CB Keenan Lewis out to prove his worth

[hawaiiansteel]

CB Keenan Lewis out to prove his worth

July, 30, 2011
By James Walker



Cornerback Keenan Lewis has a chance to earn more playing time this season.


LATROBE, Pa. -- At his best, cornerback Keenan Lewis says he can be a "miniature-Ike Taylor" for the Pittsburgh Steelers this season.

If that is the case, Pittsburgh's cornerback position isn't as thin as people think.

Opposite fellow corner Bryant McFadden, Lewis opened the first two days of Steelers training camp with the No. 1 defense. Lewis is gaining valuable experience this weekend, while holding the seat warm for Taylor, who signed a four-year contract but cannot practice until next week.

Still, this is a good opportunity for Lewis to prove his worth to the coaching staff and potentially earn a role as a nickel corner after two rocky seasons in Pittsburgh. Lewis is getting the first shot in what should be a deep competition with young teammates Crezdon Butler and rookies Curtis Brown and Cortez Allen.

"It feels good and it shows that I've learned my playbook now," Lewis said after practice Saturday. "I feel more experienced. It's my third year, and I'm just trying to do the best that I can to show all these fans who I really am."

Lewis has always been a natural athlete. The former third-round pick has good size and feet -- two things the Steelers covet -- but he hasn't been able to put it together.

Last year Lewis spent the season in coach Mike Tomlin's doghouse after a poor preseason game against the Denver Broncos. After the game, Lewis showed immaturity in the locker room by punching and shattering glass with is hand, which upset the organization.

Lewis said he's watch the tape of that Denver game plenty of times to learn from those mistakes. He also admits one of the biggest keys this season is to get tougher mentally.

"Last year taught me how to keep a cool head when facing adversity," Lewis said. "When people feel down on you, you can't get down on yourself. You have to keep going. No matter what the situation is, you have to keep getting better everyday."

Here are some additional notes from Steelers camp:

In addition to Plaxico Burress, the Steelers also met with free-agent tight end Daniel Graham on Saturday. Former backup tight end Matt Spaeth signed with the Chicago Bears, which leaves a spot open as the No. 2 tight end. Tomlin described both as "great meetings."

Despite the lockout, Pittsburgh's passing offense looks sharp early. Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and the rest of the receiving corps made several nice catches. Even running back Rashard Mendenhall got into the act with a couple nice grabs out of the backfield.

Free-agent running back John Clay has really good size, but it's hard to evaluate him without contact. I'm looking forward to seeing him run in pads.

Speaking of which, Sunday will be the first full-contract practice of training camp, which Tomlin was very excited about. "It's football," Tomlin said. "We're going to come out with pads on and we're going to play football."

[url="http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/29976/cb-keenan-lewis-out-to-prove-his-worth"]http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_ ... -his-worth[/url]

[AkronSteel]

I would love to see Keenan step up and be a contributor this year. He has the talent....he just needs to get it together upstairs! I hope he learned from his experience last year in Denver and can use that as motivation to become a difference maker for the team. I would very much enjoy him out performing McFadden in the preseason.....allowing to team to cut ties with BMAC! Someone has to step up in that secondary from all the young guys that the team has acquired in the last few years! It might as well be Keenan!!!

[Chadman]

Either Lewis or Cortez Allen may need to move to FS in time, but I have high hopes for this group of CB's- all look to have a bit about them.

[Oviedo]

Last season when Anthony Madison played and Lewis didn't that was a clear indicator of his worth or more appropriately his worthlessness. Madison was a complete joke as a DB so I don't expect Lewis to be much more.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Is there any chance a younger CB could take the starting job from BMac or is it just understood that Lebeau will just go with Bmac regardless of the talent a first or 2nd year player might have?

[flippy]

Curtis Brown will take BMac's job. He's the real deal.

Allen has the most raw talent and I'd see what he could do at FS to try and get him on the field sooner than later.

[Oviedo]

Is there any chance a younger CB could take the starting job from BMac or is it just understood that Lebeau will just go with Bmac regardless of the talent a first or 2nd year player might have?

A younger DB having more talent will make no difference. LeBeau will stay in his comfort zone with veterans who know his system even if they are marginal. He will not change his system to accomodate better young talent earlier in their careers. Especially true this year with no OTAs for the rookies.

[steelblood]

Is there any chance a younger CB could take the starting job from BMac or is it just understood that Lebeau will just go with Bmac regardless of the talent a first or 2nd year player might have?

A younger DB having more talent will make no difference. LeBeau will stay in his comfort zone with veterans who know his system even if they are marginal. He will not change his system to accomodate better young talent earlier in their careers. Especially true this year with no OTAs for the rookies.

While I think Ovi paints an overly negative picture of LeBeau quite often. He is absolutely correct here. Barring an injury to a starter, I see no way a rookie will challenge for a starting job early in the season. Butler and Lewis may be given a chance to compete with BMac, but I'm not even sure they will get a shot. I do think that Brown could challenge for the nickel or dime CB spot.

[MaxAMillion]

I have given up on Lewis. He was my favorite pick of his class based on how Lewis played in the senior bowl, but it has not translated to the NFL level. I don't expect anything different from Lewis this year than last year.

[steelz09]

I heard Cortez Allen made a real nice play the other day. He's another guy that seems very athletic and has great size. I'd like to see him do well being from the Citadel.

Didn't someone else say that Butler was starting nickel back?