Brett Keisel Returning?

[Hollywood Bags]

This is far from good news.

 

[antdrewjosh]

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=pittsburgh-steelers&id=8380

PITTSBURGH -- Fans all but begged the Steelers to bring back Brett Keisel during the months when it looked like the popular and hirsute defensive end would not be able to end an unlikely NFL career on his own terms.

A lot of people got their wish Tuesday. Not the least of them was Keisel.

The deal that returns him to the only organization he has known will also allow Keisel to retire as a Steeler. "Da Beard" wanted that as much as he did another season of playing in the NFL.

The Arizona Cardinals' interest in Keisel prompted the Steelers to double back on him, even though they are generally getting younger on defense.


Keisel
That is not a knock against Cam Thomas, whom the Steelers signed to a two-year, $4 million contract in March. It is certainly not an indictment of second-round pick Stephon Tuitt, whom the Steelers love -- and who is the future at left defensive end.

But teams can usually find a place for players such as Keisel, and the Steelers are no exception. He is so valuable in the locker room and defensive linemen's meeting room because of his leadership.

And he showed this past season that he can still play when healthy. Keisel missed almost five games, but it’s not like his body was breaking down because he was in his 12th NFL season.

One injury, plantar fasciitis, sidelined Keisel for a mid- to late-season stretch. Even that painful foot injury did not stop Keisel from finishing third on the Steelers with 26 quarterback pressures and fourth on the team with four sacks.

He can still help the Steelers’ defense, even if he gets limited snaps while playing in a rotation. And his return won’t stunt the development of Tuitt.

On the contrary, Keisel is the perfect player to mentor the immensely talented Tuitt. He is a two-time captain who has been held as an example by Steelers defensive line coach John Mitchell because he always runs to the ball.

Always.

When he is giving pointers to Tuitt, Keisel can think back to when Aaron Smith mentored him -- Tuitt actually wears the No. 91 for which Smith set the standard -- and marvel at where the time went.

It has been almost 13 years since Keisel crashed the league that didn't want him and nearly called it a career before he ever got started. Keisel lasted until the 242nd pick of the 2002 NFL draft and almost left St. Vincent College a couple months later because the seventh-round selection felt so overwhelmed at his first training camp.

But he ended up staying, and he developed into one of the unlikeliest core players of the teams that won two Super Bowls and played in a third in a six-season span.

Just when it looked like the Steelers had moved on from Keisel, who celebrates his 36th birthday next month, they bring him back for another season.

Both sides will be better for it -- and Keisel gets to author the ending he wanted all along for his improbable story.

 

[Steelerfan]

The best part of this is that I get to wear my Keisel jersey another year.

 

[TDX27]

Diesel is not a pass rusher so I doubt they are bringing him back to play for Jones. Hopefully, he is just for depth and won't play very much.

 

[Drink IRON City]

The best part of this is that I get to wear my Keisel jersey another year.

JKeepers, Just cause a player isn't playing, doesn't mean yaz have to quit wearing the colors. I'm still wearing Jack's, bettis, lloyd, and several others sometimes, all at once lol



Salute the nation

 

[Steelerfan]

I hear ya, IC. I tend to only wear retired players' jersey's sparingly. Certain ones, like my Dawson authentic, only get worn on special occasions.

 

[SteelChip]

OK we resigned a very popular 36 year old DE, who did they dump to make room for him ?

Just saw this new article.................

http://www.Invalid Link - Check SN ...ster-depth-chart-defensive-line-brett-keisel/

 

[SteelerAl]

Roster moves are all related. You don't sign a vet like Keisel this late in the game unless you have an injury or on unexpected hole. There is no injury and as i explained, the DE situation is actually better right now than it was after the draft.

Tuitt and Thomas have performed as expected. They may have liked Nick Williams who has shown nothing but that is a was because Mauro has been much better than expected.

Backup NT was a question mark too and McCullers has shown enough to be the backup there. With the steelers taking the NT off the field in passing situations, if McLendon got injured, McCullers could probably start without calamitous results.

