If you’re a young player who wasn’t even brought in through the draft, it would probably be in your best interest to emphasize that you’re willing to do anything that the coaches ask of you in order to make the team. It’s a good idea for the draft picks as well, especially those who come in the later rounds, but it’s pretty much essential for college free agents, futures signings, and the like.
For the Pittsburgh Steelers, we have already seen sixth-round linebacker Sutton Smith get work at fullback, changing his number to 42 to accommodate the potential of being used in that role in some form or fashion. College free agent safety P.J. Locke emphasized his ability to play just about anywhere, having prior experience at linebacker and cornerback in his history.
The latest to tout his versatility is also one that makes the most sense. Listed as a defensive back on the team’s official roster, Kameron Kelly has a background playing safety, cornerback, and even wide receiver as recently as earlier this year in the AAF.
As relayed yesterday, Kelly, signed after the AAF folded, ran with the first-team defense yesterday while Sean Davis has been sidelined with a minor injury of some sort that has kept him out of practice. The first-year player talked about that experience yesterday, but also about his ability to do things other than the free safety role he was asked to fill.
“I told coach whatever he wants me to do I will to help the team”, he told Teresa Varley for the team’s website. He added that he believes his versatility “helps me out a lot. Wherever they need me, I can play. If we have a nickel go down, I can move there. If we have a safety go down, I can play there. A corner goes down, I can play there. I feel like I am three people at once. That helps a lot”.
Which he knows to be the case. And he also knew where he might fit before he joined the Steelers. Originally an undrafted player out of San Diego State signed by the Dallas Cowboys a year ago, Kelly was released during training camp and never hooked back up with an NFL team, signing with the San Diego Fleet in the AAF in October. His resume in that league, including a three-interception game, but him back on the radar.
