langford in the third round and trading up five picks to select offensive guard Shawn Murphy in the fourth round. The Dolphins swapped third-round picks with Detroit early Sunday, and used the 66th selection to draft Langford out of Hampton, a Division I-AA school.

Langford, 22, is the second defensive end drafted in the Dolphins' first four picks, joining Phillip Merling, the Dolphins' 32nd overall pick out of Clemson. The Dolphins also selected offensive tackle Jake Long first overall, and quarterback Chad Henne 57th.

Langford, a 6-foot-5, 294-pound defensive end from Petersburg, Va., compiled 23 1/2 sacks and nine forced fumbles in four years with the Pirates, and was named All-MEAC first team his final three seasons.

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HU's Langford an NFL mid-rounder

HAMPTON - — A Hampton University football player has been selected in 12 of the past 16 NFL Drafts. Barring the unexpected, defensive end Kendall Langford will add to the list. Pro Football Weekly personnel analyst Nolan Nawrocki wrote on Tuesday: "Hampton DE Kendall Langford may be available in the fourth (round), but his value could be too great for 3-4 fronts to make it that far into the draft."

Photo: NFL draft prospect Kendall Langford, #98, Hampton University.

Langford said on Thursday that he is hearing that he'll go in the fourth round or earlier. Langford, a 6-foot-6, 290-pound senior, started four seasons at Hampton and was selected to two All-American teams for his play in 2007.

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South team pulls out Under Armour Senior Bowl win

Photo: Hampton University All-American defensive end Kendall Langford played outstanding in the Senior Bowl game. The 6-6/294 Langford is from Petersburg, Virginia, Petersburg H.S.

Despite a Senior Bowl record punt of 69 yards by North Dakota State’s Mike Dragosavich, the South team prevailed. Lead by outstanding play by Tennessee State University cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Hampton University defensive end Kendall Langford the South scored in the waning seconds to win.

Florida wide receiver Andre Caldwell scored on an end-around run on a fourth-down play as time expired to help the South Team clinch a 17-16 win over the North Team in the 2008 Under Armour Senior Bowl.

It was a game that was filled with irony as play progressed at Ladd-Peebles Field in Mobile, Alabama under overcast skies and a temperature hovering around 50 degrees. Caldwell, a receiver, tied the game on a running play called by San Francisco offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who is well-known for his aggressive and potent passing offenses.

Under Armour, the game’s title sponsor, presented Penn State linebacker Dan Connor and Tennessee State cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie with the Under Armour New Prototype Award.

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Photo: Tennessee State University All-American Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was awarded the Under Armour New Prototype Award for his play at the Senior Bowl. The 6-2/185 defensive back is from Bradenton, Florida and majored in Psychology.

Highlights:

Hampton defensive end Kendall Langford yanked California running back Justin Forsett down just shy of the first-down marker, setting up the South's game-winning drive led by Ainge.

UD Joe Flacco sent a deep floating down the right sideline, but it hung up a bit and didn't get far enough to the outside to avoid an opportunistic interception by Tennessee State's Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Hampton University Langford brings excitement to Senior Bowl practice

Photo: Hampton defensive end Kendall Langford, 6-6/294 defensive end.

Senior Bowl Update, Mobile, AL:

The practice had a little extra excitement when a fight broke out between defensive lineman Kendall Langford, Hampton University, and 332-pound offensive lineman Heath Benedict of Newberry College. Action on the field stopped and their teammates watched, with no one stepping in to break it up. It didn't last long and both were wise enough not to take off their helmets.

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Photo: Heath Benedict, Newberry College/Tennessee, 6-6/335 OL.

This would be a rumble of major proportion--we'll take Langford in two rounds to drop the 335 pound tackle.

Gallery: ALL MEAC DE Kendall Langford, Hampton University Pirates

Photo Gallery: Kendall Langford, All-American/All-MEAC Defensive Player of the Year (preseason), #98, 6-6/294 DE, Sr. Petersburg, VA, Petersburg H.S.

What are they saying about this big guy....

• Hampton's top tackler, 39 in six games.
• Plays with passion of a "big cat" that will not be denied at 6-6/294 and runs with speed and power.
• Made 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks against rival Norfolk State in the Battle of the Bay game last week.
• Enough speed to run down running backs from behind.
• Consistent performer and leader of Hampton's defense; can beat double and triple team and impossible to stop one-on-one without illegal holding.
• NFL Pro scouts have discovered him and projects a possible 3rd or 4th round draft position.
• Solid student, outstanding player, excellent All-MEAC performer that is taking care of business in the classroom and on the football field.
  
  Definitely a division I level talent that selected Hampton University for academics first, and football. Kendall Langford may surprise all of us and get drafted higher by a smart NFL general manager. He is traveling the same path as last year's 3-Time All-MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, Jacksonville Jaguars ILB, Justin Durant (Hampton University), who was drafted #48, NFL second round pick.
  
  --beepbeep