Bookend Starting White DEs

[Don Wassall]

The Steelers signed Brett Keisel to a four year contract today. He had been a free agent. Keisel will take over at right defensive end for the departing starter Kimo von Oelhoffen. The starter at left DE is Aaron Smith, who made the Pro Bowl following the '04 season.


That makes three NFL teams who should be starting two whites at defensive end this season: Keisel and Smith with the Steelers, Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay for Buffalo, and Kyle vanden Bosch and Travis LaBoy for Tennessee.


The Falcons started Patrick Kerney and Brady Smith at times over the past few years, but Smith was injuredlast yearand was released since the end of the season. For a long time there were no teams with two whites starting at DE, so we'll take our bright spots where we find them. Edited by: Don Wassall

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Absolutely Don! It will be nice to see more whites at that position. I played it in Junior High and it was an awesome position. I wish I could have played it more.

 

[backrow]

Cinci also did have that look at times with Justin Smith and Pollack lining up as DE on some plays.

 

[guest301]

We should see more of that from Cincinatti this year. Pollack was really coming on before he got injured near the end of the season.

 

[Don Wassall]

Pollack is being developed as an outside linebacker, though he may line up at end on some plays.

 

[guest301]

His last two games, Pollack seemed to play almost exclusively at DE. I read many comments in the Cincinatti Enquirer last year about some members of the Bengals organization doubting his ability to play outside lb. Defensive end was what he became a all-american at Georgia and so maybe that is what he should play anyway. Maybe he will be another Mike Vrabel and play both positions.

 

[Guest]

I read that if the Bengals sign a OLB or draft one than Pollack will move back to his natural position. Justin Smith and Pollack would be a deadly duo at the DE position.

 

[white tornado]

Pollack Is my favorite player I've watched almost every game he's played in since he got to college. He played between 280 and 250 in college, and 250 last year. If he's going to play end in the league he needs to play at 265. I can see Pollack going to many pro bowls.