Cheesehead
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- Mar 19, 2019
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LaFleur credited Keke for having "a great week of practice" heading into the Saints game. The playing opportunities haven't hurt, either. The former fifth-round pick has played nearly as many defensive snaps through the first three games (92) as he did in 14 regular-season games as a rookie a year ago (94).
Keke, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Saturday, played everywhere on Texas A&M's line but it was his senior year with the Aggies (51 tackles and seven sacks) that got him noticed.
His emergence Sunday night could be what enables defensive coordinator Mike Pettine to be more creative with not only how he utilizes Keke, but also Clark once he returns from the groin injury that's sidelined him the past two weeks.
LaFleur's challenge to his young defensive lineman is to stack success again next Monday night against Atlanta. After the defense weathered some injuries and adversity in New Orleans, Keke knows it's up to him and his fellow 2019 draftees to perform.
"There's a lot of key players who stepped up for us that made key plays for us," said Keke of how the defense closed out Sunday's win. "We practice hard. We put a lot of work in. So when we get to the game, it's second nature. That's what we do as a defense and we're just going to keep building on it and keep working."