I found this interesting and learned a bit more about our rookie LB and what he brings to the Giants. What do you think?

from http://trainathought.insidefootball.com/2008/08/quick-hits-with.html

Friday, August 01, 2008

Quick Hits ... with LB Bryan Kehl
by Ron Bahr for Inside Football

Q: Your 40 time at the combine was 4.68, but you ran 4.56 and 4.57 at your pro day. How did you improve your speed?
Bryan: I think the biggest thing was being in my own circumstances. At the combine I had been taking a variety of medical tests including X-rays and an MRI, and I didn’t have a chance to loosen up my legs before I ran. At my pro day I felt great and I improved in every category including 40 time.

Q: A number of draft preview reports questioned your flexibility, your ability to turn and run with a receiver. Your thoughts?
Bryan : I would highly disagree with that. My three-cone drill time was 6.54 and only three players in the country had better times, and they were all wide receivers. I was really surprised to see that comment when my three-cone time was published. Because the three-cone is nothing but running five yards turning, running five yards and turning again.

Q: Which linebacker positions did you play at BYU?
Bryan: I played both inside and outside, as a freshman I played inside briefly, in a 4-3, but then we switched to a three- four and moved outside. Coming here to a four-three has been an adjustment for me, actually a bigger adjustment than I had anticipated. A defensive player has to read certain keys, in college I read a receiver, a tight end, or sometimes a tackle, and then through them into the backfield. Here I read the running backs or sometimes a guard, which is completely different and makes it more difficult. But I am glad to say I am making progress with every practice. This is a sweet defense and I am excited about playing in it. This is a high-energy defense and we are coming for you.

Q: How much experience did you have in playing pass defense at BYU?
Bryan: I played pass defense the majority of the time. I would rush the quarterback about ten snaps a game and be in pass coverage most of the rest of the defensive plays.

Q: Often pass defenders including DB’s have a problem in reacting to the ball in the air even when they have a chance to do so. Is this a significant problem for you?
Bryan: I feel I am good with that, I still need to work on it, but I had three interceptions in college, which is pretty good for a linebacker. I was able to read the quarterback and make a play on the ball.

Q: How would you evaluate your tackling technique?
Bryan: I think I am pretty good but it is something I need to work on more. I tend to favor using my right shoulder to tackle. I want to work on that, but I’d usually wrap up.

The question about his ability to run with a receiver is interesting.
I can see Kehls point about having such a good 3 cone drill time, but I wonder if this is one of those circumstances where his timed speed doesn't neccessarilly translate onto the field.

Perhaps

but I think it is more likely that as a 3-4 OLB, that wasn't required of him too much, so he is learning something new to him.

One of the challenges all rookie LBs have is to become instinctive with the reading of what is happening.

From what I have heard so far, I am very impressed with Kehl