Rookie defensive end Daniel Te'o-Nesheim is one of the more intriguing personalities on the entire team.
Very soft spoken off the field, Te'o-Nesheim (that's tuh-OH NESS-ime like Manheim) isn't one to gab during interviews. But once he donned the pads at training camp, it was virtually certain that he would get involved in a scuffle.
And he did. But his actual play has impressed his teammates as well. He's quick off the ball. He's aggressive. He's strong. He's raw in some areas, but the attitude that is the polar opposite of his off-the-field behavior has earned him a nickname.
Defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley called Te'o-Nesheim a "silent killer." Te'o-Nesheim, the third-round pick who is the University of Washington's all-time leading sack artist, isn't getting caught up in the praise.
"I've always respected (Bunkley) even when I was a young guy in college. I'm the young one now," Te'o-Nesheim said. "It's really humbling. He might be trying to keep the young guys' heads up. I'm not going to read too much into it. Playing with these guys is really inspiring. I love watching the older guys go and how physical, violent and strong their pass rush moves are. I hope I can emulate them and work my way on to the field somehow."
On Friday night against Jacksonville, we will get the chance to see the versatile Te'o-Nesheim unleash his fury on an opposing team and have the chance to bring down the quarterback. Not only is Te'o-Nesheim working in as an end, but he is lined up on pass downs as a tackle as well. It might be a lot to ask of a rookie, but Te'o-Nesheim praises the coaching that he in college with easing the transition.
"I think I had really good coaching in college," Te'o-Nesheim said. "The pass rushing is a lot different because of the sets you get in the NFL compared to college."
Te'o-Nesheim didn't get drafted to be a broadcaster. He's here to play football. And if you are going to judge him by his off-the-field persona then you will be quite surprised.
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 10:45 a.m., August 11