Heyward, McLendon, Tuitt, Thomas, McCullers, Mauro. If a DE gets hurt, Tuitt/Thomas is first off the bench as replacement. If 2 DE get hurt, McLendon can play DE and McCullers can play NT.

I don't think Keisel is a big depth need. They don't seem concerned with being that deep in the secondary.

You sign a guy like Keisel because you want him to play. When you ask why do they want him to play, the natural answer is that somebody they planned around is not up to snuff.

I think they are concerned about the pass rush.

Mauro and McCullers are just not ready to take significant snaps in a real game. The fact that they've showed some things in preseason games against 2nd and 3rd stringers is a nice bit of hope for the future, but thinking it's anything more than that is delusional (see Arnfelt, Brian). That means you've got 4 DL (pre-Keisel) that are truly worthy of NFL snaps...it's just not enough. Comparing the situation with CB makes no sense...you have to rotate defensive linemen in the course of a game whereas our top 3 CBs are set and that's all we need barring injuries...we'd all love to have more depth to protect against injuries at certain positions including CB but that is not the reality we're living in right now. Plus there is no CB on the street with Keisel's pedigree and knowledge of the defense.

Now answer this. You have 5 DBs on the field for passing situations. You are keeping Shazier and Timmons on the field. Tell me the best other 4 players to rush the passer.

This is what they will be doing tomorrow, against the Browns on Sept 7 and throughout the season for the nickel defense (4-2-5): the line will be Worilds, Tuitt, Heyward, and Jarvis Jones. The linebackers are Timmons and Shazier. The secondary is the same as usual plus you add in Gay as the 3rd CB.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

ok , isnt Cam Heyward playing RDE? SO,, now is he moving back left? Or kiesel is pure back up.

 

[Tibs]

My hope is they move full steam ahead with Heyward/Tuitt as the bookends. Thomas and Diesel are the safety net, to help solidify depth and - with Keisel - to add an invaluable veteran presence to the room.

 

[FordFairLane]

I just hope this doesn't mean they try to stash Mauro on the PS. I think there's room for Heyward, Keisel, Tuitt, Mauro and Cam Thomas because Thomas can play both DE and DT. Drop Landry Jones for Mauro and Jones can sit on the PS since he hasn't improved much since being drafted. Maybe going to PS will light a fire under his butt.

 

[FordFairLane]

Now answer this. You have 5 DBs on the field for passing situations. You are keeping Shazier and Timmons on the field. Tell me the best other 4 players to rush the passer.

For me I would move Heyward inside along McLendon to the DT spots. Then have Tuitt and Worilds at DE's.

 

[Max Power]

I just don't see where this said anything about how they feel the line is playing. I expected Brett to be brought back after training camp concluded and that's what happened. Brett has been in Pittsburgh all offseason. I have a feeling a handshake and a wink was given when he parted ways with them earlier this year.

No doubt in my mind. He was going to come back AFTER Latrobe days were done.

 

[SteelerAl]

For me I would move Heyward inside along McLendon to the DT spots. Then have Tuitt and Worilds at DE's.

First of all, McClendon does not play in the nickel, he comes off the field. So you're adding snaps for big Mac, sure you want to do that? Second, we need more speed and mobility on the outside. Tuitt is not going to drop and cover anyone. Also, it's a lot tougher to move guys around and give deceptive looks (like the so-called amoeba defense where only one defender - or none - is in a 3-point stance) when you add another fat guy to the defense. Lebeau prefers fewer fat guys in the nickel and dime defenses, not more. He wants the QB to be confused about who's coming and from where...much tougher wit 3 DLs on the field.

Face it guys, Jarvis Jones is going to play a lot this year. And if he doesn't get the job done, then Arthur Moats will get a chance.

 

[DeaconKnowledge]

This is bad news for Tuitt. Jim Wexell says that Keisel is expected to start, which means any Snaps Tuitt may have gotten would be reduced. Also, with Keisel back it's likely that Heyward will move back to the left.

 

[Hines57]

This is bad news for Tuitt. Jim Wexell says that Keisel is expected to start, which means any Snaps Tuitt may have gotten would be reduced. Also, it's likely that Heyward will move back to the left.

