Pressure not getting to Keeler

Is there such a thing as relaxed pressure?

Brandon Keeler isn’t sure, but if there is, it’s on him.

Keeler is the new starter at Rover on the Eastern Washington defense, a rookie in the truest sense.

Free safety Gregor Smith, a redshirt freshman, could be called a rookie, but he’s been a defensive back for most of his football days.

Keeler, however, didn’t move to the secondary until last spring. Last fall he was a wide receiver who redshirted and the year before, as a true freshman out of Federal Way, he caught three passes.

So, yes, there is pressure on Keeler as he changes position.

But at least he has the luxury of joining a defense with nine starters back and a host of backups that have plenty of experience. That certainly eliminates a lot of pressure.

“It kind of goes both ways,” the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder said. “There could be the attitude of me not having pressure with all the depth we have back. But with the desire to play and get out there, that’s just more of a challenge for me to show the coaches what I can do to get out there.”

So far the coaches are pleased because with great battles swirling around him for the other two safety positions – free safety and whip safety – Keeler appears locked in at starter.

“We’ve got some good competition, we really do, especially at my position, the safety position” defensive coordinator Jody Sears said of his veteran defense. “I have some great competition, but it’s a great problem to have. We should have some good depth and hopefully keep some guys fresh and not have to blink an eye when we have to put a (backup) in.”

That makes the Eagles’ final scrimmage this morning at 9:15, crucial in the battle for starting spots.

“We’re really deep at the safety position, there are lots of good battles going for that spot,” Keeler acknowledged. “I’m looking forward to getting out there.”

It’s amazing how far Keeler has come as a defensive back.

“I played a little corner in high school but it’s nothing compared to safety at the collegiate level,” he said. “The biggest thing is the play calling is so much different than offense because you’re reading the offense.”

It’s a change he’s welcomed.

“I’m loving it so far,” the former State 4A long jump and 110-meter hurdle champion said. “I just got changed … but I think it’s for the best. I have a little more freedom to run and make plays. At wide receiver I was a little held back. I’m loving it.”

There is some unfinished business, however.

The thought at wide receiver is eventually you’re going to end up in the end zone at some point and that never happened for Keeler.

“That will be one of my goals,” he said with a grin, ” get my pick, take it back.”

Sears sitting

Sears is doing his coaching from a golf cart, which means he has to raise his voice for all to hear as he makes a point.

“What happened to me?” the Pullman High School and Washington State University graduate said. “Well, to make a long story short, being raised on a quarter-horse farm, I had some spare time and I was riding some colts for a guy. I was riding a 2-year old and he got out from underneath me and I landed on my right leg and blew out my right hip. I had some plates put in and some screws put in, so I’ll be hobbling around for 3 months.”

That happened just over a month ago and by the end of next week he should be help to put about half his weight on his right leg.

If there is a silver lining it’s that the veteran defense knows the ropes so Sears doesn’t have to hobble into the huddle on crutches.

Getting a kick

Today’s scrimmage is critical for the Eagles’ kicking game.

Last week’s scrimmage was really the first time special teams went live.

”(That) was the first day we actually put a little pressure on them with the defense,” Wulff said. “It was good. They were kind of kicking into a wind. It was OK.”

Not a ringing endorsement, but there is a sense of urgency on special teams with no proven kicker, punter or long snapper.

Johnny Hanson, a sophomore defensive lineman from Tenino, is expected to be the long snapper, but backup tight end Will Haas and starting linebacker Joey Cwik are still practicing.

Kicker Sheldon Weddle, from Ephrata, and punter Ryan Donckers, from Renton, have both been in the program two years but are being challenge by Skyler Allen. Allen, a quarterback turned wide receiver who was injured in the spring game, kicked at Pasco.

“I’m very pleased with Weddle and Donckers’ progress since they’ve been in the program,” Wulff said. “For Skyler, the first time he’s focused on kicking is this fall and already he’s getting better.”

Making noise

The defense still has to prove itself but so far the Eagles are talking a good game.

Someone is always yelling on defense, more than the normal calls for formations.

When asked about his loud D, Wulff said, “We’re trying to breed them. We’re doing everything we can to create some excitement and create a culture on our defense. That’s real important. It’s becoming more and more fun and it’s contagious. The more we can get that going, the more excitement and fun we can have.”