BlitzburghRockCity
08-21-2007, 08:54 AM
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_523204.html
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
He didn't leave FedEx Stadium with an armed escort or wearing an elaborate disguise.
Brett Keisel did become decidedly less popular in Washington than Beltway traffic after he knocked Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell out of last Saturday night's game with a bruised knee.
That play, of which Keisel said Monday was legal even though he got penalized for roughing the passer, blew the defensive end's cover.
Keisel had hovered below the radar to some degree before that hit on Campbell.
For all of the talk during the offseason about how the Steelers would move Keisel around to take advantage of his unique blend of size and athleticism, he has stayed mostly at right defensive end during the team's first three preseason games.
Of course, as Keisel pointed out late last week, it is only August.
That means the Steelers' regular-season opponents, and particularly their division foes, haven't seen anything yet.
"The defense we run in the preseason is pretty vanilla," Keisel said, adding that the Steelers hold back 80 percent of what they plan to do on defense during the preseason. "We try to save our secrets for when it really counts."
It is no secret that the Steelers want to use Keisel in a similar way that the Ravens employed Adalius Thomas last season.
Thomas was technically a linebacker, but he lined up everywhere from the defensive line to the secondary. His versatility helped make the Ravens one of the top defenses in the NFL in 2006, and it made Thomas one of the more coveted free agents after the season (he signed with the Patriots).
Keisel made a smooth transition from special teams player and reserve to starter in 2006, and he and the Steelers are eager for him to do even more this season.
The 6-foot-5, 285-pounder said he is as comfortable dropping back into coverage as he is rushing the quarterback because of his background in basketball and from playing middle linebacker in high school.
Aaron Smith, who starts opposite Keisel on the defensive line, said the Brigham Young product is "hands down" the best athlete on the team.
"You get a big guy that's as athletic as he is, it's rare," said Smith, adding that Keisel looks fluid and natural when he drops back into coverage. "That's where you can really tell the difference with the big guys; they get in a little space and they look uncomfortable. He looks like a linebacker when we're out there."
Keisel appeared to have a linebacker mentality when he lunged at Campbell while trying to sack him in the Steelers' 12-10 win over the Redskins.
Keisel, who didn't practice Monday because of a minor groin problem, said he watched the film of the hit and that it showed it wasn't a dirty play.
When asked if he thinks he'll get fined for it, Keisel said, "I don't expect to, but it wouldn't surprise me if it did."
It shouldn't come as any surprise where Keisel lines up this season, especially since he has embraced the role of playing all over the field.
"I want to be a great player in this league," said Keisel, who turns 29 next month. "I honestly feel like my career defensively is just starting, and I'm excited about that."
Everybody knows the hit was unintenional, I don't think the skins fan think it was done out of spite either. Keisel is going to be a monster for us this year, we've only scratched the surface of what he is going to be able to do for us.
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
He didn't leave FedEx Stadium with an armed escort or wearing an elaborate disguise.
Brett Keisel did become decidedly less popular in Washington than Beltway traffic after he knocked Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell out of last Saturday night's game with a bruised knee.
That play, of which Keisel said Monday was legal even though he got penalized for roughing the passer, blew the defensive end's cover.
Keisel had hovered below the radar to some degree before that hit on Campbell.
For all of the talk during the offseason about how the Steelers would move Keisel around to take advantage of his unique blend of size and athleticism, he has stayed mostly at right defensive end during the team's first three preseason games.
Of course, as Keisel pointed out late last week, it is only August.
That means the Steelers' regular-season opponents, and particularly their division foes, haven't seen anything yet.
"The defense we run in the preseason is pretty vanilla," Keisel said, adding that the Steelers hold back 80 percent of what they plan to do on defense during the preseason. "We try to save our secrets for when it really counts."
It is no secret that the Steelers want to use Keisel in a similar way that the Ravens employed Adalius Thomas last season.
Thomas was technically a linebacker, but he lined up everywhere from the defensive line to the secondary. His versatility helped make the Ravens one of the top defenses in the NFL in 2006, and it made Thomas one of the more coveted free agents after the season (he signed with the Patriots).
Keisel made a smooth transition from special teams player and reserve to starter in 2006, and he and the Steelers are eager for him to do even more this season.
The 6-foot-5, 285-pounder said he is as comfortable dropping back into coverage as he is rushing the quarterback because of his background in basketball and from playing middle linebacker in high school.
Aaron Smith, who starts opposite Keisel on the defensive line, said the Brigham Young product is "hands down" the best athlete on the team.
"You get a big guy that's as athletic as he is, it's rare," said Smith, adding that Keisel looks fluid and natural when he drops back into coverage. "That's where you can really tell the difference with the big guys; they get in a little space and they look uncomfortable. He looks like a linebacker when we're out there."
Keisel appeared to have a linebacker mentality when he lunged at Campbell while trying to sack him in the Steelers' 12-10 win over the Redskins.
Keisel, who didn't practice Monday because of a minor groin problem, said he watched the film of the hit and that it showed it wasn't a dirty play.
When asked if he thinks he'll get fined for it, Keisel said, "I don't expect to, but it wouldn't surprise me if it did."
It shouldn't come as any surprise where Keisel lines up this season, especially since he has embraced the role of playing all over the field.
"I want to be a great player in this league," said Keisel, who turns 29 next month. "I honestly feel like my career defensively is just starting, and I'm excited about that."
Everybody knows the hit was unintenional, I don't think the skins fan think it was done out of spite either. Keisel is going to be a monster for us this year, we've only scratched the surface of what he is going to be able to do for us.