I don't think Tuitt was going to start anyways. Thomas was probably our LDE starter. Keisel should be used as a backup unless his play dictates that he starts. Tuitt is going to get his reps in though

 

[Atlsteelers]

Hmmm. This says that they are disappointed in somebody. My guess is Jarvis. They probably think they need another pass rusher.

What does Jarvis have anything to do with signing Keisel? They play 2 completely different positions. We didn't resign Keisel to put pressure on the QB.

 

[SteelerAl]

This is bad news for Tuitt. Jim Wexell says that Keisel is expected to start, which means any Snaps Tuitt may have gotten would be reduced. Also, with Keisel back it's likely that Heyward will move back to the left.

That's nonsense as far as I'm concerned. Being infatuated with who is starting vs. who is a backup is stupidity in this day and age. All 5 guys will get plenty of snaps. Offenses are running more plays than ever before...do you really think Keisel is going to play 65 snaps per game? Or be healthy for 16 weeks? All this is going to do is keep Tuitt from being completely worn out and up against the rookie wall in week 12.

 

[Steelers1356]

This is bad news for Tuitt. Jim Wexell says that Keisel is expected to start, which means any Snaps Tuitt may have gotten would be reduced. Also, with Keisel back it's likely that Heyward will move back to the left.

They already tried Heyward on the left side when Ziggy was struggling, Cam was not very effective there. Bad move if true.

 

[Atlsteelers]

That's nonsense as far as I'm concerned. Being infatuated with who is starting vs. who is a backup is stupidity in this day and age. All 5 guys will get plenty of snaps. Offenses are running more plays than ever before...do you really think Keisel is going to play 65 snaps per game? Or be healthy for 16 weeks? All this is going to do is keep Tuitt from being completely worn out and up against the rookie wall in week 12.

I agree. Why not have the kid learn for a year or two and really develop under Keisel. He will get playing time and definitely could contribute. This is just Wexell trying to make something out of nothing.

 

[SteelerAl]

P.S. The guy that needs playing time in the nickel / dime is Sharmarko...his ability to cover and sure-handed tackling would help immensely.

 

[DeaconKnowledge]

That's nonsense as far as I'm concerned. Being infatuated with who is starting vs. who is a backup is stupidity in this day and age. All 5 guys will get plenty of snaps. Offenses are running more plays than ever before...do you really think Keisel is going to play 65 snaps per game? Or be healthy for 16 weeks? All this is going to do is keep Tuitt from being completely worn out and up against the rookie wall in week 12.

While I agree that Tuitt will get snaps, how many is he going to going to get with Keisel on the field? As the past few seasons have taught us with a few players (namely Heyward and Worilds) players only make significant strides with snaps under their belt.

I'm not worried about Tuitt getting snaps because I know it will happen. What i'm worried about is Tuitt's snap count being marginalized to mop up duty over a 36 year old player who probably won't even be here next year.

P.S. The guy that needs playing time in the nickel / dime is Sharmarko...his ability to cover and sure-handed tackling would help immensely.

Doubt it will happen as long as Troy's healthy or we get injured along the secondary.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I just don't see where this said anything about how they feel the line is playing. I expected Brett to be brought back after training camp concluded and that's what happened. Brett has been in Pittsburgh all offseason. I have a feeling a handshake and a wink was given when he parted ways with them earlier this year.

Exactly. My Dad is friends with some folks who worked for the Steelers back in the day and they told him that Chuck Noll would do that with some of the veterans. Those guys that were holding out back in the days before free agency and magically agree to a contract before the last preseason game? They weren't really holding out.

 

[CorpusDsteelers]

I think that this was the plan all along. waiting/resting him. seeing what the guys can do without him. Bringing him back brings many things that can't be measured in terms of numbers. We lose Nothing bringing him back only gain exp. there was no doubt in my mind figured it would happen later than sooner. Only question I had was will he come in his buddy's tractor or not?

Here's the linky

www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000380113/article/report-brett-keisel-returning-to-pittsburgh-steelers

 

[Litos]

Doubt it will happen as long as Troy's healthy or we get injured along the secondary.

Heavy nickel, 3 safeties on the field, after all shamarko can run with the best of them