You can't keep Lions' Kitna down

You can't keep Lions' Kitna down
Quarterback has been sacked 114 times over past two seasons and can rattle off list of injuries.
Eric Lacy / The Detroit News
ALLEN PARK -- Sacked an NFL-high 114 times the past two seasons, Jon Kitna of the Lions admits he doesn't recover from pain like he used to.

"I try to go out and do the same workouts I've done my whole career, but my body has been saying, 'Slow down big fella,' " said Kitna, 35. "You have to be smart."

This week's mini-camp saw Kitna get some work in, but under a controlled setting that prohibited anyone from hitting the quarterback. The rest at this time of year is clearly needed to prepare for fall.
Ask Kitna about his ailments last season, and he'll rattle off a laundry list. It took Kitna more than three months to get full range of motion in his neck and to rid his body of an awkward numbing sensation on his right side.

He was hit in the left knee at least three times and had several other bumps and bruises that he considers just a routine part of the job. Kitna claims pain isn't an issue, just his ability to bounce back quickly.

Ailments that often went away by early February lingered on this offseason until about mid-April. That situation, however, doesn't mean anyone should express sympathy.

"Where I come from, if you stay down, you know someone is going to take your job," said Kitna, a Tacoma, Wash., native. "For me, staying down is never an option."

If Kitna is indeed showing signs of age, they aren't noticeable to offensive coordinator Jim Colletto and observant teammates like receiver Roy Williams.

In fact, Colletto might have hinted after Wednesday's practice Kitna could be given more freedom in Colletto's first season leading the offense. Or his comments might have referred to what the Lions believe will be an improved line.

"I think he's enjoying what he's doing," Colletto said of Kitna. "He gets to run around a lot back there (in the pocket) and isn't in the same spot all the time. It's kind of hard to figure out where he's going to get hit from now."

Besides some additional ice bags around the shoulders, Williams, who calls Kitna "about 67 years old," doesn't notice the Lions' team leader dealing with his health any differently from other seasons.

But Williams knows injuries affect even those with the highest thresholds of pain.

"It all takes its toll on you, getting hit on the blind side," Kitna said.

It's clearly a goal for the Lions to protect Kitna better.

If that effort goes awry, though, don't expect Kitna to complain or show signs of weakness. There appears to be too much pride, Williams said.

"When Jon gets hit, I think it's more of a mental thing for him," Williams said. "He gets back up. A lot of that mindset has to do with his kids. I know I wouldn't want my son to see me lying in the dirt."

It's well-documented faith has as much to do with Kitna's drive to succeed as anything. He also credits it for allowing him to start the Lions' last 32 games.

No matter what kind of twists and turns Kitna's career could take this season, he falls back to religion, family and friends as inspiration to push further.

"I've been blessed to take as many hits as I have taken and to not have any serious injuries," Kitna said. "I don't know why God has chosen for me to not get seriously injured, but he hasn't."